Malta's hop-on hop-off bus against the ordinary buses

The hop-on hop-off is the most relaxed way to see Malta and also the priciest if you use it badly. The island has an ordinary bus network that reaches the same places, so the useful question is when the sightseeing bus is worth it over a normal one. Here’s what the operators and the public transport company actually publish.

Which routes run on Malta

City Sightseeing Malta, one of the operators, describes two routes starting from Valletta harbour. The north route, coloured blue, calls at the presidential gardens of San Anton, Mdina, the Ta’ Qali crafts village and Mosta. The south route, red, covers the Three Cities, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk and the Blue Grotto at Wied iż-Żurrieq, the last one from April to October. It mentions nine commentary channels in different languages.

One caveat, in all honesty. That website carries no date and its prices look old to me, so I’m not repeating them. If you’re buying a standalone ticket, check the day’s fare at the booth or with the operator.

Where to catch it and buy it

According to Valletta’s cruise port, the hop-on hop-off ticket booths are on the Valletta Waterfront promenade, right where the ships berth, and the port lists the service among the ways to get around from the terminal. It makes sense, as many passengers come off a ship with a few hours and no wish to study route maps. If that’s you, the rest is in Malta cruise port.

The other way to buy it is through Malta Public Transport, which sells it as an add-on to the Explore Flex bus pass. The total comes to €41 with the 4-day pass or €51 with the 7-day one, all done in the tallinja app.

Is the hop-on hop-off better value than the ordinary bus?

Here’s my take. On its own, the Explore Flex is €21 for four days or €27 for a week, and it gets you to Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities and almost any village by ordinary bus. The difference to the bundle, €20 or €24, is what you’re paying for the sightseeing bus. For that you get a route designed for visitors, no changes and commentary, which for one day can be worth it.

For a week, though, I’d skip it. Ordinary buses are slower, yes, but they take you where you want when you want, and for much less. Routes and cards are explained in Malta buses.

The Gozo hop-on hop-off

Gozo has its own sightseeing bus, green and open-topped, which Gozo Highspeed sells alongside its fast ferry from Valletta, Sliema or Buġibba. When you arrive at Mġarr Harbour you board the bus, whose ticket is valid for the whole day, and hop off wherever you like among its stops, Victoria and the Citadel, Xlendi, Dwejra Bay, Marsalforn and Ramla.

The package page gives an adult and a child price but doesn’t make clear whether the ferry is included, so I won’t quote a figure. For a car-free day on Gozo it’s a tidy solution. If you’d rather plan it yourself, it’s step by step in Gozo day trip.

What about the harbour cruise?

The same Explore Flex add-on list includes other trips often sold alongside the sightseeing bus. The harbour cruise comes to €36 with the 4-day pass and €42 with the 7-day one, and the ‘2 Islands’ combination to €53 or €59. In summer there’s also a ‘Golden Comino Escape’ at €53 or €59. I wouldn’t stack them all out of habit. I’d pick the one I fancy most, and for seeing the Grand Harbour from the water, the €3 Valletta to Cospicua ferry does the job for me.

How I’d use it

Whichever you choose, check the day’s last departure before you hop off anywhere far from Valletta.

On a cruise with a full day in port, hop-on hop-off without a second thought, or Valletta on foot if it’s only a few hours. For a week’s stay, a 7-day Explore Flex and ordinary buses, plus one day on the ferry to Gozo. And with young children or anyone who tires easily, a day on the sightseeing bus can save a lot of changes. Before choosing a route, see which sights I rate highest in things to do in Malta.