Your complete guide to moving around in Ghana – Transportation

Figuring out transportation is usually something you do before visiting a new country and because there are numerous ways to move around within Ghana, it can be overwhelming. So, here is your complete guide to moving around in Ghana:

Moving around Ghana – Uber & Bolt

Uber & Bolt are the most popular ways to move around within regions (within Accra), they are also the most convenient. It’s important to note that if you want to use any air conditioning in the Uber or Bolt, you need to pay extra due to the high fuel prices. For 10 – 30 minute rides, prices range between 14 ghc ($1.2) to 65 ghc ($5.6).

Moving around Ghana – TroTro

These are public minibuses. You can get on and off them at any point, there are no formal bus stops. TroTro’s are cheap and have no set prices, meaning you pay based on the distance of your destination. This makes them less convenient and sometimes unreliable. 30-minute rides cost about 5ghc ($0.43).

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Moving around Ghana – Taxis

Taxis are fairly safe to use but unlike the rideshare options are not metered and the prices are at the discretion of the driver which could lead to you paying double the average cost of a ride. Taxis can be found all over Ghana, and you can easily flag them down on the side of the street. Most people prefer to use Uber or Bolt because they can monitor their rides and share their ride progress with close contacts.

P.S.: if taxi drivers sense that you are a tourist, they could raise their rates, so crosscheck the average price on the ride-share apps so you can negotiate better.

Moving around Ghana – Yango

Yango is a rideshare app in Ghana which is much cheaper than its alternatives so it’s worth trying it out at least once.

Moving around Ghana – Motorcycles

Motorcycles are very common in cities like Accra and Tamale where most people own them as personal vehicles and commercially. In cities like Accra, where the roads are very busy, motorcycles are not the safest, however, they are cheap, you just need to negotiate the price beforehand.

In Tamale, there are fewer vehicles on the road and motorcycles are one of the major forms of transportation so, it’s much safer.

Just assess the driving conditions in the city you are in before hopping on a motorcycle.

Moving around Ghana – Tuk Tuk

These are three-wheeled vehicles and are very common and widely used in Tamale and Cape Coast. They are very efficient and easy to get, just hail one from the side of the street to get their attention.

Moving around in Ghana – Travelling between regions

Regions in Ghana are quite far apart so transportation often needs to be planned ahead of time. Here are 3 of the most common ways to take inter-region trips in Ghana:

Private transportation

This is the most convenient option, but also the most expensive. I recommend using private transportation for trips to other regions within driving distance. A private car and driver is great for trips to the Volta, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra and Ashanti Region which are all 2 – 5 hours away from Accra. This option makes moving around easier and with a private driver, you have one less thing to worry about.

Plane

Passion Airlines and Africa World Airlines are the most popular airlines that fly locally within Ghana, they have daily flights to Takoradi, Kumasi and Tamale. Prices start from 700ghc for 1-way flights and this is the best option if you’re not a fan of road trips because everywhere is an hour and 10 minutes or less by flight. You can either buy your ticket online or from the local airport.

Intercity STC Buses

If you are not a fan of local flights and don’t want to shell out hundreds of cedis to travel to other regions, you can take the STC Bus. It takes you to different cities in Ghana for a set fare and you can purchase a ticket online or from the bus station. They are a very comfortable, reliable and affordable way to travel around Ghana.

Moving around in Ghana – Safety

Ghana is well known to be one of the safest countries in West Africa which is why it’s such a popular travel destination. However, like in any other country, crime is not absent.

Theft in Ghana

Petty theft happens often in Ghana, if you give people the opportunity, they will steal. It’s important to remain alert and aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to you, especially when in crowded areas like markets. When walking always keep your bag in front of you, or tightly under your arm, and be conscious of the placement.

Also, if you are in a car or any moving vehicle, never hold your phone outside the window especially in traffic because motorists and passersby are known to grab phones out of windows.

Solo – travel in Ghana

Safety is probably the biggest worry for any solo traveller, especially solo female travellers but I have felt very safe every time I’ve travelled to Ghana. You just need to take the necessary safety precautions to have that extra blanket of protection.

• Share your live location
• Share your ride when using ride-sharing apps
• Always remain alert
• Be aware of your surroundings when in crowded places
• Keep your windows up when in a moving car
• Carry a safety personal alarm

Happy Travels!