Fares and Tickets

To travel on buses in Malta and Gozo you can either:

  • Use cash or contactless cards to buy two-hour €2.50 single tickets from the driver (the only ticket available from the driver).
  • Save money by buying a €21 12 Single Journeys Card from an MPT kiosk or dispensing machine.
  • Buy a €25 7-day Explore Card for unlimited bus travel from an MPT kiosk or dispensing machine.
  • Use a stored-value non-personalised Explore Flex card giving discounts on bus fares and the local Valletta ferries.
  • Apply online for a €25 personalised tallinja card, which gives free travel on most buses.

These options are all explained below:

Two-hour single tickets from driver

The only ticket available from the bus driver is the two-hour single ticket which costs €2.50 (applies on all day routes including TD services). On Night buses (routes prefixed by N) the single fare is €3.00.

Contactless Visa, Mastercard and Maestro credit or debit cards (also smartphones and smartwatches) can be used to pay for tickets, whilst those using cash must pay with the exact fare as no change is given. There are no discounts for children except that children travel free up to their fourth birthday.

Passengers may change buses within the two hour period to get to their destination as part of a one-way journey. Scan the ticket on the reader when boarding the second bus. The ticket does not allow you to make a return trip, even if wholly within the two hour period. Of course, penalty fares are payable if you travel without a valid ticket.

Card for 12 single two-hour tickets

This card gives 12 single tickets for €21, making €1.75 per journey. It has to be purchased in advance (see below for outlets) in the form of a non-personalised tallinja card and the passenger swipes the card on the card reader on entering the bus. It can be used on all daytime and night routes and is valid for six months from first use. It can only be used by one person (you cannot swipe it twice if there are two of you).

Explore Card (7 days)

The Explore Card gives seven days of unlimited bus travel on all routes in Malta and Gozo for €25 (children aged 4-10 pay €7). It has to be purchased in advance (see below for outlets) in the form of a non-personalised tallinja card and the passenger swipes the card on the card reader on entering the bus. It can be used on all daytime and night routes. It is valid for seven days (actually 168 hours) from the time the card is first validated on the bus. It is not transferable to other people.

Explore Flex Card

The Explore Flex card is a stored value non-personalised card giving discounts on bus fares and the local ferries operated by Valletta Ferry Services. It can be linked to the Tallinja app, allowing you to check your credit and top up your card. Initial cost is €6, which is your credit to use immediately. The link above lists the fares you pay compared to normal fares.

Where to buy

You can buy the 12 Single Journeys Card and Explore cards from Malta Public Transport kiosks and card dispensing machines. Kiosks are located at Valletta bus station, Malta International Airport, and in summer also at Sliema Ferries (see the link for opening hours). Only contactless payments with credit/debit cards are accepted.

Tallinja Cards

Holders of a personalised tallinja card travel free on all daytime and night buses, apart from TD routes. The card can only be applied for online. For new cards there is a €25 registration fee (€5 for children aged 4 to 10) plus €2.87 postage within Malta. Allow two weeks for delivery. Non-residents can apply for a card giving a foreign address; there is a €8 postage charge to addresses outside Malta. Have a scan of your passport and a passport-sized photo ready before applying online.

Tallinja cards are stored-value cards and credit will be required on the card to use it for TD routes, Tallinja On Demand services, and the local ferry services. You can also use your credit to pay for trips operated by Vintage Bus City Tours.

Passengers must tap in with their card when entering the bus, using the card reader. Personalised Tallinja cards have a photo and can only be used by the registered user. Whilst primarily aimed at residents, frequent or long-term visitors would obviously benefit from obtaining a card.