Togo is a narrow West African nation stretching from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel, offering diverse landscapes from pristine beaches to lush mountains. This compact country combines vibrant markets, UNESCO heritage sites, rich Voodoo culture, and warm hospitality, making it an off-the-beaten-path destination for adventurous travelers.
Local currency: West African CFA franc (XOF).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Togo.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $15-18
- Budget
- $25-45
- Midrange
- $65-120
- Luxury
- $180-400+
Food
- Street
- $1-3
- Local
- $5-10
- Midrange
- $15-30
- Fine
- $40-80+
Transport
- Bus
- $0.35-0.85 (shared minibus)
- Taxi
- $1.70-5 (within Lomé)
- Airport
- $2-4
- Daytrip
- $10-25 (shared taxi to nearby towns)
Activities
- Museum
- 1,500-3,000 XOF ($2.50-5)
- Sites
- Free to 5,000 XOF ($0-8)
- Tour
- $35-80
- Excursion
- $60-120
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Togo costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$200-250/week
Midrange traveller
$500-700/week
Luxury traveller
$1,400-2,500+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat where locals eat — neighbourhood maquis serve large, authentic, delicious Togolese meals for $3-8 that restaurant menus cannot match at any price
Use shared bush taxis (collectivo) for intercity travel rather than private hire — the price difference is dramatic: $3-5 vs $30-60 for the same journey
Bargain confidently at Grand Marché and all market stalls — starting at 50% of the asking price is standard and expected
Stay in guesthouses near Kpalimé for highland exploration rather than paying Lomé hotel prices and commuting
Buy SIM cards from Togocom or Moov at the airport for cheap local data ($5 for 5GB) rather than relying on expensive hotel wifi or roaming charges
Visit free attractions on full days and save paid tours for days when you want structured experiences
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Lomé Beach walk
The entire beachfront boulevard is free to access and offers beautiful sunset walks, impromptu football games, and local life along the palm-fringed shore — one of the best free activities in Lomé.
Grand Marché browsing
Wandering through the Grand Marché and its surrounding streets costs nothing and provides hours of cultural entertainment, colour, and insight into Togolese daily commercial life.
Independence Monument
The central square around the Independence Monument with its eternal flame is free to visit and is particularly atmospheric in the early morning or evening when lit up.
Fetish Market exterior
The approach streets around the Fetish Market in Akodésséwa are free to walk through, with vendors visible from the street — only the interior visit with a guide requires payment.
Palais de Lomé gardens
The beautifully landscaped gardens of the restored colonial Governor's Palace are free to sit in, providing a peaceful green escape in the city centre with colonial architecture as a backdrop.
Togoville village walk
Once you have paid for the pirogue crossing (1,500 XOF), walking through Togoville village, visiting the cathedral, and exploring the royal quarter is largely free with only optional guide tips required.
Lomé port area viewpoint
The area around the modern deep-water port offers views of container ships and the daily activity of one of West Africa's busiest ports — free to observe from the public boulevard.