Malta Travel Guide

Social Conventions

The usual European courtesies are expected, but the visitor should also bear in mind the tremendous importance of Roman Catholicism; if visiting a church, for instance, modest dress covering the shoulders and legs will be expected. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in all public buildings, including cinemas, restaurants and bars.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is Air Malta (KM) (www.airmalta.com).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Malta International (MLA) (Luqa) (www.maltairport.com) is 5km (3 miles) south of Valletta (journey time – 15 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses depart regularly to and from Valletta City Gate. There is a regular service to the main bus terminal in Valletta. There is a full, 24-hour, taxi service to all parts of Malta; fares are charged at a fixed rate. A shuttle service also runs to Circewwa to connect with ferries. Facilities: Incoming and outgoing duty-free shops, car hire, bank, bureau de change, left luggage and restaurant/bar.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: Valletta, Marsaxlokk and Mgarr/Gozo.

Services operate to the Sicilian ports of Catania and Pozzallo. These routes are served by high-speed hydrofoils and catamarans (journey time – 1 hour 30 minutes) and car ferries (journey time – 3 hours).

There are also sailings to Italy (to Reggio Calabria, Genoa and Salerno). For information on the ports in Malta, contact the Malta Maritime Authority (tel: 2122 2203; www.mma.gov.mt).

Duty Free

Overview

You can bring any amount of tax and duty-free alcohol, cigarettes and other purchases from EU countries, as long as everything is for your own use. This includes presents, but not anything you're intending to sell. The exception is that there are limits on the amount of tax and duty-free tobacco products you can bring in from some EU countries. If you are carrying a large amount you may be questioned by customs if they suspect you may be importing goods for commercial purposes. Customs say you are more likely to be quizzed if you have over 3200 cigarettes, 110 liters of beer, 90 liters of wine or 10 liters of spirits. You can bring in any amount of meat, dairy products, fish and other animal products (for example, honey or eggs) from the EU for your own use. You can also bring in any plants or plant products grown in the EU.

If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Malta by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco.
• 1L of spirits and 2L of wine.
• 60mL of perfume and 250mL of eau de toilette.
• Other goods to a value not exceeding Lm75.

The following items may be imported into Malta without incurring customs duty from EU countries:

• 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos (cigars not weighing more than 4g each), 200 cigars, 1kg of tobacco.
• 10L of spirits, 20L of fortified wine, 90L of wine (including a maximum 60L of sparkling wine), 10L of beer.
• Other goods to a value not exceeding Lm75.

Note: It is advisable to declare any larger or unusual items of electrical equipment brought into the islands (such as video cameras, portable televisions or video recorders), as this will prevent duty being levied on these items when leaving the country. Those under 17 cannot bring in alcohol or tobacco.

Prohibited Imports

Firearms and ammunition; counterfeit goods; unlicensed drugs; obscene literature and other media; animals and birds (dead or alive); plants; milk and milk products and meat products (without import license).

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

A seaplane service by Harbourair (www.harborairmalta.com) links Grand Harbour in Valletta to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Getting Around By Water

A passenger car ferry operates several times daily between Cirkewwa in Malta and Mgarr in Gozo (journey time - about 25 minutes). Services to Comino operate from mid March to mid November. For further information, contact the Gozo Channel Company (tel: 2155 6016; www.gozochannel.com). The Comino Hotel (www.cominohotel.com) runs a ferry service to the island from March to November. Paradise Diving (www.paradisediving.com), in Cirkewwa, offers a daily service to Blue Lagoon from May to October.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. The main roads are all good quality. Some of the smaller roads in the country may require care when driving.

Bus: Good local services operate from Valletta and Victoria (Gozo) to all towns. See www.maltabybus.com.

Bicycle/Moped hire: Bicycles and mopeds are available to hire on the island. However, bear in the mind when cycling that Malta is very hilly and he temperature may be uncomfortable for a fun ride.

Taxi: Identifiable by their all-white livery. Although taxis are under meter charge at government-controlled prices, it is best to agree prices before departure. Taxis from the airport have fixed prices.

Car hire: A number of car hire firms offer self-drive cars. International firms are represented at the airport. Rates on Malta are among the cheapest in Europe.

Regulations: The speed limit is 80kph (50mph) on highways and 50kph (30mph) in residential areas.

Documentation: Valid international driving license required.

Emergency breakdown service: Many of the car hire firms will offer breakdown as an option when hiring a car or a moped.