Nigerian travel content creator Ijeaweleribe has shared a detailed cost breakdown of her journey from Lagos to Togo, spending just N16,500. The viral Instagram video outlines every step, from bus fares to border crossing fees, and has sparked reactions from viewers eager to try the budget route.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Journey
The trip starts at Mile 2 in Lagos, where travellers board a bus to Badagri for N1,500. At the final bus stop, a shared taxi to Seme border costs another N1,500, though Ijeaweleribe warned that some drivers quote higher fares and advised negotiating.
At the Seme border, pedestrians must get their passports stamped on both the Nigerian and Beninese sides, costing N1,000 each. Once in Benin, she recommended exchanging naira for CFA francs before taking a motorbike to Karyofu for around 500 CFA. From there, a shared taxi to Hilacondji border costs 4,000 CFA, a journey of roughly an hour and a half. The final border crossing into Togo carries a stamp fee of 1,000 CFA.
Total Cost and Additional Expenses
By that point, the total spend sits at approximately N16,500. Travellers continuing into Lomé or elsewhere in Togo should budget an additional N1,000 to N3,000, which she said still keeps the overall cost well under N10,000 in naira equivalent for the onward leg.
She said: "If your priority is saving money, then it gets the job done." She also noted that living in Lagos comes with the underrated benefit of road access to several West African neighbours.
Public Reactions to the Budget Travel Hack
Legit.ng compiled reactions from Instagram users who watched the video. Symply_rekky said: "Definitely going to try this." Officialtourbuddy commented: "Abi na totrek come this Lagos make I fit go abroad." Olar_gold said: "I want to plan for September. Have activity for the August date." Thesandraadebayo expressed hesitation: "I envy people like this. The problem is I will get lost. No matter how much I watch this video."
The video highlights an affordable travel option for Nigerians, with potential savings for those willing to navigate multiple border crossings and currency exchanges. As more people consider budget travel, this route could become a popular choice for exploring West Africa.
