Travel From Alexandria, Egypt to Accra, Ghana

By: BEN

Once we learned the impossibility of entering Mecca, we decided to pack our bags for our next stop, Accra, Ghana.

With plenty of available cash, we booked a flight to Accra through Kayak.com where we were able to find one-way tickets for $528.70 each, even with short notice. This flight was through Egypt Airlines, and was to last almost 8 hours. We were to have a short leg of 45 minutes from Alexandria to Cairo, and then a lengthy 6.5 hour flight to Accra. Total cost of the flight was $2114.80

After landing, we exchanged money from our American Dollars to the local currency.
4,000 US Dollar = 5,786.00 Ghanaian New Cedi

Once we landed in Accra at the Kotoka International Airport, we used our research knowledge of public transportation for the local culture.

Public transportation is the most popular means of getting around accra. While Accra is well connected by rail to Tema, Takoradi and Kumasi, the service is unreliable and unpopular owing to its limited reach.

Taxis

There is a convenient taxi network but most don't have meter system so price negotiation is required between passenger and driver. But there are also metered taxis which are slightly expensive. Taxis in Ghana are painted in two colors: the four fenders are yellow/orange and the rest of the car is in a color of choice. Taxis can be obtained at taxi ranks or along any road in Accra. At taxi ranks, taxis have signs on top of the cars stating the area where that taxi will take passengers. Along roads, drivers will honk at pedestrians to see if they require a taxi.

Trotro

By far the most common form of transport in Accra, trotros are the most efficient and cost-effective way of getting around the city despite their frightening and dilapidated appearance. Trotros stop at any bus stop or gathering of people, and can also be found at lorry (truck) stations, one being the Neoplan station. Waving the hand (palm down) up and down at an oncoming trotro gets the driver’s mate's attention, who in turn will shout out the trotro's destination. There are signals used when travelling with trotros:

• Pointing the index finger of your right hand up means ‘to Accra Central’.
• Pointing the right index finger down and making a circular motion with your finger means ‘to Kwame Nkrumah Circle’, a major circle in Accra.

Buses

In 2003 the Metro Mass Transit Service was inaugurated in Accra as a more comfortable and cheaper alternative to the trotro. While laudable, the services of these buses have not been highly patronized. Recently, plans have been afoot to develop a bus rapid transit system for the city of Accra and its metro area. This project is aimed at an "integrated efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transportation system responsive to the needs of society, supporting growth and poverty reduction" in Accra


Once we hired an option to take us to a hotel, we headed to our accommodations for the week, the RobinHood Inn. Just under 6 miles from the airport, and close to downtown, we were able to reserve two rooms in this smaller resort inn for just $300/night, or $1800 for the week. This was a pretty good deal for a "decent" hotel in the city. Most hotels were over $400 per night per room, unless we wanted to risk staying in sketchy hotels (which there are quite a few of in Accra).

Once we arrived in our room and dropped off our luggage, we headed out for a much needed meal, and some basic supplies for the week. We found an Indian restaurant named Tandoor, which served a variety of cultural foods. We ordered a number of dishes off of the menu. After having our fill of the spicy food, we wandered to a market for various snack foods and toiletries before heading back to our rooms.

Total costs of the day: $3914.80, converted 4,000 US Dollar to 5,786.00 Ghanaian New Cedi
Dinner and travel and supplies - 270 GNC

http://www.accrarobinhood.com.gh/index.cfm?CFID=16833200&CFTOKEN=25135261