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Lagos to Accra: how to do both cities for Detty December

How to travel between Lagos and Accra for Detty December: the one-hour flight, the road trip through Benin and Togo, border and visa rules, costs, and the best two-city itinerary.

By the Detty List editorial team · Updated 27 September 2026 · 3 min read

Accra skyline in daylight with modern towers above the city
📷 Synth85, CC BY-SA 4.0

THE SHORT VERSION / Lagos to Accra for Detty December

The easiest way from Lagos to Accra is a one-hour flight. The road trip runs about 450 km through Benin and Togo and can take 10 to 14 hours with three border crossings. For Detty December 2026, do Lagos from 18 to 25 December, fly to Accra on 26 December, and stay to 1 January.

Flight
About 1 hour
Road distance
About 450 km
Road time
10 to 14 hours
Borders
Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana
Best switch day
26 Dec
Book the flight
Early

Lagos to Accra: flight vs road

FlightRoad
TimeAbout 1 hour in the air10 to 14 hours
CostAbout $150 to $250 return (varies)Cheaper, plus visa and border costs
BordersOne (airport immigration)Nigeria–Benin, Benin–Togo, Togo–Ghana
ComfortHighLong and tiring
Best forMost Detty December travellersAdventurers with time

Flying from Lagos to Accra

  • Route: Murtala Muhammed International (LOS) to Kotoka International (ACC).
  • Flight time: about one hour.
  • Book early: seats between 24 and 27 December sell out.
  • Allow time: with check-in and airport traffic, plan half a day door to door.

Driving from Lagos to Accra

The coastal road runs through Benin and Togo before reaching Ghana. It passes through Cotonou and Lomé, with border crossings at Seme (Nigeria–Benin), between Benin and Togo, and at Aflao (Togo–Ghana).

  • ECOWAS passport holders (Nigerian, Ghanaian and others) can cross without visas.
  • Other passports need visas for Benin and Togo as well as Ghana. Check each country's rules before you go.
  • Coach operators run Lagos–Accra buses. Choose an established company.
  • Expect delays at the borders, especially in December.

The best two-city Detty December itinerary

  1. 18 to 25 December: Lagos. Detty December Fest opening, Rhythm Unplugged, Flytime Fest. See the Lagos itinerary.
  2. 26 December: fly to Accra.
  3. 27 December: Detty Rave.
  4. 28 to 30 December: AfroFuture. See the Accra itinerary.
  5. 31 December: New Year's Eve in Accra.
  6. 1 January or later: fly home from Accra.

Visas for a two-city trip

  • US, UK, EU and Canadian travellers need approval for Nigeria and a visa for Ghana. See the Nigeria and Ghana visa guides.
  • Nigerian and Ghanaian passport holders move freely between the two under ECOWAS rules.

THE PRACTICAL DETAILS

Book the essentials

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight from Lagos to Accra?

About one hour.

Can you drive from Lagos to Accra?

Yes. The road trip is about 450 km through Benin and Togo and usually takes 10 to 14 hours, including three border crossings.

Do Nigerians need a visa to go to Ghana?

No. Nigerian passport holders can visit Ghana without a visa under ECOWAS rules.

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