Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC) Guide 2026
Kotoka International Airport (IATA: ACC, ICAO: DGAA) is Ghana's main international airport, located just 10 km from Accra city centre. With the opening of Terminal 3 in 2018, Kotoka has become one of the most modern airport terminals in West Africa. The airport handles over 3 million passengers annually and serves as a major hub for travel in the region, named after Ghanaian military leader General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
Airport Overview
| IATA Code | ACC |
| Location | Airport Residential Area, Accra |
| Distance to City Centre | 10 km to central Accra |
| Terminals | 3 (T1 — VIP, T2 — Domestic, T3 — International) |
| Annual Passengers | ~3.2 million |
| Runways | 1 (3,400m) |
| Operator | Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) |
| Elevation | 62 metres (205 ft) |
Getting There & Away
| Transport | Destination | Cost (GHS) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Taxi | Osu / Oxford Street | GHS 80-120 | 15-25 min | Registered taxi desk in arrivals |
| Uber/Bolt | Osu / Oxford Street | GHS 30-50 | 15-25 min | Pick-up at car park level |
| Airport Taxi | Cantonments / East Legon | GHS 60-100 | 15-30 min | Popular residential areas |
| Airport Taxi | Accra Central / Makola | GHS 100-150 | 30-45 min | Traffic heavy during rush hours |
| Hotel Shuttle | Various | Free-GHS 100 | Varies | Most major hotels offer pick-up |
| Car Hire | Self-drive | GHS 300-800/day | N/A | Avis, Europcar, local operators |
Kotoka is very close to popular neighbourhoods like Osu, Cantonments, and Airport Residential Area. Many hotels are within a 15-minute drive.
Terminal Facilities
Terminal 3 (International) — Opened 2018
- Lounges: Aviance Premium Lounge, Turkish Airlines Lounge, Ethiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Lounge
- Food & Drink: KFC, Papaye, Café Kwae, Starbucks, multiple restaurants landside and airside
- Shopping: Woodin (African fashion), duty-free, electronics, books, Ghanaian crafts
- WiFi: Free WiFi throughout Terminal 3 (good speed)
- Charging Points: USB charging stations at departure gates and throughout the terminal
- ATMs: GCB Bank, Ecobank, Stanbic Bank, Fidelity Bank
- Pharmacy & Medical: Airport pharmacy and medical clinic available
- Children: Family-friendly facilities and seating areas
Terminal 2 (Domestic)
- Serves domestic flights to Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi
- Basic refreshment options and seating
- 5-minute walk from Terminal 3
Immigration & Visa on Arrival
Ghana's visa policy varies by nationality:
- ECOWAS Citizens: Visa-free entry with valid ECOWAS passport or travel certificate (up to 90 days)
- African Union Passport: Visa on arrival available ($150, 30 days)
- Other Nationalities: Must apply for a visa before travel via embassy or the Ghana e-Visa portal
Required documents on arrival:
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory)
Queue Times: Immigration in Terminal 3 is well-organised. Expect 15-30 minutes during busy periods. E-gates are available for Ghanaian passport holders.
Customs & Declaration
- Currency: You may bring in up to $10,000 (or equivalent) without declaration
- Alcohol: 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine, or equivalent
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco
- Gifts: Personal items up to $400 in value
- Prohibited: Narcotics, counterfeit currency, firearms without permit, obscene materials
- Restricted: Gold and precious metals require export licence
Currency Exchange & SIM Cards
Currency Exchange
- Forex Bureaux: Several in Terminal 3 arrivals — rates are reasonable for airport exchanges
- ATMs: GCB Bank, Ecobank, Stanbic, Fidelity Bank ATMs in terminal
- Currency: Ghana Cedi (GHS); USD and GBP widely accepted at hotels
- Tip: Exchange just enough at the airport; city centre forex bureaux offer marginally better rates
SIM Cards & Data
| Operator | SIM Cost | 1GB Data | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTN Ghana | GHS 5 | GHS 5 | Best nationwide coverage |
| Vodafone Ghana | GHS 5 | GHS 5 | Strong in cities and towns |
| AirtelTigo | GHS 3 | GHS 4 | Good in urban areas |
SIM registration requires passport and biometric verification. Airport kiosks handle this in 10-15 minutes.
Airlines Operating at Accra
| Airline | Destinations | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | London Heathrow | T3 |
| KLM | Amsterdam | T3 |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | T3 |
| Emirates | Dubai | T3 |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | T3 |
| South African Airways | Johannesburg | T3 |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi | T3 |
| EgyptAir | Cairo | T3 |
| Air Peace | Lagos | T3 |
| Royal Air Maroc | Casablanca | T3 |
| Delta Air Lines | New York JFK | T3 |
| United Airlines | Washington Dulles | T3 |
| Africa World Airlines | Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi | T2 |
| PassionAir | Kumasi, Tamale | T2 |
Accommodation Near the Airport
Mid-Range & Upscale
- Labadi Beach Hotel — 8 km, beachfront 5-star, Accra's premier hotel ($200-350/night)
- Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City — 12 km, luxury in city centre ($180-320/night)
- Alisa Hotel — 5 km, modern 4-star in Airport Residential ($100-160/night)
Budget
- Airport West Hotel — 3 km, walking distance, convenient for early flights ($40-70/night)
- Accra City Hotel — 8 km in Osu, good value with restaurant ($35-60/night)
- Urban Hotel — 4 km, clean modern rooms near airport ($30-50/night)
Tips for Travellers
Arrival Tips
- Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory — carry your yellow card
- Terminal 3 is modern and air-conditioned with excellent facilities
- Exchange a small amount at the airport and find better rates in town
- Download Uber and Bolt before arrival — they are widely used in Accra
- The airport is close to popular areas — most hotels are 15-30 minutes away
Departure Tips
- Arrive 2-3 hours before international flights
- Terminal 3 has excellent airside shopping and dining
- Duty-free is competitively priced — good for last-minute gifts
- Airport departure tax is included in your ticket
Transit Tips
- Accra is becoming a regional transit hub — many connections to West African cities
- Transit passengers can access airline lounges with eligible tickets
- Terminal 3 is comfortable for layovers with good food options
Frequently Asked Questions
Kotoka Airport is only 10 km from central Accra. Airport taxis cost GHS 80-150, while Uber/Bolt rides are GHS 30-60. The journey takes 20-45 minutes depending on traffic. Most hotels are within a 30-minute drive.
ECOWAS citizens enter visa-free. African Union passport holders can get visa on arrival ($150). Other nationalities should apply at a Ghana embassy or via the e-Visa system before travel. See our visa page for details.
Yes, Terminal 3 offers free WiFi throughout the building with decent speed for browsing and messaging. Premium WiFi is available in airline lounges for faster connections.
All international flights use Terminal 3, which opened in 2018 and is one of the most modern terminals in West Africa. Domestic flights use Terminal 2, which is a short walk away.
Yes, Terminal 3 is one of the best airport terminals in West Africa. It features modern facilities, air conditioning, free WiFi, multiple dining options, duty-free shopping, and efficient processing. It has won several regional airport awards.