Is Accra expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Accra is surprisingly expensive for West Africa, especially for anything imported or aimed at foreigners: international hotels, supermarket goods and expat restaurants can cost as much as in Europe. Local life is cheap, though: chop-bar meals, tro-tros and street food cost a fraction of that. A realistic mid-range day is about GH₵ 1,750 per person, and most of it goes on the room.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | GH₵350 | GH₵850 | GH₵2,200 |
| Food & drink | GH₵200 | GH₵450 | GH₵900 |
| Sights & tickets | GH₵100 | GH₵250 | GH₵500 |
| Local transport | GH₵80 | GH₵200 | GH₵600 |
| Per person, per day | GH₵730 | GH₵1,750 | GH₵4,200 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Accra day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Banku with tilapia at a chop bar | about GH₵ 80-120 |
| Uber/Bolt ride across the centre | about GH₵ 40-90 |
| Tro-tro (shared minibus) ride | a few cedis |
| Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum (foreign visitor) | roughly GH₵ 100-150 |
| Aburi Botanical Gardens (foreigner) | about GH₵ 50-80 |
| Labadi Beach entry (managed section) | about GH₵ 20-50 |
| Car and driver for a day trip | about GH₵ 900-1,500 |
| Mid-range double room, Osu/Labone | about GH₵ 1,300-2,200 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the big cost: a decent guesthouse in Osu starts around GH₵ 600-1,100 a night, and international hotels in Cantonments or Ridge run GH₵ 3,000-6,000, often quoted in US dollars. Because Accra is spread out and not walkable between districts, transport adds up too, especially if you hire a driver. Imported goods (wine, cheese, branded toiletries) are pricey, while local food, fruit and beer stay cheap. The cedi moves a lot against the dollar and euro, so prices in cedis change through the year.
When it is cheaper
December is the most expensive month, with diaspora visitors, festivals and concerts pushing hotel prices up. The rainy months from April to June and September-October are usually quieter and easier to bargain in, though the difference is modest; check current rates.
How to spend less
- Use Uber or Bolt instead of hailing street taxis: the fare is shown upfront and is usually fair.
- Eat at chop bars and street stalls for local dishes like banku, waakye and kelewele instead of expat restaurants.
- Plan each day around one district to avoid paying for long, slow cross-town rides in traffic.
- Withdraw cedis from bank ATMs inside branches or malls rather than changing cash at poor street rates.
- Buy local Club or Star beer and Ghanaian products; imported drinks and groceries carry big markups.
- Share a car and driver for Aburi or Cape Coast with other travellers and agree the price before leaving.
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Common questions
Is Accra expensive for tourists?
It can be. International hotels and imported goods cost close to European prices, but local food, transport and guesthouses are much cheaper. Budget about GH₵ 730 a day on a tight budget or GH₵ 1,750 mid-range, per person.
Do hotels in Accra charge in dollars?
Many mid-range and upscale hotels quote prices in US dollars, though you can usually pay in cedis at the day's rate. Small guesthouses and everything in daily life are priced in cedis.
How much is an Uber in Accra?
Most Uber or Bolt rides across the centre cost about GH₵ 40-90, depending on distance and traffic. Prices rise at rush hour and in heavy rain.