Routes and Timetables
The Bus Network
For such a small island, there are a large number of bus routes, and you are never very far from a bus stop. Frequencies are good on the main routes, but less so on other routes, and it often pays to check timetables.
There is some logic to the route numbering system. TD routes are branded Tallinja Direct and are non-stop or limited stop routes, mostly linking the Airport to key destinations. Most routes prefixed X (X1 to X4) were withdrawn on 20th April 2025 and were replaced by other routes, although X300 now provides a faster link between Valleta and Cirkewwa, for the Gozo ferry.
Route numbers in the series 1-99 run to and from Valletta bus station, and run roughly in geographical order in an anti-clockwise direction around Valletta. Numbers in the 100s and 200s are generally routes not serving Valletta (but there are exceptions: Valletta local routes are numbered 130 and 133, whilst route 122 runs from Valletta to Mater Dei Hospital, and to confuse matters further, three routes in the 2xx series which used to terminate at Mater Dei Hospital now extend through to Valletta). Gozo bus services are numbered in the 300s.
A small number of Night Routes numbered in the N series serve the bars, clubs and restaurants of San Giljan at higher fares. On Gozo there is a single journey with an N prefix - a late evening journey on Fridays and Saturdays from Victoria to the ferry at Mgarr.
There is also a demand responsive minibus service branded Tallinja On Demand (formerly TD Plus). Since February 2025 this has only operated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights between 1900 and 0300, serving bus stops in Sliema, San Gwann, St Julian's, and Swieqi. Trips are booked using the Tallinja app.
Route changes from 20th April 2025
A brief summary of the changes is as follows. Full details can be found in my Unofficial Timetable (see below) and in the Maps.
Routes X1 to X4 are withdrawn.
New route TD1 (introduced in February) links the Airport with Rabat, Bugibba and Cirkewwa by a more direct route than previous routes X1 (Airport - Cirkewwa) or X3 (Airport - Bugibba).
Routes TD2 and TD3 from the Airport to San Giljan / Sliema area (split into two routes in December 2024) are each doubled in frequency to every 30 minutes.
Route TD4 (introduced in February) is a dedicated Airport - Valletta service running direct. In Valletta serves the bus station followed by the Lascaris stop.
The section of former route X1 between the Airport and Mater Dei Hospital via Marsa P&R is replaced by new route 208, calling at main stops only.
The section of former route X2 between Paola and San Giljan / Sliema is replaced by new route 211.
Route X3 (Airport - Birkirkara - Rabat - Bugibba) is replaced in its entirety by route 214; effectively a renumbering of X3 running to the same timetable and taking the same route.
The Birzebbuga - Hal Far - Airport - Marsa P&R section of former route X4 is replaced by new route 205 (the Airport to Valletta section is covered by TD4, running direct rather than via Marsa P&R).
Route 88 Valletta - Gudja is extended to the Airport giving a further option to the Airport.
A southbound variation of route 82 numbered 82B extends beyond Birzebbuga to Hal Far (returning to Birzebbuga via Tal Papa), maintaing a through service between Valletta and Hal Far (previously via the Airport on X4).
Route X300, previously peak journeys Cirkewwa - Mater Dei, extends to Valletta and runs all day.
New route X299 takes over the peak Cirkewwa - Mater Dei journeys previously numbered X300.
New route 207 has two journeys at school times between Marsa P&R and Naxxar schools.
UNOFFICIAL BUS TIMETABLE
NEW MALTA & GOZO TIMETABLE - 20th APRIL 2025 (23 page pdf file). This is compiled by myself and shows bus routes in numerical order, with departure times from the start points, also approximate journey times to principal intermediate points. Includes the extensive changes from 20th April 2025, mostly affecting Airport routes, with X1, X2, X3 and X4 being replaced by other services. Summer timings (from early June) are provisional.
WARNING - Scheduled running times as shown on the MPT website generally vary according to the time of day and day of the week, also the time of year (and in some cases look rather suspect and inconsistent). Journey times shown in my timetable summary are based on typical off-peak timings as per the website. At quiet times, for example early morning or late evening, buses are liable to depart from intermediate points several minutes earlier, and at peak times and in summer they may run later than shown. In any case, once a bus has set off from its start point I'm not sure to what extent drivers adhere to intermediate timings en route - it's always best to arrive at the stop in plenty of time, or arm yourself with the Tallinja App which gives realtime information.
Official Timetables
OFFICIAL TIMETABLES on the MPT website show individual routes - you need to know the route number. There is no official timetable book; timetable leaflets have been produced in the past but printed information is likely to be restricted to a route map.
The Tallinja App is recommended and can be downloaded to your smartphone from the iPhone App Store or the Google Play Store. This shows which routes serve your closest stop, and also shows realtime information with the estimated time of arrival of buses at your nearest stop. The app now also shows the realtime location of buses on the selected route.
Google maps also has detailed timings from most bus stops. Particularly useful is the Google Maps app on Android and Apple devices where most stops show the next few departures, and individual timings can be clicked on to show the whole journey with timings at every stop served.
The official Journey Planner is getting better but it is difficult to get meaningful information from it.
Seasonal and Temporary Changes
The following routes are extended to popular beaches each summer (early-June to late September): 49 is extended from Ghadira to Armier and runs daily, 101 is extended from Mgarr to Gnejna Bay and 109 and 109A are extended from Bajjada to Ghar Lapsi, whilst 74 runs down the hill to and from Blue Grotto en route. Several routes have enhanced frequencies in summer, notably 53, 212, 221 to 223, and 225, also 310, 311 and 322 on Gozo; some have further enhancements during the summer school holidays. Summer timings in 2024 commenced on Sunday June 9th, whilst the enhanced holiday services commenced on Sunday July 7th, valid until September 22nd.
For those interested in past route changes there is a list of recent changes to bus routes in Malta and Gozo.
Temporary Diversions - The nature of the road network is such that bus routes are frequently diverted because of roadworks or special events, sometimes for a few hours, sometimes for weeks or months. It is beyond the scope of this website to mention all but the longest term diversions. You can find details on the Service Updates page of the Malta Public Transport website. Short notice changes are sometimes mentioned on the MPT Facebook page.
Special Events - Additional services or journeys are often laid on for festivals and even concerts. For example, a whole network of late night services operates for the annual Notte Bianca in October.