Taxis in Malta: Fares, Booking and What to Expect

Malta has traditional white taxis and a large market of pre-booked cabs available through apps, websites and telephone bookings. Both provide point-to-point travel, but they do not use the same booking and fare system. For current official information, see Taxis in Malta and Gozo.

White taxis and pre-booked cabs

Transport Malta describes licensed taxis in Malta and Gozo as white vehicles. A white taxi can be:

• Hailed where it is safe to stop
• Taken from an authorised taxi stand
• Booked at a taxi booth
• Requested through the Malta Taxi app
• Pre-booked by phone, email or online

Vehicles supplied by operators such as Bolt, Uber and eCabs fall under the separate light passenger transport system. These journeys are arranged in advance, normally through an app or operator, and the price is shown or agreed through that service.

Our Bolt, Uber and eCabs guide compares the practical differences.

Official white-taxi meter tariff

When a white taxi is hired away from an authorised fixed-fare booth, Transport Malta says the taximeter applies this maximum tariff:

Fare component	Maximum rate
Initial charge	€3.50
First kilometre	€2.50 per km
From 1 km to 5 km	€1.60 per km
From 5 km to 10 km	€1.40 per km
From 10 km to 15 km	€1.30 per km
From 15 km to 20 km	€1.00 per km
Beyond 20 km	€0.85 per km

A waiting charge applies when the taxi remains stationary for at least three consecutive minutes. Transport Malta lists this at €25 per hour, calculated by the minute. A lower traffic charge applies when the taxi covers less than one kilometre during three consecutive minutes.

An additional €4.50 applies to each journey on 25 December and 1 January. For a taxi legally carrying more than five passengers in addition to the driver, the normal tariff can be increased by 50%.

These are maximum fares. A driver may charge less.

Fixed fares from taxi booths

Authorised taxi booths may sell a prepaid journey at a fixed destination rate instead of using the normal street-hire meter tariff.

At Malta International Airport, the white-taxi service operates 24 hours a day. Purchase the prepaid ticket at the taxi booth in the Welcomers' Hall before joining the taxi queue.

Confirm the destination and fare printed on the ticket. If your accommodation is in a large locality, provide the full address rather than only the town name.

Our Malta Airport taxis and private transfers guide covers airport options in more detail.

Booking through an app

App-based services show the pickup point, vehicle category, estimated arrival and quoted fare before you confirm. The price may change with demand, route, time and vehicle type.

Compare the live quote in more than one app if price matters. The cheapest operator for one trip may not be cheapest or fastest for the next.

Choose a vehicle that fits the full group and its luggage. A four-passenger car may not have enough boot space for four large suitcases.

Can you pay by card?

Payment methods depend on how the journey is booked.

• An app may charge a stored bank card or another in-app method.
• Some operators allow cash to be selected in the app.
• A taxi booth states its accepted methods at purchase.
• A street-hired taxi should be asked about card acceptance before departure if you do not have cash.

Do not assume every driver accepts every card or mobile wallet. Keep the booking confirmation or receipt until the journey is complete.

Child seats, accessibility and pets

Request special requirements before confirming the journey.

Some apps provide child-seat, assistance, larger-vehicle or pet-friendly categories, but availability changes by location and time. A general vehicle category does not guarantee a child seat or wheelchair access.

If a passenger must remain seated in a wheelchair, ask specifically for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. A driver who can assist with a folded wheelchair is not the same as a wheelchair-accessible taxi.

Taxi safety and practical tips

• Check that the vehicle and registration match the app or booking.
• Confirm the passenger name rather than announcing it first.
• Follow the route in the app or on your own map if helpful.
• Use an official stand or booth rather than accepting an unsolicited approach.
• Ask for the fare basis before a journey not covered by an app quote.
• Keep your belongings with you when leaving the vehicle.
• Report a problem through the booking operator and retain the trip details. Transport Malta's light passenger transport rules explain the current regulated service.

At Malta International Airport, use the official airport taxi booth or a confirmed app booking rather than accepting an unsolicited ride.

Traffic can add considerable time around Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's and the airport. Leave a buffer for flights, ferries and appointments even when the pickup estimate is short.

Taxi, bus or rental car?

A taxi is useful for door-to-door travel, groups, luggage and late arrivals. Buses are much cheaper for routine journeys, while a rental car may suit repeated trips outside congested areas.

Compare the alternatives in our public transport in Malta guide and renting a car in Malta guide.

Browse all our Transport guides.