Travellers Essentials
Social Conventions
The usual European courtesies are expected, but the visitor
should also bear in mind the tremendous importance of Roman
Catholicism; if visiting a church, for instance, modest dress
covering the shoulders and legs will be expected. Smoking
is prohibited on public transport and in some public buildings,
including cinemas.
Tipping
10-15% is expected in hotels and restaurants when not included
in the bill. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 10% of the fare.
Currency
Maltese Lira (Lm) = 100 cents = 1000 mils. Notes are in denominations
of Lm20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of Lm1, and
50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. A number of gold and silver
coins are also minted.
Currency exchange
Money can be changed at banks, bureaux de change, some hotels,
and larger shops and restaurants. Automated foreign exchange
machines and cash dispensers are available at various locations
on the islands.
Credit cards
MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are accepted.
Travelers cheques:
Exchanged in the normal authorised institutions. To avoid
additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to
take travelers cheques in Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions
The import of local currency is limited to Lm50. Import and
export of foreign currency is unlimited subject to declaration.
The export of local currency is limited to Lm25.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Malta without incurring
customs duty:
a)200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco.
b)1 liter of spirits and 1 liter of wine and,
c)Perfume not exceeding Lm2 in value.
Prohibited items
Firearms and ammunition, counterfeit goods and unlicensed
drugs. Certain plants and meat products requires an import
licence.
Getting There
By Air:
Malta's national airline is Air Malta (KM). Other airlines
serving Malta includes Austrian Airlines, Alitalia, CONDOR,
Egyptair, GB AirwaysGulf Air, Lufthansa, Swissair and United
Airlines.
By Sea:
The main ports are Grand Harbour, Marsaxlokk and Mgarr/Gozo.
Operates between main habour
Getting Around
By Air:
There is a helicopter service operating all year round between
Malta and Gozo. A quick alternative to the ferry service,
it runs eight times a day and takes only ten to fifteen minutes.
By Sea:
A passenger car ferry operates several times daily between
Cirkewwa in Malta and Mgarr in Gozo, with connections to Comino.
By Road:
Driving is on the left. Speed limit is 64kph (40mph) on highways
and 40kph (25mph) in residential areas.
a)Bus:
Good local services operates from Luqa, Valletta, Sa Maison
and Victoria (Gozo) to all towns.
b)Taxi:
Identifiable by their all-white livery. Taxis are under meter
charge at government-controlled prices.
c)Car hire:
A number of car hire firms offer self-drive cars. Both Hertz
and Avis have desks at the airport. Rates on Malta are among
the cheapest in Europe. Full national driving licence required.
If driving a hire car, drivers need to have their licences
endorsed by the police in Foriana, Valetta.
When To Go
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Malta and Gozo.
Conditions are perfect between Easter and mid-June, when the
weather is pleasantly warm, but not too hot; beaches and resorts
are relatively uncrowded, and accommodation is cheaper and
easier to find than in the high season (mid-June to end-August).
Conditions are once more ideal from the end of August until
the end of November as the season winds down.
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