Travel to Ghana (from Dallas)?

Question

I would like to visit a friend in Ghana sometime in September, but i've never done anything like this before & it is pretty confusing for someone who's not a seasoned international traveler. Any/all info would probaby help me out. At this point I'm mostly interested in the flight:

What airline should I go with?

Any air travel websites you recommend or advise I stay away from?

How can I get the best deal on my tickets? *My dates are flexible and I would also be comfortable doing a last-minute or a stand-by flight if I am likely to get a significant savings.* (I just don't really know how to look into the feasability of those kind of options.) I assume I'll need to fly out of DFW, but Love Field would be wonderful.

Does a flight with more stops mean more savings? It looks like most flights from Dallas to Accra stop in Amsterdam, London or Frankfurt-are any of those airports especially easy/friendly or especially confusing?

Will I need a "real ID" or is a passport ok?

Answer 1

I went to Ghana 2 years ago.  I had a layover in Amsterdam.  That airport is wonderful!  There is plenty to look at and buy.  I really don't remember much about the booking information for the flight.  I don't remember there being much of a savings for the layover which was 5 hours long.  What I can tell you is that the flight from Amsterdam to Ghana was the pits!  I sat next to a Ghanaian lady that ate stinky corn nuts the whole way.  Of course there were a lot of Africans traveling, and I was not prepared for the difference in cultural norms.  Closeness does not bother them.  Don't be surprised if they are right in your face.  In addition, body oder was rampant!  So be prepared for your nose to get a shock!  I would take an ID and a passport.  Getting through security off the plane was not nearly as difficult as it is here, but they did try to give us a little bit of a hard time.  Also, be sure to send off for your visa WELL in advance!  The Ghananian embassy was very slow in processing mine, and it did not arrive until the day I left!

Definately try to get to the open air market near Black Star Square!  You will find any and everything you want there.  Try to get to Elmina as well, the slave castles are a must see/visit.  I don't know how much traveling you can do, but Nigeria, Togo, and Benin are driving distance as well.  

Overall, it was a good trip.  I stayed for a month and was definately ready to come home.  It seemed like there was not fresh air there.  They burn their garbage and/or just leave it on the sides of the road.  In addition to the above ground sewage and free roaming goats and chickens your nose is definately going to be on overload!

I met a lot of wonderful people I am still friends with to this day!  Great trip and culture shock all in one.  

Hope this helps

Good luck!

ps, dont drink the water!  I was sick for half my stay :o(

Answer 2

Hello and nice you're considering visiting Ghana. First of all, I'll like to refute what the previous person said. Firstly, she probably boarded a flight which is not operated by a ghanaian airline and how sure is she the one seating next to her was a Ghanaian? Ghana is a country just like any other. There are Gethos and there are places that have neighborhoods like Bervely Hills. She was probably living in one of the gethos. Of course we're not as advanced as the USA but what I'm trying to say is there are a lot of nice places to stay. I'm a Ghanaian and my flat mate is a young Canadian lady who enjoys her time here. In my neighborhood, we don't burn or leave our rubbish on the streets to rot. A car comes around to collect them often. She is true and you'll find such places as she described but it doesn't mean that's all you'll find here. And yeah there're smelly people and places here just like I'm sure you'll find in some places in the states. As for which flight to take, I'm not suere I can help with that, You can check out these airline pages for details: http://www.klm.com http://www.ba.com  http://www.emirates.com and http://www.lufthansa.com

They should give you flight details to Ghana. Don't let her comments discourage you from coming to visit.