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.
- Public
- Shared minibuses (bush taxis) and overcrowded shared taxis operate throughout Lomé with no fixed schedules or signage — useful for short hops but challenging for visitors to navigate without local help
- Taxi
- Yellow-top taxis are plentiful and cheap; always negotiate the fare before entering as meters are not used; typical short city trip costs 1,000-3,000 XOF ($1.70-5)
- Rental
- Car rental is available at the airport and through hotels; a 4x4 is strongly recommended for northern regions and national parks; rental from $40-80/day for economy, $70-100 for SUV
- Walking
- Central Lomé around Grand Marché, the beachfront, and the Quartier Administratif is walkable in the cooler morning hours; midday heat makes walking uncomfortable; footpaths are uneven so watch your step
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi to city center: $2-4 (1,200-2,400 XOF), 10-15 minutes
- Shuttle
- Hotel shuttle: Complimentary or $5-10 depending on hotel
- Bus
- Car rental: Available at airport, $40-80 per day
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Shared minibuses (bush taxis) operate throughout Lomé with no fixed schedules. Fares typically 200-500 XOF ($0.35-$0.85) depending on distance. Routes are not always clear to visitors, so ask locals for assistance.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, moto_taxi
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Yellow-top taxis are plentiful. Base fare starts around 350 XOF ($0.58) with 200 XOF ($0.33) per km. Always negotiate the fare before departure as meters are rarely used. Typical short trips within Lomé cost 1,000-3,000 XOF ($1.70-$5).
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Bush taxis (shared minibuses and sedans) are the primary intercity transport. Lomé to Kpalimé: 2,000-3,000 XOF ($3-5), 2 hours. Lomé to Kara: 5,000-7,000 XOF ($8-12), 7-8 hours. Lomé to Sokodé: 4,000-5,000 XOF ($7-8), 5 hours. Depart when full, no fixed schedules. Main stations: Gare d'Akodesewa (northern routes), Gare de Bè (Kpalimé, Atakpamé).
Flights
Limited domestic flight services. Most internal travel is by road. ASKY Airlines and other regional carriers occasionally offer charter services.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport
From centre: 6 km northeast of Lomé city center
Options: Taxi to city center: $2-4 (1,200-2,400 XOF), 10-15 minutes; Hotel shuttle: Complimentary or $5-10 depending on hotel; Car rental: Available at airport, $40-80 per day; Moto-taxi: $1-2 (600-1,200 XOF), fastest option but limited luggage capacity
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Google Maps
Works reasonably well in Lomé for navigation though some smaller streets are missing; useful for estimating distances and travel times
Moovit
Limited coverage for Lomé public transport but useful for understanding broad route structures; most locals navigate by landmark rather than address
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always negotiate taxi fares before entering the vehicle — quote your destination clearly and agree the price; if the driver doesn't agree, find another taxi
Zemidjans (motorcycle taxis) are the fastest way through Lomé traffic but carry safety risks — only use for short daytime trips and always negotiate the price first
For intercity travel, the main bush taxi stations are Gare d'Akodesewa (northern routes) and Gare de Bè (Kpalimé, Atakpamé); vehicles depart when full, not on schedule
Carry small denomination bills (500-1,000 XOF) for taxi and bush taxi fares as drivers rarely have change for large notes
Travel between cities only during daylight hours — roads are poorly lit, unmarked hazards are common after dark, and accident rates increase significantly at night
If renting a car for northern regions, book a 4x4 vehicle — the road to Koutammakou and many routes in Kara Region require high clearance, especially in the rainy season