Valletta's cruise port is on the waterfront below the city walls, about 12 minutes by taxi from Malta's airport. It is one of the easiest boarding ports. The Upper Barrakka Lift takes you up to the city from near the terminal.
Every way from the airport to the ship
Tap any way for step-by-step directions.
| The way | From | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | MLA | About 12 minutes | Not verified |
| Bus X4 + bus 130 | MLA | About 40 minutes on X4 to Valletta bus terminal, then about 15 minutes on route 130 | Not verified |
| Cruise line transfer | MLA | About 15 minutes | Set by your cruise line |
Where Valletta lies
VallettaAvignonBarcelonaRomeGenoaMarseilleRavennaSavonaAjaccioAlicanteAlmeríaAmalfi and PositanoBastiaBilbaoCadizCagliariCannesCartagenaCataniaGibraltarIbizaLa SpeziaLivornoMahón, MenorcaMalagaMessinaMonacoNaplesOlbiaPalermoPalma de MallorcaPortoferraioPortofino / Santa Margherita LigurePulaRovinjSaint-TropezSalernoSèteŠibenikSorrentoTarragonaToulonValenciaVillefranche-sur-Mer and NiceZadarFrom Malta International Airport (MLA)
About 12 minutes by car or taxi (Valletta Cruise Port)
Taxi
- Take a taxi from the airport rank.
- Ask for Valletta Cruise Port (Valletta Waterfront).
Bus X4 + bus 130
- Take route X4 from the airport to the Valletta bus terminal.
- Change to route 130 to the cruise port (3 stops).
Fine if you pack light.
Cruise line transfer
- Book with your line.
From the city or your hotel
Walk
Downhill with steps; hard with bags.
Upper Barrakka Lift
A short walk from the terminal.
Bus 130
Public bus between Valletta and the port.
Where to stay
Arrive a day or two early. A delayed flight on sailing day is the most common way travelers miss the ship.
Valletta inside the city walls
Historic, walkable, and close to the port by lift or taxi.
Sliema or St. Julian's
More hotels and seafront, a short ride away.
Sailing day
Terminals & docks
Valletta Cruise Port at Pinto Wharf, Valletta Waterfront, Floriana. Luggage storage is listed among port services. A booking office on the waterfront offers taxis and tours at set rates.
Check-in
- Lock and tag your bags with your name and cabin number.
- Ask about luggage storage at the port if you have time before boarding.
What trips people up
- Valletta is built on a hill. Walking up from the port with bags is hard; use the lift or a taxi.
- Few US nonstops; most travelers connect in Europe.
Do this
- Malta uses the euro and English is an official language.
- Arrive a day early; the airport is very close.
Leaving the ship: back to the airport
The same routes run in reverse. On the last morning everyone leaves at once, so lines for taxis and buses are at their longest. Book flights home for the afternoon or later, and arrange your ride in advance if you can.
| The way | To | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | MLA | About 12 minutes | Not verified |
| Bus X4 + bus 130 | MLA | About 40 minutes on X4 to Valletta bus terminal, then about 15 minutes on route 130 | Not verified |
| Cruise line transfer | MLA | About 15 minutes | Set by your cruise line |
Before you leave
- Valletta is built on a hill. Walking up from the port with bags is hard; use the lift or a taxi.
- Arrive a day early; the airport is very close.
Before or after your cruise
- St. John's Co-Cathedral.
- Upper Barrakka Gardens.
- Mdina, the 'silent city'.
- Ferry to Gozo.
Nonstop flights from the US
Verified: Delta New York JFK to Malta, new from June 7, 2026 (seasonal).
Routes change by season. Check the airline before you book.
Sources & what we could not confirm · 3 sources · checked 2026-11
- Taxi fare from the airport (airport site would not load).
- Bus and lift fares.
- Which cruise lines homeport in Valletta in 2026.