Malta hop-on hop-off bus: north, south, or both routes?

Malta’s hop-on hop-off landscape in 2026

Malta has a functioning hop-on hop-off bus network operated primarily by City Sightseeing Malta (CMO). The network has two main bus routes on the main island — a red/south route and a combined north-south circuit — plus integration with an optional boat tour and connections to the Gozo hop-on service. This guide compares the options honestly and tells you when the HOHO actually makes sense.

The honest assessment up front: for most visitors with 3+ days in Malta, the HOHO bus is not the most cost-effective or flexible way to see the island. Tallinja (public bus, flat €2 per trip) goes almost everywhere the HOHO goes, for 10x less money. What the HOHO offers is convenience (narrated commentary, no route-planning, open-top views, stops at attractions) — a legitimate value-add for specific visitor types.

The south route (red line): Valletta and the south

The south route covers Malta’s most densely tourist areas: Valletta, Sliema (via the ferry), Mdina, the Hypogeum area, Marsaxlokk vicinity, and the Blue Grotto viewpoint. It is the most relevant route for first-time visitors covering Malta’s cultural highlights.

Malta hop-on hop-off south route

Key stops on the south route include:

• Valletta City Gate (main departure point)
• Sliema ferry connection
• Mdina/Rabat
• San Anton Gardens
• Marsaxlokk (or nearby)
• Blue Grotto viewpoint

The complete loop takes approximately 2-2.5 hours without hopping off. With strategic stops at Mdina (1 hour), the Blue Grotto viewpoint (15 minutes), and Marsaxlokk (30 minutes), you can fill a 5-6 hour day covering Malta’s main southern highlights.

The north-south combined CMO route

The CMO operator runs a network that covers both north and south Malta on a combined circuit. Starting from Sliema (main departure point for CMO), the route covers Sliema, Bugibba, Mellieha, and north coast stops, then loops through central Malta.

Hop-on hop-off Malta north and south routes from Sliema (CMO)

The north extension adds: Bugibba/St Paul’s Bay, the Malta Aquarium stop, Mellieha, Golden Bay viewpoint, and the Popeye Village area.

The HOHO with optional boat tour

The most popular HOHO format adds a boat tour to the bus day. The standard option combines the north bus route with a harbour boat cruise, effectively giving you both a surface-level Malta overview and the Grand Harbour from the water.

Malta City Sightseeing HOHO bus with optional boat tour

For visitors who have not done a separate harbour cruise (covered in detail in the Grand Harbour cruise guide), this combination delivers good value — the boat ride is genuinely worthwhile and including it in the HOHO day creates a stronger overall experience than the bus alone.

Pricing in 2026

Approximate current prices (verify at booking time):

• South route only (24 hours): €22-25 per adult
• North + south combined (CMO, 24 hours): €25-28 per adult
• HOHO + boat tour combo: €30-35 per adult

Children typically half price; under 3-5 free. Check current offers — CMO frequently runs promotional pricing.

When the HOHO genuinely makes sense

1. Cruise ship passengers with 4-6 hours. This is the HOHO’s strongest use case. You disembark at Valletta Waterfront, the HOHO stops are nearby, and 4 hours on the bus gets you Mdina + Blue Grotto viewpoint + back in time for the ship. The value calculation works. For a detailed plan, see Valletta from a cruise port.

2. First day orientation with an older relative or those with mobility limitations. The HOHO is fundamentally a seated, narrated sightseeing format. For a family with a grandparent who cannot walk extensively, or for the first morning of a trip when you want an overview before planning in detail, the HOHO delivers.

3. Rainy weather. The open-top buses have a covered lower deck. In light rain, a HOHO day is more comfortable than walking Valletta’s streets (water runs downhill on every cross-street).

4. When you specifically want narrated commentary. The recorded commentary on Malta’s HOHO buses covers history, architecture, and local context in English (and other languages on some services). If you want an educational overview without hiring a guide, this is a legitimate format.

When the HOHO does NOT make sense

For visitors staying 3+ days in Malta. Spending €25+ on a HOHO day when you have three days to explore at your own pace is poor value. Tallinja buses cover most of the same ground for €2 per trip, and the 3-day Malta itinerary shows how to combine public transport efficiently.

If you are primarily interested in going inside attractions. The HOHO moves you between attraction exteriors. St John’s Co-Cathedral costs €15 extra; the Grand Master’s Palace is additional; the Blue Grotto boat ride is not included. A HOHO day with multiple attraction entries quickly exceeds €60-70 per adult without the bus fee adding clear value.

In peak summer (July-August noon-15:00). The open-top bus in August midday heat is punishing. At 30°C+ with direct sun, the HOHO becomes an exercise in endurance rather than enjoyment.

HOHO vs Tallinja bus: the honest comparison

Factor	HOHO	Tallinja
Price per day	€22-28	€2 per trip (flat)
Commentary	Yes (recorded)	No
Frequency	Every 30-60 min	Every 10-30 min (varies)
Open-top views	Yes	No (standard bus)
Destinations covered	Main tourist spots	Almost everywhere
Flexibility	Hop-off anywhere	Hop-off anywhere
App/navigation needed	No	Yes (helpful)

The Tallinja is cheaper, more frequent, and covers more of Malta. The HOHO is more comfortable, narrated, and requires zero navigation. The choice depends on your priorities and how much you value convenience over cost.

The Malta Pass and premium packages

CMO also offers premium pass packages combining the HOHO with multiple attraction tickets — the Malta City Sightseeing Premium Pass includes the HOHO bus network plus several attraction entries pre-included.

Malta City Sightseeing Premium Pass from Sliema (CMO)

Whether these packages save money depends on which attractions you were planning to visit anyway. Run the numbers: add up your intended attraction entries (National Museum, MUZA, Grand Master’s Palace) and compare to the pass price. If the pass saves €20+ over buying separately, it is worth considering. If the included attractions do not match your interests, buy individually.

For the detailed pass analysis, see the Malta pass vs hop-on bus guide.

Frequently asked questions about Malta hop-on hop-off

Where does the Malta HOHO bus start?

The main departure points depend on the operator: City Sightseeing CMO primarily starts from Sliema (waterfront area). The traditional Malta Experience operator runs from Valletta City Gate and from the Valletta cruise terminal. Both have pickup stops at major hotels along their routes. Check your specific ticket for the departure point.

How often does the HOHO bus run in Malta?

Every 30-60 minutes on most routes. In peak summer, frequency increases on the busiest sections. In low season, services are less frequent — always check the current timetable when booking.

Does the HOHO bus go to Gozo?

Not directly. The HOHO network has a Gozo component (see Gozo hop-on hop-off guide) that operates separately on the island of Gozo. Connecting tickets combine the ferry and Gozo’s bus service. The Malta main island HOHO does not cross to Gozo.

Is there a HOHO bus to Mdina from Valletta?

Yes. The south route includes a Mdina/Rabat stop. The bus does not enter Mdina itself (too narrow) but stops at the main gate area. Mdina is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.

Can you use the HOHO bus in the evening?

Most HOHO services finish by 18:30-19:00. For evening activities in Valletta or along the harbour, the public Tallinja network runs much later (last buses vary but typically 23:00+). The HOHO is a daytime sightseeing tool.

Is the Malta HOHO bus child-friendly?

Yes. The open-top format is popular with children. Minimum age for riding is typically 3+ years old (under 3 on parent’s lap, often free). The recorded commentary in English and other languages includes child-relevant Malta facts.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20