Best Place to Exchange Money in Valletta

Where to change money in Valletta

Valletta is compact, and its two main shopping streets hold the bank branches and machines you need; we could not confirm an exchange office in the city from two sources. The airport says plainly that it has no exchange bureau and sends visitors to Bank of Valletta's branch in Luqa for currency exchange. Neither Valletta branch page lists changing foreign notes, so call first if you plan to bring sterling.

• Bank of Valletta, 45 Triq ir-Repubblika (Republic Street) - BOV lists a cash machine for withdrawals and deposits at this address. We could not confirm the branch's opening times, so check BOV's website before you go, and ring ahead if you want to change notes.
• HSBC Malta, 32 Triq il-Merkanti (Merchants Street) - Open 08:30 to 13:30 Monday to Friday and 08:30 to 12:30 on Saturday, closed on Sunday, with ATMs at the branch. Non-customers can cash cheques from 09:00 to 12:00 on weekdays; the page says nothing about exchanging currency.
• Bank of Valletta, Luqa branch (Triq Dun Pawl, Hal-Luqa) - The branch the airport names for currency exchange, in Luqa itself rather than the terminal. It opens 08:30 to 13:30 on weekdays only, with the cashier from 08:30 to 11:00, so it will not help on a weekend or evening arrival.

Changing money at the airport

Malta International Airport (MLA) has no exchange bureau, but it does have cash machines: a BOV machine in the check-in hall and an HSBC one in the Welcomers' Hall, another by Gate 4 in the Schengen departure area, and one on the first floor of the Skyparks Business Centre.

Airport Direct route TD4 runs every half hour to Valletta and on to the Gozo fast ferry. It costs EUR 3 a head, paid on board in cash or by contactless, with no need to book, and it leaves from the airport's bus terminal: follow the signs after leaving arrivals. Taxis run 24 hours: buy a pre-paid fixed-fare ticket at the booth in the Welcomers' Hall, or book through the Malta Taxi app.

ATMs and cards in Valletta

In town, the BOV and HSBC machines on Republic Street and Merchants Street are the obvious choice. ATM Fee Saver says most bank ATMs in Malta add no access fee for foreign cards, while Wise cautions that independent networks may charge extra; either way, any fee appears on screen, and your own bank at home may charge as well. Turn down any offer to convert the withdrawal into pounds.

Cards work in most hotels, restaurants and bigger shops, but Wise notes that contactless is less widespread than elsewhere in Europe, with a EUR 50 limit per tap, and that some small family-run places take no cards. Pay in euros whenever a terminal asks; Which? says choosing pounds lets the retailer pick the rate.

Paying for transport in Valletta

Malta Public Transport buses take cash, a contactless bank card or a phone at the driver. A day-route single is EUR 2.50 in summer and EUR 2.00 in winter, with the dates set each season; night routes and the TD airport services cost EUR 3 (TD1 EUR 3.50). Each ticket lasts two hours, including changes, and travelling without one risks a EUR 50 fine. The Explore Flex card covers four days of unlimited buses from EUR 21; sales offices include the airport, Valletta bus terminal and Sliema Ferries.

Valletta Ferry Services crosses the harbour to Sliema and to Cospicua in the Three Cities. An adult day single is EUR 3 and a return EUR 5; from 19:30 the night fares are EUR 3.50 and EUR 5.20. The operator's site gives no payment method, so carry a card and some coins.

Good to know

• Tips are welcome but not compulsory. Wise and Holiday Hypermarket both suggest 5 to 10 per cent for good restaurant service, and rounding up to the next euro suits taxis and cafes.
• No tip is needed when the bill already includes a service charge.
• Bank counters in Valletta close by early afternoon, and HSBC opens only until 12:30 on Saturday, so do counter business early.