Ghana

Airports in Ghana: which one to fly into

Fly into Kotoka International (ACC) in Accra for almost every first trip: it has the long-haul flights, sits close to central Accra, and links to Kumasi and Tamale by domestic flight. Only fly into Kumasi or Tamale if your trip starts in the north or Ashanti region and you can match a daily domestic departure.

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Updated Sep 20263 min read

GuideGhana

Key facts

Main gateway: Kotoka International (ACC), Accra — long-haul and regional flights
Domestic hubs: Kumasi (KMS) and Tamale (TML), served daily from Accra by Africa World Airlines and Passion Air — check
Airport to central Accra: Ride-hailing US$3–10; traffic sets the time, so avoid the 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–19:00 peaks
Domestic flight cost: US$70–130 one way Accra–Tamale or Accra–Kumasi (2026 estimate) — check
Harmattan season: December–February haze can delay or cancel domestic flights — check
Entry rules: Passport valid 6 months, visa or e-visa, yellow fever certificate — check with your embassy
Cash on arrival: Airport ATMs and forex desks; carry small cedi notes for taxis and tips

Details

Kotoka International (ACC) is the only airport in Ghana with a wide long-haul schedule. It handles the flights from Europe, the Middle East, North America and other African hubs, and it is the airport most travellers mean when they say "Ghana". The terminal is a short drive from central Accra, but Accra traffic decides whether that is 20 minutes or an hour.

Kumasi (KMS) and Tamale (TML) are the two domestic airports worth knowing. Both take daily flights from Accra of about an hour, which is how most travellers reach Mole National Park in the north or start an Ashanti-Kwahu trip without a long road day. Fares run US$70–130 one way (2026 estimate) and the two main domestic carriers are Africa World Airlines and Passion Air — check current schedules and baggage rules before booking.

Getting out of ACC: ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, Yango) work at the airport and cost US$3–10 to most of central Accra. If a driver asks you to cancel the app trip and pay cash, decline. Prepaid taxi desks and hotel pickups cost more but remove the negotiation. For the return leg, leave a large buffer: the airport road is one of the first places to jam.

Domestic connections are not always same-day. If you land on a long-haul flight in the evening, plan a night in Accra and fly north the next morning rather than gambling on a tight transfer. In Harmattan season (December–February) dust haze can delay or cancel domestic departures, so keep a spare day before any fixed onward booking such as a Mole safari.

Summary table

Summary table
Airport	Code	Best for	Notes
Kotoka International, Accra	ACC	Almost every first trip; long-haul and regional flights	Close to central Accra; traffic sets the ride time
Kumasi	KMS	Starting in Ashanti-Kwahu; domestic hop from Accra	About 1 h from Accra; US$70–130 — check
Tamale	TML	Mole National Park and the northern plains	About 1 h from Accra; Harmattan delays Dec–Feb — check

Other airstrips exist but are not practical for most visitors. Fares are 2026 estimates; confirm with the airline.

Tips

Book domestic Accra–Tamale or Accra–Kumasi seats early in peak season; the planes are small.
Keep a printed or offline copy of your yellow fever certificate — it is checked at arrival.
Change only a small amount of money at the airport; rates in town are usually better.
Buy a local SIM at the airport if you want ride-hailing and maps working immediately.
Do not accept help with your bags from unofficial porters; agree any tip before handing over luggage.
If your flight lands after dark, book a hotel transfer rather than arriving to an unlit street.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Which airport should I fly into for Ghana?

Kotoka International (ACC) in Accra, unless your trip starts in the north or Ashanti region. ACC has the long-haul flights and daily connections to Kumasi and Tamale. Fly straight into Kumasi or Tamale only if you can match a domestic departure from Accra.

How do I get from the airport to the city in Ghana?

At Accra, ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, Yango) cost about US$3–10 to central Accra and give you a fixed price and a trip record. Prepaid taxi desks and hotel pickups cost more. Traffic sets the time, so avoid the morning and evening peaks.

Which airlines fly to Ghana from the US and UK?

From the UK, several carriers fly non-stop or direct to Accra, plus one-stop options through Europe or the Middle East. From the US, expect one stop, usually via Europe, the Middle East or another African hub. Check current schedules and fares before booking.

Deep dive

Every source; changeable facts are marked check