Exploring Ghana with Uber & Bolt - 15 things you need to know
If you're visiting the vibrant country of Ghana, you'll likely want an easy and affordable way to get around between the major cities, top attractions, and your hotel. While taxis are plentiful, using the Uber rideshare app can be a convenient and cost-effective transportation option for tourists. Uber is available in major cities: Uber operates in several major cities across Ghana, including Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale, making it a convenient transportation option for tourists visiting these urban centers. There are other rideshare apps like Yango and others but I will highly recommend Uber and Bolt as they are most popular and can be found in multiple cities.
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General Tips for using Uber & Bolt in Ghana
Estimated Arrival time on the app can be more than what is displayed
Driver can cancel your ride if you have a discount applied to your ride
Conversations with drivers is a great way to learn more about the country
Using Uber or Bolt drivers for longer trips or personal errands around the city
Be ready to walk a few meters to meet your driver depending on your pick up location
Why Use Uber & Bolt in Ghana?
There are several advantages to using Uber & Bolt versus traditional taxis and trotros in Ghana. Here are some of my favorite reasons for using these rideshare apps.
Convenience at Your Fingertips
One of the biggest advantages I love about using these rideshare apps in Ghana is the sheer convenience they offer. Gone are the days of hailing taxis on bustling streets or negotiating fares with drivers. You just order for your ride and have it pick you up on your doorstep.
2. Affordable for Budget-Conscious Travelers
When exploring a new country it can quickly become expensive, but with Uber and Bolts, you can keep your transportation costs within your budget. Prices are generally cheaper than taxi rates, especially for longer rides.
3. Safety Measures
All drivers are screened and you can see their info/ratings. Your ride is also tracked for safety. You can even share your trip details with friends or family for extra peace of mind.
4. English Speaking Drivers
Many Uber drivers speak English well which helps bridge any language barriers for people who speak English.
General Tips for using Uber & Bolt in Ghana
Vehicles are mostly small in size
Standard Uber and Bolt vehicles are small hence there is very little leg room available. You can ask the driver to adjust the seats to make more leg room for you especially if you are taking the ride alone.
2. Pay with Cash or Mobile Money
I will highly recommend that you pay with cash or mobile money for your ride or your ride may be denied if you try to use a card. Most drivers in Ghana do not like accepting rides where the clients pay with a card. They prefer cash or mobile money as payment with a card means the money paid for the ride will first go to the company before coming to the driver unlike cash or mobile money where the money is paid directly to the driver. Disconnect your card from your account before ordering for a ride.
3. Don’t Expect an Air Conditioned Vehicle
Most Uber and similar services are not air-conditioned but you can always politely ask the driver if the AC works. If you are using the standard vehicle option, chances are that the AC will not be working.
4. Getting a call or text from the driver before he arrives
It is common for your Uber or Bolt driver to call or text you to let you know they’re on their way. Many drivers do that to let you know they are on their way so you don't cancel the ride. Don't be surprised to get this call. They will also sometimes ask you where you are going and if they don’t want to go to your destination, they will ask you to cancel the ride or cancel it themselves. I sometimes pretend I haven’t heard them when they ask this question just to avoid answering the question.
5. Estimated Arrival time on the app can be more than what is displayed
It is also not uncommon for the estimated arrival time for the driver to pick you up to exceed the time stated on your app. For example, your app might say the driver will arrive in 5 minutes but he might actually get there in 10 minutes. This delay is sometimes caused by bad roads leading to your pick-up location or an unclear route to your location shown to the driver causing him to go around in circles before making it to your destination.
6. Inform the driver of your exact pickup location
It is important to inform the driver where exactly to pick you up to avoid unnecessary delays like missing the way etc. For instance, if you request a ride at the mall, it will be good to let the driver know exactly which entrance of the mall you will be waiting at. This makes it easier for you to find the driver. Some addresses are not accurate on the map so you might sometimes have to give the driver instructions on how to get to your destination.
7. Drivers can cancel rides due to bad roads
Sometimes the driver might cancel the ride due to bad roads or heavy traffic leading to your drop-off location. It can be frustrating to have drivers cancel your ride because of the condition of the roads to your destination. Trust me, I have had my fair share of that happening to me because I live in Adenta which has bad roads in certain areas and it gets worse when it rains. And even when the driver does come to pick you up, they will complain about how these bad roads are costing them so much in car repairs. I always try to tip them just for the trouble because after all, everyone is trying to make ends meet in Accra.
8. Rides can be expensive during certain periods
Uber fares can increase due to high demand especially early in the morning and early in the evening during weekday rush hour. Rides can also be expensive late at night or when there is heavy traffic and rain. It is good to take note of this if you are a budget traveler so you know how to plan ahead and stay within budget. Check to see the traffic situation on the maps before ordering an Uber or Bolt so you can opt for another means like a Taxi if the fares are too high.
9. Driver can cancel your ride if you have a discount applied to your ride
If you are in Kumasi, don't be surprised if your Uber or Bolt driver cancels your ride because you have a discount. Kumasi drivers can sometimes stress you out. I once had a driver call to say if I was not willing to pay the full amount of the fare (including the discount I received) then he couldn't come pick me up. This doesn’t happen often in Accra but if you are in Kumasi, please prepare yourself mentally for such occurrences.
10. Conversations with drivers is a great way to learn more about the country
Ghanaians are known for their warm hospitality, and you may experience this firsthand during your Uber and Bolt rides. Some drivers can be very chatty and will want to engage you in a conversation. I sometimes enjoy these conversations with the drivers as they can give you very good insights about what is happening in the country. As a foreigner sometimes, engaging in these conversations is a good way to get to know the country and its people better. A friend was once looking to buy a new car, and just by speaking to several drivers, she was able to gather so much information which was very helpful when she finally got her car.
11. Drivers going offline while completing your ride
Another thing you might encounter using these ride services is that your driver might ask you to allow him to complete your ride offline. This is how it works. So they will end the ride on the app by canceling it but still proceed to drop you off at your destination. This way, the ride service company will not know the trip took place hence they don't have to pay the 20%- 25% commission required by the company for each ride. I don't always agree to this request especially if I am taking the ride at night. Trust your intuition and don't hesitate to tell the driver no if you prefer to have your ride stay online. Many drivers are nice about it so they wouldn't make a big deal out of it if you said no.
12. Using Uber or Bolt drivers for longer trips or personal errands around the city
Even though online ride services like Bolt and Uber are generally meant for getting around within the city, if you find a good driver, you can negotiate and agree to have the driver drive you around during your stay and even take you on longer trips and distances outside the city. If you find a good driver, I recommend holding on to him in case you need any such service. Of course, such rides are going to be conducted offline from the service app so be sure to go with a driver you can trust and negotiate a price that is fair to both you and the driver.
13. Carry small Cedi denominations
Always carry smaller Ghana Cedis denominations as the driver might sometimes not have change if you are paying with a large denomination note. Mobile money is also a good option if you have one set up on your SIM card. If you do pay with mobile money, the driver might ask you to include the transaction charges in the amount.
14. Be ready to walk a few meters to meet your driver depending on your pick up location.
Again depending on where you are being picked up from, you might have to walk a few meters to meet the driver. This mostly happens if for example, the road in front of your pick up location is bad making it hard for a vehicle to access. Then in that case, you might have to walk to meet the driver at the point the vehicle can access to.
15. Tipping is Optional
Tipping is not mandatory for Uber and Bolt rides in Ghana, but riders can choose to tip their drivers through the app if they wish to show appreciation for exceptional service.
Conclusion
Even though most of these experiences can be frustrating when it is happening to you, for me, they become some of the reasons why I love Ghana. There are other options of getting around when in Ghana so have fun exploring all the unique experiences Ghana has to offer even when it is through its transportation systems.
I hope you find these tips very helpful and do leave a comment if you have experienced anything mentioned in the blog or if you have any such unique experience you would like to share.
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Hello, fellow adventurers! I'm Rashida, your not-so-typical travel guide. Join me for laughs, mishaps, and perhaps a questionable decision or two (because let's face it, those always make for the best stories). Learn More
