Essential Apps for Malta Travel
At a glance
Bus, taxi, maps, payments — 11 must-haves for Malta.
TL;DR – Install These Right Away
| Category | Apps |
|---|---|
| Bus & transit | Malta Public Transport |
| Taxi | Bolt, Uber |
| Maps & navigation | Google Maps, Moovit |
| Translation | Google Translate |
| Payments | Wise, Revolut |
| Dining | Google Maps, TheFork |
| Tours & booking | GetYourGuide, Klook |
| Accommodation | Booking.com |
1. Bus & Public Transit
Malta Public Transport (Tallinja)
Malta's official bus app (Tallinja) provides routes, timetables, and real-time arrivals for buses on both the Malta mainland and Gozo. Malta has no metro — buses are the only form of public transit.
- Malta bus network: Routes connect the whole island, centered on Valletta
- Tallinja Card: Link a prepaid transit card in the app — EUR 1.50 per ride with the card, versus EUR 2.00 in cash
- Real-time arrivals: See the estimated next-bus time at each stop
- 7-day/1-month passes: Unlimited-ride passes for longer stays
- Airport buses: Info on the X2/X3 buses between Malta International Airport (MLA) and Valletta
- Gozo ferry connections: Bus routes to the ferry terminal at Ċirkewwa
- Tip: Comino Island, home of the Blue Lagoon, is reached by a bus+ferry combination — transfer from the Mellieħa bus stop to the Gozo/Comino ferry.
2. Taxi
Bolt
A European ride-hailing app that's also active in Malta.
- Island-wide coverage: Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian's, Mdina, Marsaxlokk, and more
- Fare transparency: See the estimated fare before you go — in-app payment avoids cash disputes
- Airport pickup: You can hail a Bolt from Malta International Airport
- Avoiding overcharging: Malta's regular taxis run on a negotiated fare system that can run high for foreigners — using the Bolt app is recommended
- Gozo: Some Bolt service is also available on Gozo
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Uber
A global ride-hailing app that also operates in Malta — compare fares with Bolt before choosing one.
- Valletta/Sliema: High availability in the main tourist areas
- Fare estimate: Check the estimated fare before you go
- Automatic card payment: A convenient, cashless way to pay
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
3. Maps & Navigation
Google Maps
Provides maps, bus routes, and attraction info for the Malta mainland, Gozo, and Comino.
- Offline saving: Save the Malta mainland and Gozo separately so you're covered in areas without signal
- Bus route integration: Includes Malta Public Transport bus info
- Attraction info: Valletta's old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the walled city of Mdina, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, and more
- Finding restaurants: Search for Maltese traditional food (ftira, pastizzi, rabbit stew) restaurants using Google reviews
- Tip: The Blue Lagoon (Comino Island) gets extremely crowded with tourists in summer. Arriving early in the morning (before 9am) is relatively quiet.
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Moovit
An app providing real-time bus arrivals and routing for Malta.
- Real-time bus tracking: See the live location of Malta buses
- Route recommendations: Suggests the best bus route from origin to destination
- Stop info: Check nearby bus stops and their routes
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
4. Translation
Google Translate
Malta's official languages are Maltese and English. English is understood almost everywhere in Malta, so you won't need to translate much, but local menus and signs may also include Maltese.
- Camera translation: Instantly translate Maltese menus and signs
- What makes Maltese unique: A distinctive language blending Arabic, Italian, and English
- Offline pack: Also download the Italian pack — it helps with Italian-language signage on Gozo
- Tip: Traditional Maltese dish names (pastizzi, timpana, bigilla, etc.) have a distinctive Italian-influenced feel.
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
5. Payments
Wise
Malta is an EU member state and uses the euro (EUR). A Wise card lets you pay in EUR at the real exchange rate.
- Direct EUR payment: Pay in EUR at the mid-market rate, no markup
- ATM withdrawal: Fee-free withdrawals up to a monthly limit at ATMs in Valletta and Sliema
- Malta's cost of living: Cheaper than Western Europe (lunch EUR 8–15, base taxi fare EUR 3–5)
- Card acceptance: Most restaurants and hotels in Malta accept card payment
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Revolut
A fintech app that's convenient for EUR payments and expense tracking.
- Real-time exchange rate payment: Get an instant home-currency notification the moment you pay in EUR
- Virtual cards: Use a more secure card number for online hotel and tour bookings
- Shared accounts: Convenient for splitting sightseeing and dining costs with travel companions
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
6. Dining & Booking
TheFork
A European restaurant reservation platform also usable in Malta.
- Valletta restaurants: Book Mediterranean and traditional Maltese cuisine restaurants
- Harbor-view restaurants: Reserve a table with a view of the Grand Harbour
- Discounts: Up to 50% off at select restaurants
- Traditional Maltese food: Search for restaurants serving rabbit stew, imqarrun il-forn (baked pasta), and pastizzi (cheese/pea pastries)
7. Tours & Activities
GetYourGuide
Book Malta's major tour products.
- Blue Lagoon tour: A boat tour to Comino Island's Blue Lagoon (from Valletta/Sliema) for snorkeling in clear, transparent water
- Valletta guided tour: A walking tour of Valletta's UNESCO World Heritage old town
- Mdina night tour: An evening tour of the quiet walled city of Mdina
- Malta at War Museum: A guided tour of WWII exhibits
- Gozo day tour: A day tour of Gozo from Valletta (jeep tour or boat tour options)
- Underwater photo tour: A tour with a scuba diving/snorkeling guide included
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Klook
Conveniently book Malta travel products.
- Blue Lagoon package: Boat + snorkeling gear included
- Malta Pass: A combined admission pass for major attractions
- Airport pickup: Transfer service between Malta International Airport and your accommodation
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
8. Accommodation
Booking.com
Compare and book accommodation in Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian's, and Gozo.
- Valletta old town: Boutique hotels and hostels within the historic old town
- Sliema/St. Julian's: Modern hotels near the beach, with plentiful amenities
- Gozo farmhouses: Popular stays converted from traditional Maltese country farmhouses
- Free cancellation: Most listings offer free cancellation, giving you flexibility for schedule changes
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
App Installation Checklist
- Malta Public Transport (for bus travel)
- Bolt or Uber
- Google Maps (offline saves)
- Google Translate
- Wise or Revolut
- GetYourGuide or Klook (Blue Lagoon/tour booking)
Why You Need an eSIM for Malta
The bus app, hailing a Bolt, Google Maps, and checking a GetYourGuide Blue Lagoon boat tour all require data. Malta is an EU member state so EU roaming applies, but for travelers coming from Korea, using a Malta eSIM (on the Melita or GO Mobile network) is more affordable.
👉 Compare the lowest Europe eSIM prices on esimoa
App information is current as of 2025 and service policies may change.
