Before you go, once there
Lomé practical guide
Visa, money, phone, getting around, seasons: what you need to know for an easy stay in Lomé, put together by Simone.
Arriving in Lomé
- The airport
- Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport (LFW), north-east of the centre. Kégué is 5 to 6 km away, 6 to 10 minutes by road without traffic. Our transfer meets you there for 10 000 FCFA, about €15 per ride.
- The visa
- Apply online at voyage.gouv.tg, at least 5 days before arrival: visas on arrival and express visas are suspended. Online payment by card or Mobile Money, visa sent by e-mail. African nationals enter visa-free for 30 days.Source: voyage.gouv.tg
- Passport and health
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond your return date. Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory, with the card shown on arrival. For malaria, see your doctor before leaving.Source: France Diplomatie, travel advice
Money and phone
- Currency
- The CFA franc (XOF), at a fixed rate: 1 € = 655.957 FCFA. Bring a Visa card, the most widely accepted at cash machines, and euros in cash, easy to change at banks.Source: Trésor ; France Diplomatie ; Routard
- Mobile Money
- Paying by phone is common: Moov Money Flooz with Moov Africa, Mixx by Yas (formerly TMoney) with Yas. You can also pay for your stay at Le Nid des Lys by Mobile Money.
- SIM card
- Two operators, Yas and Moov Africa. A prepaid SIM can be bought on arrival, often at the airport, for an unlocked phone; every subscriber must be identified, so bring your passport.
Getting by
- Getting around
- The Gozem app works in Lomé day and night: motorbike, taxi or tricycle, price set in the app, pay in cash, by card or Mobile Money. Taxis have yellow plates: agree the fare before getting in. Motorbike taxis (zémidjans) are everywhere, but French travel advice discourages them, as well as walking or riding at night.Source: Gozem ; France Diplomatie, travel advice
- Electricity
- 230 V, 50 Hz, type C and E sockets: French plugs fit; bring an adapter for UK or US plugs.
- Languages
- French is the official language; Ewe and Kabiyè are national languages, and Mina is spoken all over Lomé. English is rare outside offices.
- Time
- GMT all year round: one hour behind Paris in winter, two in summer.
When to come
- Dry season
- December to March in the south. November and December are the finest months; January and February remain very pleasant. The harmattan, a dry wind from the Sahara, can haze the sky from December to February and cool the mornings.Source: Routard ; Wikipédia
- Rainy seasons
- The long one from April to June, the short one from mid-September to late October. Dirt roads then get difficult: day trips are planned with the driver.
- Temperatures
- Around 30 °C in the afternoon and 23 °C in the morning in Lomé.
Good to know
- Kégué
- A neighbourhood of the Golfe 2 district, around the Kégué stadium (25,000 seats), 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre, the Grand Marché and the beach, without traffic.
- The beach
- Lovely for a walk, dangerous for swimming because of the currents. Leave it at sunset.Source: France Diplomatie, travel advice
- Photos
- Do not photograph public or military buildings, police or soldiers. Always ask before photographing people.
- At the market
- Haggle, with a smile, and avoid naming your price first.
Questions
Do I need a visa for Togo?
Yes for Europeans: the e-visa is requested on voyage.gouv.tg at least 5 days before arrival. African nationals enter visa-free for 30 days.
Is yellow fever vaccination compulsory?
Yes, the vaccination card is checked when entering Togo.
How long from the airport to Kégué?
About 10 minutes by road without traffic (5 to 6 km).
When is the best time to visit Lomé?
The dry season, November to February, ideally November and December.