Who it's for
Is Togo right for your trip?
Every country is somebody's favourite. The honest question is whether it is yours, and for this trip.
This is your trip if…
- You want markets, food and living cultural history with local guides.
- You can allow daylight for road travel and several nights per base.
Think twice if…
- You expect a polished attraction circuit with frequent online-bookable transport.
- You plan to improvise routes into areas covered by current security warnings.
Best time to visit
When is the best time to visit Togo?
November–February; hill walks depend on recent rain. The southern coast has two wetter periods rather than one simple monsoon. November–March is the easiest general window; a relative coastal rain lull can occur around July–August. Inland heat, flooding and harmattan haze still need local checks.
- Best
Main dry window
November–March
Generally easier road travel and heritage visits, with heat and possible haze.
- Mixed
First rains
April–June
Heavy showers can flood streets and slow roads.
- Good
Shorter dry spell
July–August
A relative coastal lull can help, but rain remains possible.
- Mixed
Later rains
September–October
Keep road and boat plans flexible around renewed rain.
Climate · monthly normals
Rounded NASA POWER 2001–2020 daily model averages near Lomé. Temperatures are mean daily highs/lows; rainfall is the mean monthly total. A coarse grid can smooth coastal and mountain differences; this is not a forecast.
Festivals and events
What is worth planning around?
Dates a plan should either aim for or steer clear of. Both are useful; the second saves more money.
Usually July; confirm local dates
Evala
Kara region
Wrestling traditions are community events with specific local context.
Attend through a knowledgeable local host.
Dates vary
Agbogbo-Za
Notsè
An important Ewe cultural gathering; confirm the public programme.
Where to go
Where should you go in Togo?
The places that earn their nights, most important first, with how long each deserves. Nobody needs all of them on one trip.
City and local guides
6 worked-out stopsMap numbers match the local guide cards.
- 01
Lomé
West Africa
city1–2 daysLomé’s markets and cultural spaces offer a useful introduction. A guide helps separate hosted learning from intrusive sightseeing.
Best time: December–April, adjusted for the coast
Explore Lomé - 02
Lake Togo & Togoville
West Africa
travel base1–2 daysThe lake journey is most useful with a local host who can explain Togoville’s religious and historical layers.
Best time: December–April, adjusted for the coast
Explore Lake Togo & Togoville - 03
Kpalimé
West Africa
town2–3 daysKpalimé is a slower base for hill villages, crafts and forest outings. Recent rainfall determines which trails and waterfalls make sense.
Best time: November–February
Explore Kpalimé - 04
Atakpamé
West Africa
town1–2 daysAtakpamé breaks the long road journey with markets and hill views. It suits a locally guided town stop rather than a major attraction checklist.
Best time: December–April, adjusted for the coast
Explore Atakpamé - 05
Sokodé
West Africa
town1–2 daysSokodé adds a different religious and commercial landscape to a longer route. Local introductions are more useful than a rushed collection of stops.
Best time: December–April, adjusted for the coast
Explore Sokodé - 06
Kara & Koutammakou
West Africa
travel base2–3 daysKara is a base for a carefully checked cultural route. Koutammakou’s tower houses are homes in a living landscape, not freely accessible monuments.
Best time: December–April, adjusted for the coast
Explore Kara & Koutammakou
Things to do
What should you do in Togo?
Not a bucket list — the handful of things that make this country this country, with the timing catch that stops people doing them well.
- 01
Read Lomé through its markets
Lomé
Lomé’s markets and cultural spaces offer a useful introduction. A guide helps separate hosted learning from intrusive sightseeing.
- 02
Visit Lake Togo with a host
Lake Togo & Togoville
The lake journey is most useful with a local host who can explain Togoville’s religious and historical layers.
- 03
Walk Kpalimé’s green hills
Kpalimé
Kpalimé is a slower base for hill villages, crafts and forest outings. Recent rainfall determines which trails and waterfalls make sense.
- 04
Learn from Koutammakou guides
Atakpamé
Atakpamé breaks the long road journey with markets and hill views. It suits a locally guided town stop rather than a major attraction checklist.
How to get around
How do you get around Togo?
Use Lomé as the start of a daylight road route, with local boats for Lake Togo and guides for hill and community visits. Reassess current security advice before any northern extension.
Daylight road route
Use a reliable driver for hill country and the long northern road; check current advice before Kara.
Main-road services
Confirm departure points and current schedules with local help.
Lake boats and local guides
Arrange a safe boat for Togoville and community-led visits for cultural sites.
Travel tips
What should you know before you go?
The things locals assume you know. Most travellers learn them by getting one wrong on day two.
- Living religious traditions
- Shrines, markets and ceremonies require local explanation and permission.
- Batammariba homes
- Koutammakou is a lived-in landscape; arrange community-led visits rather than entering houses freely.
- A road-shaped country
- North–south distance and traffic make daylight planning more useful than map mileage.
Travel basics
Visa, money, SIM cards and more
The boring section, which is why it is the one people skip and then regret at the airport.
visa
Check entry before buying flights
Check the official visa or e-visa process for your passport before booking. Confirm required vaccination documentation and any land-border permissions for the complete route.
money
West African CFA franc and payments
Carry CFA cash for markets, smaller stays and road transport. Cards and reliable ATMs are concentrated in larger cities; confirm payment arrangements before rural transfers.
connectivity
Coverage and offline planning
Download maps, booking details and essential contacts before leaving Wi-Fi. Check roaming charges and local SIM registration requirements; remote routes may have no signal.
plugs
Type C/E sockets
220–230 V, 50 Hz; bring an appropriate adapter.
safety
Northern restrictions and road timing
Current warnings cover parts of the far north and border areas. Keep the Savanes region out of this route and verify advice before Kara or Koutammakou.
health
Prepare for tropical travel
Get travel-clinic advice on required vaccination documentation, malaria prevention and other route-specific needs before departure. Arrange evacuation cover for remote stays.
Trip costs
How much does a trip to Togo cost?
A mid-range trip usually needs about €65–€160 per person per day, before long-haul flights. Guesthouses and local meals can be accessible; a dependable driver and interpretation are the main additions. Price a longer Kara route separately from a southern week.
Simple
€€40–65
per person / day
- Stay
- Simple guesthouse or small apartment
- Food
- Markets, bakeries and simple local meals
- Transport
- Shared transport where available
Check that the low-cost route actually operates; an expensive transfer can outweigh a cheap room.
Mid-range
€€65–160
per person / day
- Stay
- Comfortable independent hotel or lodge
- Food
- Local lunches and a sit-down dinner
- Transport
- A mix of local transport and arranged transfers
Planning allowance per person sharing a room, excluding international flights.
Comfortable
€€160–270+
per person / day
- Stay
- Boutique hotel, private lodge or best-located room
- Food
- Destination restaurants and hosted meals
- Transport
- Private driver, guiding or boat charter
Specialist activities, domestic flights and private charters may add substantially more.
Sample itineraries
Starting points, not scripts
Each of these is a real request you could hand to Menta as written. Change the people, the month and the pace; the structure will hold.
The southern circuit
8 days- Lomé
- Lake Togo & Togoville
- Kpalimé
- Atakpamé
Keep the itinerary in the south with time for a guided hill walk.
A carefully checked northern extension
12 days- Lomé
- Kpalimé
- Sokodé
- Kara & Koutammakou
Continue only if current advice and a reputable local operator support the route.
Common questions
Quick answers about travel in Togo
Short answers to the questions people ask before they book. Use the full guide for the detail and trade-offs.
- When is the best time to visit Togo?
- November–February; hill walks depend on recent rain. The southern coast has two wetter periods rather than one simple monsoon. November–March is the easiest general window; a relative coastal rain lull can occur around July–August. Inland heat, flooding and harmattan haze still need local checks.
- How much does a trip to Togo cost?
- Plan about €65–€160 per person per day for a mid-range trip, before long-haul flights. Guesthouses and local meals can be accessible; a dependable driver and interpretation are the main additions. Price a longer Kara route separately from a southern week.
- How do you get around Togo?
- Use Lomé as the start of a daylight road route, with local boats for Lake Togo and guides for hill and community visits. Reassess current security advice before any northern extension.
More destinations
Where else?
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- ChinaImperial capitals, fast trains, regional tables and landscapes at continental scale.
- ItalyThree civilisations' worth of cities, and lunch takes two hours.
- SpainEurope's longest high-speed rail, five cultures, and lunch at three.
- PortugalTwo hilly cities, a valley of port and a long Atlantic coast.
- GreeceAntiquity, two hundred inhabited islands and a ferry timetable to respect.
- IcelandOne road, no trains, and weather that rewrites the plan daily.
- ThailandStreet food, temples, two coasts and Asia's cheapest good hotel room.
- VietnamTwo capitals, one slow railway and the best street food in Asia.
- MoroccoMedinas, the High Atlas and the Sahara, a ferry ride from Europe.
- MexicoA 3,000-year-old civilisation, the best street food on earth, and two coastlines.
- Costa RicaCloud forest, two coasts, volcanoes and wildlife best seen slowly.
- The BahamasShallow banks, island towns and water-led journeys between cays.
- BarbadosCoral coasts, Bajan food and an island with several speeds.
- CubaLayered cities, karst valleys and a journey that needs patience.
- Dominican RepublicCaribbean cities, mountain interiors and coasts beyond the resort gate.
- JamaicaMusic, mountain rain, strong food and coasts with different rhythms.
- FranceGreat cities, long lunches, mountains and a coast for every mood.
- United KingdomHistoric cities, wild coastlines and weather worth planning around.
- GermanyBig culture, small cities, forests and trains with caveats.
- NetherlandsCanals, art, cycling and small cities that reward staying longer.
- CroatiaAdriatic islands, stone towns, clear water and a crowded August.
- TurkeyMosques, markets, ancient cities and coastlines on a huge scale.
- SwitzerlandAlps, lakes and trains that make the expensive route feel simple.
- AustriaImperial cities, Alpine lakes, music and excellent rail links.
- NorwayFjords, midnight light, coastal towns and beautiful long distances.
- SwedenArchipelagoes, forests, design and summer light that lasts.
- FinlandLakes, saunas, forests and a capital built for slow days.
- CzechiaBeautiful old towns, serious beer and an easy train route beyond Prague.
- PolandDeep history, lively cities, forests, lakes and mountain food.
- IrelandAtlantic cliffs, music-filled towns, green roads and weather in charge.
- AustraliaBig distances, old landscapes, city beaches and wildlife in the wild.
- New ZealandVolcanoes, fjords, coast roads and a country made for the outdoors.
- IndonesiaVolcanoes, rice fields, reefs and thousands of islands to choose from.
- South KoreaFast cities, quiet temples, mountain trails and food at every hour.
- United StatesHuge landscapes, distinct cities and a route that must respect the map.
- CanadaBig wilderness, thoughtful cities and distances that need their own plan.
- ArgentinaBig-city appetite, Andean wine country and Patagonia at full scale.
- BrazilAtlantic cities, living cultures and continental-scale nature.
- ChileDesert sky, Pacific cities, volcano lakes and Patagonian wind.
- ColombiaHighland cities, Caribbean history and coffee-country roads.
- PeruAndean cities, living food cultures and Amazon headwaters.
- IndiaMughal cities, desert forts, sacred rivers and a monsoon coast.
- Sri LankaTea hills, ancient cities and two coasts with opposite seasons.
- NepalHimalayan trails, Newar cities and lowland jungle in one country.
- MalaysiaHawker cities, tea hills, island coasts and Bornean rainforest.
- PhilippinesIsland archipelago where the flight map decides the trip.
- CambodiaAngkor's stone, the Mekong's rhythm and a country still healing.
- TaiwanNight markets, high-speed rail and a mountainous Pacific island.
- LaosSlow Mekong days, mountain roads and a new railway.
- United Arab EmiratesSeven emirates, two big cities and a mountain-and-desert hinterland.
- JordanPetra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea on one compact road.
- OmanForts, wadis, dunes and turtle beaches on the Arabian Sea.
- EgyptThe Nile corridor, Red Sea reefs and five thousand years in sequence.
- South AfricaTwo oceans, self-drive safari and cities with unfinished histories.
- KenyaSavannah, highlands and a Swahili coast, sequenced by rain.
- TanzaniaThe northern circuit, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, priced honestly.
- NamibiaSelf-drive desert, empty roads and Africa's darkest skies.
- BelgiumFlemish art cities, Brussels institutions and forested Ardennes valleys.
- DenmarkCopenhagen design, island villages and long Jutland beaches.
- HungaryThermal baths, Danube grandeur, wine hills and the Great Plain.
- SloveniaAlpine lakes, an emerald river, karst caves and a Venetian coast.
- GeorgiaCaucasus villages, eight-thousand-year wine and a serious table.
- MontenegroA fjord-like bay, limestone peaks and a short, crowded coast.
- AlbaniaOttoman towns, an Ionian riviera and a raw alpine north.
- RomaniaSaxon towns, Carpathian wilderness and Europe's largest wetland.
- BulgariaMonasteries, mountain villages and a working Black Sea coast.
- SlovakiaAlpine peaks, castle ruins and wooden churches on a rail spine.
- Bosnia and HerzegovinaOttoman bazaars, stone bridges and wild rivers between mountains.
- EstoniaMedieval Tallinn, bog boardwalks, island manors and long white nights.
- LatviaArt Nouveau Riga, castle valleys, a wooden spa coast and deep forest.
- LithuaniaBaroque Vilnius, a dune spit, lake castles and pine spa towns.
- MaltaLimestone capital, Neolithic temples, harbour ferries and Gozo's slow coast.
- CyprusDivided capital, mosaic coast, painted mountain churches and a wild peninsula.
- SingaporeA dense, humid city-state that rewards districts, not landmarks.
- MaldivesAtolls, reefs and two very different ways to stay.
- BhutanHimalayan valleys, dzongs and a daily fee that shapes everything.
- UzbekistanSilk Road cities linked by fast trains and desert roads.
- EthiopiaRock churches, highland monasteries and a distinct calendar.
- UgandaGorillas, chimpanzees, the Nile and crater-lake forests.
- RwandaGorilla volcanoes, tea hills and a compact, orderly country.
- BotswanaDelta floods, elephant rivers and empty Kalahari pans.
- ZambiaWalking safaris, wild rivers and the Zambian side of Victoria Falls.
- MadagascarLemurs, baobabs and an island that evolved apart.
- MauritiusLagoon coasts, a volcanic interior and a Creole, Indian and Chinese island.
- TunisiaCarthage, medinas, Roman arenas and the Saharan oases.
- GuatemalaMaya highlands, volcano lakes and a Petén forest of ruins.
- PanamaCanal city, Caribbean archipelagos and cloud-forest coffee.
- EcuadorVolcano avenue, cloud forest, Amazon edge and the Galápagos.
- BoliviaAltiplano salt, Aymara cities and a wide Amazon lowland.
- UruguayCalm capital, Atlantic beaches and slow wine country.
- FijiReef islands, village life and two big green mainlands.
- SerbiaDanube cities, monastery hills and long-table hospitality.
- North MacedoniaOhrid's lake, Ottoman bazaars and mountain villages in a small compass.
- KosovoEurope's youngest country: café capital, Ottoman Prizren and alpine valleys.
- MoldovaUnderground wine cities, cliff monasteries and Europe's least-visited country.
- ArmeniaStone monasteries, Ararat views and a capital that stays up late.
- AzerbaijanCaspian capital, mud volcanoes and Caucasus villages above the tea plains.
- LuxembourgFortress capital, Moselle wine and Ardennes castles by free bus.
- AndorraPyrenean principality of ski valleys, Romanesque chapels and thermal spas.
- Faroe IslandsEighteen basalt islands of sea cliffs, tunnels and turf-roofed villages.
- GreenlandIcebergs, ice sheet and Inuit towns reached only by air and sea.
- KazakhstanTian Shan foothills, steppe capital and canyon country by air.
- KyrgyzstanYurt stays, alpine lakes and horse treks in the Tian Shan.
- TajikistanPamir Highway, Wakhan villages and turquoise Fann lakes.
- PakistanMughal Lahore and the Karakoram, planned region by region.
- BangladeshRiver delta, mangrove tigers, tea gardens and Dhaka's old city.
- Hong KongVertical harbour city, outlying islands and surprising country parks.
- BruneiWater village, gilded mosques and untouched Borneo rainforest.
- Timor-LesteReef walls, mountain villages and a young nation's coastline.
- Saudi ArabiaNabataean tombs, Red Sea reefs and a fast-changing kingdom.
- QatarA compact Gulf peninsula built around one polished capital.
- GhanaAtlantic forts, Ashanti heritage and a warm, workable West Africa.
- SenegalDakar's music, Gorée's memory and delta and river landscapes.
- Cape VerdeTen Atlantic islands of morna, volcanoes and trade winds.
- SeychellesGranite islands, coral atolls and Creole ease in the Indian Ocean.
- MozambiqueIndian Ocean coast, dhow islands and a restored savanna.
- ZimbabweVictoria Falls, walking safaris and Africa's largest ancient stone city.
- MalawiA freshwater sea, restored parks and high plateaus in one small country.
- EswatiniA small kingdom of royal ceremony, rhino reserves and highveld hikes.
- LesothoThe mountain kingdom: pony treks, high passes and Basotho villages.
- BelizeBarrier reef, Maya cities and Garifuna coast in one small country.
- HondurasBay Islands diving, Copán's carved city and cloud-forest highlands.
- El SalvadorSurf coast, volcano towns and a small country in rapid change.
- NicaraguaColonial cities, twin-volcano island and two very different coasts.
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- ParaguayRiver cities, Jesuit ruins and the enormous quiet of the Chaco.
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- TongaA Polynesian kingdom of four island groups, whales and strict Sundays.
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- Cook IslandsRarotonga's ring road, Aitutaki's lagoon and atolls nobody reaches.
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- LiechtensteinRhine meadows, princely art and a small Alpine mountain world.
- San MarinoThree ridge-top towers and a small republic beyond the day-trip crowds.
- MongoliaOpen steppe, ger hospitality and journeys measured in driving days.
- BahrainPearling lanes, Dilmun archaeology and a compact Gulf island culture.
- KuwaitA working Gulf city of souq lanes, modern culture and a long corniche.
- DominicaRainforest trails, volcanic pools and a Caribbean island built for walking.
- GrenadaSpice gardens, a handsome harbour and islands with their own pace.
- Antigua and BarbudaDockyard heritage, sheltered bays and Barbuda’s separate island rhythm.
- Saint Kitts and NevisTwo volcanic islands, a fortress coast and a quieter Nevis stay.
- Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesA green volcanic main island and a chain of small sailing worlds.
- GuyanaKaieteur, rainforest lodges and savanna journeys with Indigenous hosts.
- SurinameTimber Paramaribo, plantation rivers and rainforest stays with local hosts.
- AlgeriaMediterranean cities, Roman stone and a Sahara that needs its own journey.
- BeninRoyal history, Vodun heritage and lake communities along a southern route.
- Côte d’IvoireAbidjan’s lagoon city, Grand-Bassam heritage and a rich southern circuit.
- The GambiaAtlantic beach bases and a river journey into birdlife and history.
- Sierra LeoneFreetown history, forest-backed beaches and locally guided island stays.
- LiberiaMonrovia’s complex history, surf at Robertsport and a working Atlantic coast.
- Guinea-BissauBissau’s riverfront and the tide-shaped world of the Bijagós.
- São Tomé and PríncipeCocoa roças, rainforest walks and two islands with distinct rhythms.
- ComorosLava-stone medinas, volcanic slopes and quieter island communities.
- GabonRainforest, Atlantic wildlife and park journeys built around skilled guides.
- PalauRock Islands, reef diving and a country where conservation shapes the visit.
- Marshall IslandsLow atolls, lagoon communities and journeys that follow rare connections.
- Federated States of MicronesiaFour island states, deep ocean distances and distinct local traditions.
- KiribatiLow atolls, maneaba hospitality and a country spanning the date line.
- TuvaluFunafuti’s narrow atoll and outer islands that follow the sea schedule.
- Solomon IslandsLagoon stays, community hosts and islands with a deep wartime history.
- AngolaAtlantic cities, giant waterfalls and the highland road south.
- CameroonA southern route of cities, coastal waterfalls and western cultural towns.
- Republic of the CongoRiver cities, coastal forest and specialist rainforest stays.
- Equatorial GuineaBioko’s volcanic coast and a separately planned mainland chapter.
- GuineaCoastal communities and the green highlands of the Fouta Djallon.
- MauritaniaAtlantic birdlife and ancient desert towns on a carefully checked route.
- DjiboutiSalt landscapes, volcanic plains and a compact Red Sea gateway.
- EritreaA heritage and access overview of Asmara and the Red Sea landscape.
- TurkmenistanSilk Road cities and desert landscapes through a current sponsored route.
- Papua New GuineaCommunity-led culture, volcanic coasts and a few well-supported bases.
- NauruA small raised-coral island with a history larger than its road loop.
- BermudaPastel villages, a historic harbour and a North Atlantic island rhythm.
- ArubaDry-island landscapes, easy west-coast stays and a strong local town culture.
- CuraçaoWillemstad’s harbour quarters and a dry island beyond the postcard.
- Sint MaartenA Dutch-Caribbean gateway with several distinct coastal districts.
- Saint-MartinFrench-Caribbean villages, food-led stays and a shared-island geography.
- Saint BarthélemySmall bays, village traditions and an island best explored slowly.
- AnguillaLow island shores, village food and a stay shaped by the right bay.
- MontserratNorthern communities, forest trails and an active volcanic history.
- British Virgin IslandsA few island bases and sailing routes with time for the sea.
- US Virgin IslandsThree main islands with distinct town, park and coastal rhythms.
- Cayman IslandsA main-island base and two smaller islands with different paces.
- Turks and Caicos IslandsLow cays, a few island bases and marine plans with room for weather.
- Puerto RicoOld San Juan, forested hills and island chapters beyond one beach base.
- GuadeloupeTwo main islands and smaller neighbours with distinct Creole identities.
- MartiniqueCreole towns, volcanic north and southern bays with different rhythms.
- Caribbean NetherlandsBonaire, Statia and Saba: three islands that need separate journeys.
- French PolynesiaA few island stays across a much larger Polynesian ocean.
- New CaledoniaLagoon city life, Kanak cultural landscapes and carefully checked island stays.
- NiueRaised-coral coasts, village hosts and a week that follows the sea.
- American SamoaTutuila’s harbour villages and outer islands with their own access plan.
- GuamChamorro heritage, a practical beach base and a southern island road.
- Northern Mariana IslandsSaipan’s different coasts and two separately planned island stays.
- Wallis and FutunaThree customary kingdoms and two island chapters far from a resort circuit.
- French GuianaA French-Amazonian coast of cultural towns, wetlands and supported forest stays.
- Saint Pierre and MiquelonFrench harbour life and a separate North Atlantic nature island.
- RéunionVolcanic cirques, Creole towns and a west-coast lagoon base.
- MayotteA lagoon territory with village, nature and current-access planning.
- Isle of ManHarbour towns, Manx heritage and a hill-and-coast week at a slower pace.
- JerseyGranite harbours, tidal coasts and village days beyond one beach stay.
- GuernseyA harbour island and smaller neighbours that deserve separate stays.
- GibraltarA compact harbour town, limestone heights and several distinct walking districts.
- Åland IslandsA Swedish-speaking Finnish archipelago of ferries, red granite and quiet stays.
- SvalbardAn Arctic community and operator-led fjord journeys under strict nature rules.
- Falkland IslandsSouth Atlantic wildlife, working farms and small-island stays arranged around the weather.
- Saint HelenaA remote Atlantic community of Georgian streets, volcanic walks and endemic cloud forest.
- Christmas IslandAn Indian Ocean rainforest island shaped by red crabs and a multicultural community.
- Cocos (Keeling) IslandsTwo inhabited islands, Cocos Malay culture and an Indian Ocean lagoon explored with care.
- Norfolk IslandNorfolk pines, a layered community history and green coastal walking.
- Pitcairn IslandsA remote Pacific community reached by a planned sea passage, with volcanic walks and dark skies.
Togo is a good trip. Make it your trip.
Everything on this page is context Menta already has. Add the people going, the dates and what you actually care about, and the plan starts smarter than a blank chat.
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Start planning TogoGuide last reviewed 2026-10. Check visa rules against your own passport before you book.