Travel Essentials

Togo: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Type C, 220 V. Emergency: Police 117, Fire 118. Tipping: Not expected but appreciated; round up or leave about 5-10% in restaurants. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water..

Open The Togo Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Type C, 220 V

Emergency Numbers

Police	117
Fire	118

Tipping

Not expected but appreciated; round up or leave about 5-10% in restaurants.

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever; rabies and hepatitis B for some travelers.
Malaria: Risk throughout the country; ask about preventive tablets.

Apps To Download Before You Go

Gozem: The leading local ride-hailing app for motorbike taxis, cars and deliveries in Lomé.
Yango: A second ride-hailing option available in the capital.
WhatsApp: The standard way to contact hotels, guides and drivers.
Flooz (Moov Money): Mobile money accepted widely for everyday payments and transfers.
Mixx by Yas (formerly T-Money): The other major mobile money service, from Togocel.
Gozem Food: Food delivery in Lomé through the Gozem super-app.
Google Translate: French is the official language, so a translation app helps if you do not speak it.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. Greetings are important and unhurried; shake hands (right hand) and ask about family/health before business. Elders are greeted first.

Dress. Casual but modest dress is fine in cities; cover shoulders and knees when visiting villages, chiefs, or religious sites.

Photographing people. Always ask before photographing people, markets, or ceremonies; some communities expect a small tip or refuse outright.

Safety And Scams

Togo is generally calm for a West African destination, but petty theft, pickpocketing and occasional violent crime occur in Lomé's markets and beaches, and political demonstrations can turn tense.

Inflated prices / rigged taxi meters. Taxis rarely use meters; agree on a fare in shared or private taxis before getting in.

Fake guides. Self-appointed 'guides' approach tourists at markets and borders; politely decline or agree a price up front if you want help.

Online romance/business scams. Scammers based in the region target foreigners via dating apps and email; never send money to someone you haven't met in person.

Women travelers. Women travel Togo fairly easily by day; catcalling in markets and streets is common but rarely escalates, though avoiding solo walks at night is advisable.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Criminalized

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and punishable by up to three years in prison; there is strong social stigma, so LGBTQ+ travelers should avoid public displays of affection and be discreet.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	XOF 1,000	$1.60
Local bus or metro ride	XOF 200-500	$0.30-0.80
Mid-range restaurant meal	XOF 8,000	$13
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	XOF 12,000	$19
Mid-range hotel (night)	XOF 40,000	$65
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	XOF 60,000-90,000	$95-145

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

November to February (harmattan) is driest and coolest, best for travel and wildlife viewing; avoid the heaviest rains in June-July.

Phrases

Basic French phrases · Basic Ewe phrases · Basic Kabiye phrases