Getting Around Malta: Car, Bus or Bolt – What’s the Best Option for International Residents?

Rent or Buy a Car in Malta – The Pricey Freedom

The car is the holy grail of Malta mobility – and at the same time, the most expensive mistake you can make if you’re not careful. At first I thought, “How hard can it be to drive on a 27-by-14 kilometer island?” Very hard, as it turns out.

Renting a Car in Malta – What You’ll REALLY Pay

The rental car shock comes in waves. First wave: The prices. What costs €25 a day in Germany runs €35–50 here – and in the high season, even €60–80 per day. And that’s just the beginning.

Second wave: Insurance. Basic third-party coverage usually comes with an €800–1,500 excess. Given the road conditions (potholes that can swallow whole wheels) and Maltese driving style (blinkers are just a suggestion), I’d strongly recommend full coverage. That’s another €15–25 per day.

Third wave: Parking. In Valletta, you pay €5 for two hours; in Sliema, you fight for every centimeter of curb. Once, I spent 20 minutes trying to park in Bugibba—for nothing. I ended up in a side street, then had to walk 15 minutes to the restaurant.

Buying a Car as a Malta Resident – Is It Worth It?

After three months of rental car madness, I thought, “Owning a car has to be cheaper.” And it was—eventually. A used small car runs €8,000 to €15,000. Sounds normal, but the extra costs really add up.

Car registration in Malta is €368 for EU citizens, plus a VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) of 15–20% of the car’s value. On a €10,000 car, that’s another €1,500–2,000 in taxes. Insurance comes in at €600–1,200 per year, depending on age and no-claims status.

• Purchase price: €8,000–15,000 (used small car)
• VRT (vehicle tax): 15–20% of the vehicle’s value
• Registration: €368
• Insurance: €600–1,200 per year
• Inspection (VRT Test): €40 every two years
• Maintenance: €500–800 per year

The math: With a €10,000 car, you’ll pay about €13,000 in the first year (car + tax + registration + insurance). From year two on, only €1,100–2,000 in ongoing costs. Worth it from around 18 months’ stay onwards.

Parking Roulette and Traffic Chaos

The real Malta driving adventure starts as soon as you hit the road. Streets here are narrow, winding, and often poorly signposted. GPS helps, but even Google Maps gets confused in Mdina, where three different streets share the same name.

Parking is a full-time job. In tourist hotspots like Valletta or the Three Cities, expect to search 15–30 minutes for a spot. My record: 45 minutes to find a spot in Birgu—only to discover the restaurant was closed.

Pro Tip: Download the park.com.mt app. It shows parking availability in real time—sometimes. The Maltese definition of “available” is a bit flexible.

So what does this mean for you? Having a car in Malta is pure luxury—expensive, stressful, but unbeatable for flexibility. If money’s no object and you want to explore the island without relying on bus timetables, it’s perfect. For everyone else, there are better options.

Taking the Bus in Malta – Patience Is a Virtue

Taking the bus in Malta is like meditation in motion—if you approach it right. Get it wrong, and it’s the fastest route to a nervous breakdown. I’ve experienced both, and let me tell you: the art lies in setting the right expectations.

Understanding the Malta Public Transport System

The bus system run by Malta Public Transport (the orange buses) works on a simple rule: nearly all routes go via Valletta. Want to travel Sliema to Mdina? Through Valletta. Bugibba to Marsaxlokk? Through Valletta. Valletta to Valletta? Still via Valletta—just kidding, but you get the idea.

There are over 80 bus routes, but the most relevant for residents are:

• X1, X2, X3, X4: Express routes to major areas
• 13, 14, 15, 16: Sliema-Valletta connection
• 21, 22: Bugibba-Valletta
• 51, 52: Mosta-Valletta
• 80, 81: Airport-Valletta

The Tallinja Card (your bus pass) costs €15, including €5 credit. A single journey is €1.50 in winter, €2 in summer. Summer means more tourists—hence, higher ticket prices.

Taking the Bus as a Full-Time Sport

Punctuality, when it comes to Maltese buses, is an idea—not a promise. The official Tallinja app claims to show live arrival times—in theory. In practice, it says “3 minutes,” then “5 minutes,” then “bus is approaching,” then the bus disappears from the app entirely.

After more than 200 bus rides, here’s my rule: Always allow an extra 15–30 minutes. The most frustrating moments are when you see the bus, wave, and it just drives past. Not malice—it’s usually that the bus is full.

Insider tip: Night Services (N lines) run Friday to Sunday until 4am. Perfect if you’ve been out clubbing in Paceville and want to avoid paying €60 for a Bolt home.

Costs and Time Management—A Realistic Look

Financially, the bus can’t be beat. Even riding twice a day, you’re only spending €84–112 per month. A rental car costs that in just two days. But time is money—and buses will cost you plenty of that too.

Example: I live in Sliema and work remotely. To get to an appointment in Mosta, it goes like this:

1. 15 minutes walking to the bus stop
2. 10 minutes waiting (on a lucky day)
3. 20 minutes to Valletta
4. 5 minutes transfer
5. 25 minutes to Mosta
6. 10 minutes walking to the destination

Total: 85 minutes. By car? Just 25 minutes. That’s the price of thriftiness.

What does this mean for you? Bus is perfect if you have time, want to save money, and love a bit of adventure. For deadlines and important appointments, you need a back-up plan.

Bolt and Other Ride-Sharing Services in Malta

Bolt became my lifeline. If the bus vanishes again, I’m carrying heavy shopping, or I actually need to be on time—Bolt saves the day. But beware: costs add up faster than Maltese construction sites.

Bolt Malta: Experiences & Costs

Bolt works surprisingly well in Malta. Wait times are usually 3–8 minutes—unless it’s after midnight on a Saturday in Paceville, then it might be 20. Most drivers are friendly and speak English, which helps when navigating Malta’s maze of roads.

Prices are fair, but pile up. Here are my common routes:

It gets especially pricey during events. When the Malta Fireworks Festival was on, my usual €10 Valletta-to-Sliema ride shot up to €28. That’s “dynamic pricing”—I call it the price of convenience.

When Bolt Is Really Worth It

Bolt totally makes sense in certain situations, even if it’s costlier than the bus:

• Heavy luggage: Try taking the bus with two suitcases. Spoiler: Not fun.
• Late at night: After 11pm, the bus network thins out. Only the N lines run at night.
• When it’s raining: Maltese bus stops rarely have shelters. When it rains, you’ll get soaked.
• Important appointments: When punctuality is crucial, Bolt is your best bet.
• Groups: With four people, Bolt can be cheaper than four bus tickets.

Pro Tip: Use Bolt Go for longer trips (e.g. Valletta–Gozo ferry). It’s only a little more than normal Bolt fares, but you get a bigger, comfier car.

Alternative to Bolt: eCabs is the local rival. Often slightly cheaper, but with longer waits. Cool Taxi works too, but is mainly optimized for airport transfers.

So what does this mean for you? Bolt is the perfect middle ground between comfort and cost—if you use it wisely. As a daily solution, it’s expensive; as an occasional luxury, it’s worth its weight in gold.

The Ultimate Transport Comparison – Which Suits Whom?

After two years of trial and error, I can tell you exactly which transport option fits which lifestyle. Spoiler: Most residents end up mixing and matching—depending on the situation, weather, and their bank balance.

Cost Comparison in Detail – The Truth About Monthly Expenses

I documented every trip for a year (yes, I’m that type). Here’s the real math for different user types:

The calculation gets interesting when you factor in real-world habits. Luca, for example, doesn’t travel every day, but when he does, he wants flexibility. His real mix: 60% bus (€90), 30% Bolt (€180), 10% car rental for weekend trips (€120) = €390 over six months.

Time Investment & Flexibility – How Much Is Your Time Worth?

Time is the hidden cost. I measured it: With the bus, I spend 40% more time commuting than by car. That’s four extra hours a week with ten trips—almost half a workday.

• Bus: Cheap, but time-consuming and inflexible
• Own Car: Flexible and time-efficient, but expensive and stressful
• Bolt: Flexible and time-efficient, but very expensive if used frequently
• Rental Car: Flexible, only cost-effective for longer usage

My Recommendations By User Type

For Anna (holiday explorer, 10 days):
Bolt + bus combo. Bolt for airport and important appointments, bus for sightseeing without a tight schedule. Budget: €150–200. Don’t bother with a car—parking will eat up your vacation time.

For Luca (longer stay, 6 months):
Bus pass + strategic Bolt + rental car for weekends. Get to know the bus system, use Bolt for emergencies, and rent a car every two weeks for a Gozo/Comino trip. Budget: €400–500 total.

For Dr. Mara (permanent):
Buy your own car after Month 18. Before then: a bus pass for daily life, Bolt for comfort, rental car for the first months. The investment pays off if you’re here to stay.

My personal mix: 70% bus (I like to read on the way), 25% Bolt (bad weather, heavy shopping), 5% rental car (Gozo trips). Costs: €80 per month.

So what does this mean for you? There’s not one perfect solution, but the perfect combination for your situation. Being honest about your budget, time, and comfort needs will help you decide.

Practical Tips for the Perfect Mobility Mix

The true Malta pros never just use one option—they mix and match. Here are the strategies I’ve developed over two years to save time and money, without losing my sanity.

Must-Have Apps

• Tallinja App: For bus times—use with a healthy dose of skepticism
• Bolt: For ride sharing—also install eCabs as a backup
• Citymapper Malta: Better than Google Maps for public transport
• park.com.mt: For parking—works about 60% of the time, but better than nothing
• Waze: For car navigation—the community is active and flags up police checks

Weather-Based Transport Strategy

Malta has only two seasons: “Too hot for the bus” and “Too rainy for the bus.” Here’s my weather strategy:

• Summer (June–September): Take the bus early morning, Bolt (with A/C) during the day, bus again in the evening
• Winter (October–March): Bus in nice weather, Bolt when it rains
• Festa weekends: Only walk or take the bus—many roads are closed
• High season: Bolt gets expensive; buses get crowded—plan extra time

Saving Money Without Losing Comfort

Insider trick: There’s no Bolt Pool in Malta, but you can ask your driver to pick up extra passengers for long journeys. Amazingly, it often works and saves 30–40%.

More ways to save:

• Tallinja 12-day pass: €21 for twelve days—worth it from 15 journeys
• Bolt at odd hours: 2:30pm is cheaper than 3:00pm
• Rent a car starting Tuesday: Monday and weekends are price peaks
• Bolt for groups: Four people in a Bolt can be cheaper than four bus tickets

Emergency Strategy

What do you do when everything goes wrong? Bus is cancelled, Bolt is overpriced, no rental cars are available?

1. Plan A: eCabs or Cool Taxi as Bolt alternatives
2. Plan B: Walk + bus combo (often faster than you’d think)
3. Plan C: Local Facebook groups—Maltese people love to help
4. Plan D: Ask your hotel concierge—they often have insider contacts

So what does this mean for you? With the right strategy, transport in Malta becomes a solution, not a problem. The trick is to stay flexible and not get stuck on a single option.

Frequently Asked Questions About Transport in Malta

Can I drive in Malta with a German driver’s license?
Yes, as a tourist there’s no limit, as a resident up to 12 months. After that, you’ll need to apply for a Maltese license. The application costs €25 and takes 2–4 weeks.

How reliable are the buses, really?
Around 70% of buses arrive within 10 minutes of schedule. The other 30% are a lottery. Express lines (X1–X4) are more reliable than regular routes.

Is an e-scooter worth it in Malta?
Not really. The roads are rough, curbs high, and there are hardly any bike lanes. Plus, e-scooters aren’t allowed on buses.

What does a taxi from the airport cost?
Official airport taxis: €15–25 depending on your destination. Bolt: €12–18. Bus 80/81: €1.50, but the journey takes 45–75 minutes.

Can I rent a car for just one day?
Yes, but it’s rarely worth it. Daily rates are high (€35–60), plus fuel and parking fees. Perfect for Gozo day trips, though.

How does parking work in Malta?
Three zones: White (free), Blue (paid, €1–3/hr), Yellow (residents only). Parking apps: easypark.mt or SMS to 79555.

Is Uber available in Malta?
No, Uber isn’t available. Bolt is the market leader, followed by eCabs and Cool Taxi.

What should I do if I have a car accident?
Call the police (112), take photos, exchange details. With rentals, inform the company straight away. Most insurance requires a police report.

Can I use the bus at night?
Yes—Night Services (N lines) run Fri–Sun until 4am. But: fewer routes, longer waits, sometimes very crowded buses.

How much should I tip Bolt drivers?
€1–2 for standard rides, more for excellent service or heavy luggage. Via the app or in cash.