Figuring your way around a new city can be fun and exciting but also stressful. Knowing the dos and don’ts of the local system helps me alleviate my stress when using public transportation abroad. After years of living in Ghana, I’ve mastered a few tricks that I am excited to share!  

Here are four essential tips on how to navigate transportation in Accra with ease:

1) Know Your Transportation Options

There are so many transportation options to choose from when traveling in Accra:

Uber Accra

Important Things to Consider:

Con: No bargaining power here; faulty GPS.

Pro: Prices tend to be on par or cheaper than taxi prices; door-to-door service; no bargaining needed (great if you’re shy or feel uncomfortable doing so); no cash transactions

I usually take Uber for short distances, travel for work, or when I’m exploring Accra nightlife.

Personal Driver

These can be pricey for daily use. I usually use this option for long trips  (1.5 hours+) to other regions. Trips to Cape Coast can range from 350 to 400 cedis (82-94 USD). You can always find a driver pretty easily.

Places to inquire about this option: The airport, other taxi drivers, hotels – which may be the easiest option if you’re lodging at a hotel and planning excursions.

Taxis/ Trotros

There is no shortage of taxis in Ghana. You can find taxi ranks at key junctions or neighborhood hot spots and at hotels and mall entrances. Catching a taxi at night is a bit trickier- there are fewer cars on the road- (this is where Uber may come in handy!)

Pro Tip: Collect the phone numbers of taxi drivers you encounter – it may come in handy when needing a pickup.

When hailing down a taxi or riding around in a trotro (local minibus) in Accra, you’ll often hear shouting: if you listen closely, you’ll hear the names of key places referenced by a mate (the driver’s right-hand man). At taxi and trotro ranks, speeding cars and vans will pause to quickly shout to passengers the direction of where the car is going! The energy at these stations can be overwhelming the first couple of times!

2) Know Extra Details About Your Destination

Most places don’t have traditional addresses, so knowing the neighborhood of the place you’re visiting is key! For example, if you’re getting dinner at Bistro 22, a swanky little restaurant located in Labone – when flagging down a taxi – giving the name or address of the place often is not enough. Is the restaurant in Osu, Labone, or the Airport?

Pro Tip: If a place is obscurely located, consider downloading the GPS directions or accessing Google- sometimes Google Maps is handy!

3) Don’t Shy Away From Bargaining

Taxi ride in Accra

When jumping into a taxi, always remember that you’re probably being overcharged as a tourist. The beauty of Ghana is that prices are often open to negotiation! A taxi driver’s first price will often not be the most accurate. A key rule I stick to is to divide the number (silently in your head, of course!) by 2 and add 2 cedis.

Example: Your cabby says 45 GHS (outrageous!) → 45/2 –>23 +2 –>25 (Fairer Price!)

This should give you a closer estimate of how much the total cost of your ride reasonably should be.

P.S. This may still be a bit higher than what locals pay.

P.S.S. Don’t be afraid to walk away – there are plenty of taxis in Accra – you’ll find one that best meets your price.

4) Know When to Stay Off the Roads

Traffic plagues Accra! You can spend nearly 2-3 hours stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour. High traffic times in Ghana are traditionally early in the morning, between 7-9 am, and 6-8 pm evenings. Prices will always be significantly higher during these times! During the holidays, traffic time is even worse!

Key Takeaways for Future Travels:

Understanding the intricacies of public and local transportation wherever you wander will save money and time, giving you more room to explore!