Not sure if I should carry coins for public transport in Malta or if card payments are common. Advice?
It was mostly fine, but on one bus from Marsaxlokk the card machine wasn’t working, and the driver only wanted coins. I had to run into a small shop to break a €10 note. Later I withdrew smaller notes from the Bank of Valletta ATM near Valletta Gate just to avoid that hassle again.
Malta was easy for tourists. I tapped my Visa directly on the bus from St Julian’s to Valletta, no need to worry about coins. I also used the Tallinja app to check schedules and top up the card. ATMs from HSBC were reliable in Sliema. Honestly, the system felt very tourist-friendly, and I never worried about carrying change.
I stayed in a guesthouse in Sliema and used the bus to Valletta daily. At first, I bought single tickets with coins, but then I grabbed a Tallinja Explore card at the Valletta bus terminal. It saved money and worked everywhere - buses to Mdina, Rabat, and even to the airport. ATMs from Bank of Valletta along Republic Street gave me euros when I needed cash. I used my Mastercard contactless on some buses too, and it worked smoothly.
In Malta, buses are run by Malta Public Transport, and they accept contactless cards as well as cash. You can also buy a Tallinja Card for cheaper fares. ATMs from Bank of Valletta and HSBC are everywhere in Valletta, Sliema, and St Julian’s. Cash is accepted if you have exact coins, but contactless Visa and Mastercard are usually easiest. I’d recommend picking up a Tallinja Explore card if you’re staying for a week.