Istanbul to Valletta (IST–MLA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Turkish passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Malta. Apply at the Maltese Embassy in Ankara or through the VFS Global center. The short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) costs EUR 80 for adults and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Required documents include passport photos, travel insurance covering EUR 30,000, proof of accommodation, a return ticket, and bank statements. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen Area.

Processing takes 10 to 15 working days. A multi-entry Schengen visa issued by any Schengen country is valid for entering Malta. If your main destination is Malta, apply at the Maltese embassy. Malta is an EU member and part of the Schengen Area, so the standard Schengen rules apply.

Turkish Airlines operates direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Malta International Airport (MLA) in about 2 hours 45 minutes. Malta uses the euro (EUR), trading at roughly 38 TRY per EUR 1. Card payments work at most shops, restaurants, and hotels. Public buses connect all parts of the island: a single ride costs EUR 1.50 in winter and EUR 2 in summer via the Tallinja card. The ferry from Valletta to the Three Cities costs EUR 1.50. Malta is one of the most compact countries in Europe, and you can drive from one end to the other in about 45 minutes.

Istanbul Metro M11 Gayrettepe–İstanbul Havalimanı line connects the airport to the broader metro network; from Gayrettepe (Mecidiyeköy/Levent area) the journey is about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart). The line runs roughly 5am to midnight.Havaist express buses serve Taksim, Kadıköy, and other major hubs (₺50–80, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis use a meter; expect ₺400–600 from Taksim or Sultanahmet. The airport is 35km northwest of the city; traffic on the O-7 motorway can be severe during peak hours.