Ghana is a popular destination to travel to, but how travelling in Ghana actually works is not very clear, especially when you use local public transport. This blog is the first blog in a series about travelling in Ghana.

Which means of (public) transport are available in Ghana?

There are many different types of public transport in Ghana, it depends on the size of the town, the region and the accessibility which types are available. Below is a list of the most common means of transport.

• Coaches – Especially between large cities/places there are very luxurious coaches. Many coaches have only 3 seats in a row, making it comfortable to travel. However, do bring a sweater, because the air conditioning is often at a low temperature. Most coaches leave when they are full and depart from a main station. Although along the route more and more pick-up points are being created. VIP, STC and VVIP are examples of transport companies.
• Metro mass transit – These are scheduled buses. In the vicinity of Moon&Star guesthouse you won’t see many Metro mass buses.
• Ford Buses – These are smaller, air-conditioned buses that run between Accra and popular destinations. They depart from a fixed station when they are full. Ford buses are widely used between Cape Coast and Accra.
• Tro tro’s – Small buses that travel on a fixed route and try to pick up passengers along the way. The driver has a colleague, the mate, who calls out from the window of the sliding door and/or makes a sign with his hand and arm from which the destination becomes clear.
• Minibuses/station cars – These are also small buses that travel a regular route, often with a mate. But these buses leave from a main station and only leave when the bus is full. Sometimes there are no coaches between larger towns and then you have to rely on this transport, in which case the buses are often a bit larger. The length of these routes can vary considerably.
• Dropping taxis – These are taxis that drive around looking for passengers. Sometimes they are at a station and have a sign with dropping taxi on it. You have to negotiate the price with the driver.
• Shared taxis – These are taxis that drive according to a specific route. Normally they depart from a main station when they are full. Sometimes you can stop them on the way, for example when someone has already disembarked on the way.
• Uber – The Uber has also found its way to Ghana. You can just use the Uber app on your phone. The app determines the prices. In the cities these prices are sometimes a bit high at popular destinations and for the longer journeys the prices are not very fair for the driver. That is why giving a tip is sometimes the right thing to do. You have to be a bit patient for Uber in Ghana, because despite the app with location, the driver often cannot find you easily.
• Motortaxi’s – This is not an official means of public transport in Ghana, but in Accra, the Volta and in the north you see it increasingly. With these drivers you have to negotiate about the price.
• Tuktuk – The tuktuk has many names in Ghana and is gaining considerable popularity. For smaller stretches the tuktuk is very usable, especially in the north / Tamale. Also with the tuktuk driver you have to negotiate about the price.

In the next blogs about public transport and travelling in Ghana, the following questions are going to be addressed.

• Is it safe to travel in Ghana on your own?
• What is the state of the roads in Ghana?
• Does Google maps work in Ghana?
• How do I know which means of transport is best to take?
• Is travelling in Ghana difficult?
• Is it expensive to travel through Ghana with public transport?
• Are they going to overcharge me as a traveller?

Click here to read part 2 and part 3 of this series on public transportation.

Help yourself and other travellers! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about travelling (by public transport) in Ghana!