Airport
Accra Intl (ACC)
Arrivals · Accra (ACC)
Getting from Kotoka Airport to the City: Taxis, Ride Apps, and What to Expect
You have landed in Accra, at the airport now officially called Accra International and still widely known as Kotoka. Now you just want to reach your bed without overpaying or wandering the car park. Here is the calm, local view of your real options, what each one costs and how it works, plus the one detail about ride apps that trips up almost every first-time visitor.
Terminal
3 international
To Cantonments
10-15 min
Apps that work
Bolt · Uber · Yango
A quick note on the name. In February 2026 the airport was officially reverted to Accra International Airport, its original name, from Kotoka International Airport. The IATA code is still ACC, and flights, bookings and operations are unchanged. Most signs, apps and travellers still say Kotoka during the transition, so you will see both names in use, including on this page.
The short version
Kotoka sits a few kilometres from central Accra, so most trips take 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Your three sensible choices are an official metered taxi from the rank outside arrivals, a ride app (Bolt, Uber or Yango) booked once you land, or a private transfer arranged in advance.
The catch with apps: drivers are not allowed to collect at the terminal kerb. After you book, the app gives you step-by-step directions to the designated ride-hailing pickup area, a short walk from arrivals, and that is where you meet your driver. Carry some Ghana cedi as a backup, since many drivers prefer cash, and ignore anyone who offers you a ride inside the hall.
01
Your options at a glance
Official airport taxi
No app needed- How
- Use the marked taxi rank outside Terminal 3 arrivals, available around the clock. Confirm the fare or the meter before you set off.
- Cost
- Usually higher than an app, but no app or data required and nothing to arrange.
- Time
- 15 to 30 min into town.
- Best for
- Late arrivals, no local SIM yet, or you simply want to step out and go.
Ride app: Bolt, Uber, Yango
Cheapest, upfront price- How
- Book in the app after you land, then follow the in-app directions to the pickup area to meet the driver. The app shows the fare before you confirm.
- Cost
- Usually the lowest of the three. Price shown upfront in the app, though it shifts with demand and traffic.
- Time
- 15 to 30 min, plus a short walk to the pickup point.
- Best for
- Most visitors who have data or grab a SIM on arrival.
Private transfer or hotel pickup
Arranged in advance- How
- Book before you fly. A driver waits in arrivals with your name on a sign, so there is nothing to sort out when you land.
- Cost
- Quoted and agreed in advance, all in. The priciest option, and the most hands-off.
- Time
- Straight to the door once you clear the hall.
- Best for
- Tired travellers, families, first visit, or a late-night landing with nobody to call.
Car rental
Self drive- How
- Rental desks are inside the arrivals hall. Avis, Hertz, Europcar and local firms operate here. Book ahead in busy seasons.
- Cost
- Daily rate plus fuel. You need a licence from home and ideally an international driving permit.
- Time
- On your own schedule.
- Best for
- Confident drivers planning trips outside the city. Accra traffic and signage are not gentle on newcomers.
02
Where each ride actually waits
This is the part that saves you ten confused minutes. Each kind of ride leaves from a different spot, and the signage is easy to miss after a long flight. Here is the plain version.
App
Ride apps: Bolt, Uber, YangoDrivers cannot collect at the terminal kerb. Book in the app, then follow the step-by-step directions it gives you to the designated pickup area, a short walk from arrivals.
Taxi
Official metered taxisAt the marked rank just outside Terminal 3 arrivals, available around the clock. Confirm the fare before you set off.
Hire
Car rental desksInside the arrivals hall, including Avis, Hertz, Europcar and local firms. Book ahead in peak seasons.
Why apps make you walk: ride-hailing drivers are not permitted to pick up at the terminal front, so they wait nearby rather than pay to circle the kerb. Once you book, the app directs you to the pickup point, and your driver will often call or text to confirm where you are standing. Have your phone on and your bags close.
03
What to expect, wheels down to in the car
1
Immigration and your documents
Have your visa sorted before you fly. Most UK and US visitors need a Ghana e-Visa arranged in advance, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter. Keep both handy with a passport valid for at least six months.
2
Baggage, then a SIM if you want one
Collect your bags, then look for the mobile network booths in the arrivals hall. MTN, Telecel and AirtelTigo all sell SIMs here, with MTN usually the most reliably staffed. Bring your passport for registration. Prices run a little above town rates. Landing late or want zero fuss, buy an eSIM before you travel.
3
Grab some cash
There is an ATM and a forex desk in the arrivals area. Withdraw or change a small amount of Ghana cedi. Cards work in the ride apps, but many drivers prefer cash or mobile money, and the airport taxi rank runs on cash.
4
Choose your ride and head to the right spot
Official metered taxi from the marked rank, or open an app and follow its directions to the pickup area. For apps, check the licence plate, the car colour and the driver name against the app before you climb in. This one habit settles almost every safety worry.
5
Into the city
If you are staying in Cantonments or Airport Residential, you are minutes away. Osu, Labone, Airport City and the centre are a short hop further. Watch your route on your phone map so a longer way round is easy to spot.
04
Quiet local tips that make it smoother
Reserve for late nights
Uber lets you schedule a pickup ahead of time with Uber Reserve, so a driver is lined up before you land. Worth it for a midnight arrival when the rank is quiet.
Carry cedi, not just plastic
App fares are charged in-app, but cash or MTN Mobile Money is smoother with many drivers. A small cedi buffer avoids an awkward standoff at the end of the ride.
Air con is not a given
Budget app cars are often a small Vitz or i10 without strong cooling. If you want a cold ride after a long flight, pick a Comfort or larger option, or just ask the driver.
Let the driver call you
It is normal for app drivers to phone and confirm exactly where you are standing at the pickup area. Keep your local number active or your data on so the call comes through.
Know the going rate
For street or unmarked taxis, agree the fare first. If a driver claims the meter is broken and quotes a high flat price, take the next car. Apps remove the haggling entirely.
Heading back out
For your departure, leave early. Aim to reach the airport about three hours before an international flight, and remember a passenger airport charge is added to your ticket at booking.
05
Staying clear of airport touts
Accra International Airport is modern and generally smooth, but the arrivals hall does attract people offering rides at two to three times the going rate. They can sound official. The fix is simple: use the marked rank, a booked app, or a transfer arranged in advance, and never follow someone who approaches you first.
Do
- Use the marked airport taxi rank or an app booked in your own hand.
- Match the plate, colour and driver name to the app before you sit down.
- Agree any non-app fare before the wheels turn.
- Share your trip with someone, a built-in option in the apps.
Avoid
- Anyone inside the hall offering you a taxi before you ask.
- Unmarked cars with no rank, no app and no fixed fare.
- Handing over your passport or paying for a ride before you are in the car.
- A driver who will not show the meter or the app price.
The same instincts protect your whole trip. If you are still choosing where to stay, our guide on avoiding vacation rental scams covers the booking side in the same plain way.
06
Getting to Cantonments
Ten minutes from the runway to your door
Cantonments is the diplomatic neighbourhood right beside the airport, which is part of why our guests like it. In light traffic you are home in about 10 to 15 minutes, with quiet streets, embassies and good cafes around you rather than a long crawl across town.
If you are booked into our one-bedroom apartment at Embassy Gardens, tell your driver Embassy Gardens, Cantonments, and we will share clear arrival notes once your stay is confirmed. Backup power and water mean you settle in smoothly even if the grid blinks.
See the apartment · Check dates and book direct · Ask us a question
Arriving in December. Detty December and the Year of Return draw big crowds, so expect heavier airport traffic, busier ride apps and higher demand on stays. Book your transport and your accommodation early. Our Detty December guide has the seasonal detail, and the Accra travel guide ties the rest of your trip together.
Boarding pass to a calm arrival
Land, ride, settle in
Stay in Cantonments and your airport run is the shortest part of the trip. Book direct with your host and skip the platform fees and the guesswork.
07
Questions travellers ask
How long does it take to get from Kotoka Airport to central Accra?
Most trips run 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic, since the airport sits only a few kilometres from the city. Cantonments, the neighbourhood next to the airport, is closer, often 10 to 15 minutes in light traffic.
Are Uber, Bolt and Yango available at Kotoka Airport?
Yes. All three operate in Accra and work at the airport. You request the ride in the app after you land, and the app shows the price before you confirm.
Where do I meet my Uber or Bolt driver at Kotoka?
App drivers are not allowed to pick up at the terminal kerb. After you book, the app gives step-by-step directions to the designated ride-hailing pickup area, a short walk from arrivals, and your driver will often call to confirm where you are standing.
Are the official airport taxis safe?
Yes. The marked airport taxi rank outside Terminal 3 arrivals runs around the clock. Confirm the fare or the meter before you set off. Be wary of anyone who approaches you inside the hall offering a ride, since unmarked taxis often charge two to three times the going rate.
Should I pay with cash or card?
Apps accept cards, but many drivers prefer cash or mobile money. Withdraw some Ghana cedi from the ATM or forex desk in arrivals so you have a backup. Prices change, so check the live fare in the app rather than relying on a fixed figure.
Can I buy a SIM card at the airport?
Yes. MTN, Telecel and AirtelTigo have booths in the arrivals hall, with MTN usually the most reliably staffed. Bring your passport for registration. Prices are a little higher than in town. If you land late at night, an eSIM bought before you fly is a good fallback.
Do I need a visa and yellow fever certificate to enter?
Most UK and US visitors need a visa arranged in advance through Ghana's e-Visa system or a Ghana mission, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter. Carry both, plus a passport valid for at least six months. Check the official Ghana Immigration sources for your nationality before you travel.
Is Kotoka Airport now called Accra International Airport?
Yes. In February 2026 the Government of Ghana officially reverted the name from Kotoka International Airport to Accra International Airport, its original name. The IATA code remains ACC, and flights, bookings and operations are unchanged. Signage, apps and most travellers still use Kotoka during the transition, so both names refer to the same airport.
Rentorize is an independent serviced apartment in Cantonments, Accra. We are not affiliated with Accra International Airport, formerly Kotoka, or any ride-hailing company, and pickup points and fares can change. Always check the live price and pickup directions in your app and confirm current entry requirements with official Ghana government sources before you travel.