Malta Airport Bus & Cards: 2-Hour Transfer, Explore/12-Journey, and Resident Tallinja

Malta Airport Bus & Transport Cards: Easy Start from MIA


Hi! I’m JingJing, studying in beautiful Malta on the Mediterranean with my husband, Bongbong.


TL;DR — At Arrivals, buy a card or just tap-to-pay (~€2) and keep the receipt for a 2-hour transfer. Short trips: Explore 7-day or 12 Journeys. Long stays: apply for the Tallinja resident card and manage everything in the app.



Intro

Getting around Malta is painless once you know the bus basics. You can start right at the airport Arrivals desk or a nearby vending machine and ride into town within minutes. Keep plans flexible, carry one lightweight card (or use your contactless), and let the timetable live on your phone.


Card Options

Explore (7-day unlimited) — best when you’ll ride a lot within a week; simple and predictable.

12 Journeys — a shared, flexible bundle (~12 rides) that couples or friends can use together. Fewer moves? Better value.

Explore Flex — mix transport with attraction entries; ideal if you like pre-bundled savings.

Resident Tallinja — for long stays: apply online, get a personalised card, and monitor balance/top-ups in the app. It’s the calm, long-term option.


From the Airport

 



    1. Buy or tap: pick up a card at Arrivals or just tap-to-pay (~€2). Keep the paper receipt — it activates a 2-hour transfer window.
  1. Know exceptions: the dedicated airport service may be charged separately from normal transfers.
  2. Head to your stop: signs are clear; if in doubt, search the bus number in the app and follow the live map.




App & Live Info


Bookmark your nearest stop, search by bus number, and watch live ETAs. 

The app also handles top-ups and history, so you can spot patterns and avoid misses. 

For airport days, check total time with transfers and leave a small buffer.









Tips

  • Trip length logic: 3–4 days heavy use → Explore; light use → 12 Journeys.
  • New residents: apply for Tallinja, but use tap-to-pay as a bridge until your card arrives.
  • Receipt = transfer: keep the slip for that 2-hour window.
  • Peak caution: allow extra minutes at rush hours and before class times.
  • Balance hygiene: don’t let it fall below the low-balance threshold; top up early.


FAQ

Q. Can multiple people use 12 Journeys?
A. Yes — it’s shareable, which makes it perfect for couples or friends.

Q. Is tap-to-pay fine for my whole trip?
A. For light travel, yes. If you’ll ride a lot in a week, Explore usually wins.

Q. Where else can I buy cards?
A. Major hubs like Valletta, Sliema Ferries, and Bugibba have kiosks or machines.


Summary

  • Start at Arrivals: buy or tap-to-pay (~€2).
  • Keep the receipt for a 2-hour transfer window.
  • Pick a card: Explore / 12 Journeys / Explore Flex / Tallinja (resident).
  • Use the app for live times, routes, and top-ups.
  • Add buffer on peak hours; travel feels calmer when you’re a bus early.

#Malta #AirportBus #Tallinja #ExploreCard #12Journeys #TapToPay #PublicTransport #TravelTips

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