Malta International Airport (MIA)
Tel: 2124 9600.
Website: www.maltairport.com

Malta International Airport lies towards the south of the island at Luqa, 7km (4.5 miles) southwest of Valletta, 13km (8 miles) from the tourist enclave of St Julian's and 22km (13.5 miles) from the resort of Mellieha.

The airport is small but modern with all the usual international airport facilities of car hire, currency exchange, airline desks, information offices etc.

Bus 8 connects the airport to the bus station at Valletta. It departs every 20 minutes from around 0600 to 2100. From Valletta buses run to all parts of the island. Taxi fares from the airport are regulated. Pick up a copy of the latest fares from the airport tourist office. Outside rush hour, you can drive to the airport from anywhere on the island in 30 to 45 minutes.

To continue onto Gozo (the neighbouring island), there are two options. A car ferry departs every half hour or so from Cirkewwa, at the northern tip of the island (bus from the airport) and the crossing takes around 30 minutes. Or you can take off and land on water with the romantic new Harbourair (tel: 2122 8302; website: www.harbourairmalta.com) seaplane service departing from Valletta Waterfront and taking just 15 minutes to arrive at Mgarr harbour, Gozo. There are three flights a day in winter, more in summer (see website for schedule) carrying only 14 passengers, so book well in advance.