A Visitor's Budget Guide to Accra (With Transport Tips)

Money, the Cedi and Mobile Money

The currency is the Ghana cedi, written GH₵ and divided into 100 pesewas. Notes and coins are used for everyday purchases, so it helps to carry small denominations for taxis, tips and market stalls. Exchange rates against foreign currencies move, so check a current converter before you travel rather than relying on any single figure, including the ones in this article.

Mobile Money is part of daily life. MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash and AT Money (the former AirtelTigo service) let people send and receive funds from a phone number, and many small traders, drivers and some restaurants accept payment this way. Registering for these services usually asks for identification, so bring your passport. Be careful with unfamiliar numbers: confirm the registered name on an account before you send money, because scam messages and fake agents do circulate.

Cards work at larger hotels, supermarkets and some restaurants in central Accra, but they are far from universal. Carry some cash for markets, trotros and smaller places, and be aware that ATMs can run out of notes, especially at weekends or in busy areas. Do not rely on a single method of payment.

Where to Stay: Rough Nightly Ranges

Accommodation is the biggest variable in any Accra budget. Location matters as much as price: staying near the airport, in Osu or Labadi, or in East Legon changes both what you pay and how much time you spend in traffic. The ranges below are for a standard double room per night. They shift with season, events and booking platform, so treat them as a starting point rather than a quote.

• Budget guesthouse or hostel: roughly GH₵250 to GH₵600 a night. Basic rooms, simpler facilities, and often good value for solo travellers.
• Mid-range hotel: roughly GH₵800 to GH₵2,000 a night. Usually air conditioning, an on-site restaurant and more consistent amenities.
• Upscale hotel: from around GH₵2,500 a night, with the most established properties costing considerably more.

A few honest notes. Water supply and power can be interrupted, so ask whether the property has a backup. Check whether the rate includes breakfast and taxes, and whether a service charge will be added. Read recent guest feedback on the platform you use, but remember that reviews vary, and confirm the exact location on a map before you pay anything.

Eating in Accra: From Chop Bars to Fine Dining

Food is one of Accra's best budget tools. Ghanaian dishes are filling and affordable, and you can eat very well without spending much. Broadly, there are three levels:

• Street food and chop bars: roughly GH₵20 to GH₵60 for a full plate of local food such as jollof, fried rice, banku, waakye or kenkey with fish or stew. Chop bars are simple local eateries where many people eat every day. Busy places usually mean faster turnover and fresher food.
• Casual restaurants: roughly GH₵80 to GH₵250 per person for a main course and a drink, often with a mix of local and international dishes.
• Upscale dining: from around GH₵300 per person and up for a full meal with drinks, most often in hotels and in neighbourhoods such as Cantonments and Ridge.

Some practical points. Drink bottled or sachet water rather than tap water, and be cautious with ice and raw salads if your stomach is sensitive. Vegetarian options exist but are less obvious on many menus. With roadside vendors, ask the price before you order, since prices are not always displayed.

Getting Around: Trotro, Apps, or a Car With a Driver

Transport is where visitors most often overspend or lose hours. There are three realistic options, and each suits a different kind of day.

• Trotro (minibus): the cheapest way to cross the city, usually a few cedis per ride on set routes. It is crowded, can crawl in traffic, and works best if you are comfortable with local routes and stops. Conductors call out destinations, so ask a local which trotro to take. It is not ideal with heavy luggage or late at night.
• Ride-hailing apps (Bolt and Uber): convenient for short, single journeys and for travellers on their own. Fares change with distance, time of day and demand, and a short hop through heavy traffic can cost more than you expect. Check which payment methods the app accepts, and confirm the car, driver and number plate before you get in.
• A car with a professional driver: the most comfortable and time-saving option, particularly for visitors, families, groups, business trips and days with several stops. Your driver knows the roads, manages traffic and timing, and lets you focus on the trip instead of the route.

In plain terms: a trotro is the cheapest choice for one person on a simple route between two busy points. An app suits quick, individual journeys. A car with a driver costs more, but once you count the time saved, the lower stress and the practicality of carrying luggage or managing several appointments in one day, it often makes sense for groups.

Rates to plan around: an airport transfer at Kotoka International Airport starts from GH₵450, and a car with a professional driver starts from GH₵800 per day for a Corolla, or from GH₵1,200 per day for a RAV4. Every hire includes a professional driver. These are starting rates rather than fixed quotes, and they depend on route, duration and vehicle, so confirm the current price when you book. Traffic in Accra can be heavy at peak times, and trips to Kasoa or Cape Coast can take much longer than the distance suggests.

SIM Cards, Data and Attraction Entry Fees

SIM cards and data. MTN, Telecel and AT are the main networks. SIMs and data bundles are sold at the airport, in shops and at branded outlets across the city. Registration generally requires your passport, so bring it. Data bundles are usually affordable and come in daily, weekly or monthly packages. Ask the seller which package fits your plans and whether it covers the calls and data you expect. Coverage is generally good in Accra and along main roads, but it can be patchy in rural areas and on some coastal stretches.

Attraction entry fees. Entry to major sites is usually modest, often ranging from a few cedis to several tens of cedis, but fees change, and many heritage sites charge non-Ghanaian visitors more than Ghanaians. Makola Market is a lively, low-cost way to spend a morning if you are happy to bargain and keep an eye on your belongings. Heritage sites such as Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle are best visited with a guide, and they are often done as a day trip from Accra, which is where a driver helps most. Check current opening hours and fees before you go, and allow extra time for the guided tour and the journey.

Tipping and a Sample Daily Budget

Tipping is appreciated but not always expected. Check your bill first, because some restaurants add a service charge, and if one is included an extra tip is optional. Where no service charge applies and the service was good, rounding up or leaving a modest amount is welcome. Hotel porters and housekeeping staff often appreciate small cedi notes. For a driver, a tip for good service, careful driving and help with luggage is customary in many settings. The amount is entirely up to you and should reflect what you experienced.

Here is a sample daily budget for one person, in rough terms, not including flights or large shopping:

• Lean: a budget guesthouse, chop bar meals, trotros and the occasional app ride, plus one or two inexpensive attractions. Roughly GH₵450 to GH₵900 a day.
• Comfortable: a mid-range hotel, casual restaurant meals, a mix of apps and short taxi trips, and paid attractions. Roughly GH₵1,200 to GH₵2,500 a day.
• Comfortable with a driver: add a driver from GH₵800 a day (Corolla) or GH₵1,200 (RAV4) to the comfortable budget. This often suits a group, a family or a full day of sightseeing outside the city.

These totals are rough guides that will move with your choices and with current prices. Build in a margin of about ten to twenty percent for surprises such as fare changes, weather and unplanned meals. For the first two or three days, note what you spend. It is usually the fastest way to see where the money is really going and to adjust for the rest of the trip.

Frequently asked questions