Africa > 🇹🇬 Togo
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Togo can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Togo; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Togo?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Togo?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Togo
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Lomé | LFW | |
| Niamtougou | LRL |
🏙️ Getting around Lomé
Lomé is compact, busy, and lively. You can move around easily by zemidjans (motorcycle taxis), standard taxis, or on foot in the central areas. Prices stay low, although negotiating fares is essential. Since traffic can feel chaotic, many visitors skip renting a car for the capital and rely on local transport instead.
🚐 Travel options outside Lomé
Once you travel north, distances increase and services thin out. This is where transport choices start to matter.
Shared taxis & minibuses
These cover most major routes, such as:
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Lomé → Kpalimé
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Lomé → Atakpamé
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Lomé → Sokodé
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Lomé → Kara
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Kara → Dapaong
They run frequently, but they usually leave only when full. That creates unpredictable timings, so although they are cheap, they don’t offer much control.
Buses
Companies like STT and AFTT run coach-style buses between major cities. They are safer and more comfortable than shared taxis but still slow due to frequent stops.
Guided excursions
Waterfalls around Kpalimé, the coffee slopes of Kloto, and the peaks around Badou are often easier to visit with a guide, since signage is limited and roads change after heavy rain.
🚗 Renting a car in Togo
Rental cars are available in Lomé, usually through:
-
international chains at the airport
-
local agencies inside the city
However, availability can be limited, and prices sit higher than in neighbouring Ghana or Benin. You’ll almost always receive a high-mileage vehicle, but it will be sturdy enough for rural roads.
Most travellers choose a 4×4 with a driver, since rural conditions can shift quickly after heavy rain. But confident drivers often rent a 2WD for coastal or southern itineraries.
🛣️ Road conditions
Road quality varies dramatically. Here’s what to expect:
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Coastal routes around Lomé are fairly smooth.
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The road to Kpalimé is paved and scenic, with rainforest views.
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Northbound routes towards Sokodé and Kara alternate between good tarmac and sections with potholes.
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Rural detours to waterfalls, villages, farms, or hiking areas often use dirt tracks that degrade after storms.
Despite this, distances remain short, so even rough routes rarely last all day.
🚞 What about trains?
Togo has no passenger rail network. All historic lines have closed, and modern projects focus on freight only. Because of that, trains play no part in tourist travel here — another reason visitors often prefer the flexibility of a car.
🏞️ Exploring without a car
You can still enjoy many highlights without driving:
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Kpalimé & Kloto Region — forest hikes, waterfalls, and crafts (best by shared taxi or tour).
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Togoville — reachable by pirogue across Lake Togo.
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Kara Region — excellent for cultural visits, including the Tammari (Somba) houses, but long distances make organised tours more practical.
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Beaches east of Lomé — easy taxi territory.
If you keep your itinerary focused on Lomé, Togoville, Kpalimé, and maybe the southern highlands, then a car is optional.
⭐ Summary — Should you rent a car in Togo?
YES — if:
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you want full freedom to explore waterfalls, villages, and national parks
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you’re comfortable with variable roads
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you prefer not to rely on shared taxis leaving “when full”
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you want to travel far into the north without losing time
NO — if:
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you plan to stay mainly in Lomé, Togoville, and Kpalimé
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you prefer letting local guides handle navigation
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you dislike driving on unpredictable rural roads
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your budget is tight (rental cars are costly by regional standards)
Final verdict:
Should you rent a car in Togo?
👉 Yes, if you want to explore the whole country; no, if your focus stays in the south.
Given the limited public transport north of Kpalimé and the absence of trains, a car offers real freedom — but it’s not essential for a shorter or more relaxed trip.
