How to Get from Accra to Kumasi for Less Than $14

When you first move to Accra, the capital of Ghana and home to about one million people, it can feel like a very small city. The city center is walkable and there are only a few major roads that lead in and out. But after a couple of months you’ll probably start feeling a bit cooped up and ready for an adventure. Luckily, just 30 minutes in any direction takes you out of town to smaller cities and villages with much more affordable living. Because let’s face it, even on our local salaries — roughly $450 a month for rent, groceries, transportation, internet, utilities and general cost-of-living expenses — Accra is expensive! If you don’t have your own car yet or want to see some new sites without spending too much money on transportation services like Uber or Zoom car (or cedi taxis), here are some tips on how to get from Accra to Kumasi for less than $14 (and back again).

How to get from Accra to Kumasi

Ghana’s capital city, Accra, is located in the country’s central hills at about 5 degrees north latitude and 0 degrees longitude, about 30 minutes from the coast and a couple of hours from the southern border. The capital’s main city center and financial district are located in the middle of the country, but Kumasi, the country’s largest city and former capital is located in the southeast, about an hour and a half away by car. The best way to get from Accra to Kumasi is to take a taxi or ride-sharing service like Zoom or Uber. Zoom Car is a local ride-sharing service with a nice system for scheduling pick-up times. You also have the option to take a daladala, or local shared mini-bus with a route that runs between Accra and Kumasi. They leave every 20-30 minutes, cost between 50 and 100 cedis ($1-2) and take approximately two hours.

From Nungua to Kumasi

Nungua, known for its black-clay potteries, is located only a couple kilometers from the Accra-Kumasi highway. If you’re looking for souvenirs, Nungua is a great place to start! There are also several nice hotels in Nungua, including the famous Nungua Hotel, a favorite of businesspeople and diplomats. If you want to eat, there are a few small restaurants in Nungua, but you’re better off driving a bit further to Aburi, a small city with lots of great food options.

From East Legon to Kumasi

East Legon is the name of the neighborhood in Accra where the main campus of the University of Ghana is located. The university offers free public lectures and events on topics such as culture, history, politics, nutrition and grammar and is a great place to start looking for community events and seminars. In East Legon there are also many nice hotels and restaurants as well as a couple of large supermarkets chains like Shoprite and Spar.

From Independence Square to Kumasi

The Independence Arch is a well-known landmark in the center of Accra where the road to Kumasi splits off towards the south. If you’re looking for an event to attend or a place to hang out, the area around the Independence Arch is home to a few restaurants and bars, including the popular Boogaloo and Embassy. You can also find a few small souvenir shops and a couple of internet cafes nearby. If you’re looking for a bit more culture and community, the Asafo House of Culture is also located near the Independence Arch.

From Osu to Kumasi

Osu is the name of Accra’s central business district (CBD). It’s a great place to go if you’re looking to shop around or find a nice restaurant to grab a bite. In Osu you’ll find Accra’s biggest shopping center, the Mall, along with a few other smaller malls. You’re also likely to find events and performances happening at the Centre for Cultural and Creative Arts or the Alliance Francaise. If you’re looking for a place to drop off your laundry, there are a couple of well-known chain laundromats in Osu, such as the Osu Laundry Café and the Accra Laundry Café.

Conclusion

When you first move to a new city, it’s normal to feel a bit confined to your neighborhood or the city center. But once you get your bearings and start exploring, you’ll find that it’s easy to get out of town and explore the surrounding smaller cities and towns without spending a ton of money. So get out there and explore! And don’t forget to pack a bag with a change of clothes, just in case you end up staying out longer than expected.