The distance from Malta Airport to Valletta is just 10 kilometers. If you’re wondering how to get to Valletta from the airport, you have three options: a Malta Airport taxi, a private transfer, or a bus.
The easiest and smoothest option is to take an airport taxi or Malta Airport transfer. These provide door-to-door services in comfy, air-conditioned vehicles. You can get a taxi or private transfer 24/7, and the journey shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes.
For a budget-friendly option, the TD4 bus will drop you off in the city center in around 12-20 minutes. The schedule is more limited, but it could work for you.
Read on to learn about each method in detail.
3 ways to get from Malta Airport to the city center
PRICE FOR 
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €22 | 15min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Ideal for families and business travelers after a seamless arrival experience. | ||||||
Taxi | €17 | 15min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Good for families or groups after a quick, door-to-door ride. | ||||||
Bus (TD4) | €5 | 15min | 05:15–00:45 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Best for travelers on a budget. | ||||||
Video Guide: Getting from MLA Airport to Valletta
If you were to ask us how to get from Malta Airport to Valletta, we’d recommend taking a Malta Airport taxi. This is because it’s the smoothest, most convenient option to transport you and your loved ones from the curb of Malta Airport to the steps of your hotel.
In normal traffic conditions, the journey shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes. Plus, taxis are available from Malta International Airport 24/7.
Malta Airport to Valletta taxi prices
Malta Airport taxis typically calculate their fares using a taximeter depending on the distance traveled. However, rides from the airport can benefit from a fixed price system. You can pre-pay your fare at the taxi counter in the Arrivals Hall.
That said, you can expect your Malta Airport to Valletta taxi price to be €17.
*You do not have to pre-pay the fixed rate. If you prefer a metered ride, you can simply hop into a taxi outside of the Arrivals Hall. Just make sure your driver restarts the meter before setting off.
The base fare is €3.50. Then, the first km costs €2.50. The next 5 km costs €1.60, and so on. There may be surcharges applied if you have an excess of large luggage items. This is why the fixed price may be a better solution for many tourists.
Where do I get a taxi from?
You can find your taxi from Malta Airport to Valletta outside of the main terminal building, on the ground floor. The official taxis are white with a “TAXI” sign on top of them. Simply join the queue by the taxi stand until it’s your turn.
Remember to pre-pay at the taxi counter on the ground floor of the Arrivals Hall if you want to benefit from the fixed fare to Valletta.
Convenience
Taking a taxi is one of the most convenient and efficient methods for traveling from Malta Airport to the city center. Not only are taxis available 24/7, but they also provide comfortable, affordable rides to Valletta. You also have the choice of whether to pre-pay a fixed rate or use the taximeter, which gives you flexibility as a traveler. The only downside of this option is having to wait for an available taxi, especially during peak season.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreIf you’d rather take public transport from Malta Airport to Valletta, the bus is a reliable, low-cost option. While there are several buses running from Malta International Airport, the TD4 Valletta bus (previously the X4 bus) is the only one that runs directly to the center of Valletta. Therefore, it’s a popular choice for tourists.
The TD4 bus between Malta Airport and Valletta takes about 12–20 minutes, depending on traffic. It runs every 30 minutes daily, starting at 05:15 from the airport and continuing until 00:45 past midnight, with regular departures throughout the day and evening. You can see the most updated timetable (in English) below.
The TD4 bus will drop you at “Valletta B1”, just around the corner from Valletta Bus Station, a 5-minute walk away from Valletta City Gate. Buses can’t enter the historic center of the city, so you’ll need to continue your journey on foot.
How much is the bus from Malta Airport to Valletta?
The cost of a bus from Malta Airport to Valletta is €2.50 for a single adult ticket during the summer and €2 in the winter season.
You can pay for your fare as you board the bus with your contactless debit or credit card. Alternatively, you can pay the driver in cash and they’ll give you a paper ticket. Once you have your paper ticket, you need to validate it on the ticket machine next to the driver.
The TD4 bus is available from 05:15 to 00:45.
Where do I get the bus from?
As you exit the Arrivals Hall at Malta International Airport, stay on the same side of the road and turn right. You’ll see a row of bus stops directly outside of the terminal building. All three of the Malta Airport to Valletta bus stops are used by multiple buses – there is no set bus stop for the TD4. Just pay attention to the sign on the front of the bus to ensure you’re getting the right one.
Convenience
The TD4 bus from Malta Airport to Valletta is the least convenient option. Though the journey is short and direct, buses can be crowded during peak season.
If you want convenience and comfort, a taxi, transfer, or shared shuttle are better options. However, if you’re on a budget, the TD4 bus is great for those traveling light.
Timetables
TD4 (X4) bus route and timetable
Luqa Airport to Valletta
Useful Tips
The best way to get from Malta International Airport to Valletta is to take a private transfer. It has all of the benefits of a taxi, plus a meet-and-greet service and hand-selected vehicles. That way, you can skip the taxi queue and start your holiday faster.
With a top-rated, professional transfer company like Welcome Pickups, you can expect:
By choosing a private transfer service, you can relax knowing that all of the details will be taken care of on your behalf.
How much is a private transfer from Malta Airport to Valletta?
One of the best parts of booking a private transfer is that you’ll receive a custom, fixed quote for your journey ahead of time. That way, you don’t even need to carry extra cash when you travel. Your Malta Airport transfer to Valletta is already paid for.
As a guide on pricing, a four-seater sedan will cost €22. Whereas a minivan for up to eight passengers will cost €34.
You can book via our online portal or mobile app (App Store || Google Play). All we need is your flight number, name, contact details, party size, and destination. You can let us know if you have any special requirements too, such as a baby seat. You’ll receive a fixed quote that includes any surcharges. That way, no matter if you hit nose-to-nose traffic on the day, the price remains the same.
Private transfers are available 24/7 from Malta International Airport (MLA).
Where do I get a private transfer from?
Your friendly, local English-speaking driver will meet you in the Arrivals Hall. They’ll be holding a sign with your name on it to help you identify them. After greeting you, they’ll help you with your luggage and lead you to your handpicked vehicle.
Convenience
Taking a private transfer from Malta International Airport to the city center is the most convenient way to travel. You’ll receive a friendly, professional, seamless service from the moment you book to when you pull up at the steps of your hotel in Valletta. With fixed pre-paid fares and professionally trained drivers, you can trust that your journey will be as relaxing and smooth as possible.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 3 passengers
€19Starting from 6.3 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 8 passengers
€32Starting from 4 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 12 passengers
€47Starting from 3.9 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Malta Airport to Valletta?
The taxi fare from Malta Airport to Valletta is €17 if you choose the fixed price option. You can pre-pay for your taxi fare at the taxi counter in the Arrivals Hall. Alternatively, you can have a metered ride with any taxi. In that case, your fare will depend on the distance traveled to your final destination.
How far is the Malta Airport from the city?
Malta Airport is 10 km away from Valletta city center. By airport taxi or transfer, it’ll take around 15 minutes in light traffic. By public bus, the journey can take between 12 and 20 minutes.
How to go from Malta Airport to Valletta by bus?
The TD4 bus from Malta Airport to Valletta departs from outside of the terminal building every 30 minutes. The tickets cost €2.50 per person and you can pay on board by cash or card. The journey shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes in normal traffic conditions.
Is there public transport from Malta Airport?
Yes, there are public buses available from Malta Airport to various locations across Malta. The most popular route is the TD4, a non-stop Malta Airport to Valletta bus. It costs €2.50 and you can catch it from outside the airport terminal building.
Olivia De Santos
Olivia De Santos is a seasoned travel writer and adventurer with bylines in Lonely Planet and A Way Abroad. With over ten years of professional writing experience and a degree in Linguistics, she blends cultural insight and personal storytelling to help travelers see the world in a new light.
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