Malta Taxi Prices 2026: White Taxis, Bolt, Uber and eCabs

Short answer: Malta has two kinds of taxi. White taxis are the traditional licensed cabs you find at ranks and at the airport, where they charge fixed fares per car by destination. Ride-hailing apps (Bolt, Uber and eCabs) use licensed private-hire cars and show you a price in the app before you book; that price changes with demand, time and distance. The airport no longer publishes its fare table online, so check the exact fixed fare with Malta Taxi before you ride; third-party guides put the harbour towns at roughly €15 to €22 per car. For everyday trips, compare two apps before you book, and remember that buses are free for residents with a personalised tallinja card.

I take taxis in Malta far less than I expected to when I arrived, but I am glad they exist: after a late dinner on the other side of the island, when a bus connection would take an hour, or when I land with two suitcases. Knowing roughly what to expect and which option suits which trip saves money and a lot of standing around at night.

White taxis vs ride-hailing in Malta

Summary of how each option works in Malta, last checked October 2026.

Malta airport taxi prices

Malta International Airport’s help pages say taxis run between the airport and any destination in Malta 24 hours a day, with fixed-rate tickets sold at the taxi booth in the Welcomers’ Hall. Its transport page names Malta Taxi as the official taxi service and points passengers to its app and fare calculator.

The airport no longer shows a fare table online, and the figures repeated on third-party sites do not all agree. As a rough guide only, those sites put a standard car from the airport at about €15 to €18 to Valletta and about €18 to €22 to Sliema or St Julian’s (checked October 2026), with northern destinations such as Buġibba, Mellieħa and Ċirkewwa costing noticeably more. Fares are per car, not per person, larger vehicles cost more and an administrative fee may be added. Get the exact price from Malta Taxi’s fare calculator or the booth before you pay.

Is a pre-booked transfer or an app cheaper?

Sometimes. Ride-hailing apps and pre-booked transfers can come out cheaper or dearer than the fixed fare depending on the time of day and demand. The fixed fare has one big advantage on arrival: you know the price before you get in, and traffic does not change it. If you have time, open two apps and compare with the fixed fare at the booth.

The bus alternative from the airport

The airport lists Airport Direct bus routes to the main areas: TD1 (Rabat, Buġibba, Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa), TD2 (St Julian’s, Pembroke), TD3 (St Julian’s, Sliema, Gżira, Msida), TD4 (Valletta and the Gozo fast ferry) and TD5 (Rabat, Buġibba). With light luggage and a personalised tallinja card, the bus is the cheapest option by far. Our guide to Malta bus routes covers fares and timetables.

Ride-hailing in Malta: Bolt, Uber and eCabs

Three apps dominate everyday taxi trips for residents: Bolt, Uber and eCabs. All three use licensed private-hire vehicles and drivers. A few things are worth knowing:

• You see the price first. Each app shows a fare or estimate before you confirm. Compare two of them for any trip longer than a few kilometres.
• Prices move. Friday and Saturday evenings, bad weather, big events and the hours around midnight are when prices rise and waiting times grow.
• Pick-up points matter. Rules restrict app pick-ups close to some white-taxi stands, so the app may ask you to walk a short way. In crowded areas such as Paceville, choose a clear pick-up point a street or two away.
• Drivers are regulated. Transport Malta has tightened the rules on private-hire drivers and vehicles in recent years. If anything about a car or driver does not match the app, do not get in.

Bolt vs Uber vs eCabs: which is best?

There is no permanent winner. Prices, waiting times and promotions change week to week and by time of day. Most residents keep two apps and check both. Whatever you choose, use the app’s share-trip feature on late rides.

Typical taxi situations for newcomers

Getting home after a night out

This is when most people use taxis. Buses run late on some routes and there are some night services, but connections across the island can be slow. For a late evening in St Julian’s or Valletta:

• Decide before you go out how you will get home.
• If you are sharing with friends heading the same way, one car split between three or four people keeps the cost per person low and saves a long late bus journey.
• Book from a quieter street rather than the busiest corner.
• Share your trip with a friend from the app.

To and from the Gozo ferry

Ċirkewwa is at the far north of Malta, so a taxi there is one of the longer trips on the island. If you are heading to Gozo, compare a taxi with the bus and with the fast ferry from Valletta. Our Gozo ferry timetable guide covers the crossings. Taxis are also available on Gozo; agree or check the price before you set off.

Hospital, early flights and emergencies

For an early flight, book the day before with an app that allows scheduled rides or call a taxi company. For a medical emergency, call 112 rather than waiting for a taxi.

Paying and tipping

• Apps: you pay through the app with a saved card, or choose cash where the app allows it. The receipt arrives by email or in the app, which is useful if your employer reimburses rides.
• White taxis: at the airport you pay at the booth before the ride. Elsewhere, ask whether the driver takes cards before you set off and carry some cash as a backup.
• Tipping: not expected as a rule. Many people round up or add a small tip for help with heavy luggage or a long wait.
• Splitting with friends: decide who pays the driver and settle up by bank transfer or a bill-splitting app afterwards, so nobody is left out of pocket.

Other ways across the water: ferries and water taxis

Some of the most useful “taxis” in Malta are on the water. The ferry between Sliema and Valletta is often quicker than any road trip around the harbour at rush hour, and traditional water taxis (dgħajjes) cross the Grand Harbour between Valletta and the Three Cities. For trips around the harbour, check the ferry before you book a car: it is usually cheaper, and the view is better.

How to keep taxi costs down

• Get a personalised tallinja card. Buses are free for residents who hold one, so daytime trips cost nothing. Our tallinja card guide explains how to apply.
• Use taxis for the hard legs only. Take the bus to a central point and a short taxi from there.
• Split the fare. Agree up front who pays what: split equally, or each pays their share of the route.
• Compare apps and check the airport fixed fare before booking an app ride on arrival.
• Avoid peak surge times when you can: leave a little earlier or later.
• Live near where you socialise. Our guide to shared apartments in Malta explains why a room in a walkable area can save more than it costs.

Taxi or car? A quick comparison

Many newcomers wonder whether to buy or rent a car instead. For most people living in the harbour area, a mix of buses, walking and occasional taxis costs less than running a car once you add parking, insurance and fuel, and it saves the stress of traffic and parking. If you live in the north or in Gozo, or need to commute across the island daily, a car becomes more attractive. Our guide to driving in Malta covers licences, parking and running costs.

Taxis are part of getting to and from plans, and the easiest way to keep them cheap is to plan where you meet. Splitting a car home with the people you spent the evening with is often the best end to a night out.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a taxi from Malta airport to Sliema or St Julian’s?

White taxis charge a fixed fare per car by destination. The airport no longer publishes its fare table online; third-party guides checked in October 2026 put Sliema and St Julian’s at roughly €18 to €22 per car, but they do not all agree. Check the exact fare with Malta Taxi’s fare calculator or at the booth in the Welcomers’ Hall before you pay.

Is Uber available in Malta?

Yes. Uber operates in Malta alongside Bolt and eCabs, all using licensed private-hire cars. Prices are shown in each app before you book and change with demand, so compare two apps for longer trips.

Which is cheaper in Malta, Bolt or Uber?

It depends on the time, demand and any promotions running, so there is no fixed answer. Most residents keep two ride-hailing apps and compare them before each longer trip.

Do Malta taxis use meters?

From the airport, white taxis charge fixed fares per car sold at the arrivals booth. For other white-taxi trips, check or agree the fare before you set off. Ride-hailing apps show the price in the app.

Can I get a taxi at night in Malta?

Yes. Airport taxis run 24 hours a day and ride-hailing apps operate late, though waiting times and prices rise at busy times, especially on weekend nights in St Julian’s.

Is it cheaper to take the bus from Malta airport?

Yes. Airport Direct buses serve Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Buġibba, Mellieħa and Ċirkewwa, and buses are free for residents with a personalised tallinja card. A taxi is easier with heavy luggage or late at night.