Are you wondering how to travel to Ghana for the first time? You’re not alone. Sarah had been dreaming about visiting Ghana for years. The vibrant markets of Accra, the historical significance of Cape Coast Castle, and the lush landscapes had been calling to her through travel blogs and Instagram posts. But there was one small problem: Sarah didn’t even have a passport.
“Everyone kept telling me international travel was complicated and expensive,” Sarah told me over coffee after returning from her trip. “I had no idea where to start, but I was determined to make it happen.”
What followed was a 66-day journey from complete travel novice to stepping off a plane in Accra. I documented every step and every dollar Sarah spent to help others hesitating to take the plunge.
The Passport Quest
On a chilly January morning (January 21, 2025, to be exact), Sarah walked into her local city hall clutching a folder of documents.
“I was so nervous I’d forget something crucial,” she laughed. “I triple-checked everything the night before.”
Sarah opted for expedited service, knowing her Ghana plans wouldn’t wait for the standard processing timeline.
The damage? $209.53.
Her application package included:
- Form DS-11 (which she remembered not to sign until instructed)
- Her original birth certificate
- Photocopies of her citizenship document
- Driver’s license with photocopies
- A passport photo where she “tried not to look like a deer in headlights”
- Payment via cashier’s check
“The clerk was incredibly helpful,” Sarah recalled. “She checked everything and assured me it would be processed quickly.”
True to their word, Sarah’s passport arrived on February 11—just 21 days later. She texted me a photo of herself holding the navy blue booklet with the biggest smile on her face.
“It felt like getting my first adult card,” she said. “Like I was officially a citizen of the world now.”
The Financially Responsible Pause
Though Sarah was eager to continue the process, she made a strategic decision that many travelers face: she needed to save up for her plane ticket before proceeding with the visa application.
“I had been putting aside money for months, but the passport cost took a bigger chunk than I expected,” Sarah explained. “I didn’t want to start the visa process until I knew I could actually afford the flight.”
For the next 30 days, Sarah picked up extra shifts at work and cut back on non-essentials. She monitored flight prices daily, getting a clearer picture of what she needed to save.
“It was a bit nerve-wracking to wait,” she admitted. “But I knew rushing ahead without the funds for the flight would be worse. Plus, it gave me more time to research Ghana and plan my itinerary.”
This deliberate pause between receiving her passport in February and applying for her visa in March is something Sarah now recommends to other travelers.
“Building in that financial buffer time actually made the rest of the process less stressful,” she said. “By the time I applied for my visa, I had my flight money set aside and could focus on the next steps without money anxiety.”
Navigating Ghana’s Visa Process
With her finances in order, Sarah finally focused on the next hurdle: obtaining a Ghana visa.
“I spent hours researching their requirements,” she said. “Ghana recently moved part of their process online, which was actually really convenient.”
On March 11, Sarah completed the online application for a 5-year multiple-entry visa. The next day, she packaged up her documents and shipped them to the Ghana Embassy in Washington, DC.
Do you need to get a visa to Ghana even faster? Please read our article on Ghana’s Visa on Arrival program.
The financial bite:
- Visa fee with expedited processing: $200
- Return shipping: $29
“I sent everything they might possibly want,” Sarah explained. “My host in Ghana, my cousin Kofi, sent me copies of his ID and wrote an invitation letter. I included my entire itinerary, hotel bookings—the works.”
Sarah’s thoroughness paid off. The embassy confirmed receipt on March 17, approved her application by March 20, and by March 27, her passport with the newly minted Ghana visa arrived back in her mailbox.
“Seeing that visa sticker made everything real,” she said. “I was actually going to Ghana!”
Preparing Her Body for Travel
While waiting for her visa, Sarah tackled the health requirements—a step many travelers overlook until the last minute.
“My doctor recommended Costco’s travel clinic for the vaccinations,” she said. “I had no idea they offered that service!”
On March 14, Sarah enrolled in Costco’s Full-Service Travel Immunization Program for $41.99.
“The nurse at Costco was so knowledgeable about Ghana specifically,” Sarah noted. “She walked me through exactly what I needed and what was optional.”
A few days later, Sarah received:
- Yellow Fever Vaccine: $217
- Malaria prevention medication: $46.79
“The Yellow Fever shot wasn’t cheap, but it’s absolutely mandatory for Ghana,” Sarah emphasized. “They check for that yellow vaccination card at immigration, and without it, you’re not getting in.”
The Final Countdown: Securing Flight
With all her documentation in order, Sarah booked her flight—a round-trip ticket on United Airlines for $1,937.
“I monitored prices for about a week before booking,” she said. “I could have found something slightly cheaper, but these flights had the best connection times and shortest layovers.”
The Investment: Time and Money
All told, Sarah’s journey from zero to Ghana-ready cost her $2,681.31:
- U.S. Passport (Expedited): $209.53
- Ghana Visa (Expedited): $200.00
- Visa Return Shipping: $29.00
- Costco Immunization Program: $41.99
- Yellow Fever Vaccine: $217.00
- Malaria Pills: $46.79
- Round-Trip Airfare: $1,937.00
It took her exactly 66 days from that first passport application to having everything ready for her adventure—including that strategic 30-day saving period between receiving her passport and applying for her visa.
Was It Worth It?
When I asked Sarah this question, she didn’t even let me finish.
“Absolutely. One thousand percent yes,” she said, pulling out her phone to show me photos of her standing on the Cape Coast, shopping in Kejetia Market, and sharing a meal with her cousin’s family.
“The process seemed overwhelming at first, but breaking it down into steps made it manageable,” she reflected. “And honestly, Ghana was everything I hoped for and more. The people, the food, the colors, the music—it was the most alive I’ve ever felt.”
Sarah’s Top Tips for Future Ghana Travelers
Sarah left me with three pieces of advice for anyone considering a similar journey:
- Don’t skimp on expedited services. “The peace of mind was worth every penny. Plus, I could actually make definite plans knowing when my documents would arrive.”
- Build in financial buffer time. “That 30-day pause to save up was crucial. Don’t rush from one expensive step to the next without making sure your finances are solid.”
- Over-prepare your documentation. “Some might say I submitted more than necessary for the visa, but why risk delays? I wanted the process to be smooth, and it was.”
- Start the process sooner than you think you need to. “Even with all the expediting, it still took over two months from start to finish. Give yourself plenty of time.”
As our coffee date ended, Sarah was already talking about her next international adventure. “Once you get that first stamp in your passport, you just want to fill the pages,” she grinned.
Her transformation from passport-less dreamer to confident world traveler in just 66 days proves that with some planning, organization, and yes—about $2,700—Ghana and beyond are within reach for even the most novice travelers.
Have you been dreaming of Ghana or another international destination? As Sarah would say, there’s no better time to start than today.
Ready to Start Your Own Journey?
If Sarah’s story inspired you, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. At Listings Pro GH, we offer memberships packed with guides, checklists, and insider insights to make your relocation or travel to Ghana smooth and stress-free. Explore our membership options and find the support that fits your journey on our memberships page..
