Money and payments
Cards and cash
All Ecobank and Banque Atlantique ATMs in Togo take Master card and Visa card for cash withdrawal.
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Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: HpBob, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Togo is a narrow country in West Africa, sandwiched between Ghana on the west and Benin on the east. It is a charming country, mostly due to its charming people as there are not many tourist attractions. Wedged in its skinny size, Togo boasts a deep spiritual heritage and striking sun-drenched landscapes.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Togo.
Cards and cash
All Ecobank and Banque Atlantique ATMs in Togo take Master card and Visa card for cash withdrawal.
French
French is the national language and the lingua franca between ethnic groups. Virtually no English is spoken in the whole of the country, aside from business offices and major banks in the capital.
If you come from Ghana and stay close to the border, your Ghana SIM card will work perfectly, no need to buy a Togolese one.
Drink bottled water such as Volta or sachets of "Pure Water".
Drink bottled water such as Volta or sachets of "Pure Water". Bissop juice is also fairly safe as it is boiled, and avoid the lemonade "citron" despite its delicious appearance. Stay away from roadside meals if possible.
Greetings are a little more elaborate in Togo. Say hello to everyone when coming and going. Handshakes are key. Also, maybe if you try to get to know them, you will fit in.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
capital and largest city in the country
previously known as Anecho, it is a town in southeastern Togo, lying on the Gulf of Guinea near the border of Benin
a town in western Togo near the Ghanaian border, in Plateaux Region
a city in northern Togo, in Kara Region, 413 km north of Lomé
a base point for Mont Agou, the highest mountain in the country
Places in Togo on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
the Atlantic coast and the region that the vast majority of visitors see
rolling hills and forests, seldom visited, comprising the administrative regions of Centrale and Plateaux
land of the Kabye people, comprising the administrative divisions of Savanes & Kara
Public transport and paid services in Togo.
By train
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Togo.
Finding apps for Togo…
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Lomé · International · LFW
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Lomé
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 27° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 30° |
| Avg. low | 25° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 25° | 24° | 23° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 25° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 15 | 33 | 86 | 118 | 171 | 181 | 111 | 57 | 132 | 140 | 40 | 16 |
| Humidity | 75% | 79% | 81% | 83% | 85% | 87% | 88% | 88% | 87% | 87% | 83% | 78% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$115
Per person, per day
Luxury
$300
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $65 | $175 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased caution in Togo due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and health. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency or routine services to U.S. citizens outside of Lome due to the safety risks. U.S. government employees working in Togo need special authorization to travel to these areas due to safety risks: North of Dapaong Highways N24 and N28 Kpendjal and Kpendjal-Ouest district U.S. government employees working in Togo are not allowed to stay overnight in areas north of Mango due to safety risks. Crime Violent crime may occur anywhere in Togo. This includes carjacking, robbery, and home invasion. Local police often lack resources to respond to serious crimes. Violent attacks are more common in the northern region of Togo. Crime occurs more frequently in urban areas, near the beach, and in crowded markets. Stay aware of your surroundings. Police checkpoints may be present throughout the country. Though it is not as common, you may find unofficial checkpoints in some locations. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Togo. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more. Terrorists may target: Large public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.) Popular hotels, clubs, and restaurants Places of worship Schools Parks Shopping malls and markets Public transportation (subways, buses, trains, and commercial…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Togo-Burkina Faso border FCDO advises against all travel to within 30km of the border with Burkina Faso, except for: the city of Dapaong and the N1 highway leading to it from the south. Savanes Region FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the Savanes region. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Togo.
Travel tipsAirfares can be cheaper when booked from the European capital that has a strong colonial link to your destination, which typically means from Brussels, Lisbon, London, and Paris.
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Travel tipsLasting from the 1500s to the 1800s, the Atlantic slave trade was a crime against humanity of extraordinary proportions, leaving a huge mark on four continents and irreversibly changing world history and geopolitics.
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Nature & adventureAs of 2023 the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves is made up of 738 reserves in 134 countries of which 22 are transboundary.
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Culture & historyReligion and spirituality have played a significant role in humanity's history. Many cultural sights from buildings to festivals and traditions are of a religious nature.
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Culture & historyWhether they're unusually short, unusually long, sound like a naughty English word, or are just plain silly, places with unusual names can be fun destinations.
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Travel tipsEurope is a continent that is relatively small but with many independent countries. Under normal circumstances, travelling through multiple countries would mean having to go through visa applications and passport…
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