Malta’s buses are cheap, air-conditioned, and cover almost every corner of the island. But the fare system confuses most visitors — partly because the pricing has two seasonal tiers, and partly because you’ve probably read that buses in Malta are free. They are, but not for you. Here’s the complete breakdown for 2026.
Malta bus fares at a glance (2026)
| Ticket type | Price | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| Single ticket — winter (Oct 19 – Jun 13) | €2.00 | 2 hours, includes transfers |
| Single ticket — summer (Jun 14 – Oct 18) | €2.50 | 2 hours, includes transfers |
| Night bus (N-routes) | €3.00 | Single journey |
| Tallinja Direct (TD routes) | €3.00 (TD1: €3.50) | Single journey |
| Explore Card — adult 7 days | €25 | 168 hours from first use |
| Explore Card — child 7 days (ages 4–10) | €7 | 168 hours from first use |
| Children under 4 | Free | No card needed |
Payment is by cash or contactless (card or phone) directly on the bus. There is no app-based single ticket for tourists — if you’re buying journey by journey, you pay the driver.
If you have heavy luggage or are arriving late at night, a private airport transfer is a practical alternative to the bus — fixed rates and no change-fumbling at the door.
Single ticket: winter vs summer price
Malta operates two fare seasons. The winter fare of €2.00 per journey applies from 19 October to 13 June. From 14 June to 18 October the summer fare of €2.50 applies. Both include free transfers within a 2-hour window, so you can change buses once without paying again — useful if your route requires a connection through Valletta.
If you’re visiting between late June and September, budget €2.50 per journey. Four bus trips per day comes to €10 — which makes the Explore Card look attractive very quickly.
The Explore Card: is it worth it?
The Explore Card costs €25 for adults and gives unlimited travel on all day and night routes for 7 days (168 hours from the moment you first tap it). It does not cover Tallinja Direct (TD) routes or on-demand services. If you want TD routes included, the Explore Flex card (4 days from €21, 7 days €27, bus only) covers them at no extra cost. Travelling as a pair on a short stay? The 12 Single Day Journeys card (€19, shareable, valid 6 months) works out at about €1.58 per journey on day routes.
The break-even point in summer: 10 single journeys at €2.50 each. If you’re sightseeing across the island — Valletta, Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, Sliema — you’ll easily hit that in 2–3 days. For a week-long trip the card pays for itself on day two.
In winter the maths changes slightly: you need 13 single journeys at €2.00 to break even. For shorter stays of 2–3 days with light travel, single tickets may work out cheaper.
The Explore Card is a non-personalised Tallinja card. You buy it in person — it’s not available online for delivery. Pick it up at Malta International Airport arrivals, any Malta Public Transport Sales Office, card dispensing machines, or authorised outlets including Agenda bookshops.
If your priority is hitting all the major sights in 1–2 days rather than using local buses throughout your stay, the hop-on hop-off bus (around €28 for a day) covers both a North and South Malta route with audio guide included — a different value calculation from the Explore Card.
The free bus scheme — why it doesn’t apply to tourists
Since October 2022, residents of Malta who hold a personalised Tallinja card travel free on all standard day and night routes. This is a national welfare scheme for residents and requires a Maltese address, valid ID, and a registration process that takes up to two weeks including card delivery. There is a €25 registration fee plus postage.
As a tourist, you cannot use this scheme. You will pay the standard cash or Explore Card fare.
Night buses
Malta’s night bus network (N-routes) runs mainly from Valletta to major areas. The flat fare is €3.00 per journey. On 5 April 2026 four new night routes started (N3, N52, N71 and N120), all running every night of the week. If your hotel is outside Valletta or Sliema, check the updated timetable on the Tallinja app — coverage has improved.
The Explore Card covers night routes at no extra cost.
Tallinja Direct routes
Tallinja Direct (TD) routes are express services connecting key tourist areas. The fare is €3.00 per journey (TD1: €3.50), including for holders of the standard 7-day Explore Card — these routes are excluded from its unlimited benefit. The Explore Flex card does include them, and the 12 Single Day Journeys card counts each TD trip as two journeys. The Airport Direct routes (TD1–TD4) are covered covered in our Malta airport bus guide.
For visiting Gozo specifically: buses on the island are infrequent and routes are limited. Most visitors find that renting a car for the day in Gozo makes more sense than relying on the bus network there.
How to pay on the bus
Cash or contactless. If paying cash, bring coins — drivers carry limited change. Contactless by card or phone is accepted and the easier option. The fare is charged at the door; have your payment ready before boarding.
If you have an Explore Card, tap it on the reader as you board. A €50 fine applies if you board without a valid ticket or fail to validate your card. Inspectors do check.
Arriving with luggage from the airport? The Airport Direct routes TD1–TD4 (€3.00; TD1 €3.50) and several regular routes (such as 117, 135, 201 and 214) serve the airport, but if you have heavy bags or are arriving late, a private airport transfer with Welcome Pickups offers fixed pricing with no surprises.
The Tallinja app
Download the Tallinja app (iOS and Android) before you arrive. It gives you real-time bus tracking, route planning, and timetables. You can also use it to top up a registered Tallinja card or buy Explore Flex passes. It doesn’t replace payment on the bus for single tickets, but the real-time tracking alone is worth having — Malta’s buses run frequently but delays happen.
Getting around Malta by bus: practical notes
Almost all routes pass through Valletta’s bus terminus, located outside the city gate near the Triton Fountain. If you’re going from one part of the island to another, expect to change at Valletta. Other key interchanges are Bugibba, Sliema Ferries, and Mater Dei Hospital.
Buses run from around 05:30 to 23:00 on most routes. All buses have free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Malta’s fleet is fully modern — the vintage yellow buses you may have seen in old photos were replaced years ago.
For the Blue Lagoon on Comino, take any bus to Ċirkewwa and then a small boat across. That said, most visitors find it easier and more enjoyable to book a Blue Lagoon catamaran day trip directly from Sliema or Bugibba — it includes the crossing and sells out quickly in summer.
For full route information, scenic bus journeys across the island, and details on getting to the ferry terminal for Gozo, see our Malta public transport guide.
Malta bus fares 2026: FAQ
How much is a bus ticket in Malta in 2026?
A single bus ticket in Malta costs €2.00 in winter (19 October to 13 June) and €2.50 in summer (14 June to 18 October). Both are valid for 2 hours and include free transfers. Night buses and most Tallinja Direct routes cost €3.00; TD1 (airport – Ċirkewwa) costs €3.50.
Is the Malta bus free for tourists?
No. Free bus travel in Malta is available only to residents who hold a personalised Tallinja card registered to a Maltese address. Tourists pay standard fares: €2.00–€2.50 for a single journey, or €25 for a 7-day Explore Card.
Is the Explore Card worth it in Malta?
Yes, for most visitors staying 3 days or more. The €25 Explore Card covers 168 hours of unlimited travel on all standard day and night routes. In summer it breaks even after 10 journeys; in winter after 13. It does not cover Tallinja Direct express routes, so you pay the TD fare on those (€3.00; €3.50 on TD1).
Where can I buy the Malta Explore Card?
At Malta International Airport arrivals hall, any Malta Public Transport Sales Office, card dispensing machines around the island, and authorised third-party outlets including Agenda bookshops. It is not available to buy online for delivery.
Can I pay by contactless on Malta buses?
Yes. Contactless bank cards and smartphones are accepted on all Malta buses. Cash is also accepted, but drivers carry limited change — bringing coins if you plan to pay cash. A €50 fine applies for travelling without a valid ticket.
What is the summer bus fare in Malta 2026?
The summer single ticket fare in Malta is €2.50, valid for 2 hours with free transfers. Summer fares apply from 14 June to 18 October 2026. Outside those dates the winter fare of €2.00 applies.
