Organize your stay Togo
Money Togo
As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), Togo uses the CFA franc as its currency. This is currently aligned with the euro at a conversion rate of €1 to around 656 CFA francs. Coins and banknotes are the same for all member countries of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). Denominations are divided into 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 FCFA. The currency is subdivided into coins of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 250 and 500 FCFA. We strongly advise you to carry small denominations and change with you at all times, as exchange is not always easy, and large bills (5,000 and 10,000) are often refused by shopkeepers who do not wish to empty their cash floats. FCFA 100 coins are particularly useful for travelling by zémidjan (motorcycle cab). However, you must insist if you are refused a large denomination. Money is money, and the shopkeeper will always find a way to "break" your bill.
Budget & Tips Togo
The cost of living in Togo is relatively low. However, it's important to stress the word "relatively", as visitors often seem surprised at the final cost of their trip. The budget increases quite rapidly as soon as you start to travel (hotels, restaurants, car hire, guides) or bring back a few gifts. So it's important to keep an eye on your budget and prepare your trip carefully. Of course, you can cut costs by staying and eating in small maquis and cheap hotels, and by taking bush cabs and motorcycle cabs. For a "comfort" or "luxury" discovery tour, expect to pay around €200 per day per person (accommodation, meals, vehicle + petrol, guide). For the more adventurous who travel by taxi-brousse, nibble in cafeterias and make do with modest accommodation, count from €40 per day per person.
Passport and visas Togo
French nationals must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months after the date of return, bearing an entry visa. To obtain a visa, you must register on the https://voyage.gouv.tg/ platform and apply for an electronic visa at least 5 working days before the planned date of travel. Since April 12, 2024, it is no longer possible to apply for a visa at the last minute, or to obtain one on arrival. A simple 15-day visa costs around 25,000 FCFA. At the time of our report, the yellow fever vaccination booklet was not required on arrival, but take it with you in case you are asked for it. To leave Togo, fill in the immigration form on https://voyage.gouv.tg/ to obtain an exit QR code.
Driver's license Togo
During a tourist stay in Togo, it is possible to drive with an international license issued in France. However, French nationals who settle in Togo must exchange their French license for a local one. As they are not sure of getting their original license back, many of them take the driving test on Togolese territory, in order to keep their French title.
Health Togo
Remember to consult your GP before you leave, and your dentist if necessary. It's a good idea to pack a first-aid kit containing mosquito repellent, anti-diarrhoea medication, an intestinal antiseptic, a disinfectant, a preventive treatment against malaria (prescribed by your doctor), sun cream (sun block) and after-sun lotion, etc.
Mandatory vaccination Togo
Vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for entry into Togo. It is also recommended to be vaccinated against Covid as well as meningitis A, C, Y and W135. As in all countries, it is advisable to have up-to-date vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis, as well as viral hepatitis A and B.
Security Togo
Although the country is relatively stable, heightened vigilance is advised throughout the country, particularly in the Sokodé and Kara regions. Bordering on Burkina Faso and Benin, the northern Savanes region and the northern part of Benin are not recommended unless there is a compelling reason to do so.
Time difference Togo
Togo is on GMT + 0, with a time difference of 1 hour in winter and 2 hours in summer. So when it's 10 a.m. in Paris, it's 8 a.m. (in summer) or 9 a.m. (in winter) in Lomé.
Spoken languages Togo
French is the official language of Togo. However, the population remains attached above all to its mother tongue. In the south, Mina is the lingua franca, while in the north, Kabye is spoken.
Communication Togo
The mobile network is well developed throughout the country. Two major operators share the market: Togo Cellulaire (the incumbent) and Moov (formerly Telecel). A third operator has entered the market: Togocom, a merger of Togo Telecom and Togo Cellulaire. Subscriptions cost around 5,000 FCFA. At certain times of the year, there are major promotions on subscriptions. If you don't have a subscription, you can top up your phone by transferring money from kiosks or official offices.
If you want to keep your French package, you'll need to activate the international option (generally free) by calling your operator's customer service before you leave. Who pays what? The rule is the same for all operators. When you use your French phone abroad, you pay for the call, whether you make it or receive it. In the case of an incoming call, your correspondent also pays, but only the price of a local call. All calls made to or from abroad are out of the bundle, including those to voicemail. The best and cheapest solution for local calls, and even for France, is to buy a phone chip on the spot, and insert it into your cell phone, which you have taken care to unlock before departure.
To contact your family or friends abroad, WhatsApp is a practical and inexpensive solution for calling or sending messages. You can also download the Skype application and top up your credit to call your loved ones on landlines. It's also worth noting that most hotels have Wi-Fi, which is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family.
Cybercafés can be found just about everywhere in the country. The number of Internet access points is surprisingly high, no doubt due to the country's youthful population. However, connections remain slow, sometimes very slow, even in hotels. Connection prices range from 300 to 500 FCFA per hour.
Electricity and measurements Togo
Voltage is 220 volts, with European plugs. As the electricity supply is not always guaranteed, power cuts are not uncommon. In this case, it's advisable to unplug all electrical appliances to avoid burning them out in the event of a power surge, a frequent accident after power cuts.
Luggage Togo
The sun and the heat are with us all year round, so we recommend light clothing, preferably made of cotton. Shirts are preferable to T-shirts, which retain perspiration. During the rainy season, pack a sweater and rain gear to protect you from the cool of the night and from showers. You should also pack long clothes to avoid mosquito bites at nightfall. In terms of footwear, you'll need a pair of flip-flops or sandals, as well as a pair of sports shoes for walks in the forest. A good pair of sunglasses is also very useful. Finally, if you happen to have any old clothes you'd like to get rid of, take them with you - you'll be able to offer them to anyone who crosses your path.
Generally speaking, 23 kg of baggage is allowed in the hold for economy class (with the exception of Africa for most airlines: 2 x 23 kg) and 30 to 40 kg for first and business class. Some airlines allow two pieces of hold baggage up to a total weight of 40 kg. Find out before you leave what your ticket allows.
In economy class, one carry-on bag and one accessory (handbag, laptop computer) are allowed, all of which must not exceed 12 kg or 115 cm in size. In first and business class, two pieces of baggage are allowed in the cabin.
Liquids and gels are forbidden: only tubes and bottles of 100 ml maximum are tolerated, in a closed transparent plastic bag (20 cm x 20 cm). The only exceptions to this rule are baby food and medicines accompanied by their prescription.
When it comes to excess baggage, airlines are now rather strict. While they'll sometimes let you off the hook for 1 or 2 kg too much on certain destinations, you won't have any leeway on African destinations, because passenger demand is so high! If you travel light, don't be surprised to be accosted several times in the check-in hall by other travellers who want to take those kilos you're not using. The choice is yours, but this practice is forbidden, especially if you don't know what you're being asked to carry. It's true that once you've exceeded the weight limit, the axe comes down, and it comes down hard: €30 per extra kilo on a long-haul flight with Air France, €120 per extra bag with British Airways. Note that airlines sometimes offer discounts of 20-30% if you pay for your excess baggage on their website before you get to the airport. If the cost is still too high, you still have the option of sending some of your belongings by post, if the destination allows.
On average, 16 out of 1,000 passengers don't find their luggage on the conveyor belt on arrival. If you're one of the unlucky ones, go to your airline's counter to declare your baggage missing. For your claim to be accepted, you must react within 21 days of the loss. The airline will provide you with a form, which you should return by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt to its customer service or baggage claims department. In most cases, you'll get your luggage back within a few days. In all cases, the airline is solely responsible and will have to compensate you if you do not see the color of your belongings again (or if some items are missing from your baggage). The reimbursement ceiling is set at €20 per kilo, or a flat-rate compensation of €1,200. If you consider that the value of your belongings exceeds these ceilings, you are strongly advised to inform your airline at check-in (the ceiling will be increased for a fee), or to take out baggage insurance. Please note that hand baggage is your responsibility, not that of the airline.
