How to get to Ghana: airports, flights and border crossings

Book into Accra (ACC). It is the hub for almost every international carrier serving Ghana, sits 8–10 km from the city centre, and connects to Cape Coast, Kumasi and the north by road, domestic flight or tro-tro. Fly to Tamale (TML) only if your trip is Mole National Park and the northern plains, and even then most travellers still land in Accra first.

If you are coming overland from Togo, Côte d'Ivoire or Burkina Faso, the border posts are open to foreigners but expect queues, paperwork and no fixed timetable. Arrive in daylight and have your yellow fever certificate to hand.

Kotoka International Airport (ACC) is the only airport most visitors use. It has two terminals — Terminal 3 for international arrivals and departures, and a domestic terminal for internal flights. Taxis and ride-hailing apps meet arrivals outside; agree the fare or use the app before you get in.

Tamale International Airport (TML) in the north takes domestic flights from Accra and a small number of regional services. Kumasi (KMS) and Takoradi (TKS) are domestic-only for practical purposes. If your plan is Accra, Cape Coast and Kumasi, you never need a second airport.

Ghana sits on UTC+0, so there is no jet lag from the UK and Ireland, and a five-hour shift from US Eastern time. Direct flights exist from a handful of hubs; most routings add one stop in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East or another West African city.

From Australia and New Zealand there is no direct service. Expect two stops, usually via the Middle East or Europe, and a total journey of 24 hours or more.

Ghana borders Togo to the east, Côte d'Ivoire to the west and Burkina Faso to the north. The busiest crossing is Aflao, on the Togo side near Lomé, about three hours from Accra by road. Elubo and Gonokrom serve Côte d'Ivoire; Paga serves Burkina Faso and is the gateway for Bolgatanga and Sirigu.

Crossings are usually open daily but hours vary and can change without notice — check before you travel. Take a passport with at least six months' validity, a visa or e-visa if your nationality needs one, and your yellow fever certificate. Shared taxis and tro-tros run from each border to the nearest town; long-distance buses link the bigger crossings to Accra and Kumasi.

By sea there is no scheduled passenger ferry service to Ghana. Cruise ships call at Tema and Takoradi occasionally, and private yachts can clear in at Tema. Treat sea arrival as a special case, not a plan.

Check your visa or e-visa well ahead: apply online before travel if your nationality requires it, and print the approval. Yellow fever vaccination is an entry requirement and you may be asked for the certificate at the airport or at a land border. Carry a copy of your accommodation address for the arrival form.

Book an airport transfer or a ride-hailing app for your first night rather than negotiating at the kerb after a long flight. If you are heading straight north, a domestic flight to Tamale saves a long, tiring drive.

Drive only in daylight once you are in the country: trucks and tro-tros set the pace and many roads have no lighting. If you arrive on a late flight, stay near the airport and move on in the morning.

Ghana uses type G (UK three-pin) plugs at 230 V, so bring an adapter if you are coming from the US or Europe. The currency is the Ghanaian cedi (GH₵), roughly 10–12 per US$ in 2026 — check the rate before you change money.