Africa › Togo

Togo

Scroll
Melting pot of diverse cultures

Togo is a small West African country with varied landscapes and cultures. The southern coast features sandy beaches along the Gulf of Guinea, while inland areas include hills, forests and savannas. Lomé, the capital, sits on the coast and serves as a commercial hub with markets selling local crafts and food. Togo’s history includes German and French colonial periods, reflected in its architecture and languages. Visitors can experience traditional festivals, try regional dishes like gbemaou and explore sites such as Koutammakou, a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape.

Country
Climate zone: Tropical savanna

Tropical savanna: Tropical climates with distinct wet and dry seasons, warm year-round, featuring grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury

Note: There can be large regional differences in price levels within a country. Be sure to check the price data of individual cities or regions to get a more detailed view.

See price details
Safety: 3.5
General Safety:4
Health & medical:3
Accessibility:2
Tap water:3
Read details
Tourist English: 1/5
English proficiency is limited in Togo, with French being the primary language for communication with tourists. In major hotels and with tour guides in Lomé, basic English may be available, but elsewhere French knowledge is essential.
There is a travel warning issued for this country. Please check the website of your country's foreign office for the latest information.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
Togo Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Strong for cultural traditions and markets. Explore lively bazaars, visit villages and craft centers, relax on Atlantic beaches and discover national parks.
Place score
5.2
Best at:
Sea
7
Traditional culture
7
Crafts shopping
7
Cosy towns
6
Forests
6
Personal score
?
Log in to see how this place matches your personal travel interests.
Suited for
👶 3
Families
🧓 2
Seniors
❤️ 5
Couples
💻 4
Digital Nomads
Togo – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type E
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type E:
Diagram of a Type E power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: West African CFA Franc (BCEAO) (XOF)
£1 ≈ F CFA 784
Cashless info: Rating 2/5
Cashless payments are not widely accepted in Togo, and cash is the most common form of payment. Credit cards are rarely accepted outside of major hotels and businesses.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not expected in Togo, but small tips for good service in restaurants, hotels, and taxis are appreciated.
Public drinking: Public drinking is not common in Togo, and alcohol is typically consumed in private or in licensed venues.
Public smoking: Smoking is allowed in outdoor public spaces and designated indoor areas.
Independence Day
(27 April)
Celebrates Togo’s independence from France
Labour Day
(1 May)
Honours workers and labour movements
Emergency contact: Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 118 (Fire)
Taxi apps:
Other: Togo is known for its beautiful beaches, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore traditional markets and natural landscapes.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Togo, Togo
🔥
Jan
🔥
Feb
🔥
Mar
🔥
Apr
🌦️
May
🌦️
Jun
🌦️
Jul
🌧️
Aug
🌦️
Sep
🌦️
Oct
🔥
Nov
🔥
Dec
High season: Jan. - Feb., Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season: March - April, Aug., Oct.
Crowdedness: 6 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Climate varies by region: the south has two rainy seasons, April to July and September to October, while the north has one, May to October; best time for most trips is November to February
Evala wrestling festival in Kara region, July: traditional Kabye initiation wrestling matches, held over several days
Koutammakou (Batammariba mud tower houses) and the northern savanna are best in the dry months, as tracks turn to mud in the rainy season

Why travel to Togo?

What makes Togo truly special is its remarkable cultural authenticity and the genuine warmth of its people. The country is a melting pot of more than 40 tribes that together have created a relaxed yet offhand charm. From the vibrant markets of Lomé to the historic voodoo practices in Togoville and the unique mud houses of Koutammakou, Togo offers cultural immersion opportunities that feel genuine and unfiltered. The diverse landscapes provide everything from beach relaxation to hiking through coffee and cocoa plantations in the hills.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Aného
  • 2 Le Club du Koutammakou
  • 3 Lomé - Cinkassé
  • 4 Togoville
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Ata beach
  • 2 Sokodé - Bassar
  • 3 Kara Region
  • 4 Kpalimé
  • 5 Hôtel Palm Beach
  • 6 Sokodé
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 CASCADE DE KPIME
  • 2 Lake Togo
  • 3 Parc Sarakawa
  • 4 EPP Plateaux
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 École Primaire Publique du Grand Marché
  • 2 Marché
  • 3 Akodessawa Fetish Market
🎈Events
  • Voodoo Festival
  • Independence Day Celebrations
  • Epe-Ekpe Festival
  • Evala Wrestling Festival
  • Gbagba Festival
  • Gadao-Adossa Festival
  • Akpema Initiation Ceremony
  • Koutammakou Cultural Festival
  • Christmas Celebrations
  • Easter Festivities

Knowledge before you go

  • Hire local guide. Essential for safe navigation and cultural insights.
  • Visit Lomé's Fetish Market early morning; voodoo charms sold openly with animal parts.
  • Take pirogue boat across Lake Togo to traditional fishing villages and island monastery.
  • Hike Mount Agou near Kpalimé through cocoa plantations to Togo's highest peak summit.

How to travel to Togo

Most international visitors arrive in Togo through Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport in Lomé, which has connections to several West African cities and European destinations including Paris and Brussels. Airlines serving Togo include Air France, Ethiopian Airlines and regional carriers. You must have a visa to visit Togo. A single-entry tourist visa is valid for 15 days and you need to apply for it at least 6 days before your planned arrival. Overland entry is possible from neighboring countries like Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso, with border crossings that are generally straightforward but can sometimes involve lengthy procedures.

Access summary

  • Fly into Lomé-Tokoin Airport (LFW) from Europe/Africa hubs.
  • From Ghana/Benin: Buses/taxis via land borders to Lomé.
  • ASKY Airlines based in Lomé; no major alliance, regional focus.

Where to stay in Togo

Accommodation in Togo ranges from international-standard hotels in Lomé to basic guesthouses in smaller towns and rural areas. The capital offers the widest selection, including business hotels catering to NGOs and government officials. Outside Lomé, facilities become more basic with limited amenities, though places like Kpalimé and Kara have decent mid-range options. For a unique experience, homestays in traditional villages like Koutammakou provide authentic cultural immersion, though comfort levels are basic.

How to get around Togo

Getting around Togo is relatively straightforward due to its small size. In cities like Lomé, shared taxis and motorcycle taxis are common for short distances. For intercity travel, bush taxis (shared vans or cars) connect major towns, though comfort levels can be basic and they typically depart only when full. The roads between major cities are generally in decent condition, but can deteriorate significantly in rural areas, especially during the rainy season. For exploring more remote areas like Koutammakou or the national parks, hiring a driver with a 4x4 vehicle is often the most practical option. The compact size of the country means you can travel from the coast to the northern regions in a single day, making it possible to experience Togo's diverse landscapes even on a shorter trip.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-65 %
Daily expenses in Togo are around 65% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to XOF) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£22
£43
£133
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£6
£15
£53
🍝 Food per day
£14
£24
£66
🚕 Transportation per day
£2
£4
£14
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£11
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£2.70
🍟 Fast food combo
£4
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£5.50
☕ Cappuccino
£3
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£0.70
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.27
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£9
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.90
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£3.10
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£16
🤧 Cold medication
£4
💇 Basic haircut
£2.40

Safety information overview

General safety
4
Togo is generally safe for tourists, though petty theft can occur in urban areas, particularly in crowded markets. Exercise normal precautions regarding personal belongings. Political demonstrations occasionally occur and should be avoided. Most tourist areas are safe with proper precautions.
Health & Medical
3
Medical facilities are limited outside Lomé, with basic care available in the capital. Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation coverage is recommended. Malaria is endemic throughout the country and waterborne diseases can be common, especially during the rainy season.
Accessi­bility
2
Accessibility infrastructure is minimal throughout Togo. Natural attractions, historical sites and public transportation present significant challenges for those with mobility issues. Even in Lomé, sidewalks are often uneven or missing and buildings rarely have accessibility features.
Tap water
3
Tap water is generally unsafe to drink in Togo. Bottled water is widely available in cities but may be harder to find in remote areas. When traveling outside urban centers, carry water purification tablets or a portable filter.

Packing recommendations for Togo

Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.

What other users say about travelfilters
“travelfilters made it easy for me to find ski areas and compare what else they offer, so that I could find the best place for my personal travel style.”
Chris
Snowboarding & Onsen trip to Japan
“I love how transparent the data feels. There is no pushy upsell, just honest information and settings I can tune to my own travel style.”
Maria
After booking her 2027 winter escape
“The level of detail for each destination and how well those are displayed, make planning feel confident instead of overwhelming.”
Mina
Planned a week in New York City
“We used travelfilters for our planning from start to end. The trip turned out even better than expected, thanks to all their tools and customisation options.”
Allan & Etienne
Trip to Japan to see autumn foliage
“Thanks to travelfilters, I found some hidden gems to see. Being able to filter for exactly your interests is a game changer for my travel planning.”
Michael
Tour through the old cities of Northern Italy
“The customizable filters helped me find a quiet beach town with good wifi and low season crowds in under five minutes.”
Diego
Weekend Escape to Llanes, Spain
“The airport connection map saved me hours by showing good flight options from my home airport to lesser-known cities.”
Nguyen
Planning a 2027 trip to France
“The website is clean, fast and focused on the search itself, which makes travelfilters feel more like a professional tool than an ad-heavy booking site.”
Hassan
Christmas Market trip, Germany
Feedback