For meals, transport, tips - whats the safe amount to carry in Togo ? Trying to plan a daily budget for a month long trip
A safe daily budget is around $30-$40, covering meals at street stalls and public transport by moto taxi or minibuses called 'Gbaka'. I used Ecobank’s ATMs in Lomé for cash and recommend carrying CFA francs since card use is limited outside main towns. Don’t forget affordable hostel options like Chez Sami, which cost about $10 a night. A small 5-10% tip feels good for helpful drivers or servers.
I found Togo offers a good balance between cost and experience. For meals and transport, $30 per day is doable, especially if you stick to Lomé and avoid touristy places. Try to learn some French; it helps negotiating with taxi drivers and stall owners.
Public transport here is made up mostly of motos and minibuses-super cheap and frequent. For meals, roadside dishes are filling and easy on the wallet. Plan for a daily budget of around $30-$40. Use Ecobank or Orabank ATMs in Lomé for cash withdrawals, but be cautious carrying large sums.
Togo is budget-friendly if you eat local dishes like fufu and grilled fish for about 1,000-1,500 XOF ($1.50-$2.50). Public minibus taxis cost roughly 250-500 XOF per trip. I stayed at basic hostels in Lomé for $10-$15 per night. Carrying around $25-$35 daily allowed me to dine well and get around comfortably.