Taxi Malta Guide: Prices, Apps and Booking Advice

How Taxis Work in Malta and When They Are Worth Using

Getting a taxi in Malta is straightforward. You can choose between official taxis, ride-hailing apps such as Bolt, Uber and eCabs, or pre-booked private transfers.

For most journeys, taxis are convenient but not always the cheapest option. This guide explains how prices work, when to book in advance, which option suits different situations and when a bus, rental car, ferry or walking may make more sense.

Last updated: August 2026

On This Page

• Taxi Options in Malta
• Taxi Apps in Malta: Bolt, Uber and eCabs
• How Much Do Taxis Cost in Malta?
• Malta Airport Taxis and Transfers
• When Should You Pre-Book a Taxi?
• Taxis During Busy Events and Peak Times
• Official White Taxis in Malta
• Taxis in Gozo
• Taxi vs Other Transport in Malta
• Taxi Dos and Don’ts in Malta
• Pre-Booked Taxi and Private Transfer Options

Taxi Options in Malta

There is no single way to get a taxi in Malta. For visitors, it is easiest to think of the choices in three practical ways:

• Official white taxis – Malta's regulated taxi service. You will see these at taxi ranks and major transport hubs, and you can also book licensed taxis through the Malta Taxi app.
• Ride-hailing apps – Bolt, Uber and eCabs let you request a car from your phone, see the available ride options and arrange a pickup when you need one.
• Pre-booked rides and private transfers – useful when you want the journey organised in advance, particularly for an airport transfer, an important departure, a larger group or a journey where you do not want to depend on finding a car at the last minute.

For everyday journeys, an app is often the simplest option, while pre-booking becomes more useful when timing and certainty matter. The best choice can also depend on the journey, current availability and price, so it is worth understanding the differences before booking.

Taxi Apps in Malta: Bolt, Uber and eCabs

Using a taxi app has become one of the easiest ways to arrange a ride in Malta. Bolt, Uber and eCabs all operate locally, allowing you to enter your pickup point and destination before requesting a vehicle.

There is no need to choose one app for your entire holiday. If price or waiting time matters, it can be useful to check more than one app before booking, as the fare shown and the cars available can vary at the time you need the ride.

For a normal journey during your stay, opening an app when you need a taxi is usually straightforward. For an airport departure, an important appointment or a journey where being late would cause a problem, arranging the ride in advance can give you more certainty.

How Much Do Taxis Cost in Malta?

There is no single price for every taxi journey in Malta. What you pay depends partly on whether you use an official white taxi, an app-based ride such as Bolt, Uber or eCabs, or a private transfer booked in advance.

With Bolt, Uber and eCabs, the practical approach is to enter your destination and check the price shown before confirming the ride. Prices can vary according to the journey, traffic, demand, vehicle type and other conditions, so one app will not necessarily be the cheapest every time.

Official White Taxi Meter Rates

Transport Malta currently publishes the following maximum taximeter rates for official white taxis hired from locations without an authorised taxi booth:

Additional charges can apply in certain circumstances, including waiting time, larger groups and journeys on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. These published rates are maximum taxi fares; a driver may charge less.

So, are taxis expensive in Malta? For an occasional journey, the extra cost can be worthwhile for the convenience and time saved. If you plan to take taxis several times a day, however, the cost can quickly become a major part of your holiday budget. Later in this guide, we compare taxis with buses, renting a car, ferries and walking so you can decide when paying for a ride is worthwhile.

Malta Airport Taxis and Transfers

When you arrive at Malta International Airport, you don't need to worry if you haven't arranged transport yet. You have three straightforward choices:

• Official airport taxi – taxis operate 24 hours a day. You can buy a prepaid ticket at a fixed rate from the taxi booth in the Welcomers' Hall and then take your allocated taxi.
• Taxi or ride-hailing app – Bolt, Uber and eCabs can be used for airport journeys. Enter your destination in the app, check the price and follow the pickup instructions shown for your ride.
• Pre-booked transfer – useful when you want the journey organised before you arrive, particularly if you have substantial luggage, are travelling as a larger group or simply want more certainty after your flight.

For a straightforward arrival, using the airport taxi booth or checking a taxi app after landing may be perfectly adequate. You do not need to pre-book just because you are arriving at Malta Airport.

If you are still planning your journey to the islands, our guide to getting to Malta covers the main ways to arrive. If you prefer to have your onward journey organised before travelling, especially when timing or luggage makes the arrival more important, you can also compare our airport transfers in Malta before deciding whether advance booking is worthwhile.

When Should You Pre-Book a Taxi?

You do not need to pre-book every taxi journey in Malta. For an ordinary trip where your timing is flexible, requesting a ride through an app when you are ready is usually the simpler option.

Pre-booking becomes more worthwhile when:

• you have an early flight or another journey you cannot afford to miss;
• you are travelling with several people or substantial luggage and need a suitable vehicle;
• you want your airport transfer arranged before you arrive;
• you have an important dinner, tour, appointment or other fixed starting time;
• you need a pickup at a time or place where you would prefer not to rely on finding an available car at the last minute.

Our rule of thumb: if waiting an extra 15 or 20 minutes would only be inconvenient, an on-demand app may be enough. If that delay could make you miss something important, arrange the ride beforehand.

Pre-booking does not mean taxis are difficult to find throughout Malta. It is mainly about removing uncertainty when the journey matters. During particularly busy celebrations and large events, there is another reason to plan ahead, which we cover next.

Taxis During Busy Events and Peak Times

Taxis near Paceville's busy nightlife area

Most of the time, you can request a taxi when you need one. Busy evenings and major events are different, because many people may be looking for a ride at roughly the same time and app prices or waiting times can change with demand.

It is worth planning ahead if you need transport around:

• New Year's Eve and other major public celebrations;
• Large concerts, festivals and nightlife events;
• Particularly busy weekend evenings;
• An important dinner, wedding or special occasion where arriving late would spoil your plans;
• A village festa or other event where you already know exactly when and where you will need transport.

Local tip: if the taxi is simply taking you back to your accommodation and you are flexible, you can usually check the apps when you are ready to leave. If the ride is connected to something you cannot afford to miss, book it beforehand rather than relying entirely on last-minute availability.

Advance booking does not guarantee that Malta's roads will be free of traffic or event disruption, but it does mean that one important part of your journey has already been organised.

Our Experience Using eCabs in Malta

eCabs car in St Julian’s

As a family, we have used eCabs many times in Malta, including for journeys to and from Malta International Airport. We know the service personally, not just because it operates on the island.

For airport journeys, we particularly like having the transport arranged when the timing matters. eCabs also lets you book rides immediately or schedule them in advance through its app, and you can add flight details to an airport booking so the service can monitor the flight.

Our own experiences have been positive, but we would not suggest that one taxi company will be the best choice for every traveller or every journey. Prices and availability can vary, which is why we still recommend comparing your options when you simply need an everyday ride.

Official White Taxis in Malta

Malta also has a traditional licensed taxi service, easily recognised by its white vehicles. These are different from the private-hire vehicles you normally receive when booking through Bolt, Uber or eCabs.

You will commonly come across official taxis at taxi ranks and major arrival or transport points. They can be a convenient choice when you want a taxi immediately without first comparing several apps, particularly when a taxi is already waiting nearby.

White taxis are subject to regulated maximum meter fares when the taximeter applies, as explained in our pricing section above. You can also book Malta's licensed taxi service through the Malta Taxi app, so using a white taxi no longer necessarily means finding one at a rank.

There is no reason to automatically favour or avoid white taxis. Check which option is most convenient for your journey, understand how the fare will be calculated and choose the service that best suits you at that moment.

Taxis in Gozo

Yes, taxis and ride-hailing apps are available in Gozo. You can use official white taxis as well as services like Bolt, Uber, and eCabs, although the number of available cars can vary by location and time.

If you arrive as a foot passenger at Mġarr Ferry Terminal, you can find taxis there or check the apps after disembarking. Taxis can be particularly useful in Gozo when:

• you want to travel directly from the ferry terminal to your accommodation;
• you are carrying luggage;
• several people are travelling together;
• you want a direct journey to a beach, attraction or village without changing buses;
• you have a fixed return time for the ferry.

For an ordinary journey within Gozo, checking an app or taking an available taxi after arrival may be enough. If you need a vehicle at a particular time, however, arranging it beforehand gives you more certainty.

A different situation is travelling from Malta to your accommodation in Gozo. That journey involves the ferry crossing, so if you want one organised transfer rather than arranging each part yourself, book a suitable Malta–Gozo transfer in advance and make sure the ferry portion is included.

Taxi vs Other Transport in Malta

A taxi is convenient, but it is not always the best way to get around Malta. Depending on where you are staying, how many people are travelling and what you plan to do that day, buses, a rental car, ferries, or simply walking can sometimes make more sense.

Taxi vs Public Transport

For most visitors trying to keep transport costs down, Malta's public transport is the better-value option. A taxi costs more, but you pay for a direct journey, less waiting, and the convenience of being picked up close to where you are.

A bus usually makes more sense when:

• You are travelling on your own or as a couple and keeping costs low is important;
• Your accommodation has a convenient direct bus connection;
• You are not working to a strict timetable;
• You expect to make several journeys during your holiday and can benefit from a visitor travel card.

A taxi can be worth the extra cost when several people can share the fare, you have luggage, the bus journey requires awkward changes, or saving time matters more than spending the minimum possible.

Our approach would not be to choose between buses and taxis for the entire holiday. For many visitors, the most practical combination is to use public transport for straightforward journeys and a taxi when it genuinely makes the day easier.

Taxi vs Renting a Car

Whether it is better to use taxis or rent a car depends largely on how much travelling you plan to do during your holiday.

A rental car can make more sense when:

• You want the freedom to explore different parts of Malta throughout the day;
• You expect to make several journeys every day;
• You are staying somewhere where having your own transport would make your plans easier;
• You prefer setting your own timetable rather than arranging each journey separately.

Taxis can make more sense if you only need occasional rides, don't want to drive in Malta, or would rather avoid parking and the responsibility of a rental vehicle. Malta can also have heavy traffic, so having your own car doesn't necessarily mean every journey will be faster.

For many visitors, the decision does not have to be all or nothing. If you expect to explore extensively, compare your car hire options in Malta and read our tips for renting a car in Malta before deciding. If most of your journeys are straightforward and you only need a taxi occasionally, using buses together with a few taxi rides may be simpler than hiring a car for your entire stay.

Taxi vs Walking and Ferries

Not every journey in Malta needs a vehicle. If your destination is reasonably close, walking may be quicker and simpler than requesting a taxi, especially when you are already exploring the same town or tourist area.

Before booking a taxi, consider walking when:

• Your destination is nearby, and you are comfortable with the route;
• Traffic would offer little advantage over travelling on foot;
• You are exploring an area where several sights, restaurants or attractions are close together.

A ferry can also be a useful alternative for certain harbour journeys. Regular passenger ferry services connect Valletta with Sliema and Valletta with the Three Cities, allowing you to cross the harbour without travelling around it by road.

For these journeys, it is worth comparing the ferry with a taxi rather than automatically choosing the car. The taxi gives you door-to-door convenience, while the ferry can make more sense when its terminals suit where you are starting and finishing.

Our advice is simple: use taxis where they genuinely save you time or effort. For short walks or convenient ferry crossings, a taxi may add little value.

Taxi Dos and Don’ts in Malta

Using taxis in Malta is generally straightforward, particularly now that so many journeys can be arranged through an app. A few simple habits can nevertheless make the experience easier.

What You Should Do

• Check more than one taxi app when price matters. Prices and wait times can differ between services at the moment.
• Check your pickup point and destination carefully before confirming an app ride, particularly around busy streets, hotels, ferry terminals and event areas.
• Allow extra time when the journey connects with a flight, ferry, tour, reservation or important appointment.
• Pre-book when the consequences of not finding a suitable vehicle when you need it would be significant.
• When using an official white taxi, understand whether you are paying a prepaid fixed fare or a metered fare before starting the journey.
• If you are travelling alone and want more general practical advice, see our guide to solo travel in Malta.

What You Should Avoid

• Do not assume the same app will always be the cheapest. Prices and availability can change according to the journey and conditions at the time.
• Do not leave an important airport departure or other fixed-time journey until the last possible moment simply because taxis normally operate throughout the day.
• Do not assume that having a taxi booked means you can ignore traffic, road closures or delays around major events.
• Do not use taxis for every journey simply out of habit. For some trips, a bus, ferry or short walk may be just as practical and considerably cheaper.
• Do not choose a taxi company purely because it is the first name you recognise. Consider the price, pickup time, vehicle you need and how important the journey is.

In reality, taxis are most useful in Malta when they solve a specific problem: saving time, carrying luggage, avoiding an awkward connection, or giving you more certainty for an important journey. Used selectively alongside Malta's other transport options, they can make a holiday considerably easier.

Pre-Booked Taxi and Private Transfer Options

Most taxi journeys in Malta do not need to be booked days in advance. Pre-booking is most useful when you want certainty rather than simply the next available car—for example, for an airport journey, a larger group, substantial luggage or an important fixed-time pickup.

For a pre-arranged private transfer in Malta, any.cab lets you organise your pickup and destination in advance, with different vehicle sizes for couples, families, and larger groups.

Best for: airport transfers, groups with luggage and journeys you want organised before travelling.

For journeys between Malta and Gozo, Mayjo offers specialist transfer options, including a direct door-to-door service where the vehicle travels across on the ferry and continues to your accommodation in Gozo.

Best for: travellers who want their Malta–Gozo journey organised as one transfer rather than arranging separate taxis around the ferry crossing.

Whichever service you choose, check the final price, cancellation conditions, pickup details and what is included before confirming. For a standard, flexible journey during your holiday, using Bolt, Uber, eCabs, or an available taxi when you need it may still be the simpler choice.

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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.