Uber in Malta

Uber, the famous ride-hailing service, was absent from the Maltese archipelago for a long time. Since 2023, the American company is now present in Malta, offering residents and tourists alike an efficient new solution for getting around the islands.

Booking an Uber in Malta is simple thanks to the mobile app available on iOS and Android: you don’t need to change anything if you already use the app in another country. However, it is important to note that the fleet of Uber drivers in Malta is limited. During peak periods, drivers may be scarce, and waiting times to get a vehicle can be longer than in other major European cities.

The most common case of no available drivers occurs when flights arrive at Malta Airport, where only the quickest manage to find an available driver. Fortunately, for easy travel around Malta and Gozo, there are two equally — if not more — efficient alternatives: Bolt and eCabs.

Bolt is an Estonian company offering a ride-hailing service similar to Uber. The company has been present in Malta, as well as in over 36 countries, for longer than Uber, and has a much larger fleet of drivers.

In Malta, Bolt is the most popular app for getting around, thanks to its ease of use and the speed with which drivers are made available, day and night, both on the main island and on Gozo.

Just like Uber, Bolt drivers are independent contractors: they must meet minimum criteria, but the quality of service and vehicle conditions can vary greatly from one driver to another.

eCabs is Malta’s historic chauffeur-driven vehicle company. Established for many years, it stands out for its professionalism, responsive customer service, and modern vehicles. It also operates its own call and booking center, available 24/7 in Malta.

In addition to a large fleet of drivers, eCabs offers several types of rides: immediate bookings, airport transfers, premium vehicles, or even the option to book a driver for the whole day.

The eCabs app is intuitive and very similar to those of Uber and Bolt, allowing you to easily order a vehicle in just a few clicks. Facing Uber’s arrival in Malta and competition from Bolt, eCabs regularly offers promotional deals or slightly cheaper rides than its competitors: an option not to overlook for traveling around Malta with peace of mind.

The ride prices with Uber, Bolt, and eCabs are set in advance and are quite similar, with usually only a one- or two-euro difference between the three providers. These fares remain affordable and are much lower than those of traditional taxis (the Maltese white taxis).

In general, a trip between Malta International Airport and major tourist destinations like Sliema, St Julian’s, or Valletta costs between €10 and €20 by ride-hailing service. By comparison, a similar journey by traditional taxi costs €30–40.