Malta International Airport

A First-Time Visitor's Guide To Arriving At Malta Airport

Malta International Airport (MLA) is Malta's main international airport and is located in Luqa. You may also see it referred to as Luqa Airport, but Malta International Airport is its official name.

If this is your first visit to Malta, this guide will help you understand what happens after you land, from passport control and baggage reclaim to leaving the airport and reaching your accommodation. You'll also find practical information about transport, travel times, car rental, shops, food, airport facilities and travelling on to Gozo, as well as useful information for when you return to the airport before you fly home.

On This Page

Malta Airport Quick Facts

• Official name: Malta International Airport
• Airport code: MLA
• Location: Luqa, Malta
• Number of airports: Malta has one international airport, serving both Malta and Gozo.
• Terminal: Passengers currently use the airport's main terminal building, with arrivals and departures within the same airport complex.
• Opening hours: Malta International Airport operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, although individual shops, restaurants and services have their own opening hours.
• Maltese name: Ajruport Internazzjonali ta' Malta

You may also see MIA used as an abbreviation for Malta International Airport. However, for flight bookings and airport codes, the code you need is MLA.

Arriving at Malta Airport: What Happens After You Land?

If this is your first time arriving in Malta, the process through Malta International Airport is fairly straightforward. What happens first depends partly on where your flight has arrived from, but your journey through the airport will generally follow these steps:

1. Follow the signs for Arrivals. After leaving the aircraft, follow the signs towards passport control and baggage reclaim.
2. Pass through passport control if required. Passengers arriving from a non-Schengen country normally pass through passport control, while passengers arriving from within the Schengen Area generally continue towards baggage reclaim.
3. Collect your checked luggage. Check the screens and signs for your assigned baggage carousel. If you are travelling with hand luggage only, continue towards customs.
4. Pass through customs and enter the Arrivals Hall. Follow the appropriate customs channel before entering the public Arrivals Hall, also known as the Welcomers' Hall.

From here, you can continue your journey by bus, taxi, private transfer or rental car, meet someone collecting you, or use the airport facilities you may need before travelling to your accommodation.

Malta International Airport Check-In Hall

Passport Control at Malta Airport

Whether you go through passport control when you land in Malta generally depends on where your flight has arrived from. Passengers arriving on flights from within the Schengen Area normally continue towards baggage reclaim, while passengers arriving from a non-Schengen country pass through passport control before continuing.

If you are travelling from outside the EU, your passport, visa or other entry requirements will depend on your nationality and circumstances. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is also now used at external Schengen borders for many non-EU visitors making short stays, so eligible travellers may have their passport details, facial image and fingerprints registered as part of the border-control process.

Baggage Reclaim at Malta Airport

After passport control, if required, follow the signs to the Baggage Reclaim Hall. Check the information screens for your flight number and assigned baggage carousel. If you have checked luggage, collect it here before continuing towards customs. If you are travelling with hand luggage only, you can continue towards the exit.

If your luggage does not arrive or has been damaged, report the problem to the appropriate Baggage Services desk while you are still inside the Baggage Reclaim Hall. Baggage problems are handled by the airline or its ground handling agent rather than by the airport's general Lost & Found service.

Customs and Entering the Arrivals Hall

After collecting your luggage, follow the signs towards Customs and the exit. You will see green and red customs channels. Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare; if you are carrying goods or cash that must be declared, use the red channel and speak to a customs officer.

Once you have passed through customs, you enter Malta Airport's public Arrivals Hall, also known as the Welcomers' Hall. This is where friends, relatives, drivers and transfer representatives can wait for arriving passengers, and where you can start arranging the next part of your journey.

Traveller tip: If you are unsure whether something in your luggage needs to be declared, check the current Malta Customs rules before travelling or ask a customs officer rather than assuming.

How to Get From Malta Airport to Your Accommodation

Once you enter the Arrivals Hall, the next decision is how to get to where you are staying. Malta Airport has several transport options, and the best choice will depend on your destination, budget, arrival time, luggage and whether you plan to drive during your stay.

For the transport table, do not add extra bold within the cells. The table structure already makes the options easy to scan.

If you are staying in Gozo, your journey is slightly different because you will need to continue from Malta Airport towards a ferry connection. We explain the main options further down this guide.Internal linking

By Public Bus

Public transport is one of the most affordable ways to leave Malta Airport, particularly if your accommodation is close to a direct bus route. The airport bus stops are clearly signposted outside the Arrivals area, and several services connect the airport with Malta's main tourist areas.

Airport Direct Routes

The most useful services for many visitors are the Airport Direct buses, which make fewer stops than standard routes and are designed with space for luggage. Current Airport Direct services include:

You do not normally need to book an Airport Direct bus in advance. Tickets can currently be paid for on board by cash or contactless payment, and eligible travel cards can also be used. Standard public bus routes also serve the airport, so another route may sometimes be more convenient depending on exactly where you are staying.

By Taxi

A taxi is one of the simplest options if you want to travel directly from Malta Airport to your accommodation without changing buses or arranging transport beforehand. Taxi services are available 24 hours a day, and fixed-rate prepaid journeys can be arranged from the taxi booth in the Welcomers' Hall. This can be particularly convenient if you arrive late, have several bags or simply want to reach your accommodation with as little planning as possible.

By Private Transfer

A private airport transfer is worth considering if you prefer to arrange your journey before you arrive in Malta. This can be particularly useful for families, groups, travellers with a lot of luggage or anyone who would feel more comfortable knowing that their onward transport has already been organised.

Some hotels and other accommodation providers may also offer or arrange an airport pick-up service. If yours does, check the price, meeting instructions and whether the service needs to be booked in advance directly with your accommodation.

Approximate Travel Times From Malta Airport

Malta is a small island, but traffic can make journey times vary considerably, particularly during busy periods. The times below are useful for general trip planning when travelling by taxi, private transfer or rental car, rather than guaranteed journey times.

Public transport usually takes longer and the journey time depends on the route, connections and the stop closest to your accommodation. Check your exact journey shortly before travelling rather than relying on a fixed bus time.

By Rental Car

If you plan to drive during your holiday, collecting a rental car directly at Malta Airport can be a convenient way to start your trip. The airport's car-rental offices are located at Park East, a separate building around a 3-minute walk from the main terminal. Follow the signs for Rental Cars after leaving the Arrivals Hall.

If you have already booked a car, you can collect your keys and the information you need from your rental company at Park East. Individual rental desks have their own opening hours, so if you are arriving very early or late at night, check the collection arrangements with your rental company before travelling.

How to Get From Malta Airport to Gozo

If you are staying in Gozo, your journey does not end at Malta Airport. You first need to travel across Malta to a ferry terminal and then cross to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. For most visitors, there are two main options:

Via Ċirkewwa and Gozo Channel

The TD1 Airport Direct bus travels from Malta Airport to Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal, making this one of the simplest public transport options if you are heading directly to Gozo. You can also travel to Ċirkewwa by taxi, private transfer or rental car.

From Ċirkewwa, the Gozo Channel ferry crosses to Mġarr Harbour in approximately 25 minutes and operates daily. Both foot passengers and vehicles can use this ferry, so if you have rented a car that you intend to use in Gozo, this is the ferry route to take.

Malta Airport Departures Area After Security

Via Valletta and Gozo Highspeed

If you are travelling without a car, another option is to take the TD4 Airport Direct bus towards Valletta and the Gozo Fast Ferry area, then continue to Gozo by high-speed ferry. The ferry arrives at Mġarr Harbour, the same main harbour used by the Gozo Channel service.

This option can be convenient if the TD4 timetable works well with your arrival time, but remember that you need to allow enough time between reaching Valletta and the ferry departure.

Where to Stay Near Malta Airport

There is currently no hotel directly on the Malta International Airport campus, although accommodation is available in Luqa and nearby areas. Staying close to the airport can make sense if you have a very early flight, arrive late at night, need an overnight stop or simply want to minimise travelling before or after your flight.

For most visitors spending several days in Malta, however, there is usually no need to stay near the airport just because you are flying into Malta. It is generally better to choose your accommodation according to where you want to spend your holiday, whe

Shops, Restaurants & Food at Malta Airport

Malta International Airport has shops, cafés, restaurants and food outlets both before and after security. What is available to you will depend on whether you are arriving, waiting in the public area or have already passed through security for your flight.

If you are looking for somewhere to eat or need to buy something before travelling, it helps to know which outlets are landside and which are only available after security. Individual shops and restaurants also have their own opening hours, so not every outlet is open whenever the airport itself is open.

Duty-Free Shopping at Malta International Airport

Before Security (Landside)

If you have not yet passed through security, you can use the shops and food outlets in the airport's public landside areas. These are also accessible to people meeting arriving passengers, so you do not need a boarding pass to use them.

Among the options you can expect before security are:

• Airport Food Court – located on Level -1, with several places to eat
• Hebe (Landside)
• Samsonite
• WHSmith

The Food Court currently includes outlets such as Burger King, Dr Juice and KFC, although the exact mix of restaurants can change.

After Security (Airside)

Once you have passed through security for your flight, there are more shopping and dining options inside the Departures area. This means you do not necessarily need to eat or finish your shopping before going through security.

Current airside shopping includes outlets such as:

• Dufry for duty-free shopping
• Hebe (Airside)
• Saltwater
• WHSmith Airside
• Other fashion, travel and gift outlets

There are also places to eat and drink after security. Hard Rock Cafe is located in the Departures Hall, alongside other airside food and drink options.

The exact shops, restaurants and opening hours can change, so if you are looking for a particular outlet before your flight, check the current airport information before travelling.

Shops & Food When You Arrive

After collecting your luggage and passing through customs, you enter the public landside part of the airport again. You can therefore use the shops, cafés and food outlets available in the public areas before continuing to your accommodation.

This can be useful if you want to buy a drink or snack, pick up travel essentials or sort out something you need before leaving the airport. Other arrival services, such as the pharmacy, ATMs, public transport information, and tourist information, are covered in the facilities section below.

Duty-Free Shopping at Malta International Airport

Useful Facilities at Malta Airport

Malta International Airport is relatively compact, but there are useful facilities throughout the terminal for both arriving and departing passengers. Some are available in the public areas of the airport, while others are located after security.

Among the facilities you may find useful are:

• Public toilets and baby-changing facilities
• Free Wi-Fi and device charging points
• ATMs
• Drinking-water fountains
• Pharmacy
• Tourist Information Desk
• Malta Public Transport Information and Sales Office
• Chapel and prayer facilities
• Observation Deck
• Special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility or other accessibility needs
• Post boxes

If you need help finding a particular facility after arriving, look for the airport information points or ask a member of staff. Several of the services most useful to first-time visitors are located in or close to the Welcomers' Hall.

Wi-Fi & Charging Your Devices

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Malta International Airport, with no time limit on the complimentary service. This can be useful when you first arrive if you need to contact your accommodation, check transport information or access your booking details.

Charging points are also available inside the terminal, including in the departures seating areas, so you can recharge your phone or other devices before your flight.

Pharmacy & ATMs

There is a pharmacy in the Arrivals / Welcomers' Hall, which can be useful if you need basic medication or other pharmacy items after landing. The pharmacy has its own opening hours, so check the current schedule if you specifically need to use it.

There are also several ATMs at the airport, including in the Check-in Hall and Welcomers' Hall. This means you can withdraw cash either after arriving or before departing if needed.

Luggage Storage

If you need somewhere to leave your bags for a few hours, Malta Airport has a Luggage Deposit Service available 24 hours a day. The storage room is located inside the Check-in Hall near the Customer Services Information Centre.

This can be useful if you have time between checking out of your accommodation and a late flight, or if you are passing through the airport and do not want to carry your luggage with you.

Travelling With Babies & Children

Malta Airport has baby-changing and parenting facilities for families travelling with young children. Nappy-changing facilities are available in the airport bathrooms, while dedicated parenting rooms provide space for feeding and changing children.

If you are travelling with a baby, it is also worth checking your airline's rules for pushchairs and other baby equipment before your journey, as individual airline policies can differ.

Departing From Malta Airport

When it is time to fly home, Malta International Airport is relatively straightforward to navigate. The airport currently recommends arriving at least two hours before your scheduled departure, although you should always check whether your airline asks you to arrive earlier.

1. Check your flight information. Look at the airport departure screens for your flight, check-in desk and any updated information.
2. Check in and drop off any hold luggage. If you have already checked in online and are travelling with hand luggage only, follow your airline's instructions and continue towards security. If you have checked baggage, go to the appropriate check-in or bag-drop desk.
3. Go through security. Have your boarding pass ready and follow the instructions at the security checkpoint.
4. Complete passport control if required. Whether passport control is required will depend on your destination and circumstances.
5. Check your gate and boarding time. Keep an eye on the departure screens and allow enough time to reach your gate. Shops, food outlets and other facilities are available after security.

Security at Malta Airport

Security rules can change, so it is worth checking the latest airport guidance before flying, particularly for hand luggage, liquids, medicines and prohibited items. Your airline may also have its own restrictions on the size and number of cabin bags you can take on board.

VIP Lounge at Malta Airport

Malta International Airport has La Valette lounges for both departing and arriving passengers. If you would prefer a quieter place to relax away from the main terminal areas, lounge access may be available depending on your ticket, membership or the type of access you purchase. Malta Airport currently confirms that one-time lounge access is available for both Arrivals and Departures.

For more detailed information about where the lounges are located, how access works and what facilities are available, see our Malta VIP Airport Lounges guide.

Love this page? Spread the Maltese vibes on social media!

FacebookXPinterestTumblrWhatsAppMessenger

We are Albert and Benjamin Magro, two Malta locals who enjoy exploring the island and sharing practical advice with visitors. Our guides combine local knowledge with first-hand visits to Malta’s towns, beaches, attractions and accommodation areas. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for more Malta tips, photos and videos.