If you live and work in Malta, get a personalised tallinja card early. Malta Public Transport says that with the card you can travel for free on day routes, night routes and select special services.
The personalised tallinja card
- Free with the card
- Day routes, night routes and select special services; the ferry between Sliema, Valletta and the Three Cities; the Barrakka Lift
- Not covered
- tallinja Direct (TD) routes, on-demand services and other mobility services
- Adult card
- Age 17 and over, if you do not fall into another category
- Registration fee
- EUR 25 for Adult, Student and Gozo cards; EUR 5 for Child and Concession cards; postage extra
To register, holders of a Maltese e-ID can use the photo on the national identity database; other applicants upload a photo and a copy of their identity document. The card is personal: use only your own.
Register on the Malta Public Transport website. Do not pay anyone else to register for you.
Choosing how to get to work
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bus with a personalised tallinja card | Daily commutes on regular routes, shift workers on night routes | Free to ride, but journey times depend on traffic and connections. Check the route and its last service against your shift times before you sign a lease. |
| Harbour ferry | Living or working around Sliema, Valletta or the Three Cities | Covered by the card, and often quicker than the road around the harbour. Check timetables and weather disruption. |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Late finishes, early starts with no bus, heavy shopping | Door to door, but prices vary with demand and traffic. A daily taxi habit adds up quickly. |
| Car or scooter | Workplaces far from bus routes, irregular shifts, Gozo | Adds insurance, fuel, parking and licence costs. Check whether your licence can be used or exchanged in Malta first. |
Pick where you live with the commute in mind
Because the bus is free with the card, the real cost of a commute is time. A cheaper room far from your workplace can mean long journeys and missed connections, especially on early or late shifts. Before you sign a lease, check the route between the flat and your workplace at the times you will actually travel, then compare areas in the rent prices guide.
Gozo
The crossing between Malta and Gozo is run by Gozo Channel, not Malta Public Transport. If you live on one island and work on the other, check Gozo Channel's current fares and timetable, and budget the crossing on top of the bus.
Useful next guides
About this guide
Maintained by MaltaPathway
This guide is written from public sources and kept up to date where possible. MaltaPathway is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any official body. Source policy, correction policy, and monetization disclosure live on the About and trust page.
Sources
Was this page helpful?
MaltaPathway is an independent guide and is not operated by or affiliated with the Government of Malta, VisitMalta, or any other public authority. Details such as opening hours, prices, and schedules can change — always check official or current sources before relying on time-sensitive information.