Everything you need for a successful trip.
Trotro, coach, taxi, plane or a car with a driver: what each really costs you in money, time and nerves, and which to choose for which journey.
On a map of Ghana everything looks close. On the road, traffic out of Accra, roadworks, potholes, police checkpoints and the trotro that stops every five minutes turn short distances into long days. These rough road times assume daylight and no breakdowns:
Getting out of Accra alone can take an hour or two at peak times. Leave early in the morning, and plan to arrive before dark.
Trotros are the shared minibuses that carry most of the country. They run fixed routes from lorry stations ("stations") and leave when full, not on a timetable. A "mate" leans out of the window shouting the destination and collects the fares. They are very cheap, go almost everywhere, and are crowded, hot, slow and, on the highways, often driven too fast.
Large coaches link Accra with Kumasi, Cape Coast, Takoradi, Ho, Tamale and the north. The state-owned STC is the best-known operator, with several private companies running "VIP" and air-conditioned services on the main routes. They are slower than a private car but much safer than a packed minibus, and for most routes they are the best balance of cost, comfort and risk.
In towns, shared taxis run set routes and pick up passengers along the way, like a small trotro. Cheap and quick once you know the system.
Hiring a whole taxi to yourself is called a "drop". There are no meters: agree the price before you get in. Ask a local or your hotel what a fair fare is, and expect to be quoted more as a visitor.
App-based rides work well in Accra and in Kumasi, and give you a price up front. Coverage thins out quickly in smaller towns. Have a local SIM card, check the number plate before getting in, and sit in the back.
Money in GhanaSmall notes, mobile money and paying drivers.Short domestic flights link Accra with Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi, among others. For the north especially, flying saves a full day on the road each way and removes the most dangerous part of the trip. Prices are reasonable if you book ahead, and higher around holidays. Domestic flights leave from a different terminal from your international flight, so check before you set off.
ghanaflights.infoGhana and Africa flight and airport information. Accra International AirportArrivals, departures and connections.For a family, a group or a tight itinerary, hiring a car with a driver is often the best way to see Ghana. You go where you want, stop when you want, and someone who knows the roads does the driving. Your hotel, a tour operator or a recommended local driver can arrange it.
Possible, but not recommended for a first visit. Ghana drives on the right, the opposite of the UK. Driving standards are erratic, road signs are sparse, potholes appear without warning, and trucks park on the highway at night without lights. Police checkpoints are common; keep your licence, the car documents and your passport copy ready.
If you do drive, bring your UK licence and check before you travel whether you need an International Driving Permit for your hire company and your length of stay. Make sure the insurance is comprehensive and understand what happens after an accident. Never drive between towns at night.
Ghana once had a working colonial railway between the coast, Kumasi and the mining towns. Most of it fell into disuse decades ago. New lines and rehabilitations have been announced and partly built, but for a visitor rail is not yet a practical way to travel around the country. If a service is running on your route, treat it as an experience, not a plan.
On Lake Volta, passenger boats and ferries operate on some stretches, and boat trips run from Akosombo. Long-distance lake services are irregular and basic; check locally before relying on them.
Akosombo and Lake VoltaBoat trips and the lake. Adomi BridgeCrossing the Volta, on ghana-net.com.The roads are the biggest real danger to visitors in Ghana. The rules that matter most: