MaltaMalta and GozoWinter sunChecked Oct 2026

Manchester to Malta for Winter Sun

Malta is an easy winter break from Manchester: short direct flights, English widely spoken, and mild days for exploring Valletta, Mdina and Gozo. This guide covers flights, getting from the airport to your hotel, and where to stay.

15–17°CTypical winter daytime highs

Malta (MLA)Direct from Manchester

~3h 30mDirect flight time

The short answer

Fly direct from Manchester to Malta International Airport (MLA) with Ryanair, Jet2 or easyJet, about 3h 25m to 3h 35m. From the airport, take an Airport Direct bus (€3) to Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's or Buġibba, or a fixed-fare taxi from the booth in arrivals, around €17 to Valletta.

Winter sun essentials

Malta is better for sightseeing than sunbathing in winter, but it's one of the mildest places within a short flight of the UK.

Weather

Daytime highs are usually around 15–17°C from December to February, and nearer 20°C in November. Nights drop to around 9–11°C. Expect about 5–6 hours of sunshine a day and some heavy showers, mostly from November to January. The sea is around 15–18°C.

What to do

Winter is a good time for Valletta's churches and museums, the walled city of Mdina, the Three Cities across the Grand Harbour, and walks on Gozo without the summer heat and crowds.

Carnival

Malta's Carnival takes place in the days before Ash Wednesday, so in early February in 2027, with parades and floats in Valletta and a separate carnival on Gozo. Check exact dates nearer the time.

Good to know

Malta uses the euro, drives on the left and has UK-style three-pin plugs. English is an official language. The usual EU entry rules apply to UK passport holders.

Every way to get there

From Manchester to Malta, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

Fly direct, then the Airport Direct bus

Best for most

Door to door5h 30m–6h 30m

£ Cost£

Best forMost trips

Manchester (MAN) to Malta (MLA)About 3h 25m to 3h 35m. Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet all fly direct from Manchester, with daily or near-daily flights on most routes. Check current winter schedules.
Airport Direct bus to your resortMalta Public Transport's Airport Direct buses cost €3, paid on board by cash or contactless. TD4 goes to Valletta (about 25–35 minutes), TD3 to Gżira, Sliema and St Julian's, TD2 to St Julian's and Pembroke, and TD1 to Rabat, Buġibba, Mellieħa and the Gozo ferry at Ċirkewwa.

Find MAN–MLA flights Expedia Skyscanner Book a private transfer Welcome Pickups Bus and train: Malta International Airport → Valletta

Ordinary Malta Public Transport routes from the airport are cheaper but slower; a 7-day Explore card covers the Airport Direct buses too.

Fly direct, then a fixed-fare taxi

Fastest

Door to door5–6h

£ Cost££

Best forLate arrivals, families and groups

Manchester (MAN) to Malta (MLA)About 3h 25m to 3h 35m direct with Ryanair, Jet2 or easyJet.
Taxi from the booth in arrivalsAirport taxis have fixed fares per car rather than meters. Recently listed fares were about €17 to Valletta, €20 to Sliema or St Julian's, €28 to Buġibba and St Paul's Bay, €33 to Mellieħa and €37 to Ċirkewwa, plus a small admin fee. Confirm the price at the booth before you go.

Find MAN–MLA flights Expedia Skyscanner Book a private transfer Welcome Pickups Bus and train: Malta International Airport → St Julian's

Fly direct, then on to Gozo

Door to door7–8h

£ Cost£

Best forA quieter, more rural stay

Manchester (MAN) to Malta (MLA)About 3h 25m to 3h 35m direct with Ryanair, Jet2 or easyJet.
Bus or taxi to the ferryTake TD1 to Ċirkewwa (about 60–75 minutes) or a taxi (about €37). Alternatively take TD4 to Valletta for the fast ferry.
Ferry to Mġarr, GozoThe Gozo Channel car ferry from Ċirkewwa takes about 25 minutes and runs around the clock; foot passengers pay only on the way back to Malta. The fast ferry from Valletta to Mġarr takes about 45 minutes. Check current timetables.

Find MAN–MLA flights Expedia Skyscanner Ferries Ċirkewwa–Mġarr, Gozo

Trains to Sicily, then the ferry

Flight-free

Door to door3–4 days

£ Cost£££

Best forAvoiding flying

Manchester to London, then Eurostar to ParisAvanti West Coast to London Euston, then a short walk to St Pancras for Eurostar to Paris. Most people stay overnight in Paris.
Paris to Sicily by trainTGV to Turin or Milan, then Italian high-speed trains to Rome and the Intercity Notte sleeper to Siracusa. Allow two nights from Paris.
Pozzallo to Valletta by Virtu FerriesFrom Siracusa, a local train, bus or taxi takes you to Pozzallo, about 60km away. The Virtu Ferries catamaran to Valletta takes about 90 minutes and in winter typically sails about five days a week. Off-season fares start at around €55 one way. Check sailing days before booking trains.

Train tickets on Klook Train times: London → Siracusa Ferries Pozzallo–Valletta

Turn it into a trip in its own right, with a night or two in Paris, Rome or Sicily on the way.

Where to stay in Valletta

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Valletta Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 🚕 Airport transfer 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

Option	Door to door	Cost	Best for
Fly direct, then the Airport Direct bus	5h 30m–6h 30m	£	Most trips
Fly direct, then a fixed-fare taxi	5–6h	££	Late arrivals, families and groups
Fly direct, then on to Gozo	7–8h	£	A quieter, more rural stay
Trains to Sicily, then the ferry	3–4 days	£££	Avoiding flying

Where to stay

Malta is small, so you can see most of it from one base, but each area has a different feel.

Your base

Valletta

The compact, walkable capital, with baroque streets, museums, harbour views and ferries to Sliema and the Three Cities. About 25–35 minutes from the airport on TD4.

Hotels in Valletta Expedia

Across the harbour

Sliema and St Julian's

Busy seafront towns with the biggest choice of hotels and restaurants, a long promenade and a short ferry hop to Valletta. Served by TD2 and TD3 from the airport.

Hotels in Sliema Expedia

North of the island

Mellieħa

A quieter hilltop town above Malta's biggest sandy bay, handy for the Gozo ferry. Served by TD1 from the airport.

Hotels in Mellieħa Expedia

By ferry

Gozo

Greener and slower than Malta, with the Citadel in Victoria, coastal walks and farmhouse stays. Good for a few nights or a day trip.

Hotels in Gozo Expedia

Local tip: Buy a 7-day Explore card if you'll use the buses a lot; it also covers the Airport Direct routes.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

How long is the flight from Manchester to Malta?

About 3h 25m to 3h 35m direct.

Which airlines fly from Manchester to Malta?

Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet fly direct from Manchester to Malta. Check current schedules, as frequencies vary through the winter.

Is Malta warm in winter?

It's mild: usually around 15–17°C by day from December to February, with some showers and cool evenings. It's good for sightseeing and walking rather than beach days.

How do I get from Malta Airport to Valletta?

Take the TD4 Airport Direct bus for €3 (about 25–35 minutes), or a fixed-fare taxi from the booth in arrivals, recently about €17.

Can I visit Gozo in winter?

Yes. The Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa runs all year and takes about 25 minutes, and a fast ferry runs from Valletta. Check current timetables.

Do I need euros or pounds in Malta?

Euros. Cards are widely accepted, but keep some cash for buses and small shops.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.