If you’re flying into Malta this year and staying in the vibrant coastal hubs of Sliema, Gżira, or St. Julian’s, navigating from the terminal to your hotel doesn’t have to be stressful. While regular public buses and private transfers are widely available, the TD3 (Tallinja Direct 3) bus offers a perfect middle ground: it is highly affordable, minimizes stops, and gets you straight to the island’s most popular tourist districts.
Here is your complete 2026 guide to the TD3 Airport Direct bus, covering exactly where it goes, how much it costs, and when you can catch it.
Quick answer: the TD3 is the €3.00 limited-stop bus from Malta Airport to San Ġwann, St Julian’s, Sliema and Gżira. It runs about every 15–30 minutes, roughly 05:15–00:45 every day. Pay by contactless bank card or cash on board. The standard 7-day Explore card does not cover it; Explore Flex does.
| Fare | €3.00 per person, per journey |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Every 15–30 minutes |
| Hours | About 05:15 to 00:45, daily |
| Goes to | San Ġwann, St Julian’s, Sliema, Gżira, Msida, Floriana (loop back to the airport) |
| Travel cards | Explore Flex: included · 7-day Explore: not included · 12-journey card: counts as 2 journeys |
What is the TD3 Bus?
The TD3 is part of Malta Public Transport’s “Airport Direct” network. Unlike regular bus routes, which stop at almost every neighbourhood along the way, the TD (Tallinja Direct) routes are designed to be express services. This means less time sitting in transit and more time enjoying the Mediterranean sun.
Route & Key Stops
The TD3 specifically connects Malta International Airport with the northeastern coastal resort towns. Because it bypasses the smaller village stops, the travel time is significantly reduced, usually taking about 30 to 40 minutes depending on local traffic.
TD3 is one of four Airport Direct routes. The others are TD1 (Rabat, Buġibba, Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa), TD2 (St Julian’s, Paceville, Pembroke) and TD4 (Valletta and the Gozo Fast Ferry). If you are staying in Paceville or Pembroke, TD2 may drop you closer.
Main Stops Include:
- Malta International Airport: The bus terminal is clearly signposted just outside the main Arrivals hall.
- Msida / Gżira: Stops along the main marina road (e.g., Ponsonby stop), perfect if you are staying near the waterfront.
- Sliema: Drops off at major points including Sliema Ferries, Chalet, and Torri.
- St. Julian’s: Continues up the coast stopping at Balluta Bay and the main San Ġiljan terminus, bringing you right to the doorstep of Malta’s nightlife and dining capital.
(Route order from the airport, per Malta Public Transport: Airport → San Ġwann → St Julian’s (Spinola, Balluta) → Sliema (Torri, Chalet, Ferries) → Gżira (Ponsonby) → Msida → Floriana (Bombi) → Airport. It is a loop, so St Julian’s comes first on the way from the airport.)
Timetable & Frequency
While standard buses can be subject to delays, the TD3 maintains a fairly reliable express schedule to cater to arriving and departing flights.
- Frequency: The TD3 runs every 15–30 minutes, depending on the time of day.
- Operating Hours: Services from the airport run from around 05:15 until around 00:45, seven days a week. Check the live timetable on the tallinja app before you travel.
- Peak Traffic: Keep in mind that morning rush hours (07:00–09:00) and evening commutes (16:00–18:00) can extend the journey time, so factor in a little extra buffer if you are catching a flight back home.
2026 Ticket Prices & Payment
Because the TD3 is an express service, it operates on a slightly different fare structure than standard day buses (which are €2.00 in winter and €2.50 in summer).
- Single Journey Fare: €3.00 * How to Pay: You can pay the €3.00 fare directly to the driver using cash (exact change is highly recommended) or simply tap a contactless credit/debit card or smartphone wallet upon boarding.
- Tourist Travel Cards: If you plan on exploring Malta extensively, the Explore Flex Card covers Tallinja Direct routes at no extra cost. The standard 7-day Explore Card (€25) does not — with it you still pay €3.00 on TD3. The 12 Single Day Journeys card (€19.00) is accepted, but each TD trip counts as two journeys.
- Personalised Tallinja Cards: If you are a resident holding a personalised card for Malta’s free public transport scheme, note that Tallinja Direct routes are not part of the free travel scheme: personalised tallinja card holders pay €1.50 per journey.
TD3 bus or private transfer?
The bus is the cheapest option for most visitors. A pre-booked transfer charges one price for the whole car, so it gets closer to the bus fare the more people you are — and it is the practical choice after the last bus.
| TD3 bus | Pre-booked transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €3.00 per person | Fixed price per car, set when you book (about €22–25 to Valletta, Sliema or St Julian’s on Welcome Pickups’ Malta page, 27 Sep 2026) |
| 2 travellers | €6.00 | Same car price |
| 4 travellers | €12.00 | Same car price |
| Hours | About 05:15–00:45 | Any time, matched to your flight |
| Drop-off | Bus stops on the loop — you may walk the last part | Your hotel door |
| Best for | Solo travellers and couples with light luggage, arriving in the daytime | Arrivals after about midnight, families, groups of 3–4, heavy luggage, hotels away from TD3 stops |
Partner option · we may earn a commission
Private airport transfer in Malta (Welcome Pickups)
- Who it suits: late arrivals, families and small groups going straight to their hotel.
- What you get: a driver who meets you in arrivals and a car to your address; the provider says it monitors your flight.
- Not included: any public transport tickets, and the return trip unless you book it too.
- Price: a fixed price for the car, shown before you pay — check it for your exact address and time.
- Provider: you book directly with Welcome Pickups.
Local Insider Tips for the TD3
To travel like a true local and avoid any first-day friction, keep these unwritten rules of Malta’s public transport in mind:
- The “Flag It Down” Rule: In Malta, buses do not automatically stop at every designated bus stop, even if there are people waiting. When you are catching the TD3 back to the airport from Sliema or St. Julian’s, you must clearly raise your hand to flag the driver down as the bus approaches. Likewise, press the “Stop” button well in advance of your destination when you want to get off.
- Beware the Arctic A/C: Malta gets incredibly hot in the summer, but the air conditioning on the newer Airport Direct buses is notoriously strong. If you get easily chilled (especially if you’re boarding sweaty from the Mediterranean heat), keep a light layer or scarf easily accessible in your carry-on for the ride.
- The Luggage Hustle: While the TD3 is an airport route equipped with luggage racks, space is still finite and it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re boarding at the airport, try to get to the bay a little early so you can secure a spot for your large suitcases rather than wrestling them into the aisle.
- Card is King (But Bring Coins Just in Case): Tapping a contactless bank card is by far the easiest way to pay your €3.00 fare. If you absolutely must pay cash, try your best to have exact change or small coins. Drivers frequently run out of change and may refuse large bills (like €20 or €50 notes).
- Rush Hour Realities: The published travel time of 30-40 minutes is accurate for off-peak hours, but the coastal road through Gżira, Sliema, and St. Julian’s is highly prone to gridlock. If you are catching a flight between 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM, give yourself a generous time buffer—traffic can easily double your transit time!
Official 2026 Pricing & Schedule Disclaimer
Disclaimer: All travel times, routing details, and public transport fares mentioned in this guide were checked against Malta Public Transport on 27 September 2026 (transfer prices: Welcome Pickups, same date). Malta Public Transport frequently adjusts seasonal timetables and fare structures—particularly transitioning between winter and summer schedules. Fares and stop locations are subject to change. We highly recommend downloading the official Tallinja App or checking the Malta Public Transport website on the day of your travel to verify real-time departures and current pricing.
Next: the full Malta public transport guide and Malta bus fares 2026 (Explore cards and the 12-journey card).
