To get from Malta International Airport to Sliema, take Malta Public Transport’s Airport Direct 3 (TD3), which links the airport with Gżira, Sliema and St Julian’s. The airport is about a 25-minute drive from Sliema Tigne Suites, making the hotel a useful base for this route.
- Bus: Airport Direct TD3 runs between the airport and St Julian’s via Sliema and Gżira.
- Airport bus terminal: Follow the signs after leaving arrivals.
- Fare: €3 per passenger; Unlimited Travel Card holders can use Airport Direct at no extra cost.
- Sliema stops: Chalet, Ferries 5 and Torri.
Where Sliema sits in relation to the airport
Sliema is one of the destinations on the TD3 route from Malta International Airport, which also serves Gżira and St Julian’s. From the airport, the bus follows a circular route toward St Julian’s via Gżira and Sliema.
If you’re planning to settle in around town after arriving, see this guide to Sliema’s neighbourhood and promenade for more on the area.
How do you get from Malta International Airport to Sliema by bus?
The Airport Direct TD3 is the bus route connecting Malta International Airport with Sliema. After you exit the arrivals area, follow the signs to the airport bus terminal and look for the service there.
TD3 serves three Sliema stops: Chalet, Ferries 5 and Torri. Check which stop best suits your destination before boarding, then get off at that stop to continue on foot or by another mode of transport.
The published timetable lists airport departures every 30 minutes, from 05:15 to 00:45, Monday to Sunday. Malta Public Transport also describes the service as running every 30 minutes. Timetables can change, so check the official site before you go.
What are the taxi and pre-booked transfer options?
A car journey from Sliema Tigne Suites to Malta International Airport takes about 25 minutes. The available route information does not give taxi fares, pickup instructions or pre-booking details, so check those directly with a transport provider if you plan to travel by car.
What should you know about Airport Direct fares and boarding?
An Airport Direct ticket costs €3 per passenger, except on TD1, where the fare is €3.50. Airport Direct is included at no extra cost for holders of an Unlimited Travel Card.
If you don’t have an Unlimited Travel Card, you can pay onboard with cash or contactless payment; advance booking is not required. Airport Direct buses have luggage space, USB charging ports and free Wi-Fi.
At the airport, Malta Public Transport has a sales office in the Welcomers’ Hall, open daily from 08:00 to 00:00, and another in the baggage-reclaim area, open daily from 08:00 to 20:00. Card-dispensing machines are in the Welcomers’ Hall, near the Airport 2 bus stop and in baggage reclaim; they are available 24 hours a day.
Arriving near Tigné Point
Tigné Point is a shopping and entertainment complex in the Sliema area. The TD3’s Sliema stops—Chalet, Ferries 5 and Torri—give you options for reaching different parts of town. For ideas on what to do by the water, pair your arrival with this guide to Sliema’s rocky-shore swimming spots.
Malta Public Transport says passengers can take TD3 from Sliema or St Julian’s to Malta International Airport as well, so the service works in both directions.
FAQs
Which bus goes from Malta International Airport to Sliema?
Airport Direct 3 (TD3) connects the airport with Sliema, Gżira and St Julian’s.
Where do you catch the TD3 at the airport?
Airport Direct buses leave from the Malta International Airport bus terminal, signposted after you exit arrivals.
Can you pay for Airport Direct onboard?
Yes. Passengers without an Unlimited Travel Card can pay onboard with cash or contactless payment, and advance booking is not required.
Does TD3 run from Sliema to the airport too?
Yes. Malta Public Transport says passengers can take TD3 from Sliema or St Julian’s to Malta International Airport.