Malta Transportation Tips by wadekorzan

Ferry between Sliema and Valetta

There is a regular ferry service between Sliema and Valetta. The ferry leaves from "Sliema ferries" and arrives directly across the bay in Valetta, or vice versa. If going to Valetta, you will have to walk uphill to get to the center of town, so if only taking the ferry once, it is best to take it FROM Valetta to Sliema, so that you walk downhill to catch the ferry.

The schedule is as follows:

May 1st-September 30
Depart Sliema at: 7:30, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00. 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:30, 18:00.

Depart Valetta:
7:45, 8:15, 9:15, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 17:00, 17:45, 18:15

Sunday and public holidays:
Last departure Sliema 16:00
Last departure Valetta: 16:15

SCHEDULE OCTOBER 1ST-APRIL 30TH
Depart Sliema: 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:30

Depart Valetta: 8:15, 9:15, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14;15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 17:00, 17:45

Sundays and holidays:
Last departure sliema: 15:30
Last departure Valetta: 15:45

The ferry crossing takes about 5-10 minutes and costs about 1 Lm.

Mode: AROUND

Phone: 2133 8981, 2133 5689

Type: Ship/Boat

In Valetta, walk or take a "Karrozzin"

The best way to get around Valetta is to walk or take a Karrozzin. The Karrozzins are the typical and beautiful horse drawn carriages which have an important history in Maltese culture. I talk more about the Karrozzins in my Karrozzin tip. However, to see Valetta, the best way to see the town if you do not take 1 of the horse drawn carriages, is by foot. The map in the picture (though i wish I could make it larger) shows you that Valetta is situated on a peninsula. The city is only about 1 km long, and about 600 meters wide. it is ideal for walking. The main street leads away from the main bus terminus (which is the red cirlce on the left side of the map) and runs towards the sea and the fort. This street is lined by shops and restaurants, and is nice to stroll upon. The side streets are great to explore, but keep in mind that many are going up and downhill, so be prepared for lots of ups and downs! Taking a taxi anywhere within Valetta really has no sense, unless you are dragging lots of luggage to a hotel, but then again, very few tourists actually stay IN Valetta itself. Just outside the main gate of the city, you will find the bus terminus with frequent buses to all parts of the island, and there is also a taxi stand there. you will also find the Karrozzins waiting outside the front gate of the city as well as along some of the side streets.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other

The Karrozzin-typical Maltese horse drawn carriage

The Karrozzin, that you can see in the picture, actually has a long and important history in Malta. These horse drawn carriages have been in use in Malta for about 150 years now. Thet are very wel taken care of and are often family posessions handed down from one generation to the next.

If you want to take a ride on a Karrozzin, the driver will take you all around, pointing out some nteresting things and even letting you off for pictures while he waits. Though i had been advised that a typical sightseeing tour takes costs about Lm 5, most drivers with whom I spoke were asking for 10, and I heard 1 driver asking a family for Lm 20!!! The best price I could get was Lm 8, maybe you will do better or worse.

In the end, i ended up walking all around valetta and did NOT take a ride on the Karrozzin...i felt it was a bit too touristy. After i had walked all day, up and down, in the hot sun, i was actually sorry that i did not take the karrozzin and if i go back to Malta I would in fact do it....

You will find Karrozzins in several spots in Valetta, also in Mdina, at Sliema Ferries, and in St. Julian's.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other

Want to go to Libya?

If you are interested in going to Libya, or want to go from Libya to Malta, it is possible to do so with Libyan Arab Airlines. Of course, make sure you have the proper visa to enter Libya, if you need one. Thw winter air schedule for libyan Arab Airlines runs from October 27th, 2002 until March 29th, 2003.

The schedule is as follows:

Malta to Tripoli:
Monday/Tuedsay Depart Malta 15:15 Arrive Tripoli 17:15
Wednesday Depart Malta 16:00 Arrive Tripoli 18:00
Thursday Depart Malta 17:00 Arrive Tripoli 19:00
Friday Depart Malta 16:30 Arrive Tripoli 18:30
Saturday Depart Malta 17:00 Arrive Tripoli 19:00

Tripoli to Malta
Monday/Tuesday Depart Tripoli 14:15 Arrive Malta 14:15
Wednesday: Depart Tripoli 15:00 Arrive Malta 15:00
Thursday Depart Tripoli 16:00 Arrive Malta 16:00
Friday depart Tripoli 15:30 Arrive Malta 15:30
Saturday Depart Tripoli 16:00 Arrive Malta 16:00

There is also 1 flight per week between Malta and Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesdays:
Depart Malta 13:45 Arrive Benghazi 16:00
Depart Benghazi 12:30 Arrive Malta 12:45

Contacts for Libya Arab Airlines in Malta:
Head office, Valetta: Tel: 224767/222735/247705
Sales Office, 23 Freedom Square, Valetta, Tel: 237571/237575/237579
Airport office: Tel: 245495

If you want to go to Libya or come from libya, I hope this helps you! i wish I could have gone, but it wasn't meant to be this time....

Mode: TO

Type: Airplane

Ferry between Malta and Sicily

There is a regular ferry service going between Malta and Sicily. The winter schedule runs from November 1st, 2002, until February 28th, 2003. After that it goes to the summer schedule and I believe that then there are daily departures. the winter schedule only goes twice per week, on Thursdays and on Sundays.

Depart Malta 07:00 Arrive Pozzallo, Sicily 08:30
Depart Pozzallo, Sicily 19:00, Arrive Malta 20:30

A day trip on your own Malta-Sicily-Malta costs Lm 24.00

Roundtrip ticket from Malta costs Lm 36.00
Roundtrip from Sicily costs 86 Euros

One-way from malta costs Lm 24.00
One-way from Sicily costs 70 Euros

There is a 5 Lm tax not included in this price, and if you live in malta there probably is another charge of Lm 10.00.

Cars are allowed on the ferry, but if they exceed 4.5 meters long, there is an additional charge.

If leaving from Sicily, there is an additional 6 Euro passenger embarkation fee and 11 Euro car fee. there is also an additional 13 Euro tax to be paid if departing from Sicily.

Mode: TO

Other Contact: email: admin@virtuferries.com

Phone: Reservations: (356) 21 318854

Type: Ship/Boat

Website: http://www.virtuferries.com for more information

Buses are the best way to get around

By far the best way to get around Malta is by bus. there are far too many buses and routes to list them all here, but you can check the website for bus route information at: www.atp.com.mt
You can also email the Public Transport Association at atp@atp.com.mt.
Once in Malta you will be able to pick up a bus schedule at any of the many places selling bus passes, like at valetta bus terminal, Sliema ticket office at Sliema ferries, or the tourist information offices.

You can pay each time you get on the bus if you like. you pay the driver directly and he will give you change. Try not to pay with anything more than 1 or 2 Maltese lira as otherwise he will not have change/ the price depends upon the distance travelled and ranged between 15 cents and 40 cents.

Alternatively, you can buy a bus pass.
1 day bus pass: Lm 1,50
3 day bus pass: Lm 4.00
5 day bus pass: Lm 4.50
7 day bus pass: Lm 5.50

most buses run only until 11 PM and the bus pass is only valid for buses that run until 11 PM. There is a night service on some routes for which the bus pass is not valid.

Most buses go to and from the Valetta bus terminus, though there are a few buses that go direct from Sliema/St. Julian's to other places as well.

The picture shows the Valetta bus terminus, which encircles a beautiful fountain.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other