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Price review: Sep 2026

Malta Bus Guide 2026: Tallinja Card, Explore Pass & Route Hacks

How to travel across Malta and Gozo on public buses: single tickets, 7-day unlimited passes, and beating traffic bottlenecks.

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Written by ETH Editorial Team
Published: Aug 18, 2026 • Fact-checked by ETH Editorial Team

Malta Public Transport Overview

Malta has no trains or trams; public transit is operated entirely by modern white and green buses managed by Malta Public Transport (MPT). Buses serve almost every village, beach, and historical site across Malta and Gozo.

Ticket Options & Pricing

  1. Single Cash / Contactless Ticket: €2.00 in winter/summer, €3.00 on night services. You can tap any contactless debit/credit card directly on the ticket reader when boarding.
  2. 12-Single Day Journey Card: €21.00 (valid for 12 bus trips across Malta and Gozo; can be shared between traveling companions).
  3. Explore Card (7-Day Unlimited): €25.00 for adults, €19.00 for children. Provides 7 consecutive days of unlimited travel on all day and night buses across both Malta and Gozo. If taking more than 12 bus trips in a week, this is your cheapest option.

The Valletta Terminus Hub

Almost all major bus routes originate or terminate at the Valletta Bus Terminus located directly outside the City Gate and Triton Fountain.

  • Bus 51, 52, 53: Valletta to Mdina and Rabat (30 minutes).
  • Bus 41, 42: Valletta to Ċirkewwa (for Gozo ferry, 75 minutes).
  • Express Bus X4: Valletta to Malta International Airport (25 minutes).
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About the Author

ETH Editorial Team

The ETH (Euro Travel Hacks) Editorial Team researches European travel costs, transport, accommodation, and trip-planning information using official sources and structured Euro Travel Hacks data. Changing prices and travel information are dated and reviewed against cited sources where practical.

Experience: Structured research and verification across official European transport operators, municipal transit authorities, and national tourism offices.