Every week, thousands of Nigerians make this Lagos to Accra by road trip. In fact, our ghanaian friends are saying that their streets are now flooded with Nigerians! If it is your first time, you must know that the road is long and there are three borders you must cross. This guide takes you through the Lagos to Accra by road journey step by step.
So, what does is cost to travel by bus from Lagos to Ghana?
The short answer: Travelling from Lagos to Accra by road costs about ₦103,000 to ₦110,000 for a bus seat in October 2026, plus roughly ₦20,000 to ₦60,000 for food, rides and phone data. The journey takes 12 to 15 hours. You pass through Benin and Togo and cross three borders. Nigerians need no visa, only a passport and a yellow fever card.
TL;DR
- A Lagos to Accra bus ticket costs ₦103,000 to ₦110,000 one way with ABC Transport or GIGM (prices checked in October 2026).
- Budget about ₦125,000 to ₦170,000 in total for one way once you add food, rides and data.
- You cross three borders: Seme (Nigeria to Benin), Hillacondji (Benin to Togo) and Aflao (Togo to Ghana).
- Carry your international passport, your yellow fever card, some CFA francs and some Ghana cedis.
How Much Does It Cost to Travel from Lagos to Accra by Road?
A one-way trip from Lagos to Accra by road costs about ₦125,000 to ₦170,000 for one adult in October 2026. The bus seat is the biggest part of that. Troski, a Ghanaian fares website, checked the bus companies’ own booking sites on 20 October 2026. It found ₦105,000 with ABC Transport and ₦103,000 to ₦110,000 with GIGM.
The ticket only pays for your seat. Food, rides at both ends and phone data come out of your own pocket, so plan for them too.
| What you pay for | One way (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bus ticket (ABC Transport or GIGM) | 103,000 – 110,000 | Bus company prices, checked 20 October 2026 |
| Ride to the bus terminal in Lagos | 5,000 – 15,000 | Depends on where you live (our estimate) |
| Food and water on the road | 10,000 – 20,000 | For 12 to 15 hours of travel (our estimate) |
| Ride from the Accra bus station to your hotel | 3,500 – 9,000 | About GH₵30 to GH₵80 on a ride app (our estimate) |
| Travel eSIM for phone data | 5,000 – 15,000 | Depends on the plan you pick |
| Bribes at checkpoints | 0 | Police and border checks should be free |
| Total | 126,500 – 169,000 | One adult, one way |
In October 2026, the bus seat made up about two-thirds to four-fifths of the total cost of the road trip.
You will still find older fares online, some as low as ₦50,000. Those prices are out of date because fuel and exchange rates have pushed fares up. Always check the price on the bus company’s own website before you pay.
Which Route Does the Lagos to Accra Bus Take?
The bus follows the coastal highway west, through Benin and Togo, into Ghana. This road is part of the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, which links the capital cities of five West African countries.
So this is how the journey will typically go:
- Lagos to the Seme border, along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.
- Seme to Cotonou, the biggest city in Benin.
- Cotonou to Hillacondji, the border between Benin and Togo.
- Hillacondji to Lomé, the capital of Togo. The border is only about 21 kilometres from the city.
- Lomé to Aflao, the Ghana border town right at the edge of Lomé.
- Aflao to Accra, a drive of about three to four hours.
Most buses leave Lagos very early. In August 2026, Busbud listed an ABC Transport bus leaving Jibowu at 6:00am and an Efex Executive bus leaving Ojota at 7:00am.
Accra is one hour behind Lagos, so change your watch when you arrive.
What Happens at Each Border Crossing on the Lagos to Accra Road Trip?
At each border, you get an exit stamp from the country you are leaving and an entry stamp from the country you are entering. On a direct bus, the conductor usually leads the group through.
Seme Border: Nigeria to Benin
Seme is usually the slowest part of the trip. It is a joint border post, which means Nigerian and Beninese officers work in the same compound. ECOWAS calls it one of the busiest land crossings in West Africa.
In January 2026, an NPR reporter who rode from Lagos described many stops on the Lagos–Badagry road and demands for money. The Federal Government had approved only two checkpoints on that road, at Gbaji and Agbara, in October 2025. Other stops still appear, so keep your papers ready.
Hillacondji Border: Benin to Togo
At Hillacondji, passengers often get off the bus and walk through the border on foot. The bus meets you on the Togo side. Travellers still report small “unofficial” payments here, even after the post was upgraded, according to this guide to Togo’s land borders.
Benin and Togo both use the CFA franc. That means you do not need to change money at this border.
Aflao Border: Togo to Ghana
Aflao is the last border, and it is usually quicker. It has been open 24 hours a day since 2017, after years of closing every night from 10pm to 6am. The walk across is less than one kilometre.
Ghana uses the cedi (GH₵), so this is where you change money. Use a bank or a licensed exchange office, not a street dealer. Ghana officers will also ask to see your yellow fever card.
Required Documents for the Lagos to Accra by Road Trip
You need a passport and a yellow fever card, but no visa. Nigerians can enter Benin, Togo and Ghana without a visa under ECOWAS free movement rules, usually for up to 90 days, as our Ghana travel guide for Nigerians explains. Our list of visa-free countries for African passport holders shows where else your passport can take you.
Keep these in your hand luggage:
- Your Nigerian international passport, with at least six months left before it expires.
- Your yellow fever card. Togo requires it for entry, and so does Ghana. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before you travel.
- A Togo travel slip, if it applies to you. In May 2026, Togo’s Ministry of Security said travellers must fill in a travel declaration on voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before they arrive. Ask your bus company whether you need it. If nobody can tell you clearly, fill it in.
- Your hotel address and return ticket, in case an officer asks about your plans.
- Small cash in CFA francs for Benin and Togo, and in cedis for Ghana.
Nigeria has also introduced the ECOWAS biometric identity card, which is meant to replace the old paper ECOWAS travel certificate. Still, the international passport is the document officers on this road know best.
Transport Options from Lagos to Ghana by Road
You have four main choices: a direct bus, shared taxis from border to border, your own car or a flight. For most first-timers, the direct bus is the easiest.
Direct International Bus
A direct bus takes you from a Lagos terminal all the way to Accra. ABC Transport and GIGM run the route, and Chisco has published fares of ₦88,000 to ₦130,000. The conductor knows the borders, and travelling in a group feels safer.
Ask two questions before you pay. First, does the ticket go all the way to Accra, or only to Cotonou or Lomé? Second, where exactly does the bus stop in Accra?
Shared Taxis from Border to Border
You can also take a taxi to Seme, cross on foot, and catch another taxi or bus on each side. Rome2rio estimates the Seme to Lomé stretch at about US$26 to US$29 by taxi and bus. You save a little, but you change vehicles often and face touts alone, so it suits experienced travellers who speak some French.
Driving Your Own Car
You can drive if your papers are complete. Carry your driver’s licence, your vehicle papers and an ECOWAS Brown Card. The Brown Card is third-party car insurance that works across ECOWAS countries, and you get it from the company that insures your car. An ECOWAS official in Ghana has said private vehicles from the region can stay for up to 90 days.
Flying Instead of the Lagos to Accra Road Trip
The flight from Lagos to Accra takes about one hour and ten minutes. A one-way ticket usually costs ₦220,000 to ₦380,000 on normal dates, as our Ghana trip cost from Nigeria breakdown shows. Compare fares on Trip.com and Expedia. For a short weekend, flying saves you almost two full days on the road.
How to Deal with Checkpoints and Requests for Money
Stay calm, keep your papers in your hand and do not offer money. Benin’s police have run a campaign telling travellers that nobody should pay money for checks. The ECOWAS Commission President also criticised unofficial payments at Seme during a visit in May 2025.
These habits make the trip smoother:
- Leave early and travel in daylight.
- Keep your passport and yellow fever card together in a small pouch.
- Let the bus conductor speak for the group when possible.
- If someone asks you to pay a fee, ask politely for an official receipt.
- Keep most of your money hidden, with only small change in your pocket for food.
Our guide to police checkpoints in Nigeria explains what officers are allowed to ask for.
How to Stay Connected and Pay for Things on the Way
The easiest way to stay online across four countries is a travel eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you download to your phone before you leave.
Airalo, Saily, Nomad and Yesim all sell plans for Africa. Before you buy, check that your phone supports eSIM and that the plan covers Benin, Togo and Ghana. Our guide to the best eSIMs for Africa travel compares them.
For money, carry CFA francs for Benin and Togo and cedis for Ghana. Tell your bank before you go, so your card is not blocked. Our card declined abroad guide shows how.
Where to Stay When You Reach Accra
Book your first night before you leave Lagos, because most buses arrive in the evening. Our guide to where to stay in Accra compares seven areas that suit Nigerian visitors.
You can compare rooms on Agoda and Hotels.com, then read recent guest reviews on Tripadvisor. If you want a guided day trip to Cape Coast once you are rested, Viator lists tours that leave from Accra. Our 3 days in Accra itinerary helps you plan the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lagos to Accra by Road
How long does the bus from Lagos to Accra take?
The bus takes about 12 to 15 hours. Queues at the Seme border and traffic leaving Lagos cause most of the delays.
Do Nigerians need a visa to travel to Ghana by road?
No. Nigerians do not need a visa for Benin, Togo or Ghana under ECOWAS rules. You do need a valid passport and a yellow fever card.
Is it safe to travel from Lagos to Accra by road?
Yes, for most travellers, if you use a known bus company and travel in daylight. The main problems are long delays, requests for money at checkpoints and pickpockets at busy borders.
Can I use my national ID card instead of a passport?
Do not rely on it. Carry your international passport, because it is the document officers on this route expect.
Is it cheaper to go by road or by air?
The road is cheaper. A bus seat costs about ₦103,000 to ₦110,000 one way, while a flight usually costs ₦220,000 to ₦380,000. The flight saves you more than half a day each way.
Ready for the Road?
Going on a Lagos to Accra by road trip is long, but thousands of people do it every week. Book a known bus company, pack your passport and yellow fever card, and leave early. By evening, you could be eating kelewele in Accra.
