Overview
Malta packs a great deal into a small archipelago: honey-coloured baroque cities, prehistoric temples older than the pyramids, and some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. It lies just south of Sicily, roughly a three-hour flight from the UK, and English is an official language, which makes it one of the easiest short-haul escapes for British travellers. Whether you want a city break in Valletta, a diving week or simply time by the sea, cheap flights to Malta are easy to find with a little planning — start with the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Malta
Malta has a classic Mediterranean climate: long, dry summers and mild winters. July and August are hottest, often 32–35°C, and busiest, so fares and hotels peak then. The shoulder months — May, June, September and early October — are the sweet spot, with warm days, seas still comfortable for swimming and better availability. Winter is quiet and mild at around 15°C, good for sightseeing and city breaks, though you may catch a shower. The When to book chart above shows how prices shift across the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
All scheduled flights land at Malta International Airport (MLA) near Luqa, about 8 km from Valletta and the only airport in the country. It is compact and modern. From there it is roughly 20 minutes by taxi to Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's, or you can take the X1–X4 express buses, which also serve Bugibba and the Cirkewwa ferry terminal for Gozo. Gozo itself has no commercial airport, so you reach it by ferry.
Airlines and routes
Malta is well served direct from the UK. KM Malta Airlines, the national carrier and successor to Air Malta, flies from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester. Ryanair operates the widest network, with direct flights from London Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol and Leeds Bradford. easyJet flies from Gatwick and Manchester, Jet2 from several northern and Scottish airports, and British Airways from Heathrow. Flight time is about 3 hours 10 minutes from London and around 3 hours 20 minutes from Manchester; connecting routes via Rome or Frankfurt are worth comparing in the off-season.
Popular places to visit in Malta
- Valletta: the tiny fortified capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of baroque streets, grand harbour views and St John's Co-Cathedral.
- Mdina: the walled Silent City and former capital, best explored on foot in the early evening.
- Gozo: Malta's greener sister island, home to the Ggantija temples, Ramla Bay and quiet countryside.
- Comino and the Blue Lagoon: a turquoise swimming spot between the islands, best visited early before the day boats arrive.
- Marsaxlokk: a working fishing village with brightly painted luzzu boats and a lively Sunday market.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Malta
- Travel in the shoulder season (May to June or September to October) for the best balance of weather and price.
- Fly midweek where you can — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheaper than weekends.
- Compare the low-cost carriers against KM Malta Airlines, and add baggage costs before you decide.
- Set a fare alert and use the price charts on this page to book when prices dip rather than guessing.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for Malta: you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a visitor. Your passport should be issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least three months after you plan to leave; an ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to apply in future, so check the current rules before you fly. The currency is the euro. Malta is one hour ahead of the UK, drives on the left as we do, and English is widely spoken. For timing, see the price charts above.
