Ghana
How much does a trip to Ghana cost? Daily budget and prices
Budget US$31–60 a day backpacking, US$95–200 mid-range, US$320–610 for comfort, per person, flights excluded (2026 estimate). Accra is one of the pricier cities in the region, so imported hotels and goods cost more than you may expect. Go backpacker if you use tro-tros and chop bars; go mid-range if you want AC, ride-hailing and some driver days.
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuideGhana
Key facts
- Backpacker
- US$31–60 per person per day: hostel, chop bars, tro-tros and coaches
- Mid-range
- US$95–200 per day: AC hotel, restaurants, Uber and some driver days
- Comfort
- US$320–610 per day: top hotels, private driver, guides, domestic flights
- Chop-bar plate
- GH₵30–60 (US$3–6) for waakye or jollof
- Local beer
- GH₵20–35 in a bar
- Uber across central Accra
- US$3–8
- Driver day
- Adds US$80–130
- Domestic flight Accra–Tamale
- About US$100 one way (2026 estimate)
- Cash
- Cards work in larger Accra hotels and malls; most other payments are cash
Daily budget by travel style
The three tiers below are per person per day, sharing a room at mid-range and comfort, with flights excluded. They are 2026 estimates built from the country cost data on this site, not from a live price feed, so treat them as a planning band rather than a quote.
Backpackers keep costs down by sleeping in hostels or simple guesthouses, eating at chop bars and moving by tro-tro and coach. Mid-range travellers add air conditioning, restaurant meals, ride-hailing and occasional driver days. Comfort travellers pay for top Accra hotels, a private car and driver, guided visits and domestic flights.
| Tier | Bed | Food | Transport | Sights | Extras | Total per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | US$12–25 | US$8–12 | US$4–8 | US$4–10 | US$3–5 | US$31–60 |
| Mid-range | US$45–90 | US$20–35 | US$15–40 | US$10–20 | US$5–15 | US$95–200 |
| Comfort | US$150–300 | US$50–90 | US$70–120 | US$30–60 | US$20–40 | US$320–610 |
2026 estimate, per person per day, sharing a room at mid-range and comfort; flights not included.
What individual things cost
Day-to-day prices are low by US or UK standards, but the big-ticket items — castle tours, park entry, driver days and domestic flights — are priced for foreign visitors and add up quickly. Carry small cedi notes: change is often short, and many small vendors cannot break a large note.
Sightseeing entries for foreigners are the least predictable line in any Ghana budget. Castle and park fees are quoted in US dollars at the gate and can change, so confirm the current rate before you commit a day to a site.
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Plate of waakye or jollof at a chop bar | GH₵30–60 (US$3–6) | 2026 estimate |
| Local beer (Club, Star) in a bar | GH₵20–35 | 2026 estimate |
| Uber across central Accra | US$3–8 | 2026 estimate |
| Cape Coast Castle guided tour (foreigners) | About US$10–15 | check at the gate |
| Kakum canopy walk (foreigners) | About US$10–15 | check at the gate |
| Mole walking safari with ranger | About US$10–20 plus park entry | check at the gate |
| Driver day | US$80–130 | 2026 estimate |
| Domestic flight Accra–Tamale (one way) | About US$100 | 2026 estimate |
2026 estimate. Accra is one of the pricier cities in the region; imported goods and hotels cost more than you may expect.
Sample trip budgets
A one-week trip is the common first visit: two to three nights in Accra, then the Cape Coast and Elmina castles, then either Kumasi or Mole National Park in the north. Flying to Tamale saves a long drive but adds roughly US$100 each way; the overland coach is far cheaper and much slower.
These totals use the daily bands above and exclude international flights. Add a buffer of 10–15% for sightseeing fees, airport transfers and the odd splurge.
| Trip | Style | Days | Rough total per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accra only | Backpacker | 4 | US$125–240 |
| Accra only | Mid-range | 4 | US$380–800 |
| Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi | Mid-range | 8 | US$760–1,600 |
| Accra, Cape Coast, Mole (fly to Tamale) | Comfort | 8 | US$2,560–4,880 plus flights |
Excludes international flights; 2026 estimate.
Money, cards and mobile money
The currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GHS, GH₵). Cards work in larger hotels, malls and some restaurants in Accra; almost everything else is cash. Mobile money is widely used by residents, but most visitors pay in cash, so plan to withdraw rather than rely on tapping a card.
Use ATMs inside banks or malls, and change money only at banks or licensed bureaus. Carry a mix of small notes for tro-tros, chop bars and market purchases.
- Withdraw cedis from bank or mall ATMs rather than street machines.
- Change money at banks or licensed bureaus, not on the street.
- Keep small notes for tro-tros, chop bars and markets.
- Budget a cash float for castle, park and safari fees.
When costs rise
Accra hotel rates climb around December, when diaspora visitors arrive for the holidays, and around major events. Book early for those dates or shift your trip to a quieter month.
Domestic flights and driver days are the two costs most likely to surprise you. If your itinerary includes Mole, price the flight and the overland coach before deciding, and check whether a driver day is cheaper than two one-way flights for your group.
- December and holiday weeks: Accra hotels cost more, book ahead.
- Domestic flights: check both directions before committing to the north.
- Driver days: US$80–130 each, so group travel spreads the cost.
- Sightseeing fees: quoted in US dollars at the gate, confirm before you go.
Questions people ask
How much money do you need per day in Ghana?
Budget US$31–60 a day backpacking, US$95–200 mid-range and US$320–610 for comfort, per person, flights excluded (2026 estimate). Accra sits at the higher end of the region, so imported hotels and goods cost more than you may expect.
Is Ghana expensive for tourists?
No for daily life — a chop-bar plate is US$3–6 and a beer GH₵20–35. Yes for the foreigner-priced extras: castle tours, park entry, driver days and domestic flights. Accra is one of the pricier cities in the region.
What do meals, hotels and transport cost in Ghana?
Chop-bar meals run GH₵30–60 (US$3–6). Hostels and simple guesthouses start around US$12–25 a night; AC hotels run US$45–90. Tro-tros and coaches are cheap, an Uber across central Accra is US$3–8, and a driver day adds US$80–130.
Can I use cards and mobile money in Ghana?
Cards work in larger hotels, malls and some Accra restaurants; most other payments are cash. Mobile money is widely used by residents, but most visitors pay in cash. Carry small notes, as change is often short.
How much should I budget for a one-week trip?
Roughly US$220–420 backpacking or US$670–1,400 mid-range for seven days, per person, excluding international flights (2026 estimate). Add 10–15% for sightseeing fees, airport transfers and the odd splurge.
When are prices highest in Ghana?
Accra hotel rates climb around December, when diaspora visitors arrive for the holidays, and around major events. Book early for those dates or travel in a quieter month.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialGhana Tourism Authority
- officialBank of Ghana
- secondaryWikivoyage – Ghana