In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Malta - any experiences?
During my Malta stay, food costs hit me hardest. Pastizzi snacks were €2, but dinners in Valletta were €25 minimum. A cappuccino was €3.50, and taxis around Sliema always €12-15. Buses were reliable and cheap at €2, so I used them often. Tips were standard at 10%. My daily spend averaged €65, though days with ferries and dinners hit €80. For planning, I’d suggest €60-70 daily for meals, buses or taxis, and tips. Malta is beautiful, but definitely not a budget island.
Meals: €8-10 casual, €20+ restaurant. Transport: €2 bus, €12 taxi. Tips: 10%. Safe daily budget: €60 for meals, rides, and tips. Add €5-10 more for attractions or ferries. Malta isn’t overly expensive but adds up if you dine in tourist areas nightly. For a month, €1,800-2,000 is realistic. You’ll spend less if you self-cater and rely on buses, but restaurant meals push the daily spend up quickly.
I averaged €70 daily in Malta. Lunches were €10-12, dinners €20-25, and coffee €3-Buses were cheap, but I often used taxis for €12-15. Tips were 10%. At this budget, I ate in restaurants daily, visited museums (€5-10 entry), and took ferries between islands at €5-10 per trip. €70 per day feels safe for meals, transport, and tips, especially if you want some comfort while exploring beaches and historical sites.
Malta isn’t the cheapest, but you can make it work. Sandwiches or pastizzi cost €2-3, and casual café meals are €8-10. Restaurant dinners with drinks run €20-25. Buses across the island are €2 for two hours of travel, and taxis are €12-15 minimum. Tips are 10%. A shoestring traveller can get by on €40-45 daily, mostly eating café food and using buses. Still, Valletta and touristy bays are pricier, so expect spikes if you eat out more often.