I took a trip from Dublin to Malta recently and wasn’t surprised to find so many things had changed since my last visit. The route from Dublin to Malta now offers a nonstop flight time of about 3h 45m, making a “Dublin to Malta” break feel very doable.
According to current updates, there are around 11-13 direct flights per week as of November 2025. Major carriers like Ryanair fly year-round, while Aer Lingus flies seasonally. I spotted fares starting at approximately €56 one-way when I checked today. That’s a helpful benchmark for anyone hunting deals.
If you’re planning your “Dublin to Malta flight” now, this overview will give you the real picture of what to expect! So now let’s make your next Dublin to Malta trip as seamless as possible!
Airlines That Fly Nonstop Dublin to Malta
Ryanair operates direct flights from Dublin to Malta all year, keeping the route steady and predictable. That year-round pattern means you can easily plan dates, then track fare changes across a week to spot cheaper options.
Because Ryanair stays active even in the quieter months, travelers usually find more flexible dates and lower “Dublin to Malta flights” deals, especially midweek.
Aer Lingus joined the route in winter 2024 and continues to appear in future schedules. The airline runs seasonally, which means the exact start and end weeks shift depending on the month.
If you’re planning a spring or autumn trip, check the Aer Lingus app to confirm whether your travel dates align with their active period. Off-season travelers might notice slightly higher fares or fewer flight choices, so early booking helps.
Typical Weekly Pattern
Flight frequency rises during the busy summer period and tapers off in winter. Right now, there are about 11-13 direct services per week between Dublin and Malta, though this number can change with demand. Before finalising your booking, it’s worth checking the Malta International Airport’s live two-week schedule.
Airport Terminal Guide Dublin
At Dublin Airport, you’ll find two main terminals. The national carrier Aer Lingus normally checks in and boards from Terminal 2, while Ryanair flights use Terminal 1. On the day of your flight, it’s smart to confirm the terminal through your boarding pass or in the airline’s app.
Terminal changes are rare but can happen due to airport works or seasonal shifts. Since you’re flying the “Dublin to Malta” route, giving yourself a little extra time at the right terminal helps everything go more smoothly.
Malta International Airport Setup
Malta International Airport uses a single passenger terminal building. That means once you land, you won’t need to figure out switching terminals after arrival, which is a big relief when you’ve arrived late or are tired.
The airport’s rolling two-week schedule tool allows you to check exact times for upcoming flights. Use this schedule to match up your arrival and return plans without surprises, especially useful at busy periods.
Flight Time & Price Bands
For the “Dublin to Malta flights” route, the typical flight time is about 3 hours 45 minutes gate to gate. When heading westbound (Malta back to Dublin), you might see slightly longer durations because of headwinds, especially in the winter months.
In terms of price bands, “cheap flights Dublin to Malta” often start from about €29.99 one-way with Ryanair on midweek or off-peak dates. The fare window moves fast, so be sure you note the date you checked prices in your post. Airlines such as Aer Lingus vary fares depending on the season and fare class, so be clear about the date and fare family you referenced.
Documents and Border Rules
Irish and other EU citizens
If you hold an Irish passport or another EU national ID card, you’re good to enter Malta. Since Ireland remains outside the Schengen Area, your ID or passport will be checked both when you depart from Dublin and again on arrival in Malta. The process is routine and nothing unusual for this route.
Non-EU travellers
From 12 October 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) started rolling out across EU external borders. This system will gradually apply to non-EU nationals entering short-stay in Schengen countries.
It records your name, travel document data, a facial-image photo and fingerprints at your first entry. You should build in extra time when arriving during busy hours and check the specific rules for your nationality ahead of departure.
Security Update at Dublin Airport
Heading out from Dublin Airport, you’ll benefit from recent security upgrades. The introduction of new CT/C3 scanners means you can now carry liquids up to 2 litres in your hand baggage, and you no longer need to separate laptops or electronics from your bag.
Because other airports may still enforce the older 100 ml limit, if your return journey connects via a different airport, you might prefer to pack to the stricter standard so you avoid repacking mid-trip.
Baggage Basics for Your Dublin to Malta Trip
Ryanair
On the Dublin to Malta route, you’ll travel with Ryanair under standard low-cost rules. Every passenger receives one free small item to fit under the seat. The official size limit is 40 × 30 × 20 cm for that free item.
If you pay for Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, you can bring in a second wheelie bag (up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm) plus your under-seat item. Make sure you measure your bags and check your booking for the exact allowance on your date. Because “Dublin to Malta baggage allowance” rules can change season to season.
Gate checks are strict, and non-compliance may mean your bag gets checked in (and a fee may apply).
Ryanair operates both direct Dublin to Malta flights and the Dublin to Rome route, so if you’re collecting their randomly assigned seats and overpriced sandwiches anyway, you might as well maximize the experience across multiple destinations.
Aer Lingus
If you choose Aer Lingus for your Dublin-to-Malta trip, you’ll find slightly more generous carry-on allowances. For most short-haul flights, the allowance is one cabin piece up to 10 kg with dimensions 55 × 40 × 24 cm, plus one small personal item such as a laptop bag or handbag (max approx 25 × 33 × 20 cm).
Always check the fare you bought because if you picked a lower fare, the carry-on allowance might be more restricted. If you plan to bring a full-size cabin roller plus a laptop backpack, the “carry-on rules Dublin to Malta” section is worth viewing carefully.
Ryanair and Aer Lingus have made the Dublin-Mediterranean run almost too easy. Malta’s sitting there as one brilliant option, and Dublin to Barcelona as another—same rough distance, similar price tags, worlds apart in what they offer. Barcelona means tapas and Las Ramblas at 2am, Malta means secluded coves and temples older than the pyramids.
Getting From Malta Airport to the City
Fast Bus Options for Visitors
The “Malta airport transfer” scene got simpler in 2025. The older X1-X4 airport bus routes were withdrawn in April and replaced by the newer express TD lines. For example, TD2 links the airport with St Julian’s and Pembroke, while TD3 travels to Sliema, Gżira and St Julian’s.
There’s also TD4, which connects the airport to Valletta and the Gozo Fast Ferry pier. These direct routes make the trip from Malta International Airport to the central zones much easier.
Bus Tickets and Simple Tips
Tickets for regular Malta airport bus routes are affordable. Cash or contactless payment on board is accepted. Single rides cost around €2 in winter and €2.50 in summer for standard services.
On the TD lines, the fare is usually about €3. The official app “Tallinja” provides live arrivals and route planning to help you avoid waiting. Checking the first and last trip times on the official route page will help you decide whether to take the bus or a taxi for a very late landing.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
A taxi or app-based ride can be a good backup if you arrive late, have heavy bags or prefer door-to-door convenience. The white official taxis at the airport use published zone fares. For example, a ride to Sliema runs in the region of €20–€25.
Ride-hail apps like Bolt and eCabs often cost less at certain hours; open both apps, compare price and arrival time, then lock in your ride.
Ferries that Save Time Once You Are There
Valletta to Sliema and Valletta to Three Cities
Harbour ferries are quick and scenic, and they often beat a long bus ride after dinner. Day singles are typically €2.50 and day returns €4.50.
Summer evenings run later with a small night supplement, and winter runs finish earlier. Check the live schedule for the day you plan to travel to match times with your plans.
Malta to Gozo Options
Gozo Channel runs the vehicle ferry between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr with a crossing time of about 25 minutes. Services run daily, and you will find the current timetable on the operator’s site. Standard car plus driver and foot passenger fares are publicly listed there.
Gozo Highspeed runs a fast passenger catamaran between Valletta and Mġarr in about 45 minutes, with multiple crossings each day. This pick suits a hotel based in the south or east of Malta when you do not need a car. If you plan to hire a car or stay near the north, the Ċirkewwa vehicle ferry is usually the easier link.
Sicily Side Trip
Virtu Ferries connects Malta with Sicily on the Valletta to Pozzallo ferry in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Schedules vary by season, so confirm the exact departure for your date on the live timetable. From Pozzallo, you can continue by train to Catania or Syracuse.
Where to Stay on a First Visit
Sliema and St Julian’s
If you’re deciding where to stay in Malta for the first time, Sliema and St Julian’s are an easy start. Both areas have plenty of food options, seaside promenades, and quick links by ferry or bus.
Evenings feel simple here because a relaxed coastal walk often ends with dinner or dessert right by the water. Visitors who like a lively waterfront and short transfers to Valletta usually find these neighborhoods ideal bases.
Valletta
Valletta suits travellers who want history right at their door and the most convenient bus hub on the island. Hotels average a bit higher in price, yet the evenings feel calm once the day-trippers leave. The Sliema ferry runs late in summer, so you can still cross the harbour easily for a night out and return without a rush.
Local Movement Tips
Buses reach nearly every part of the island, but can slow down during summer peaks. A trip that looks like twenty minutes on a map can stretch to forty when crowds head for the beaches. For early flights or late nights, use a taxi or ride-hail app to keep the journey stress free.
Pair buses during the day with taxis after dinner to save money and avoid long waits. These small yet smart Malta travel tips make every stay easier.
Driving or Not
Malta drives on the left, with limits around 50 km/h in towns and 80 km/h outside. Roads can be narrow, and parking is tight near popular beaches. Renting a car makes sense if your plan includes beach hopping or countryside drives.
Stay car-free if you’ll base yourself in Valletta, Sliema, or St Julian’s and rely on buses and ferries because they cover much of the island without parking stress. For most first-time travellers, skipping the car keeps things simple and lets you enjoy the island’s rhythm at an easy pace.
Alternative Overland Option
Some travelers enjoy blending Sicily and Malta into one trip instead of flying between them. Interrailing through Sicily pairs nicely with a ferry ride to Malta on Virtu Ferries between Pozzallo and Valletta.
The crossing usually takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, offering a relaxed way to connect both islands. This route lets you turn a simple beach week into a richer two-island experience with ease. For many, the Sicily to Malta ferry feels like part of the adventure rather than just a transfer.
On Arrival Cheat Sheet
Malta follows Central European Time, which is one hour ahead of Dublin for most of the year. Set a quick reminder on your flight so your phone updates before you land.
The TD2, TD3, and TD4 lines are the easiest Malta airport buses for visitors. Each connects the airport with popular areas including Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, and Pembroke. Check the current TD pages for first and last trips, then decide if a late taxi might suit better for your arrival time.
Valletta harbour ferries run fast, affordable, and more frequently in summer. If your hotel sits in Sliema, the ferry often beats the bus for crossing the water and gives you a great view of the city skyline on the way.
For Gozo, choose the Valletta catamaran if your base is in the south or east and you’re traveling on foot. If you plan to drive or stay in the north, the Ċirkewwa vehicle ferry remains the easiest route. These small details save time and help you plan your transfers smoothly once you land.
Money Tips That Actually Help
Ryanair often lists cheap flights from Dublin to Malta from around €29.99 on midweek or off-peak dates. The best trick is to search across a full month and look for the green low-price days. Always price your bags and seat choice before confirming the booking, so you know the real total.
If you can travel with just a small backpack, the free under-seat allowance keeps costs low. For those who prefer a cabin roller, compare the Ryanair Priority option with the Aer Lingus Light fare, which includes a standard 10 kg cabin bag.
Once baggage is factored in, some Aer Lingus dates can match Ryanair’s total. When you mention prices in your notes or post, include a timestamp so readers understand when those fares were checked. These small Malta travel money tips help travellers avoid hidden surprises.
Practical Packing and Airport Flow
Carry a 1-litre toiletries pouch for airports that still follow the 100 ml rule, even though Dublin Airport now allows liquids up to 2 litres to stay inside your hand luggage. Keep essentials in your small personal item and pack heavy items near the base of your cabin bag to stay within size checks.
Security at Dublin moves faster now that laptops no longer need to come out of the bag. This simple update makes early morning flights smoother and less stressful, especially when you’re catching that first departure to Malta.
Final Thoughts for a Smooth Trip
The Dublin to Malta travel guide stays simple when you plan it right. Start by choosing your month, then scan the calendar for direct flight days and compare Ryanair’s year-round options with Aer Lingus’s seasonal schedules. Note the date you checked prices so readers know your examples are real and recent.
Choose your base early. Sliema and St Julian’s fit travelers who enjoy long seaside walks and easy dining. Valletta suits those who want history on their doorstep and fast ferry access. Buses and ferries handle most daily movement, while taxis and ride-hail apps wrap up the day when energy runs low.
Before departure, review Dublin Airport security rules and pack to the stricter liquid limit if your journey includes a connection abroad. Double-check baggage sizes, print or download your boarding pass, and keep a small pouch for essentials.
With a few smart decisions and a calm pace, your trip from Dublin to Malta flows smoothly from booking to touchdown, leaving you more time to enjoy the sunshine than to worry about the details.
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