Malta: Travel Guide
If you’ve ever tried to research airport facilities and found it difficult, this guide to Malta International Airport is for you. This travel guide answers popular questions such as:
☕ What facilities are in the departure lounge at Malta Airport?
🤓 Is there free Wifi at Malta Airport?
🔌 Are there plug sockets at Malta Airport?
🔋 Are there free USB sockets at Malta Airport?
👩💻 Does Malta Airport have desks for working?
🦠 Is there COVID testing at Malta Airport?
👮♀️ What’s the security like at Malta Airport?
😶🌫️ Can you smoke at Malta Airport?
Obviously, there’s a lot of Malta beyond the airport, so we’ll also answer some questions about travelling to/from Malta Airport, and getting around generally, too. Including:
🚌 What is the best way to get to Malta Airport?
🚖 Can you get an Uber from Malta Airport?
🗺️ What’s the best way to get around around Malta?
I still remember when I first started travelling while working. Running a remote business meant that the possibilities were endless: “I can work anywhere!” I’d say. I worked from cruise ships, airport lounges, rooftop gardens, city balconies… It soon became clear that, not only was I working from anywhere, I was working from everywhere. And I loved it.
Today, my clients are used to receiving emails from me at strange times due to different timezones and crazy travel plans. With a bit of forward planning, it all goes really smoothly, but it does take extra work to make sure I’m as accessible as I need to be. For me, time spent travelling needs to be optimised, because any downtime while I’m on the road needs to be recouped once I reach my destination, and that’s not fun. Hence, I always try to do research before I take a flight to make sure I know what facilities are available at the airport.
This guide to Malta International Airport, and beyond, has been written with digital nomads - people like me who who work and travel - in mind, but it’s great for absolutely anybody travelling through Malta International Airport and around the island! Especially if you want your journey to go smoothly, you like to plan ahead, or you need to remain connected while you travel in Malta.
All you need to know about travelling from Malta Airport
When you travel, all the stuff in departures at the airport remains a bit of a secret until you make it through security. But what if you’ve got a bit of a wait at the airport and you need to entertain yourself, or if you work while you travel and you need to get s**t done, this guide has all the info you need.
N.B. All information in this travel guide is correct as per my last trip to Malta in September 2021.
☕ 1: What facilities are in the departure lounge at Malta Airport?
For starters: Malta International Airport is a little disjointed once you get into departures so do take some time to have a stroll around and familiarise yourself. Arriving in Malta you’ll find that English and Maltese are commonly spoken. There is a lot of British influence on the island and this flows through to the departure lounge - it’s not unlike a small UK airport, and features some British household names. There are:
18 departure gates
A Hardrock Cafe
A few small designer stores (HEBE, Parfois and Saltwater)
A sunglasses shop
A WhSmiths
A Costa
A duty-free shop
An outdoor smoking area
Work desks with plug sockets and USBs
An Executive Lounge (La Valetta Club - details here)
Despite being a fairly small airport, departures at Malta Airport is a little bit dispersed so it's best to keep an eye on the boards for your gate number and go there as soon as possible.
Different to most UK airports, in Malta your passport is checked at border control in departures as well as just before you board your flight at the gate. There are automated border control gates but these were not working when I was travelling through this airport in September 2021. If you are a UK citizen you can no longer go through the EU gate, and this caused caused quite a queue for the border officer at reviewing the ‘Other Passports’. Be sure to leave enough time for this so you don’t get stressed.
Travel Tip
Keep an eye on the departure boards for your gate number and go straight there. It can take a surprisingly long time to get through Border Control.
There are not many seats at the gates themselves(read: practically none), but getting there early will mean that you can get a coffee and a seat at the Costa right by the gates, this was absolutely empty when I was there.
🤓 Is there free WiFi at Malta Airport?
Yes! There is free WiFi at Malta Airport and it’s pretty speedy too. Simply agree the T&Cs and you can access unlimited free WiFi at Malta Airport.
If you need WiFi on your flight, it’s best to check with your airline to see whether this will be available. I flew to Malta with British Airways which had WiFi (paid) and returned to the UK with Air Malta on an Airbus 320, which did not have WiFi.
🔌 Are there plug sockets at Malta Airport?
Yes. Malta Airport has a lot of plug sockets and charging points. These are free to use. The charging points are by some desks right towards the back of the departure lounge. It’s free to charge your phone, laptop, or other electrical appliance at Malta airport. UK plugs fit these plug sockets without a travel adapter. When I was there the plug sockets all seemed to be well-maintained and in good working order.
As you head through to the departure gates there are no charging banks of plug sockets, but there were sockets accessible at floor level. These were in the EU plug formation so if you’re travelling with UK appliances, you’ll need a travel adapter. The CARD Travel Adapter hands-down is my absolute favourite travel adapter.
🔋 Are there free USB sockets at Malta Airport?
Yes. Malta Airport has a lot of charging points with USB sockets. They are by some desks right towards the back of the departure lounge. It’s free to charge your phone or USB device at Malta airport. When I was there the USB charge points all seemed to be in good working order. I did not notice any USB charge points once I went through Border Control, so be sure to charge your device(s) before you go through to your gate, if you need to.
If you miss the USB charge points, it’s possible that you’ll be able to charge your device by USB on your flight. I have flown with Air Malta and British Airways when travelling to Malta; both had USB charge points on the flight.
👩💻 Does Malta Airport have desks for working?
Yes, Malta International Airport has desks for working. The bank of desks is right at the end of the departure lounge - near the smokers section - here you’ll find a bank of desks with power docks. I was flying out on a Monday morning in peak season and, despite the airport seeming busy, there was still plenty of space here. There are desks, power sockets (with USB) and some other bench seating.
Desks & charge points at Malta International Airport
🦠 Is there COVID testing at Malta Airport?
Yes, there is COVID testing at Malta Airport. At the time of writing (September 2021), COVID testing at Malta International Airport is managed by Swabbing Malta.
Swabbing Malta are located on the ground floor (level 0) of the ‘East’ car park. You are able to attend in your car or walk there from the airport entrance. If you are travelling by taxi, the best thing to do is to get your driver to drop you off at ‘Car Park East’. Alternatively, if you are dropped off at the main entrance to the airport, simply double-back on yourself and you will see a multi-storey car park behind you (around 300 yards’ walk); when you reach it, simply go up the entrance ramp and the Swabbing Malta’ testing station is to your left. The Rapid Antigen Tests are painless - just a cotton bud to collect a nasal swab (no discomfort or pain involved). You will get your results by email in around 20 minutes - I waited in the Costa just inside the airport. The cost of the test was 40 euros. To board your flight you just need to show your email detailing your negative test result.
Check what you need before you travel and make sure you have it all to hand. If you are planning to show any health documentation digitally, make sure your phone/tablet has charge. I always carry a spare battery from Anker too.
👮♀️ What’s the security like at Malta Airport?
In my experience, security is pretty efficient and stress-free. It took less than 10 minutes for me to get through security. As always, I was well-prepared - I removed my waist bag and belt before I got to the trays, put these plus my toiletries in one tray, my laptop in another, and my backpack in a third tray. It’s important that nothing is on top or beneath your laptop, and the same goes with liquids/toiletries. Basically, this isn’t about cramming stuff into a single tray, it’s about spacing stuff out for easy scanning, so don’t layer your stuff.
There isn’t an awful lot of space to get yourself to get yourself together once your bag etc has been through the scanner. Don’t be an airport wanker…pick your gumph up and move to one of the metal tables behind security to put yourself and your stuff back together. If you don’t, everything gets backed up. This is one of my top airport frustrations (can you tell?!)
⭐️ TOP PICK: Best Travel Bottle Set ⭐️
If you want to get through airport security fast, ensure you have your liquids bagged up effectively. This is the main hold-up at airport security.
TRAVELINS refillable travel pouches are 100% compliant with TSA/EU guidelines, so you’ll fly through security without getting any of your liquids confiscated.
😶🌫️ Can you smoke at Malta Airport?
Yes. There is an outdoor smoking area at Malta Airport, accessible via departures.
🚌 What is the best way to travel to Malta Airport?
If you are staying in Malta and you need to get to Malta Airport, you’ll find that it’s pretty central and not far from anywhere on the main island - which is tiny! Hence, you can drive, get a bus, or a taxi.
Buses start from around 6am-ish, so okay for most flights, but not really for those leaving before 8am. And, they are often late and busy - not great if you have large suitcases.
Unless you have a hire car, the best way to get to Malta Airport is to get a taxi through eCabs or Bolt (similar to Uber - order by app). You can book anytime and your ride will be reserved. On the day, you get a notification around 10 minutes before your driver is due, and you can track your ride to see the progress towards your location. It's all really well organised, reassuring, and pretty reasonable.
Remember: if you have booked a COVID test at the airport, ask your driver to drop you at the 'East' car park - it'll save you a walk. They can drop you right at the swabbing station and leave the car park without charge (60 minutes free). You can even ask them to stay while you are swabbed and then have them drive you to the airport (but remember the meter will be running).
🚖 Can you get an Uber from Malta Airport?
No, Uber does not currently operate in Malta, instead, there are a couple of alternatives - eCabs and Bolt . You can get both of these from Malta International Airport; they are able to collect you right outside.
These are super easy to use, simply download the apps (you can do so before you travel), add your contact and payment details, scan the area for cars available, enter your destination, and you will get an estimate of how soon your driver can collect you. Simply book the 'ride' and wait at the collection point you registered. You'll be able to see your driver's name, car type and numberplate. Then, simply ride. After using Bolt you are invited to 'rate your ride' and leave a tip (100% of which goes to the driver). It is not currently possible to tip drivers on the eCabs app. Tipping is common but not essential in Malta.
It is also possible to pre-book with Bolt and eCabs. In my experience this is efficient and effective. I used this to get to the airport in the early hours - booking an eCab for 4:00am.
When I compared similar trips, eCabs was typically cheaper - by around 10-20% on a short 15-minute trip. Here are some sample costs for popular destinations from Malta Airport:
Malta Airport > St Julian’s: €13.50
Malta Airport > Sliema: €13.40
Malta Airport > Marsaxlokk: €11.30
Malta Airport > Valletta: €11.40
Malta Airport > Cirkewwa (Gozo ferry port): €31.20
Your accommodation provider may offer to organise an airport transfer for you, which sounds great, but you’ll pay a premium. A hostel I stayed in in Sliema offered this for €50 - claiming that the driver would “know where the door is”, which made it sound difficult to find. It wasn’t. Any driver would have been able to find it, yet their fee was 4 times higher than eCabs’.
If you prefer, a taxi can be arranged at a desk in the airport terminal.
🗺️ What’s the best way to get around around Malta?
The island of Malta is tiny! You can travel from top to bottom in just over an hour and, if the roads weren't so bendy, much less! Driving in Malta can be pretty aggressive, especially in busy places such as Sliema. However, I'm told there are very few accidents...other than the ones caused by tourists who don't drive with such 'confidence'. Maltese drivers are renowned for their reluctance (read: refusal) to reverse. So, be prepared to do this. If not, they are rarely in a rush and it's not unusual to see a stand-off.
Car hire in Malta
Cars are easy to hire, but they can be hard to come by in the peak of summer and the prices will be inflated. Parking doesn't seem too difficult, even in the historical city of Valetta. That said, you may need to be prepared to park on a street near your accommodation as opposed to directly outside - many parts of the city are pedestrianised. There aren't many parking restrictions in residential areas.
Buses in Malta
The buses are great and really cheap, but they can get busy, so be prepared to stand. You can easily find bus routes and times using Google Maps. The buses are notoriously late, so remember to build this into your trip to avoid panic. Each bus stop has a name, and the modern buses all have signs to let you know which stop is coming next. As usual, you'll need to press if you want the next stop.
Contactless payment was introduced on all 400 bus routes operated by Malta Public Transport in summer 2021. You can use your contactless payment card, smartwatch or phone to pay for tickets. Aside from the efficiency and hygiene aspects of this, it also means no weird language barriers to navigate! It's easy to tap and ride. You can get a 2€ hop on ticket, you simply use contactless payment. This will give you a two-hour travel window, and you can travel anywhere on the island.
Additionally, there are two great value cards for bus travel in Malta:
Explore Flex: This card can be topped up and used for pay-as-you-go transport whilst still offering reduced rates on different transport options, public bus transport, GozoFast Ferry Valletta Ferry Services, and many others. You can purchase the card for €6, which will be your credit for you to use immediately. When purchasing the card, you may also link this to the tallinja app, which can be downloaded for free from the Android Play Store or iOS Apple Store. You will then be able to check your credit, top up your Explore Flex card, plan your trips, and purchase any special offers we frequently make available for Tallinja App users. This card may be purchased from Malta Public Transport sales offices at Valletta bus terminus, Malta International Airport arrivals hall, and card-dispensing machines around the island. For a list of card-dispensing machine locations, click here.
ExplorePlusMeep: This travel card gives you unlimited travel for 7 days on public transport, plus sightseeing and more. This card offers even more value to tourists than the Explore card, including travel on Tallinja Direct routes and giving customers additional sightseeing and travel options, while providing further benefits through the Meep mobile app. The Meep app can be downloaded for free here: iOS and Android. This card gets you unlimited travel for 7 days on Malta Public Transport buses including Tallinja Direct and Night Routes, 2 free trips on the Valletta Ferry from Sliema or the Three Cities, 2 Free Trips on the Tallinja Bike, the electric bike-sharing platform in Valletta and surrounding areas, as well as sightseeing options on the Citysightseeing buses and Captain Morgan Cruises, and other discounts. The ExplorePlusMeep card can be purchased from Agenda Bookshops, 8TillLate and other retail outlets - it’s only €39! Find out more…
Ferries in Malta
Ferries are common, and are a great way to travel between destinations on the main island, to Gozo and Comino, and even across to Sicilly. There is a Gozo Fast Ferry (catamaran) which takes you from Valetta to Mgarr, Gozo in less than 45 minutes. There's a Gozo Fast Ferry app to help you plan your trip.
Taxis in Malta
Taxis are pretty reasonable, but avoid the white cabs you see in busier towns - these are expensive. Uber does not currently operate in Malta, instead, there are a couple of alternatives - eCabs and Bolt. When I compared similar trips, eCabs was typically cheaper - by around 10-20% on a short 15-minute trip.
Happy travelling!
Malta is a sun-caressed and surprising destination with beautiful coves, historical cities, sensational swimming and amazing culinary experiences. I couldn’t recommend it enough. I hope this guide helps you to plan your travels and takes the stress out of your journey.
Travel like a genius™
This article was brought to you by the team behind TRAVELINS. TRAVELINS travel packs and revolutionary refillable pouches comply, 100%, with all the travel guidelines (EU & TSA). They weigh at least 10 times less than silicone travel bottles and have a unique filling system so you can transfer your liquids easily without waste.
Author: 🦸🏻♀️ Helen, Airport Aficionado
Have I missed anything? Is there anything else you’d like to know about travelling around Malta? Please feel free to leave your comments and questions below!