Malta
How to get to Malta: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Malta International Airport (MLA) at Luqa — the country's only airport, about 8 km (5 mi) from Valletta. Direct flights run from the UK, Ireland and most of Europe; from the US, Canada, Australia and NZ you connect through a European hub. There is no land border and no scheduled ferry from the mainland, so flying is the default. Choose MLA unless you are arriving by cruise ship or private boat.Fly into Malta International Airport (MLA) at Luqa — the country's only airport, about 5 mi (8 km) from Valletta. Direct flights run from the UK, Ireland and most of Europe; from the US, Canada, Australia and NZ you connect through a European hub. There is no land border and no scheduled ferry from the mainland, so flying is the default. Choose MLA unless you are arriving by cruise ship or private boat.
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuideMalta
Key facts
- Main airport
- Malta International Airport (MLA), Luqa — the only airport in the country
- Airport to Vallettacheck
- About 8 km; 20–30 minutes by taxi or bus (check)
- Direct flights fromcheck
- UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Poland and other European cities (check)
- From the US or Canadacheck
- No direct flights; connect through a European hub (check)
- From Australia or NZcheck
- One or two connections via the Gulf, Istanbul or a European hub (check)
- Land borders
- None — Malta is an island country
- Ferry from mainland Europecheck
- No scheduled service; ferries link Malta with Gozo and Comino only (check)
- Entry rulescheck
- Schengen area; check your passport's validity and any ETIAS requirement before booking
Quick answer
Malta has one airport, Malta International Airport (MLA) at Luqa, and it is where almost every visitor arrives. It sits roughly 8 km south of Valletta, so you are in the capital within half an hour of landing.
There is no land border and no scheduled ferry from mainland Europe. If you are not on a cruise ship or a private boat, you fly. Book MLA and treat the island's small size as an advantage: one arrival point, one transfer, done.
Summary by passport, month and cost
Use this table to see what changes your plan. Flight prices and frequencies move with season, so treat the figures as 2026 estimates and check before booking.
| Factor | What it means for getting there | Check |
|---|---|---|
| US passport | No direct flights; connect in London, Rome, Frankfurt, Istanbul or similar | check |
| UK or Ireland passport | Direct flights year-round from several UK and Irish airports | check |
| Canadian passport | No direct flights; one connection via Europe | check |
| Australian or NZ passport | Two connections typical, via the Gulf, Istanbul or Europe | check |
| EU/EEA passport | Direct flights from many European cities; Schengen entry | check |
| Peak months (Jun–Aug) | Highest fares and fullest flights; book early | check |
| Shoulder months (Apr–May, Sep–Oct) | Better fares, still frequent flights | check |
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | Fewer routes; some seasonal services stop | check |
| Airport transfer | Taxi or bus to Valletta; 20–30 minutes (2026 estimate) | check |
| Ferry to Gozo | From Cirkewwa or Mgarr; separate from arrival in Malta | check |
Step by step
Step 1 — pick your airport. MLA is the only option for scheduled flights. If a search engine offers you a cheaper fare into Catania or another nearby airport, remember you still need a flight or a long ferry connection to reach Malta, which usually costs more in time than it saves in money.
Step 2 — choose your route. From the UK and Ireland, direct flights are short and frequent. From mainland Europe, direct flights run from many major cities. From the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, you connect once or twice through a European or Gulf hub. Compare total journey time, not just the fare.
Step 3 — time your booking. Summer is peak season on Malta, and flights fill early. Spring and autumn give you the same island with calmer prices. Winter has fewer routes, so check that your chosen connection still operates on your dates.
Step 4 — plan the arrival transfer. From MLA you can take a taxi, a bus or a pre-booked transfer to Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's. Buses are cheap but slower with luggage; taxis are fixed-price by zone (check current rates).
Step 5 — sort entry paperwork. Malta is in the Schengen area. Check your passport validity and any ETIAS requirement well before departure, and confirm the rules for your nationality.
Notes
Malta is small, so getting there is really about the flight, not about crossing borders. There is no road or rail link to the mainland, and no scheduled car ferry from Sicily or Italy. Ferries from Malta serve Gozo and Comino, which are part of the same country.
Cruise ships dock at Valletta's Grand Harbour, which is a valid way to arrive for a day or as part of a longer itinerary. Private boats can clear customs at the marinas, but this is not a route most travellers use.
If you are heading to Gozo, you do not need a second flight. Land at MLA, cross the main island, and take the ferry from Cirkewwa. Allow half a day for the whole transfer.
- MLA is the only airport; do not book a nearby foreign airport unless you have checked the onward connection.
- Direct flights exist from the UK, Ireland and much of Europe; long-haul travellers connect.
- No land border and no scheduled ferry from mainland Europe.
- Cruise arrivals use Valletta's Grand Harbour.
- Gozo is reached by ferry from the main island, not by air.
FAQ
Sources and verification
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Malta?
Malta International Airport (MLA) at Luqa. It is the country's only airport and the arrival point for almost all visitors, about 8 km from Valletta. There is no alternative airport in Malta, so any other arrival means a connection by air or sea.
How long is the flight to Malta from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
From the UK and Ireland, direct flights take roughly 3–4 hours. From the US and Canada there are no direct flights, so expect one connection and a total journey of 10–14 hours. From Australia and New Zealand, two connections and 20–30 hours total. All figures are 2026 estimates; check your route.
Can I enter Malta by land or sea?
No land border exists, and there is no scheduled ferry from mainland Europe. You can arrive by sea on a cruise ship into Valletta's Grand Harbour, or by private boat clearing customs at a marina. For most travellers, flying into MLA is the only practical option.
Do I need a visa to enter Malta?
Malta is in the Schengen area, so the rules depend on your nationality. Many visitors can stay visa-free for short trips, but check your own passport's requirements, passport validity rules and any ETIAS requirement before booking. See our Malta visa requirements page for the detail.
How do I get from the airport to Valletta or Gozo?
From MLA, taxis and buses reach Valletta in about 20–30 minutes. For Gozo, cross the main island to Cirkewwa and take the ferry; allow half a day in total. Check current fares and timetables before you travel, as both change with season.
Is it cheaper to fly into a nearby airport and take a ferry?
Usually not. Nearby foreign airports still require a flight or a long sea crossing to reach Malta, and those connections often cost more in time and money than a direct fare into MLA. Compare total journey time, not just the headline fare.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialMalta International Airport
- officialVisit Malta (Malta Tourism Authority)
- officialEuropean Union – ETIAS
- secondaryWikivoyage – Malta