One of my most unforgettable experiences was going by road from Lagos, Nigeria to Accra, Ghana. Although, I'm usually one to travel by air. The feeling of packing my bags, stepping into the airport, boarding the plane, getting the window seat and simply snoozing off on air without extra care in the world is why I would take that any day. This time, I decided to do something different, something daring if I must put it that way. I travelled to another country by road! Yes, I did that. I hopped on a bus, got my passport and ticket and ventured into another country by road! I was scared shitless but the sweetness of taking this risk is that I did it and overcame my fears of travelling by road. I felt like a school kid on a trip to Wonderland. One of the things that struck me as well on the trip was the vibe on the bus. Someone came with a boombox and blasted music throughout the road trip into Ghana.
Can I also talk about the interactions? My gosh! It was super hearty, friendly and insightful. And you know the best part? A lady I met was kind enough to help me sort through my exchanges without a hassle, and in the process of our conversations, she told me how she had travelled the route multiple times! That did not only excite me, but it had me thinking about how much she has come to learn just by travelling by road, and right there, I took a mental note to do it more often. The vibrant cities I saw as we passed through them, the people, the language, the buying and selling, the diverse cultures, and delicious food then somewhere, it clicked, there wasn't any staggering difference between Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria. In fact, the traffic in Accra is slightly higher than the traffic in Lagos. If you are wondering how I know this, I used a bolt and taxi for transportation during my 3 day stay and I made sure to move around as much as I could before I left. Make this West African road trip a must-do. Here's how I planned it:
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
You will be crossing multiple borders and will get stamped at each of them–Lagos, Nigeria, Seme, Cotonou to Lomé, Togo, and finally Aflao, Ghana so ensure you have:
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A valid international passport
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Vehicle documents (ownership, insurance, etc.) If you are using your personal car.
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Nigerians can use NIN
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International driver’s license (Remember, If you are using your personal car) or valid national license
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Yellow Fever card
The Lagos–Accra trip covers about 460km and can take 9–12 hours depending on border delays. If you noticed, I went through Lagos to Cotonou, Benin before I could get to Accra, Ghana. All for travel educational purposes. Cheers!
Step 2: Choose the Right Bus Company
This is where your adventure begins. Your choice of transport can make or break the trip. Thankfully, several reputable transport companies run Lagos–Accra routes. Popular ones include:
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ABC Transport – Comfortable seats, air-conditioned coaches, and a reputation for reliability. I used this for my trip and believe me, I know what I'm talking about.
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GIG Transport – Fully air-conditioned, refreshments for the Journey, and comfortable seats.
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GUO Transport – Affordable, regularly scheduled passenger service and nationwide logistics solutions.
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Chisco Transport – Known for its solid network across West Africa.
Departure Time: Early morning departures are best to beat border traffic.
Tip: Book at least 1–2 days in advance. These trips fill up quickly, especially on weekends or near holidays.
I remember obsessively checking reviews before choosing my bus. It wasn’t just about getting there, it was about how I got there. Comfort, security, and knowing the company was experienced gave me peace of mind.
So, go for it!
Step 3: Pack Smart and Light
First off, this is not a luxury flight. It's a long, bumpy ride. The key? Pack what you need and nothing more.
Essentials include:
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A neck pillow and light blanket
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Snacks (plantain chips, groundnuts, biscuits)
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Reusable water bottle
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I also brought my skincare
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Wet wipes and sanitizer
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Charged Phone, phone charger, power bank and an extra phone for a SIM card
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Toiletries
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Cash in Naira, CFA Francs, and Ghanaian Cedis (small denominations are best)
Tip: You do not necessarily need to carry dollars around. You can change naira at the border to Ghana cedis or Togolese CFA Francs.
Step 4: Border Etiquette
Be respectful, patient, and alert. Have multiple copies of your documents, although I didn't do that because I can be pristinely organized when it comes to anything travelling. So, if you can easily lose things, just make more copies. Don’t be afraid to ask for official receipts if any payments are requested. But let’s be real: West African land borders can be chaotic. You might deal with long queues, officials looking for bribes (unfortunately), and inconsistent policies.
So, whatever you do, just keep your documents handy and be polite and respectful. I'm pretty sure that everything will fall into place.
Tip: Picture-taking isn't allowed at the borders. So, be discreet.
Step 5: Enjoy The Ride!
Once you get past the borders, the trip opens up beautifully. Each country brings new scenery, roadside vendors, unfamiliar languages, and unforgettable moments.
Some highlights on the way:
At Benin, I didn't spend so much time there but it did not stop me from noticing the countryside with its charming red clay houses. At Lomé, Togo, I coasted around and moved on to Accra, Ghana, because my aim was Accra, which I couldn't wait to get into. So, it was a brief stopover.
As you enjoy the ride, keep your eyes open. Look out the window. Chat with your seatmate just like I did. Who knows, someone could have the information that could save you from making mistakes–especially if it is your first time. Take blurry photos of market stalls, food, snacks and roadside goats. You are in the middle of a story you will tell for years.
I had an emotional moment somewhere between Cotonou and Lomé–I was doing it. This trip that took months of mental and physical preparation was real. The tiredness faded and was replaced by awe. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of being exactly where you want to be, even if your back aches and you’re craving a shower.
Step 6: Arriving in Accra, Now What?
Use MTN or Vodafone for local SIM cards with data. Now, most buses drop off at terminals like Circle Station or Kantamanto in Accra(depending on the bus company). From there, you can take a Bolt or local taxi to your hotel or Airbnb.
Time Zones: Ghana is one hour behind Nigeria. Adjust your watch or phone.
As someone who loves comfort and the sweet life, I booked ahead before I arrived in Accra. I would advise you to book within your budget because you would not want to be out there in a foreign land penniless.
While perusing the sites for a comfortable hotel, I found “Nana's Holiday Let”. I got there exhausted, and the air was different, but I did not allow it to stop me from noticing the good Ambience, considerate customer service and great meals they served.
Might I add, (laughs out loud) Ghana Jollof tastes just the same as Nigerian Jollof (Nigerians don't come for me!) LOL! And of course, the city wasn’t left out. I went from Nana’s in a taxi to explore Kwame Nkrumah's Memorial Park (It includes a museum and where Kwame died). A famous saying of Kwame Nkrumah is, “I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me”.
On the second day, I went to the Independence Ark(it's something like their freedom centre). Ghana got their Independence on the 6th of March, 1957.
One could literally feel the aura of that day the minute one steps into the place.
On the third day, I figured I needed a physical piece of Ghana with me. Something that announces me and screams, not your regular! So I went to the Art gallery near Accra Mall ( Tetteth Quarshie Art Market). It is quite eye-catching and serene, with beautiful artworks adorning each side of the gallery. I spotted the Market area and deftly moved towards it. There, I got myself pretty little Handcrafted bamboo earrings and beads to adorn my wrists. You should totally add this place to your list!
I would rate Nana's Holiday Let a 7. Apart from a few hitches, it was an amazing experience all together.
Bonus Tips: If you are staying a few days like I did, try out these places I mentioned and believe me, you won't regret it.
Step 7: Budget & Currency
While making a trip like this, it will be of utmost importance to budget everything down to the T. This will help you to spend accordingly without running a loss. So, here is an estimated budget I made for this trip:
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Bus tickets from Lagos to Togo were around ₦78,000 from Togo to Ghana were around ₦45,000
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Accommodation was 30 dollars per night at Nana's holiday Let (Ghana)
While coming back, I took a direct flight from Ghana to Nigeria. The only documents that were asked to be seen at the airport were my international passport and yellow fever card. So, an estimate of ($200,000–$200,000 round trip) for this trip. And it's this much because I took a flight on my way back.
You can ditch the flight and have some change in your pocket. It should not be more than (₦380,000–₦500,000)
For posterity's sake, come with more money than you need. Yeah, you will most likely need it, ha!
Recommendations
A Lagos-to-Accra road trip by bus is an adventure worth experiencing. With the right planning, it becomes a chance to see West Africa beyond the headlines and through the eyes of its people, streets, and stories.
So, if you're sitting on the fence, wondering if you should go for it... this is your sign. Get that ticket. Pack that bag. The road to Accra is waiting—and it’s got your name written all over it.
Ghana is waiting! AKWAABA!
