Ghana offers a rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty on West Africa's Gold Coast. From the historic slave castles of Cape Coast to the vibrant markets of Accra and the wildlife of Mole National Park, Ghana welcomes visitors with warm hospitality and diverse experiences. This English-speaking nation combines beaches, rainforests, and centuries of fascinating heritage.
Local currency: Ghanaian Cedi (GHS).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Ghana.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $12-20 dorm
- Budget
- $30-50 private room
- Midrange
- $80-150 hotel
- Luxury
- $200-600+ hotel
Food
- Street
- $1-3 chop bar meal
- Local
- $5-10 local restaurant
- Midrange
- $15-30 international restaurant
- Fine
- $50-120+ fine dining
Transport
- Tro-Tro
- $0.30-1 local routes
- Taxi
- $3-10 Accra city ride
- Uber
- $4-12 app ride
- Airport
- $12-35 airport transfer
- Daytrip
- $10-20 long-distance tro-tro
Activities
- Beaches
- $0-8 entry
- Castles
- $10 Cape Coast / Elmina
- National Parks
- $12-15 Kakum, Mole
- Tours
- $40-80 guided day tours
- Excursion
- $80-120 full-day private tour
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Ghana costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$245-350/week
Midrange traveller
$700-1050/week
Luxury traveller
$2100-3500+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat where locals eat — chop bars and roadside stalls offer nutritious, filling Ghanaian meals for $1-3 that often taste better than tourist restaurants
Use Uber and Bolt instead of negotiating with street taxis — you'll pay less and travel more safely
Buy SIM cards from MTN or Vodafone for local data ($2 for 1GB) rather than using international roaming
Travel between cities on VIP or STC buses ($8-20) rather than private taxis or domestic flights
Visit beaches on weekdays when admission fees are waived at Labadi
Shop for crafts at Accra Arts Centre and negotiate firmly — prices are often 50-70% higher than the opening offer
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Independence Square and Black Star Gate
Walk freely around Accra's monumental ceremonial square featuring the Black Star Gate, eternal flame, and ocean backdrop — a powerful symbol of African independence at no cost.
James Town Fishing Community
Explore Accra's oldest neighborhood with its colonial-era lighthouse, colorful fishing boats, boxing gym, and vibrant street life along the historic coastline of original James Fort.
Labadi Beach (weekday)
Ghana's most famous urban beach is free on weekdays, offering golden sand, Atlantic waves, and local atmosphere without the weekend entry fee.
Aburi Town Market
Browse the vibrant local market in Aburi combining with the botanical gardens visit — the town market is free to wander with craft stalls and local produce vendors.
Elmina Fishing Harbor
Wander through Elmina's historic fishing harbor in the morning to watch hundreds of colorful wooden boats and fishermen sorting their Atlantic catch — an authentic and free cultural experience.
Accra Arts Centre Browsing
Browse Ghana's premier craft market without obligation to buy — watching woodcarvers and textile artists at work is a cultural experience in itself.