First off, I have to give a tip of the cap to the Spanish company* operating the bus services. They have managed to get this prepaid card scheme up and running in months, a feat which Arriva proved totally unable to do during its shambolic 2 year tenure in charge of the buses in Malta.
As has been noted here and elsewhere however, the system now heavily penalises bus passengers who do not have one of these cards. Tourists, for example.
As a way to quell growing unrest, the company is now allowing non-residents to not only apply for a personalised tallinja card, but to have it delivered to their address in any country. It’s smart, you’ve got to give it to them.
This means that now that the bus company can deal with any complaints of price discrimination by saying that everyone has the opportunity to buy the prepaid card. Of course in reality, only the most highly-organised of visitors will actually go to the trouble of applying for a bus card before their summer holidays. I mean, I definitely wouldn’t bother unless somebody really stressed the fact fluconazole tablets online that it’s a good idea.
So potential visitor? Believe me that if you plan on using public transfer over here, it’s a good idea. Use this link to get your card delivered before you get over here: https://www.tallinja.com/en/register-now
Okay wait, back up a little!
The ever-knowledgeable Phil informs us via the Comments section below that there is a sneaky €6 postage charge to get the personalised card sent to you, and that if you are travelling as a family for only a short stay you may well be better off just buying one of the ‘Explore’ cards instead, as they can be shared.
So maybe I’d better amend my previous advice and say that the best option is to use your Maltese hotel as your address if you’re going to apply for a personalised card in advance, and that it may be more suitable for those people who either plan to stay for at least a couple of weeks or else expect to do a lot of bussing while they’re here.
*The company is called ‘Autobuses de Leon’ but has retained the title ‘Malta Public Transport’ for its operations here.
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Thanks for that David. I am going to apply for my travel card straight away.
bob
Sorry David but for Tourists who are only making a one-off 7-day trip to Malta, or who are not likely to use the bus a great deal, then an “Explore” card might be better than a standard Tallinja Card. This is because there is a €6 euro “postage” charge for the card to be sent to addresses outside Malta (which the Tallinja website does not tell you about until you try to enter your address !). In addition you also have to go through the hassle of remembering to top it up with money, and claiming any surplus back when you leave if you do not want to be out of pocket !
The “Explore” cards are specifically designed for tourists and come in two types:
– 7-Day unlimited travel ticket costing €21;
– 12-journey ticket costing €15, which allows 12 2-hour journeys, even if you have to change buses en-route to reach your destination.
These are currently only available at Post Offices, at the Malta Public Transport kiosks at the Airport and Sliema Ferries and at the bus stations in Valletta, Bugibba and Victoria (on Gozo). However the intention is that they will eventually be sold by hotels as well (but probably not for the next month or two).
The current thinking on Trip Advisor is that for most tourists, the Explore tickets will be easier for most tourists to use, particularly as the 12-journey ticket can be used by more than one person (although obviously one journey will be deleted for each person !). However if you will be spending more than a week in Malta and using the bus almost every day, or are a regular visitor to the island, then applying in advance for a standard Tallinja card may indeed be a good option (but do so at least a month in advance as processes often move slower in Malta than elsewhere!).
Not for the first time, I stand corrected! Good to know Phil, thanks for that.
Does the explorer card ever run out or can it be saved for next time the tourist is in Malta.
I am told that the 12-journey card runs out after 12 months, but have not seen that on any official document or website.
David,
I just tried to apply for a tallinja card online, but there is a required field for a Maltese Identity Card number. So please advise — if the company is now allowing non-residents to apply, how does one get around that required field? Thank you.
Yes I think that that bit of bad website wording is catching a lot of people out ! However the solution is easy:
– underneath the identity card number box is a little tick box that says “Maltese Identity Card number”.
– If you click on the “tick” it will change to a box for you to input your passport number.
Hope this helps.
Phil-the-Bus
Thanks for the valuable information. I am about to order my Tallinja card as I still have 1 month before my travel to Malta. What the experiences are how fast the Tallinja card is delivered to EU countries? Is it risky that I get it in 1 month?
Others from the UK who ordered their cards in mid July have now received them, so you should be OK.
However be aware that if you plan on using the buses a lot you might actually be better off buying an “Explore 7 day” or an “Explore 12-journey” card when you arrive in Malta.
Thanks for the reply. Actually, I will stay for 10 days with my wife and we are planning to use public transport to travel around Malta and Gozo. As being there for 10 days the Explore cards for the two of us would cost more. Thanks for your advice anyway.
Hi,
I agree with you totally, anyone visiting Malta and planning to visiting the Island by bus should apply for the bus card in advance.
If any of you are staying with us in our homestay or apartment feel free to contact me and I will give you my address and keep your bus card safely until your arrival.
To have a look at the bus rates, take a look at this page : bus fares
Stefie
Hi Stefie. You probably ought to mention the “Explore” cards on your website as well, as the standard Tallinja cards might not always be the best option for visitors to Malta – particularly if they are only staying for a week (or less) and plan to use the local buses a lot. I for one would certainly find keeping a Tallinja card topped up a lot of hassle !
Phil-the-Bus
From where does one get an Explorer Card? I have friends visiting and would like them to have one. Can I purchase it for them or do they have to get one in person?
Explorer cards are sold by Post Offices and lots of other stores on Malta – Agenda book shops for one. I assume that they display the Tallinja ticket logo outside. Anyone can buy them, it does not need to be the person that is going to use them as they do not have a name or photo on them.