Malta International Airport (MLA) at Luqa is 12 km by road from St Julian's. Two Airport Direct bus routes, TD2 and TD3, go there without a change.
Short answer: take the Airport Direct TD3 bus, which reaches St Julian's (San Ġiljan, Spinola, Balluta) in about 30–35 minutes by the timetable, or the TD2 circular via Paceville and Pembroke. Both run about every 30 minutes and cost €3.00, paid on board in cash or by contactless card. By car it is 12 km, about 16 minutes without traffic. Our private transfer costs €30 per car (1–3 passengers) and €45 per van (4–8).
| Option | Travel time | Price | Changes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Direct TD3 (via St Julian's, Sliema, Gżira) | about 30–35 min | €3.00 | 0 | Spinola Bay, Balluta, Sliema hotels |
| Airport Direct TD2 (St Julian's, Paceville, Pembroke circular) | varies with traffic | €3.00 | 0 | Paceville, Dragonara, Pembroke |
| Taxi (pre-paid at the airport booth) | about 16 min without traffic | fixed rate at the booth | 0 | Door to door without booking |
| ShuttleHero private transfer | about 16 min (longer at weekends) | €30 per car (1–3), €45 per van (4–8) | 0 | Families, groups, luggage, late flights |
Malta Public Transport runs two Airport Direct routes to St Julian's, both about every 30 minutes and both with plenty of room for luggage. TD3 goes to St Julian's first and then on to Sliema, Gżira and Msida; in the timetable it leaves Airport 1A and reaches San Ġiljan in about 30 minutes, Spinola in 32 and Balluta in 34. The first TD3 leaves the airport at 05:15 and the last at 00:45. TD2 is a circular route via San Ġwann to St Julian's, Pembroke Park & Ride, Paceville (Ganado, Paceville, Dragonara) and Spinola.
The fare on the Tallinja Direct routes is €3.00, paid to the driver in cash or by contactless card. The Unlimited Travel Card covers Airport Direct at no extra cost. The cheaper €2.00 winter single applies to ordinary day routes, none of which runs from the airport straight to St Julian's.
Taxis work 24 hours a day at the airport. You can buy a pre-paid ticket at a fixed rate from the official taxi booth in the Welcomers' Hall on arrival, so you know the price before you get in. The airport does not publish the rate to St Julian's, so ask at the booth.
The road route is about 12 km north via Msida and takes about 16 minutes without traffic; Malta drives on the left. Traffic around Msida and St Julian's is heavy at weekends and in summer evenings. Parts of Paceville are closed to cars at night, so hotels around Spinola Bay and Balluta are the usual drop-off points.
A private transfer Malta Airport → St Julian's costs €30 per car for 1–3 passengers and €45 per van for 4–8 passengers. The price is per vehicle, fixed and paid by card when you book, and luggage is included. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. A child seat costs +€10. The driver takes you to your hotel, or to the nearest street open to cars when Paceville is closed to traffic.
Malta Airport → St Julian's
Car, 1–3 passengers: €30 · Van, 4–8 passengers: €45
Malta International Airport has one terminal. Your driver waits in the arrivals hall (Welcomers' Hall), after baggage reclaim and the customs exit, holding a sign with your name. We track your flight and you get 60 minutes of free waiting after landing.
The bus is far cheaper: two people pay €6.00 in total on TD3 or TD2, with no change. It is a good choice with light bags and a hotel near Spinola Bay or Balluta. A private transfer saves about 15 to 20 minutes and the walk from the stop. It suits families, groups of four to eight (one van at €45 in total), anyone with heavy luggage, and flights landing after the last TD3 at 00:45.
Yes. The Airport Direct routes TD2 and TD3 both go to St Julian's without a change, about every 30 minutes, for €3.00.
TD3 reaches San Ġiljan in about 30 minutes, Spinola in about 32 and Balluta in about 34 by the timetable. Traffic can add time.
Pay the driver in cash or with a contactless card. The Airport Direct fare is €3.00, and the Unlimited Travel Card covers it.
Buy a pre-paid ticket at a fixed rate from the official taxi booth in the Welcomers' Hall. Taxis are available 24 hours a day.
Our transfer costs €30 per car for 1–3 passengers and €45 per van for 4–8 passengers, fixed when you book, luggage included.
Public transport times and fares were checked on 25 October 2026 on the operators' websites. Timetables and fares change, so check the operator before you travel.
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