Which means of transport to use Ghana?

From the airport to the city centre Ghana

Since 2017, Air France has been offering direct flights between Paris-CDG and Accra-Kotoka airport. Return flights cost between €550 and €1,700. Prices vary considerably depending on the time of year and how soon you book and purchase your ticket. The same route can be operated by KLM with a stopover in Amsterdam, by Brussels Airlines with a stopover in Brussels, by Royal Air Maroc with a stopover in Casablanca or by TAP Portugal with a stopover in Lisbon, all at attractive prices. Other airlines also serve Accra, including Turkish Airlines, British Airlines and Emirates.

Kotoka International Airport is located some ten kilometers from the city center. Minibuses from major hotels will take you there. You can also take a cab (negotiate the fare in advance, around €10 max to reach the center) to the hotel you booked before arriving. No additional tax is charged at the airport if your papers are in order, whether you have obtained a tourist or business visa. Secondary airports exist at Kumasi, Takoradi, Sunyani and Tamale. A new airport, Ho Airport, is due to start commercial operations in 2021, with the aim of boosting tourism and the economy of the Volta Region.

Public transport Ghana

Buses are mainly operated by the State Transport Corporation (STC). But there are also private companies offering their services, such as V.I.P Jeoun Transport Service. The bus remains the best means of transport in Ghana, far more comfortable than the bush cab, which is preferable only for short journeys. Smoking is not permitted on buses. The atmosphere is picturesque, with vendors of all kinds circulating in the aisles offering you their wares (soap, medicines...), when it's not inspired preachers reciting their sacred words. It's advisable to be at the bus station an hour before departure to be sure of getting a seat.

The tro-tro is the preferred means of transport for Ghanaians. These are Volkswagen van-type minibuses, converted into collective cabs, with between ten and fifteen seats. It's faster, but more uncomfortable and more dangerous (tro-tro drivers are crack drivers) than the bus. You have to pay a fixed fare on the way out. There are fixed routes and stops, but they're often hard to spot. Better ask someone. In suburban or rural areas, a tro-tro will stop if you signal it to, and put you down wherever you ask, if it's on its route. Have a few cedis in your pocket.

Bike, scooters & co Ghana

Although Ghana doesn't have the best roads in the world, if you stick to the coastal route and have all the equipment you need for any technical problem, you should be able to cross the country without any problems. Some areas are more suited to cycling, and mountain biking is particularly popular in Wli. A rental center even opened a few years ago.

With a driver Ghana

Cabs are generally quite reliable and often the most practical (and sometimes only) option for covering certain routes. Make sure you clearly negotiate the fare before you get in. On average, you should expect to pay around €20 for an hour's journey.

VTC. VTC applications such as Uber and Bolt operate in Ghana (especially in the capital and along the coastal strip, as well as in Kumasi). Reservations are made via your smartphone, but payment is made in cash. A simple wi-fi connection is all you need to make the reservation. Once it has been accepted by the driver, you can hop aboard without worrying about whether you still have access to the Internet - the reservation is confirmed.

By car Ghana

The road network officially covers more than 40,000 km. You drive on the right in Ghana, but priority is given to the left. Only major roads link the capital to the country's main cities. Renting a car is the best way to travel independently. Prices range from around US$130 per day (excluding petrol) for a standard car to US$200-250 for a 4x4. Be aware that you'll have a hard time convincing rental companies to give you the wheel, as they'll want to give you a driver (fear of foreigners driving, of them disappearing with the car, concern about giving work to locals). This can be both practical (the driver will deal with any problems on the road himself) and burdensome (you'll have to look after him throughout the trip). So be sure to clarify the driver's terms and conditions of employment before you leave. Some will want you to pay for his board and lodging, while others will entrust him to you on an all-inclusive basis.

Roads are moderately well marked; apart from the Accra-Kumasi, Cape Coast-Kumasi and coastal routes, they are in poor condition: potholes, tracks... You have to drive carefully. Sometimes the shortest route is not the best. Ask the locals which is best to take; you could end up on endless tracks where you can't go faster than 20 km/h. The roads in the north are almost all bad, and you won't be hired a non 4x4 car to go further north than Kumasi. Police roadblocks at the entrance and exit of towns are a hurdle to overcome.

Accessibility Ghana

Ghana's infrastructure - with the exception of some international chain hotels - is not adapted for disabled travelers or people using baby carriages.

Tourist traps Ghana

Again, be sure to negotiate the fare with the driver before getting into a cab. For the rest, a healthy vigilance should be enough to keep you away from scams.