How do you get to Accra?
Getting There7.9/10Easier to reach than about 75% of cities
- Main airport
- Kotoka International Airport
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: secretflying.com, omio.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Arrive at airport 2 hours before short-haul flights, 3 hours before long-haul flights.
- Official airport taxis are fixed-price (not metered), safest for first-time arrivals—use the dispatch booth, not street taxis outside.
- Uber/Bolt cheaper than traditional taxis and safer for solo or night travel; book in-app GPS and have location pinned before car arrives.
- Yellow street taxis lack meters and require negotiation; agree on fare in GHS before boarding. Look for GPRTU windscreen sticker for legitimate cabs.
- Ghana is a cash economy—Uber drivers prefer cash, and ATMs are common. Maranatha Beach Camp (Ada-Foah) is cash-only with no ATM nearby.
- Ride-hailing and street taxis sometimes report meter 'broken' midtrip to demand overpayment; ensure driver phone stays on with meter running.
- Cape Coast and Kakum National Park are popular 3-hour day trips but require early starts (10-12 hour round trip); consider overnight stay.
- Tro-tros are cheapest intercity transport but slowest and least comfortable; best for short or familiar routes.
- Commuter rail (Accra–Tema) exists but is not a primary tourist transport option; most long-distance rail is suspended.
- Closest beaches (Kokrobite, Ada-Foah) are 30 minutes to 2.5 hours away; Shai Hills and Aburi Gardens are easier quick escapes for nature.
- Respect local customs on day-trip cultural visits; book through trusted tour operators for safety and punctuality.
Terminals
Terminal 3
- Facilities
- Multiple check-in islands, jet bridges, wide range of passenger facilities
- Description
- Main international and domestic terminal, opened 2018
Terminal 2
- Description
- Regional and limited domestic flights
Ground Transport Options
Official Airport Taxis
- Notes
- Fares determined by destination zones (Osu, Cantonments, Airport Residential Area, Accra Central). Most straightforward option.
- Description
- Fixed-fare taxis from official dispatch booth after arrivals
Typical Route And Price
- Cost
- GHS 95
- Route
- Airport to central Accra
- Duration Minutes
- 15-30
Uber and Bolt
- Notes
- Often cheaper than official taxis. Download app before arrival with international card or mobile-money wallet.
- Description
- Ride-hailing apps available from designated pickup areas
Typical Route And Price
- Route
- Airport to city center
Hotel Shuttles
- Notes
- Complimentary for some hotels, paid for others.
- Description
- Many mid-range and high-end hotels offer airport shuttle services
Typical Route And Price
- Route
- Airport to hotel
Car Rental
- Notes
- Available for self-drive options
- Description
- Avis and Europcar pickup points in arrivals/departures areas
Day Trip Destinations
Shai Hills Reserve
- Accessibility
- Accessible day trip from Accra
- Distance From Accra
- ~45 minutes
- Description
- Wildlife reserve with antelope and baboon sightings, nature hikes
Aburi Botanical Gardens
- Accessibility
- Easy access day trip
- Distance From Accra
- ~1 hour
- Description
- Historic gardens (established 1890) with exotic plant species, cool climate
Akosombo & Volta River
- Accessibility
- Day trip or weekend getaway
- Distance From Accra
- ~1.5 hours
- Description
- Boat cruises, fishing, hydroelectric dam, scenic luxury resorts
Kokrobite Beach
- Accessibility
- Closest quality beach to Accra
- Distance From Accra
- ~30km, 1 hour
- Description
- Beach town with bars, reggae music, Big Milly's Backyard backpackers hostel
Ada-Foah & Maranatha Beach Camp
- Accessibility
- Accessible by tro-tro or hired taxi
- Distance From Accra
- ~2.5 hours
- Description
- Small fishing town with relaxed beach camp, hammocks, local beach culture
Boti Falls
- Accessibility
- Day trip or longer excursion
- Distance From Accra
- ~2 hours
- Description
- Twin waterfall in Eastern Region surrounded by tropical forest, hiking photography
Wli Waterfalls
- Accessibility
- Longer day trip or overnight
- Distance From Accra
- 3+ hours
- Description
- Ghana's highest waterfall in Volta Region near Togo border, lower and upper sections
Cape Coast & Elmina Castles
- Accessibility
- Long day trip (10-12 hours round trip) or overnight stay
- Distance From Accra
- ~3 hours
- Description
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Atlantic slave trade history, Kakum National Park nearby
Kakum National Park
- Accessibility
- Often combined with Cape Coast day tour
- Distance From Accra
- ~3 hours (near Cape Coast)
- Description
- Rainforest with famous canopy walkway (one of three in Africa), birdwatching
Assin Manso Ancestral Slave River & Cape Coast
- Accessibility
- Full-day guided tour from Accra
- Distance From Accra
- ~3 hours
- Description
- Historical slave trade site combined with Cape Coast Castle and Elmina tours
Bus
Stc Or State Transportation
- Advantages
- Reliable, professional drivers
- Description
- Safe, regulated option for longer city trips and intercity travel
Taxis
Ride Hailing
- Advantages
- Safer for solo/night travel. Track route live. Display driver and car details.
- Notes
- Ensure driver phone is on (not turned off midtrip to demand cash overpayment). Default payment method to cash in app (cash economy preference).
- Description
- App-based rides with meter visible, driver info, in-app GPS tracking
Apps
- Uber
- Bolt
Typical Fare
- Cost
- GHS 60
- Route
- 5km trip
Yellow Taxis
- Warnings
- Agree on fare before boarding. Some drivers quote inflated flat rates. Unlicensed taxis without GPRTU sticker are riskier.
- How To Use
- Flag down on street or wait at stations. Most lack functioning meters—negotiate fare in GHS before entering
- Description
- Metered taxis with yellow fenders and GPRTU windscreen sticker
Typical Fare
- Cost
- GHS 60
- Route
- 5km trip
Rail
- Status
- Very limited/suspended passenger service
- Details
- Accra-Tema commuter line is currently operational. Accra-Nsawam twice-daily service is suspended. Eastern Railway Line historically connects Kumasi to Accra but not currently in regular scheduled passenger operation.
Ferry
- Status
- No regular scheduled ferry service for tourists from Accra
- Notes
- Lake Volta ferries exist inland (Yeji, Kwadjokrom) but these are not near Accra. Boat tours available through resorts in nearby regions (Volta River, Akosombo).
Name
Kotoka International Airport
IATA Code
ACC
Icao Code
DGAA
Distance From City Center Km
10
Tro Tro
- Advantages
- Inexpensive, frequent coverage throughout city
- How To Use
- Wait at stations until van fills, or flag on road
- Disadvantages
- Uncomfortable, crowded, may wait long for departure
- Description
- Shared minivans (16-24 people), cheapest way to travel
Intercity Ground Transport
- Tro Tro
- Cheapest but less comfortable for intercity routes
Long Distance Buses
- Stc State Transportation Corporation
- Safe option for travel between Accra and other Ghanaian cities
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Accra
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.