Budgeting Tips

Budgeting Tips for Travel to Ghana

Ghana is known as a very affordable destination often ranking in the top 10% of countries worldwide for low travel costs. Many travelers ask “how much does it cost to travel Ghana?” – on a tight budget, independent visitors report spending roughly GH¢153 ($10) per day

Midrange travelers plan about GH¢416/day ($27) this will depend on the rate as at the time you applying while luxury trips run GH¢1,217/day ($79).

These figures cover basics like cheap lodging, local food, and public transport. Iconic sites – for example, Accra’s Black Star Gate (inscribed “Freedom and Justice,” a symbol of independence) can be seen at little or no cost, helping keep the Ghana travel budget low.

Daily and Weekly Cost Breakdown

For daily expenses,

• Accommodation: Budget guesthouse or dorm ~GH¢42–49 per night midrange hotel ~GH¢114–135; luxury hotel ~GH¢340+
• Food: Local street meals run ~GH¢27 (e.g. waakye, kelewele)a hearty chop-bar meal (banku or fufu with soup) ~GH¢15–25Midrange restaurant dining averages ~GH¢73 per meal splurging ($25+) can reach GH¢209+.
• Transport: City tro-tro minibuses cost only GH¢5–7 per ride shared taxis ~GH¢7–15 for short trips Longer buses (e.g. Accra–Kumasi) are ~$10–15 (≈GH¢100–150)
• Activities: Entry fees for attractions are modest. Travelers report spending ~GH¢16/day on sightseeing (“Entertainment”)
• For example, Kakum National Park’s canopy walk is ≈GH¢45, Cape Coast Castle ~GH¢25, etc. Overall, assume about GH¢30–50/day on tours and museums

A weekly budget then becomes roughly 7× the daily total. By LetsVisitGhana estimate, a one-week Ghana trip costs about GH¢2,912 (~$190) per person (budget style) that’s only ~GH¢416/day.

A couple can travel one week for GH¢5,824 ($380) Two weeks might double that (GH¢5,824 per person) In practice, plan roughly GH¢3,000–4,000 per person for 7–10 days on a shoestring.

Budget vs Midrange vs Luxury Travel

Your travel style greatly affects costs. A budget traveler (dorm hostel, street food, public buses) might spend only ~$10/day

A midrange traveler (private room, sit-down meals, some tours) spends around $25–30/day

A luxury traveler (4-star hotels, fine dining, private drivers) spends ~$70+ (GH¢1,217) daily

For perspective, typical per-day breakdowns are:

• Budget (~$10/day): Lodging ~GH¢49/night (simple guesthouse) food ~GH¢53/day (street meals) local transport GH¢49; entertainment ~GH¢16
• Midrange (~$27/day): Lodging ~GH¢135/night food ~GH¢143/day transport GH¢118; entertainment ~GH¢38
• Luxury (~$79/day): Lodging ~GH¢402+/night food ~GH¢410/day transport GH¢263; entertainment ~GH¢79

In short, budget travel Ghana means sparse lodging and local meals, while upgrading just lodging or one category can double or triple your daily spend. For example, a budget hotel at GH¢49 vs. an upscale one at GH¢402 street meal GH¢3–5 vs restaurant meal GH¢73

Money-Saving Tips

• Eat like a local: Enjoy Ghanaian street food and market stalls. Dishes like kelewele (fried plantain, ≈GH¢5) or waakye (rice & beans, ≈GH¢5–10) are filling and cheap. Avoid tourist restaurants. Chop-bars offering banku or fufu with soup cost ~GH¢15–25
• Use public transport: Hail tro-tros (shared minibuses) or “Yellow-Yellow” motorbike taxis for just a few cedis Even if packed, these greatly beat private taxis. For inter-city travel, consider overnight buses (save a night’s lodging) – e.g. Accra–Kumasi bus is only ~$10–15
• Travel off-peak: Visit in the shoulder or rainy season (April–July). Travelers report 10–30% savings on hotels and flights during low season Avoid December–January holidays when prices spike.
• Book ahead: Reserve flights and accommodations early. Early booking discounts or lower rates on sites can reduce costs
• Free attractions: Take advantage of free or cheap sights (e.g. National Museum on free-entry day, local markets, beach visits). Plan at least one no-cost activity per day to balance splurges.
• Watch fees: Use a travel-friendly payment method. A multi-currency card (e.g. Wise) avoids ATM fees and offers good ratesexiap.sg. Keep some cash handy (Ghana is still cash-based).
• Haggle carefully: Bargaining is common at markets (expect ~20–30% off initial price). Always confirm taxi fares first (no meters in shared taxis).
• Group up: For tours or car hires, travel with others to split costs. Many hostels organize group excursions (like Kakum NP) which can be cheaper per person.

Sample Budget Itineraries

Accra (2–3 days)

• Day 1: Start at Independence Square and the Black Star Gate (free) Walk to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park (small entry fee) and Ghana National Museum (≈GH¢10). In the afternoon, browse souvenirs at the Arts Centre or Makola Market (haggling welcome).
• Day 2: Take a tro-tro or Yellow-Yellow to Jamestown and Ussher Fort for local history. Then relax on Labadi Beach (free), enjoying sunset drumming or the sight of local horsemen bathing their horses (a popular evening scene
• Day 3 (optional): Day-trip to Aburi Botanical Gardens and the nearby cocoa farm (small transport/shared taxi cost). Alternatively, explore Osu’s Oxford St for affordable eats and nightlife.

Throughout, opt for budget hotels or guesthouses in Osu/Adabraka (GH¢60–120/night) and eat at roadside stalls or chop bars. Using taxis/Gh¢5 tro-tros around Accra keeps daily costs low.

Cape Coast (1–2 days)

• Day 1: Take a morning bus from Accra to Cape Coast (≈GH¢60, 4–5 hours). Once there, visit Cape Coast Castle (~GH¢25 entry) and spend the afternoon learning about its history. For dinner, try a local fish-and-chips spot or street food by the beach. Stay in a simple guesthouse or hostel (~GH¢150–200/night).
• Day 2: Morning trip to Kakum National Park (shared taxi ~GH¢40 each way). Pay GH¢45 for the canopy walkway experience. In the afternoon, stroll the local market or nearby beach. If time allows, stop by Elmina Castle (~GH¢25) on the return trip to Accra or next destination.

Cape Coast lodging is cheaper than Accra – even nice ocean-view hotels can be found for ~$70–100

Local minibuses run GH¢5–10 between attractions. Eating at roadside “chop bars” (banku with peppered fish, GH¢10–15) stretches your cedis.

Tamale (1–2 days)

Tamale is Ghana’s northern hub and a gateway to savanna culture. A budget itinerary might include:

• Day 1: Arrive in Tamale (bus from Kumasi or flight). Explore the central Tamale Market and the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (free or small fee). See the distinctive Larabanga Mosque (about 30 km west; bicycle taxi or shared taxi ~GH¢30 each way). Learn about shea butter or handicraft production at local workshops. Evening: stroll the modest city center or relax at the Zogbeli Hills (free viewpoint).
• Day 2: Arrange a trip to Mole National Park (≅3 hours away). Go on a budget lodge safari (~GH¢100–150/night) to see elephants and antelope (park entry ~GH¢120). Alternatively, visit nearby cultural centers (e.g. craft villages, without the huge cost of a safari).

Tamale has budget guesthouses for GH¢40–80/night. City transport is cheap (tro-tros and Yellow Yellow motorbikes for GH¢5–10). Meals (rice stew, local soups) cost ~GH¢10 per plate. This itinerary emphasizes cultural immersion; wildlife excursions add to the budget but are optional.

Essential Tools and Resources

• Currency & Money Apps: Install a currency converter (e.g. Wise or XE) to get real-time Ghana cedi rates. Consider a multi-currency travel card (Wise) to avoid ATM fees and poor rates. Keep an eye on local ATMs – major banks (Ecobank, Fidelity) are reliable.
• Budgeting Apps: Use simple tools (Spreadsheets, Splitwise, Trail Wallet) to track expenses. Setting daily spending alerts on your phone helps avoid surprises.
• Local SIM Cards: Upon arrival, buy a Ghanaian prepaid SIM (~GH¢10)esim.net. MTN or Vodafone SIMs are about USD $1–2. This gives data (for maps/translation) and lets you use MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) for cashless payments. Top-ups are inexpensive (e.g. GH¢5 for 1GB data).
• Navigation & Rides: Download Google Maps offline for Ghana. In Accra/Kumasi, use ride-hailing apps (Bolt) for fixed fares. In rural areas, arrange transport in advance (taxis or minivans).
• Communication: While English is official, some local languages are spoken. Google Translate (offline Ghanaian dialects) can help in remote areas.
• Safety & Planning: Register with your embassy if available and carry emergency contacts. Use TripAdvisor and Google reviews to choose well-reviewed budget hotels.

By combining these cost estimates with on-the-ground savvy (local food, public transit, off-peak timing), budget travel Ghana is very achievable. Plan ~GH¢3,000–4,000 per week for a shoestring trip, and use the tools above to stretch every cedi.