The Valletta Ferry Service has switched to its summer schedule, running from 1 June to 31 October, with extended hours that keep the crossings operating well into the night to meet demand from tourists and commuters enjoying Malta’s long evenings. The catamaran service connects The Strand in Sliema with Valletta and also links Valletta to the historic Three Cities of Senglea, Cospicua, and Birgu, providing a quick and scenic alternative to road traffic around the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett. During the summer period, ferries depart every 15 minutes from 6:45 am through 7:15 pm, and the night service continues from 7:30 pm with the last departures leaving Sliema at 11:45 pm and Valletta at midnight, giving passengers flexibility for late dinners, events, and evening strolls along the waterfront.
On Sundays and public holidays the service commences slightly later at 8:45 am from Sliema and 9:00 am from Valletta, but still runs late with the final sailing at midnight from Valletta, ensuring weekend visitors can spend a full day exploring without worrying about transport back. The summer timetable adds significant coverage compared with the winter schedule, which ends at 7:15 pm from Sliema and 7:30 pm from Valletta, making the seasonal change particularly useful for those who want to avoid night buses or taxis after 7 pm. The operator, Marsamxetto Steam Ferry Services, notes that the modern catamarans run daily from early morning to late night all summer, with frequent half-hourly connections to the Three Cities and early-to-late service between Sliema and Valletta.
Fares remain affordable, with an adult single trip at €1.50 and a round trip at €2.80 during daytime hours, while the night fare from 7:30 pm onward is €1.75 single or €3.30 return. Children pay €0.50 single and €0.90 return, and a weekly pass offering unrestricted use for seven consecutive days is available for €10.00, making the ferry a practical choice for commuters and frequent visitors. The short 15-minute crossing delivers panoramic views of Valletta’s fortifications, the Grand Harbour, and the Sliema skyline, turning a routine commute into a maritime experience that showcases Malta’s heritage. With no reservations needed and tickets available on board, passengers are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early during peak times, as the extended summer hours often draw larger crowds enjoying the cooler evening air and the illuminated cityscape from the water.
