Local Transportation: How to get around in Ghana
When you are in Ghana, it is important to know how you plan to get around and that decision sometimes depends on how long you will be staying in the country and your budget. If you have just moved to Ghana or are a tourist visiting, this blog will dive into the various transportation options available to you and help you decide which option suits you best. Whether you are traveling long distances or short distances within Ghana, here is everything you need to know about local transportation options to get around in Ghana.
Local Transportation Options to Get Around Within the City
These are some options for anyone who is mostly going to be in the city and looking for the best mode of transportation to get around within the city.
Bolt, Uber, Yango and Other Similar Services
I recommend using either of these 3 options, especially Uber and Bolt for transportation within the city. Uber and Bolt are mostly available in some of the main cities in the country like Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. It is mostly cheaper than taxis and more convenient as well, especially if you are a tourist or don't have a vehicle of your own. These apps are easily accessible by just downloading the app and making sure that you have a good internet connection to be able to order a ride. These services usually offer 2 main types of vehicles; the standard vehicle which is usually small in size and cheaper. The second option is usually a regular saloon car but bigger than the standard vehicle. This option also mostly comes with air-conditioning while the standard option doesn't. When you request a ride, I will highly recommend that you pay with cash or mobile money or your ride may be denied if you try to use a card.
Read more about using Uber and other similar services in Ghana
2. Taxi
Taxis are another option for getting around if you do not want to use an Uber but can be slightly expensive compared to Uber. Taxis are sometimes a better option because once the driver has charged an amount at the beginning of the ride, you will pay exactly that irrespective of the delays you encounter getting to your destination, unlike Uber or Bolt where you are charged based on how long it takes to get to your destination.
Taxi drivers are more likely to go to areas a Bolt or Uber driver would refuse to go. Things like bad roads or traffic will not deter a taxi driver from accepting your ride as long as you are willing to pay the driver’s rate. It’s also great for long distances. Certain areas offer shared commercial taxi services where you share the taxi with three other passengers which makes the fare much cheaper. If you want the taxi to yourself, tell the driver you want a “dropping” which means a private drop-off.
You might face communication issues with some taxi drivers who may just speak the local language but you can still get a taxi driver who communicates in English. Even when they don't speak English it is not that difficult to communicate your destination and negotiate your final taxi fare with them. Taxis are not always comfortable and some taxis have old interiors as the taxi is old. They mostly don’t come with access to AC or they will just not turn it on to conserve fuel but you can roll the windows down for fresh air.
General Tips for Taking a Taxi in Ghana
Negotiate and finalize on a fixed price before onboarding a taxi.
Be alert and awake at all times to make sure that you’re not being driven to an unknown location. Because they do not use GPS, you might need to give them directions to your exact destination,
Keep your money and belongings close to you and never lose sight of them. This is just a general precaution for a traveler visiting a new country so you don’t have to be alarmed.
Try to limit your use of taxis very late into the night. Uber are Bolt are much safer because you can share your ride with a loved one, who can quickly track your location once they realize there might be something fishy happening.
Carry smaller denominations with you when onboarding a Taxi. This makes it easier for you to pay for your fare as the driver might sometimes not have a smaller denomination as change.
3. Car Rentals
You can rent a car from a rental company for just a day or even weeks. You have the option to either get a self-drive vehicle or a chauffeured vehicle.
Rates are charged by the number of days as well as the type of car you’re going for. Cars range from regular saloon cars to minibuses to vans and big buses for group trips. Buses and vans always come chauffeured so you have to worry about driving it yourself. Renting a car can be economical if you are traveling with other people as you can split the cost of renting the vehicle among yourselves. Usually, you are charged for just the rental of the vehicle daily and then you buy the fuel needed to run your errands. This applies to both the option of self-drive and chauffeured vehicles.
Chauffeured Vehicles
The chauffeured option is great if you are in Ghana for a short stay. Renting a car is a better option if you are traveling out of Accra or have a lot of errands to run that involve transportation in the city. Because this option comes with a driver, it is easy to get around because the driver usually knows his way around town.
If you rent a chauffeured vehicle you are given a certain number of hours you can have the vehicle and the driver within the day. If you exceed the time given, it is considered overtime and you might be asked to pay a bit extra for that. You will be required to return the vehicle at the end of everyday unless you are planning to spend the night out of the city then you will be charged extra and sometimes provide accommodation for the driver while you are out of town.
Self-drive Rentals
If you are going to self-drive, make sure you have an international driver’s permit, in addition to your home country license. Self-drive rental is a better option if you are in Ghana for a long duration. When you rent a self-drive for let's say a week, you get to keep the vehicle with you 24 hours everyday until the week is over which is the opposite of the chauffeured vehicle where you have to return the driver and vehicle at the end of everyday.
Keep in mind that if you do not have an international driver’s license, you will be required to attain a Ghanaian driver’s license before driving any car in Ghana. You can get a Ghanaian driver’s license from DVLA. Learn more about getting a driver’s license as a foreigner in Ghana.
4. Trotro or Troski
“Trotro” sometimes known as “troski” is usually a minibus that seats about 12 to 14 passengers at a time. Trotros can be found in every part of most cities and operate in every neighborhood of the city. If you are looking for a trotro, all you have to do is step out onto the main street of your neighborhood and you will find a trotro. Because of its easy access and affordability, most Ghanaians prefer this as their main option of transportation.
The trotro always has a driver who drives the vehicle and a conductor referred to as a “mate”. The mate is the one who tells the driver when to stop and when to move and also collects the bus fares from the passengers. You will mostly find the “mate” with his head out of the window calling for passengers by shouting the destination the bus is heading to. As a foreigner, if it is your first time boarding a trotro, it can be a little bit confusing as you might not know which trotro to board or where you are supposed to get off. Always ask other locals for assistance or the trotro drivers and “mates” as they are usually very helpful. Trotros can run as early as 4 am and as late as midnight depending on the neighborhood. Prices for trotros are fixes so if you don't know, just ask the “mate”.
General Tips for Taking a Trotro in Ghana
If you need to be somewhere quickly, leave home about an hour or two before time depending on the distance and the traffic.
Trotros can make short journeys longer due to the long routes they sometimes take and their consistent stops to board or alight passengers so if you are in a hurry, kindly consider other transportation options.
Always carry small denominations when onboarding because the “mate” might not have changed for you if you carry big denominations especially very early in the morning.
Feel free to ask for help if you need directions to get to a specific destination. Keep in mind that trotros don’t use Google Maps however, you can use it to be sure that the troski is using the right route. If not you can ask to alight and board another troski as that will take you to the right destination.
Trotro can be very packed when the bus is full to capacity making it hot sometimes. For me, I always aim to get a window seat as that makes the heat more bearable, especially on a hot afternoon.
Trotros can be a bit inconvenient with delays, safety concerns and riding in a packed vehicle but I personally think that it is a great way to immerse yourself in the daily lives of Ghanaians and live like a local if that's your vibe.
5. Motorbikes (Okada) and Yellow Yellow Tricycles
Motorbikes and yellow-yellow tricycles popularly known as “okada” are a very common means of transportation for people who need to get somewhere quickly without having to go through traffic. Price points can be almost the same range as Bolt or Uber rides. The further your distance, the more expensive it gets.
Motorbikes
Traffic in big cities like Accra and Kumasi can be a bit frustrating at times hence many locals would take a commercial motorbike as a quicker option to get to their destination. The unique maneuverability of okadas enables passengers to dodge traffic bottlenecks, thus unlocking a potential solution to the city’s notorious traffic woes. Motorbike bikes are also more popular in smaller cities and towns, especially in Northern Ghana. I remember my first visit to Tamale when I saw a pregnant woman with a baby at the back riding a motorbike and with no helmet at that. Upon some of my interactions with the locals in the community, I came to realize that it was a common occurrence to find men women and sometimes children riding a bike. Motorbikes were more popular and an efficient means of getting around compared to vehicles in Tamale.
I really wouldn't recommend getting on a commercial motorbike unless you are riding with someone you know personally. But if you do happen to find yourself taking one, ensure that the rider is licensed and has an extra helmet for you. Avoid carrying excessive luggage or items that could affect the balance of the motorcycle.
I personally avoid riding motorbikes, especially in big cities like Accra and Kumasi where the roads can be a bit hectic to navigate.
Yellow Yellow Tricycles
Again this form of transportation is most popular in smaller cities and towns like Cape Coast, Tamale and similar locations. They are also very popular in Kumasi and some parts of Accra. For no reason, I find them to be much safer than motorbikes. It usually seats about 3 passengers and is very fun to ride in but I will still recommend riding them when you are in less busy parts of the city where the roads are not difficult to navigate.
Intercity Local Transportation Options
In Ghana, you can cover long-distance travel with planes, intercity busses or by renting a vehicle.
Airplane Flights
Although flying is the most expensive option to get from one city to another it is also the most convenient. The ride is short and more comfortable than taking a bus. Taking a flight from Accra to Tamale can shorten a drive of about 12 hours to just an hour of flying. Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Sunyani, Takoradi and Ho are all cities you can fly to and from. Although flights are more efficient, it is still not uncommon to sometimes face some delays due to weather conditions and delayed routine checks to clear the plane for flight. For me, if the distance I'm traveling is more than 5 hours, I prefer to fly if I can.
General Tips for Taking a Flight in Ghana
You will need your Ghana card as identification to board flights within Ghana if you are a Ghanaian and an international passport if you are a foreigner
For domestic flights, you need to be at the airport at least an hour to your flight departure time depending on the luggage you are carrying. If you only have hand luggage, you can even get there 30 minutes before your flight departure time. Confirm this with your airline.
I will recommend taking off at least a day before if possible when you are traveling for very important business so in case there are any delays, you will still be on schedule
2. Intercity Buses
If you need to travel long distances but can’t afford flights, a more affordable option is taking an intercity bus. These buses are designed for long-distance trips to all parts of the country. Nonetheless, it is not a great option if you need to be somewhere quickly. Two popular intercity buses are STC and VIP buses.
STC Buses
STC is a widely used transport service in Ghana for people traveling long distances at an affordable rate. They provide air-conditioned buses with adjustable seats to allow travelers an opportunity to relax. The buses have a large luggage storage area where travelers keep their luggage. You can take along a handbag or laptop bag with you on the bus. Sometimes people take their travel bags with them on the bus (if it is small) but I don’t recommend that as it can be a bit uncomfortable if the bus ride is long. Just pay a small fee and have them store it in the vehicle’s storage compartment. You can book an STC bus some days before traveling. A ticket with the seat and bus number will be issued to you. Make sure you are at the bus terminal on time or you might miss the bus and you won’t get a refund.
Although food and drink are not provided, you get to stop by a rest stop for 10 to 15 minutes to buy food or use the washroom. Entertainment is provided on the bus if you enjoy “Kumawood” movies (Ghanaian local Twi movies).
VIP Buses
Almost the same thing can be said about VIP buses, the major difference is that you mostly buy a VIP bus ticket on the day of your trip when you arrive at the bus terminal. You will be issued a ticket indicating the bus and your seat number. There are two types of VIP buses; the first option has the seats arranged 4 in a row with 2 on the left and 2 on the right and an aisle in between. The second option has 3 seats in a row with 2 on your right and one on your left with an aisle in between. The 3 seats per row option is much more spacious and more comfortable. I usually always go for that option when I am traveling with a bus.
Same as the STC bus, you get to make a stop at a rest stop for about 10 to 15 minutes to use the washroom and buy something to eat.
General Tips for Taking Intercity Buses in Ghana
Take along a book or download some movies on your phone, tablet or laptop to keep yourself entertained.
Carry along a bottle of water or snacks to keep yourself refreshed.
Try as much as possible to limit fluids. You don’t want to end up with a strong urge to use the washroom because there are no washrooms on the buses.
NB: There are other busses to choose from for intercity travel which are; Sprinter buses or even sometimes trotros (commercial minibuses). They are not as comfortable and safe as the two mentioned above but are way cheaper. Sprinters and Trotros have a higher record of road accidents, especially on long-distance journeys. I avoid them unless I really have to take one.
3. Trains
Trains were recently introduced into Ghana. Although they are not very common, they are available in a few areas. You can board a train when making going from Tema to Kantamanto in Accra. It’s very fast and affordable but unfortunately, it’s not available everywhere.
Be on time or you might miss the train. Trains usually take off at 6:00 am from Tema Community 1 to Kanatamanto and all other areas in between like Sakumono, and Spintex.
What transportation options should you go for?
For short-stay travelers, I’ll recommend a Bolt or Uber and a rented car for getting around in the city. You can give the trotro a try if you’re looking to have the experience but it might not be ideal for you. It wastes a lot of time and is not ideal if you are trying to get a lot done in a short while when you are in Ghana. Flights are a good option to consider for long-distance travel as it is quicker but much more expensive. Go for STC or VIP buses if you’re looking to save up on costs but that will come at the price of a long drive to your destination.
For long-stay travelers, you can try the trotro if you don’t mind the frequent stops the bus makes and the long-distance routes. You can go for a Bolt, Uber or taxi. You can also use STC or VIP buses and flights for long-distance journeys. If you are in Ghana for weeks, maybe you can rent a car if it is within your budget as that will be more convenient for you.
Feel free to share your experiences using these local modes of getting around and any questions you might have in the comment section.
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