Overview
Togo is a slender strip of West Africa, running from a short Atlantic coastline up to dry northern savannah. Its capital, Lomé, is the arrival point for virtually every UK traveller, with palm-lined boulevards, a vast central market and beaches beside the city. Beyond the capital lie the hills around Kpalimé, stilt villages on Lake Togo and the fortified houses of Koutammakou. French is the official language, and Togo pairs easily with neighbouring Ghana or Benin. This page sets live fares alongside timing guidance so you can plan a sensible trip.
Best time to fly to Togo
Togo has a tropical climate with clear wet and dry spells. The main dry season runs from November to February, when skies are clearer and humidity lower, though the harmattan wind can bring a dusty haze in the north. The long rains fall roughly April to July, with a shorter wet spell in September and October in the south. For comfortable sightseeing, aim for the November to February window. Fares tend to rise around Christmas and the summer holidays, so check the When to book chart above before fixing your dates.
Main gateway cities & airports
Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport (LFW) in Lomé is effectively the only gateway UK travellers use. It sits close to the city centre and is a genuine regional hub thanks to the airlines based there. Kara, in the north, has an airport but very limited scheduled service, so most trips begin and end in Lomé.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Togo, so every routing involves at least one connection. From London, the most straightforward options are Air France via Paris, Brussels Airlines via Brussels, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca. Ethiopian Airlines and Lomé-based ASKY, which both use Lomé as a hub, connect via Addis Ababa and other African cities. From Manchester and other regional airports, travellers usually route through Paris, Brussels or Istanbul. Expect roughly 11 to 16 hours in total depending on your layover; flying time from London to Lomé is around 7 hours plus the connection.
Popular places to visit in Togo
- Lomé: the seafront capital, home to the sprawling Grand Marché and the well-known fetish market.
- Koutammakou: a UNESCO-listed landscape of mud tower-houses built by the Batammariba people, near Kara.
- Kpalimé: a green hill town with waterfalls, Mount Agou and cocoa and coffee farms nearby.
- Lake Togo and Togoville: calm lagoon waters, stilt communities and a deep-rooted voodoo heritage.
- Fazao-Malfakassa National Park: Togo's largest protected area, with forested hills and birdlife.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Togo
- Compare connecting hubs: Paris, Brussels, Istanbul and Casablanca can differ sharply in price for the same dates.
- Travel in the shoulder months of the dry season, such as late November or February, rather than over Christmas.
- Stay flexible by a day or two; midweek departures are usually cheaper than weekends.
- Use the price charts on this page to spot when fares dip and set your budget accordingly.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa. Most travellers use the official Togo e-Visa system online, with the visa finalised on arrival at Lomé airport; a visa on arrival is also generally available. You will need a passport valid for at least six months and a yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is a firm entry requirement. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), fixed to the euro; bring some euros to change on arrival, as card acceptance is limited outside major hotels. For the best value, book a few months ahead and use the When to book chart above to time your purchase.
