Malta Driver Services

I can't help with driver recommendations, but can positively say that using the bus system will get you pretty much anywhere you want to go (even from the small airport to Valetta, where you can get a bus pass that works for you). The buses are very new, air conditioned and cheap and the routes are extensive. I even went to see some archeological sites in the middle of nowhere with the bus, as well as some villages and towns. Right outside the main gate of Valetta there are countless buses going all over the island (they are well organized and numbered), and only a few have poor frequencies. It couldn't be easier, really. The only thing you have to watch out for is where to get off exactly, but you can ask (people speak both English and Maltese).

Where are you trying to go that you'll need a driver? By the way, the Bradt guide to Malta was my best planning resource for this trip.

PS. Here are some photos of the bus system:
https://goo.gl/photos/qtoYQjxuXd6Qcogz6
https://goo.gl/photos/o2rPuH4AUTKzaJKM9
https://goo.gl/photos/bwK98tC2NBAWECfv7 (bus network map)

I don't know especially where I wanted to go that a bus wouldn't take you. Most of the archeological sights in the southern part of Malta (already have my Hypogeum Ticket) and may a stop or two in quaint villages. Then Mdina and the Three Cities on Day #2. I know the distances (from checking Google Maps) are fairly short, but was somewhat puzzled by planning a route when I went to the Malta Bus Service. I typed in a couple of places I want to go (from A to B) and kept getting a "Sorry, no routes are available" (or something like that) message. I will look into it again. Thanks for the info.

Ray,
Unfortunately, the (third party) online info is terrible...just disregard it altogether and don't let it dissuade you (Malta is simply not Germany so you'll find some of its information infrastructure lacking; I gave up on the trip planning software because it was really faulty). I believe the problem is that they've had so much turnover in the bus management/operations (prior to overhauling a very antiquated system of buses before 2015) that you just can't count on any online info being good. I am positive you can make this work by bus because most tourists and locals use the buses to go everywhere. In the worst case, you just show up at the main bus station in Valetta and you can see every single schedule clearly posted. I went to the Hagar Qim & Mnajdra ruins (in south Malta in the middle of nowhere) by bus, as well as Mdina/Rabat, the Three Cities, Marsaxlokk (small fishing village), Naxxar, the Hypogeum in Paola, and even Gozo (in combo with the ferry).

Warning: the Hypogeum was not well marked (at least back in 2015) and it's smack buried in a regular residential neighborhood, so give yourself plenty of time to get there. And with the archeological ruins in the middle of nowhere, you will have to "time the bus" or be prepared to wait even 45 minutes if you just miss it. But the villages are definitely very well linked and the bus schedules are frequent. You'll have no issues at all. I liked the bus system there. It's not the most efficient for some places but it beats driving in some seriously messy choke points. To get to some really, really out of the way spots, I actually suggest getting a good map so you can actually follow where the bus is going - but this is overkill unless you're really going off the beaten path.

I don't know what the buses are like now but when I was there (2007?) the drivers seemed to treat their buses as their own personal vehicles. I mean they had pictures of their children and religious mottos and icons pasted here and there at the entrance. But in spite of all that, a lot of them were very cranky. I wonder if they still are

Thanks very much for the info. Am looking into buses!!

These are the official timetables...it's a lot easier than it looks (don't give up!):
Example: Route 2 will get you closest to the Hypogeum (see map)
https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/timetables
https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/route-map (entire system map)

If the bus drivers are cranky (I haven't noticed it), it's because of the inane questions they get from tourists who expect them to play "tourist guide" (I did see lots of that). I thought they were just fine, although not overly friendly like the bus driver in Catania who gave me a private tour (pointing out everything on the way) and was as fun and nice as they come.

More great news:
https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/news-details/6-million-euro-investment-in-new-buses-for-malta
You should see some photos of what the OLD buses looked like....very old school and no AC.
https://www.google.com/search?q=old+malta+buses&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwij-_-tuuTVAhXDJiYKHZo-D0oQ_AUICigB&biw=1330&bih=751

Thanks all. Wow, great information. I am checking into the bus situation. When I said buses were getting some bad reviews, it referred to the HOHO buses. They do take routes that will take me where I want to go and are relatively inexpensive, but as I said several reviews mentioned very crabby drivers and buses in poor shape. However, looking at "Malta by Bus" now!