A Ghanaian planning a one-week trip to India should budget for more than just an air ticket, as accommodation, visa fees, food, transport, travel insurance, sightseeing, shopping and emergencies can all add to the final cost.

However using an illustrative budget of about GH¢40,000 to GH¢42,000, a traveller could set aside roughly GH¢10,500–GH¢12,000 for a return flight from Accra to India, although airfare can change depending on the airline, travel date and how early the ticket is booked.

10 powerful CEOs leading major companies in Africa

Meanwhile about GH¢5,500 could be allocated to accommodation for one week, while visa-related expenses and about GH¢360 for travel insurance should also be included in the budget.

A further GH¢3,600 could be set aside for food, with about GH¢2,400 for local transportation, including airport transfers and movement within the destination.

Travellers could also budget about GH¢3,600 for sightseeing and activities and around GH¢3,000 for shopping, depending on their plans and spending habits.

The remaining amount, which could be around GH¢8,000, could be kept as an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses such as changes to travel plans, additional transport costs or medical needs.

The GH¢40,000 to GH¢42,000 figure is only an illustrative planning guide, and the actual amount a Ghanaian needs could be lower or higher depending on the city visited in India, accommodation, airfare, exchange rates and personal spending.

Someone starting from zero and aiming to raise GH¢42,000 could save about GH¢7,000 a month for six months, GH¢3,500 for 12 months, GH¢2,333 for 18 months or GH¢1,750 for 24 months.

The main lesson for anyone planning a Ghana-to-India holiday is to calculate the full cost before booking, keep an emergency reserve and start saving early so that the trip does not put unnecessary pressure on their regular finances.

ANAS/EB

Foundries, Machines and Jet Engines: Ghana’s untapped engineering potential