Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Accra

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Shared dormitories in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms, or homestays in local neighborhoods

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Street food, local markets, traditional chop bars, self-catering from local shops, and occasional budget restaurants

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Public tro-tros, shared taxis, walking, and occasional ride-sharing for longer distances

Activities

$3-12 per day

Free walking tours, public beaches, local markets, occasional museum visits, and cultural sites with minimal entry fees

Eat at local chop bars and street food stalls instead of hotel restaurants - typically 60-80% cheaper with authentic flavors

Use tro-tros and shared taxis for transportation instead of private taxis - usually 70-85% less expensive

Shop at local markets like Makola or Kaneshie for souvenirs rather than tourist shops - generally 40-70% lower prices

Book accommodation outside central Accra areas like Osu or Airport Residential - often 30-50% cheaper with good transport links

Travel during the rainy season (May-September) when accommodation rates typically drop 25-40%

Join group tours instead of private tours - usually costs 50-70% less per person

Buy local SIM cards for data instead of international roaming - saves 80-90% on communication costs

Only eating in tourist areas like Osu Oxford Street - typically costs 100-200% more than local neighborhoods

Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the tro-tro system - can cost 3-5 times more for daily transport

Booking accommodation at the last minute during peak season - often 40-80% more expensive than advance bookings

Exchanging money at airports or hotels instead of local forex bureaus - usually 5-15% worse exchange rates