On the inhabited islands of the Maltese archipelago you can move as follows:
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Malta, Gozo and Comino also connect ferries.
Malta by bus
UPD: c 1 January 2013 Arriva transferred its balance to the Maltese state company, at the moment we expect details about the state of public transport in Malta. Since July 3 in Malta and Gozo, a new bus operator Arriva has started operating.
The easiest way is to travel by bus - a network of routes covers almost the entire island .Unfortunately, it is worth noting that the local public transport system is not very convenient: all buses go to the capital (Valletta), passing only through the cities that are on the way to it (double digits) .There are several special routes (three-digit numbers), but they either connect the resort towns to each other, either operate only in the summer, or are used as an express service (that is, they do not stop anywhere) .Therefore, you need to prepare mentally for the fact that in many cases you will have to willy-nilly drive through Valletta .
The schedule of all routes is available on the website of the Maltese Transport Association. It would be desirable to single out only a few "most popular" routes among tourists (who mostly live in resort cities):
Sliema: 60, 62, 63, 64, 65 (Sliema-Rabat / Mdina), 66, 68, 70 (Sliema-Bugibba), 627 (Sliema-Bugibba), 645 (Sliema-Cirkewwa), 652 (Sliema - Golden Bay beach)
St. Julian's: 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 (Sliema - Bugibba), 627 (Sliema - Bugibba), 645 (Sliema - Cirkewwa), 652 (Sliema - Golden Bay Beach)
Bugibba, Aura (Buġibba, Qawra): 49, 58, 59, 70 (Bugibba - Sliema), 86 (Bugibba - Ta'ali Gift Center, Rabat / Mdina)
Mellieha (Mellieħa): 44, 45, 645 (Sliema - Chirkevwa through Mellieha)
Marfa, Chirkewwa (Marfa, Ċirkewwa): 45, 645
Marsaskala / M'Skala: 17, 19
Rabat / Mdina (Rabat, Mdina): 80, 81, 84.
In addition, the most popular attractions can be reached by buses with numbers:
- 3 Cities: Vittoriosa / Birgu (Vittoriosa / Birgu): 1, 2
- 3 Cities: Senglea / Isla (Senglea / Isla): 3
- 3 Cities and Towns: Cospicua / Bormla: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
- The cathedral ("Rotunda") in the city of Mosta (Dome): 44, 45, 47, 49, 58, 59, 65 (from Sliema), 86 (from Bugibba)
- The fishing village of Marsaxlokk / M 'Xlokk: 27
- Blue Grotto: 38, 138
- Cliffs of Dingli cliffs: 81
- Wood Buskett (Buskett): 81
- Temples of Hajar Im (Ħaġar Qim) and Mnajdra (Mnajdra): 38, 138
- Temples of Tarshin (Tarxien temples): 11, 12, 13, 27, 29
- Hypogeum (Hypogeum): 15, 29
- Ar Dalam (Għar Dalam): 11, 12, 13.
The intervals between the arrival of the bus depend on the route, but usually it is 10-15 minutes. Unfortunately, they are not always sent strictly on schedule. Most buses run from 6:00 to 22:00 (in summer, perhaps some go longer), the departure time of the latter can (and need to!) Be clarified directly from the driver. He also can borrow from the cabin a free printout of the bus schedule (a pile often lies at the windshield).
The driver takes the fare. Also from time to time buses inspect inspectors - both at the final stops, and on the route itself. Do not forget to buy tickets (although it's impossible to get on the bus, bypassing the driver).
The fare depends on the zone in which you are traveling. A ticket within zone A costs 0, 47 EUR; B is 0, 54; C - 0, 58. The trip on routes that depart from Valletta, can cost 1, 16 EUR. In any case, the driver at the wheel of the bus, which serves the "border zones", will ask you where you are actually going. Say, if you boarded the 45 bus that goes to Chirkevwa for 0, 58 EUR, but you need only get to Msida (Msida), you will be charged 0, 47 EUR.
It is important to pay attention to the fact that the buses have a summer (from June 16 to September 30) and winter (from October 1 to June 15) schedule. They differ in the following criteria: in summer more direct routes open (for example, to sandy beaches in the west of Malta) and the last bus departs later than in winter.
On ferries
Between Malta and Gozo, Malta and Comino, as well as between the Maltese cities of Valletta and Sliema, ferries run.
Ferry Malta - Gozo ferry
It was a long time ago that between the two islands large dinghies sailed - dgħajsa tal-latini, carrying passengers from one shore to another. Now their place is occupied by modern ferries, which belong to the company "Gozo Channel" (Gozo Channel) - a monopolist for the ferry service on this route. So in any case you will have to use their service - which, however, is quite good.
There are three ferries. They transport both people and vehicles. The people leave their cars in the hold and go either to the salon (where you can sit, go to the toilet, drink tea and coffee and even buy a guide or newspaper) or on the open deck. From there you can admire the panorama of the coasts of Malta, Comino and Gozo.
The whole trip takes 20-30 minutes. From Malta, the ferry leaves from the town of Chirkewwa (Ċirkewwa), from Gozo - from the port of Mġarr (Mġarr). If you are traveling by car, you will have to stand in line to load into the hold, well, and if "for your two" - buy tickets safely and pass - you have enough space for sure!
Ticket prices are as follows:
For Passengers: 4, 65 EUR for all, except (1) those who travel at night (that is, starting from 8 pm and up to the time of departure of the first ferry the next day, from November to March) - 4, 05; (2) those who permanently reside in Gozo - 1, 15; (3) Maltese and Gozitan pensioners - free of charge; children from 3 to 12 years - 1, 15.
For motorists (car + driver): 15, 70 EUR for all, except (1) those who travel at night (ie from 8 pm and until the departure time of the first ferry the next day, from November to March) - 12, 18; (2) those who permanently reside in Gozo - 8, 15; (3) state pensioners - 6, 95; of the Maltese pensioners - 11, 05.
Prices for other transportation categories can be viewed on the Gozo Channel website.
On the same site there is also a schedule of flights. It is important to keep in mind that navigation is summer (July - mid September), in the off-season (late May-late June and late September-late October) and winter (November-May). The exact start and end dates for these seasons are different each year, so it is recommended to track this information directly on the carrier's website.
Ferry Malta - Comino (Comino ferry)
This tiny island, which can be walked on foot in one day, is popular with lovers of hiking, as well as tourists who like to really get into the wilderness (there is a hotel on Comino). You can get there by boats that come from the town of Martha (Marfa) - it's next to Cirkewwa, where you can go to Gozo. The ferry arrives in the so-called Blue Lagoon - a bay and a beach, very popular with tourists.
Caterpillars are small, there can be simultaneously a person 40-50. The whole trip also takes 20-30 minutes. Tickets cost somewhere around 8-10 EUR, and the ticket attendant sits next to the berth under the umbrella.
Navigation lasts approximately from mid-March to October (it all depends on the weather, since a kettle can not just fight with high waves as much as the same huge Gozitanian ferry). You can definitely get to the island on weekends, from 10 am to 4 pm (at 5 pm the last boat leaves for Malta, but beyond the summer the service can work up to 4 days - be sure to check with the ferrymen!)
Ferry Valletta - Sliema (Valletta - Sliema ferries)
Separately, I would like to mention a tiny ferry crossing in the harbor of Marsamxett, which connects the two most popular tourist, administrative, business and commercial centers of Malta - the cities of Valletta and Sliema. The distance between these two cities, which on the bus overcomes the minutes for 20 (unless, of course, go not at rush hour), on the "boat" is covered for an insignificant period of time!
From Valletta, the ferry departs from Sally Port (under the Anglican cathedral of St. Paul) and arrives at the Strand in Sliema. The trip takes 5 minutes and costs 1, 50 EUR. The timetable can be found on the website of the company "Captain Morgan", which organizes various cruises.
Taxis in Malta are common, but very expensive. Machines of black color only work on an order (payment on a meter and service in general is better). In a white taxi, the price is set by the driver, with whom it is necessary to specify the fare in advance. This taxi is more expensive than black, but you can bargain with the driver. Tariffs depend on the time of day.