Is Malta Expensive? My Malta Budget Breakdown 2026

Before my trip, one question kept popping into my head: is Malta expensive?

I searched it more times than I want to admit. Right after flights, hotels, food prices, buses, ferries, random travel panic… you know, the usual.

When I was planning my Malta trip, I wanted real numbers. Not vague advice like “Malta can suit every budget.” That sentence tells me absolutely nothing.

I wanted to know the actual cost of travel in Malta. How much would I spend on hotels? Are restaurants expensive? Is public transport cheap? Can I survive without selling a kidney for a sea view?

After spending time there, I would say this: Malta can feel cheap or expensive, but Malta is really worth a visit.

If you are visiting from places like the UK, Switzerland, Germany, or some richer European countries, Malta may actually feel pretty affordable. Meals, buses, and even hotels can feel cheaper than back home.

But if you are traveling on a budget like me or coming from countries where daily costs are lower, Malta can feel a little expensive in some areas. Hotels in summer? Ouch.

If you are planning where to stay for sightseeing, check out my guide on things to do in Mdina to decide which area fits your trip better.

The good news is that Malta is one of those places where you can cut costs if you plan smart. I mostly travel on a budget, and I quickly learned where Malta is worth spending money and where you can save a lot without ruining your trip.

For example, I booked flights months early through Skyscanner and saved money that way. I also skipped expensive taxis, used buses, stayed outside the most touristy areas, and mixed restaurant meals with cheaper food stops.

So if you are wondering is Malta cheap, how much money you need for Malta, or trying to figure out your Malta travel budget, this guide will break it all down in simple words.

I will go through accommodation, food, transport, attractions, beer prices, hidden costs, and daily budgets so you know exactly what to expect before booking your trip.

And because I hate vague travel advice, I will also share how to save money in Malta without turning your holiday into a sad “bread and supermarket cheese” situation. I have also written a detailed guide on how to travel Europe on budget.

The Cost of Travel in Malta

So, is Malta expensive?

My short answer? Not really.

I personally spent around $400 in Malta for four days. I was traveling on a budget, using buses, staying smart with accommodation, and not throwing money around like I had won the lottery.

That said, Malta can get expensive fast if you visit in summer, stay in touristy areas, eat every meal at restaurants, and use taxis everywhere. Malta is tiny, but your bill can grow surprisingly fast.

Also, I am not including flights in my Malta budget because I visited Malta during a bigger Europe trip. I did not fly there directly from home. But if you are flying from the UK or Europe, you can often find cheap flights, especially with budget airlines if you book early.

A realistic daily budget for Malta

For 4 days, the cost per person is:

• Accomodation(3 nights): $230
• Food and snacks: $60
• Trasportation: $15
• Activities and sightseeing: $60
• Miscellaneous expenses: $20

Total malta travel cost per person is

I usually search for cheap flights months ahead on Google Flights , Cheapoair or Skyscanner because waiting until the last minute and hoping for magic has never worked for me.

If you are trying to travel Europe without spending a fortune, you may also like my guide to the 20 amazing budget cities in Europe.

Daily Travel Cost in Malta

The daily travel cost in Malta really depends on how you travel. Are you the type to book sea-view hotels and cocktails every evening? Or are you like me, checking bus routes and hunting for good food that does not cost half your budget?

For budget travelers, around €50 to €70 daily can cover a budget hotel or hostel, buses, food, and some attractions if you plan smart.

Mid-range travelers will probably spend closer to €100 to €160 per day, especially if staying in places like Sliema, St Julian’s, or Valletta.

Luxury travelers? Well… the sky is the limit. Sea-view hotels in peak summer are not exactly shy about their prices.

I mostly travel on a budget, so I tried to keep costs low without making the trip feel cheap. I still wanted nice views, good food, and fun experiences. Just without the “why did I spend €18 on breakfast?” moment.

I spent around $100 per day in Malta for four days.

I mostly used buses, tried to keep food costs reasonable, and avoided spending too much on transport. I also mixed paid attractions with free things to do.

If you travel like me, Malta does not have to be painfully expensive. You just need to know where your money disappears fastest. Spoiler: summer hotels.

If you are trying to stretch your travel budget, you may also enjoy my guide to what to pack for Europe because packing smart can save you from buying overpriced things on the trip.

Accommodation Costs in Malta

Let me say this straight away. Accommodation will probably be your biggest expense in Malta.

Food and buses are not too bad. Hotels? That is where Malta suddenly remembers it is a Mediterranean island everyone wants to visit in summer.

The accommodation costs in Malta depend a lot on the season and where you stay. July and August are the most expensive months. Prices can jump so much that your wallet may quietly file a complaint.

If you visit in spring, autumn, or even early winter, Malta gets much cheaper.

For three nights in Malta, I paid around $237 total including taxes, which comes to roughly $79 per night. It was a small hotel, nothing fancy, but it was close to the center and within walking distance of places, which saved me both time and transport money.

And when you are trying to manage the cost of travel in Malta, location matters more than fancy hotel interiors.

You do not need a luxury sea-view hotel unless that is really your thing. Malta is one of those places where you spend most of the day outside anyway.

Beaches, viewpoints, boat trips, old streets, cafés… your hotel mostly becomes the place where you shower and recharge after walking way too much.

My hotel was simple. But it was clean, comfortable, and close enough that I could walk to places instead of constantly paying for taxis.

Here are more hotel options that I liked while browsing:

• Valletta Kampnar City Living in Valletta
• Estrella Lodging in Rabat
• Tranquil Haven 3 in Rabat

The Cheapest Places to Stay in Malta

If you are trying to save money in Malta, where you stay matters a lot. I would avoid staying right in the most expensive tourist spots unless you find a good deal.

Places like St Julian’s and parts of Valletta can get pricey, especially in peak season. I found areas like Sliema, Gżira, or even staying near Mellieħa can sometimes give better value depending on your trip style.

If you mostly want beaches, northern Malta may work better. If sightseeing is your focus, staying closer to Valletta makes more sense.

One easy way to cut costs is to stay slightly outside the tourist center and use buses. Malta is small, so getting around is not too difficult.

Food Costs in Malta

Now let’s talk about food. Is Malta expensive for food? Because no travel budget survives long if every meal turns into a fancy dinner with sea views.

The good news? Food costs in Malta are not terrible. The bad news? Tourist restaurants can quietly attack your wallet if you are not paying attention.

I found Malta to be somewhere in the middle. Not super cheap, not painfully expensive either.

For food, I spent around $10 to $15 daily in Malta.

Honestly, I expected food to cost more, especially near tourist areas. One of the easiest ways to cut your Malta travel cost is food.

Now let me be honest. I was not sitting at fancy restaurants every evening trying to pronounce menu words I clearly do not understand. That is just not my travel style.

Most mornings started with hotel breakfast, which already helped cut costs.

And yes, if there were extra pastries around, my brain automatically started thinking, “future snack.” Budget travel logic.

For lunch or dinner, I mostly kept things simple.

I had things like sandwiches, wraps, pastries, bakery snacks, fries, pizza slices, pasta, quick takeaway meals, and budget options at casual restaurants.

Here is a rough idea of food prices in Malta in 2026:

Food Type	Average Price
Coffee	€2 to €4
Pastry or snack	€2 to €5
Cheap local meal	€6 to €12
Casual restaurant meal	€10 to €15
Dinner at nicer restaurant	€25 to €45+
Pizza	€7 to €18
Fast food combo	€7 to €13
Bottle of water	€1 to €2
Supermarket meal deal	€5 to €10

Cheap Food in Malta That Actually Tastes Good

If you want to save money, bakeries are your best friend.

You can grab things like pastizzi, sandwiches, pizza slices, or pastries for just a few euros. Cheap and filling. Honestly, sometimes these quick meals tasted better than expensive tourist restaurants.

Supermarkets also helped me save money.

If your hotel or apartment includes a kitchen, breakfast suddenly becomes much cheaper. Even grabbing fruit, drinks, or snacks from grocery stores can cut costs fast.

My little travel rule? Walk five to ten minutes away from the main tourist area before choosing a restaurant. Tourist menus have a funny habit of shrinking once prices go up.

If you are planning your sightseeing days, my guide to things to do in Valletta also includes some great food spots around the city.

I relied on Google Maps a lot in Malta to find cheaper restaurants away from tourist areas. Thanks to my decision of buying Airalo eSIM before going to malta, I was connected to the internet at all times.

Beer Cost in Malta and Drink Prices

Even though I do not drink alcohol myself, I know this is one of those things people always want to budget for before a trip. So yes, I did research by visiting many places in person. Let’s talk about the beer cost in Malta too.

The good news is that Malta is not outrageously expensive when it comes to drinks, especially compared to some other European destinations.

Here is a rough idea of drink prices in Malta in 2026:

Drink	Average Price
Local beer	€3 to €5
Imported beer	€4 to €7
Pint of beer in tourist area	€5 to €8
Cocktail	€8 to €15
Soft drink	€2 to €4
Coffee	€2 to €4
Bottle of water	€1 to €2

One thing people often mention in Malta is Cisk beer, which is the local beer here. You will see it almost everywhere.

If you are having drinks in busy tourist areas like St Julian’s nightlife spots, expect prices to be higher. Sea views and party streets somehow make drinks cost more.

But if you grab drinks from supermarkets or local stores instead of bars every night, you can save quite a bit.

And if you drink alcohol, maybe save the fancy cocktails for one good sunset evening instead of every night. Malta sunsets deserve one dramatic main character moment.

f you are trying to balance budget and fun in Europe, you may also like my guide to the 10 amazing Underrated Countries in Europe.

Transport Costs in Malta

One thing that surprised me in Malta? Getting around was much cheaper than I expected.

So, is malta expensive for transport?

If you are worried about the cost of travel in Malta, transport is probably not where most of your money will disappear. Hotels are the real drama queens here.

For transportation, I spent around $15 for 4 days.

Tallinja is the main bus company in Malta, and honestly, it is probably the cheapest and easiest way to get around the island unless you suddenly decide walking everywhere sounds fun.

Malta does not have trains or trams, so public transport mostly runs on buses. The good thing is that the bus network covers most tourist areas pretty well, including places like Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Mdina, and Mellieħa.

I found the buses modern, reliable, and surprisingly easy to use once I figured out the routes. Definitely much cheaper than constantly booking taxis.

If you are staying for a few days, you can also look into the Tallinja Explore Flex card.

It is a pay-as-you-go travel card that costs around €6, and you can top it up whenever needed. One thing I liked is that it can also be used for ferries between Valletta, Sliema, and The Three Cities, which makes sightseeing easier.

For shorter trips though, normal bus tickets may still work fine depending on how much you move around.

Honestly, I used buses a lot because paying for taxis every day was not exactly in my travel budget plans.

Here are the rough Malta bus prices in 2026:

Transport Type	Average Price
Single bus ticket (summer)	Around €2.50
Single bus ticket (winter)	Around €2
Tallinja Explore card (7 days unlimited)	Around €25
Ferry rides	€2 to €5
Airport bus	Usually included in regular routes

If you are staying for several days and planning lots of sightseeing, the 7-day Tallinja card can save money.

But for shorter trips, buying single tickets may work better. Since I was only there for four days, I mostly used normal tickets.

Bolt, Uber, and Taxi Prices in Malta

Malta also has Bolt and Uber, which many tourists use.

Compared to some European cities, I found ride prices okay, especially for short distances.

A short ride may cost around €8 to €15, while airport transfers or longer routes can cost more.

My advice? Use buses most of the time and save taxis for late evenings, airport runs, or days when your feet are filing official complaints.

Car Rental Costs in Malta

A lot of people rent cars in Malta, especially if they want to explore beaches or Gozo at their own pace.

But here is my honest opinion. Unless you are staying longer or planning lots of road trips, you may not need one.

Parking can be annoying in some areas and Malta drives on the left side of the road, which surprises some travelers.

Rough car rental costs in Malta:

• Budget car: €15 to €40 per day in quieter months
• Summer prices: €40 to €80+ per day

Booking early matters here too. Summer prices rise fast.

If you decide to rent a car in Malta, I always compare prices early because summer rates go up quickly

Attractions and Activity Costs in Malta

Now for the fun part. Because what is the point of saving money if you cannot actually enjoy Malta?

The good news is that Malta has a nice mix of free and paid things to do. You can easily keep your Malta travel budget low if you mix both.

Honestly, some of my favorite Malta moments cost almost nothing. Walking around old streets, watching sea views, and getting lost in places like Mdina felt just as fun as paid attractions.

Here are some rough Malta attraction prices in 2026:

Attraction or Activity	Average Price
Boat trip to Blue Lagoon	€25 to €50+
Gozo day trip	€20 to €60+
Museums	€5 to €15
St. John’s Co-Cathedral	Around €15
Malta National Aquarium	Around €16
Hop-on-hop-off bus	€20 to €35
Harbour cruise	€20 to €30
Beaches	Free
Walking around Valletta or Mdina	Free

One thing I liked about Malta is that you do not have to spend money every single day to enjoy it.

Places like Mdina, the streets of Valletta, viewpoints, beaches, harbors, and sunsets are mostly free.

And trust me, Malta sunsets are doing a lot of heavy lifting for people’s camera rolls.

If you are trying to lower your daily travel cost in Malta, mix expensive activities with free ones.

For example:

• Spend one day exploring Valletta for free
• Visit Mdina and wander the streets
• Enjoy beaches like Golden Bay or Mellieħa Bay
• Walk the waterfront in Sliema
• Watch sunset viewpoints instead of paying for entertainment every night

Honestly, Malta has plenty of free things to do, but I still wanted to try some tours and historical places. Here are the activities I paid for ($60 in total), and I think, they were worth it.

Award-Winning Valletta & Three Cities Boat Tour from Sliema ($14)

This was one of my favorite things I did in Malta. For around $14, the boat tour felt like a really good deal, especially for the views.

Seeing Valletta and The Three Cities from the water made everything look even prettier. Malta already has beautiful architecture, but somehow the sea views make it feel extra dramatic in a good way.

If you enjoy taking photos or just want a relaxing activity, I think this one is worth adding to your trip. You can book tickets online in advance to avoid the hassle.

Mdina: The Knights of Malta Museum Entry Ticket ($8)

If you enjoy history, knights, or want to understand Malta a bit better, this is a nice stop.

It is not one of those huge museums where your feet start questioning your life choices after an hour. It is smaller and easier to explore. Since Mdina already feels like stepping into another time period, this activity fit the whole vibe really well. You can book tickets online in advance to avoid the hassle.

Rabat: St. Paul’s Catacombs & Domvs Romana Combo Ticket ($15)

The catacombs felt interesting and a little spooky in parts. Not horror movie spooky. More like “wow, this place has stories” kind of spooky.

The Domvs Romana also added something different to the experience and gave more historical context. If you like history or want a break from beaches, I think this one is worth it. You can book tickets online in advance.

Valletta City Walking Tour with St. John’s Co-Cathedral ($23)

The walking tour helped me understand Valletta better instead of just wandering around and pretending I knew what I was looking at.

And St. John’s Co-Cathedral? Definitely one of the highlights.

From the outside, it looks fairly simple. Then you walk inside and suddenly everything is gold, dramatic, and unbelievably detailed. You can book tickets online in advance.

Miscellaneous Expenses in Malta

Now let’s talk about the sneaky part of the budget. The tiny expenses you barely notice in the moment, but somehow later make you wonder where your money disappeared.

For miscellaneous costs in Malta, I spent around $20 during my 4 days there.

This included little things like coffee stops, bottled water, random snacks, convenience store purchases, and 2 fridge magnets as souvenirs.

One thing I always do now is leave a little extra room in my Malta travel budget for unexpected spending.

Hidden costs that make Malta expensive

Let’s talk about the sneaky costs.

Because when people ask “is Malta expensive?”, they usually think about hotels and food. But sometimes it is the random little expenses that quietly steal your budget.

I always try to plan for these before a trip because travel has a funny habit of surprising your wallet.

Summer Hotel Prices Can Be Wild

This is probably the biggest hidden cost in Malta.

If you visit in June, July, or August, hotel prices can jump a lot. The exact same room that feels affordable in spring can suddenly cost much more in summer.

This is one reason some people think Malta is expensive.

If your dates are flexible, try visiting in April, May, September, or October. The weather is still nice, but prices are usually kinder.

Airport Transfers Add Up

At first, transport in Malta feels cheap.

Then suddenly you take a Bolt from the airport, another one late at night, another because your feet hurt after sightseeing… and somehow €30 to €50 quietly disappears.

I tried to use buses when possible because those small transport costs add up fast.

Tourist Restaurants Cost More

This one happens almost everywhere in Europe.

Restaurants near waterfronts, major attractions, or tourist squares are often more expensive.

My rule is simple. Walk a few streets away.

I found that prices often get better once you leave the main tourist area. Plus, food usually tastes more local too.

Island Hopping Costs

If you plan to visit Gozo or take a Blue Lagoon boat trip, remember to include that in your budget.

Many people only think about Malta itself and forget day trips can quickly increase the cost of travel in Malta.

Even a few tours can easily add another $50 to $100+ to your total trip spending.

How to Save Money in Malta?

I love saving money while traveling. Not in a sad “instant noodles every day” way. Just smart spending so I can travel more often without my bank account judging me.

The good news? Malta can absolutely be done on a budget.

Here are the things that helped me keep my Malta travel budget lower.

1. Book Flights Early: I did not fly directly to Malta because it was part of my bigger Europe trip, but one thing I always do is check flights months ahead. If you are flying with budget airlines in Europe, you may want to read my Ryanair review before booking.
2. Stay Outside the Most Expensive Areas: Places like Valletta and St Julian’s can be more expensive. You can often find better hotel deals in Sliema, Gżira, or nearby areas and still get around easily.
3. Use Buses Instead of Taxis: The buses in Malta are cheap and connect most major places.
4. Mix Cheap Meals With Restaurant Meals: Some of my cheapest lunches while traveling are bakery snacks, sandwiches, pizza slices, or supermarket meals.
5. Mix Free and Paid Activities: Malta is great for this because so many things are free.
6. Travel Outside Peak Summer: If you can avoid July and August, do it. Hotel prices are much better in spring and autumn, the weather is still lovely, and tourist crowds calm down a bit too.
7. Pack Smart Before Europe: This sounds boring until you suddenly need sunscreen, adapters, medicine, or a jacket and end up paying tourist prices. Check out my 30 Essential Travel Packing Hacks I Swear By After Years of Traveling.

How Much Would I Budget for 3, 5, or 7 Days in Malta?

If you are anything like me, you probably want actual numbers before booking a trip.

Not vague advice like “bring enough money for your travel style.” That sentence deserves a timeout.

So here is a realistic Malta budget breakdown based on different trip lengths and travel styles.

Since I personally spent around $100 per day in Malta, I would say these numbers feel pretty realistic for first-time visitors.

Budget for 3 Days in Malta

• Budget traveler: $250 to $310
• Mid-range traveler: $270 to $480
• Luxury traveler: $660+

Three days is enough for the highlights if you plan smart.

Budget for 5 Days in Malta

• Budget traveler: $300 to $450
• Mid-range traveler: $450 to $800
• Luxury traveler: $1,100+

Five days feels like a sweet spot for Malta.

You can explore at a slower pace, take a day trip, and still have time to sit by the sea pretending life is not stressful.

Budget for 7 Days in Malta

• Budget traveler: $500 to $650
• Mid-range traveler: $630 to $1,120
• Luxury traveler: $1,540+

A week gives you enough time to explore Malta properly without rushing.

You can visit Gozo, relax at beaches, see historical spots, and still leave room for lazy evenings.

Is Malta Cheaper Than Italy or Greece?

This question came to my mind while planning Malta too.

Greece is a tricky comparison because prices vary so much between islands. Big famous islands like Santorini or Mykonos? Malta may actually feel cheaper.

But smaller Greek islands or mainland Greece can sometimes be more budget friendly.If you are already planning Italy, you may want to read my post on how much I spent in Naples because it gives a good real-life budget comparison.

FAQs About Malta Travel Costs

So, Is Malta Expensive?

If you skipped straight here, here is my honest answer.

Not really. But it depends on your expectations and travel style. For budget travelers, Malta is very doable if you plan smart.

My biggest tip? Spend money on experiences, not convenience.

And if you are planning a bigger Europe trip, you may also enjoy my guides on 5 days in Switzerland and how to spend 5 days in Austria, if your travel wishlist is getting a little too ambitious like mine usually does.

What is the one thing you would spend money on in Malta? Food, boat trips, or sea views?

So, would I visit Malta again? Absolutely. But now I want to know… would you add Malta to your Europe bucket list?

Let me know in comments!