Accra Kotoka Airport (ACC) Flights & Information

Kotoka International Airport (ACC) serves Accra, the capital of Ghana. It’s the main international airport in the country and has 2 passenger terminals – Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 is only for domestic flights, while Terminal 3 serves both regional and international flights.

I have flown to ACC to get to Ghana and to other western African countries and always found the airport easy to navigate – some slight delays should definitely be expected, but overall it is very well organized.

The downtown part of Accra is not far from the airport and has some incredible dining and interesting places to visit. It’s an amazing place to explore and I recommend it to all. And as this airport gets better and better, the overall experience coming and going will continue to improve, too. Here’s what to expect at Kotoka International Airport.

Services at the Kotoka International Airport

Although this airport is rather small, it has most services that you will need, though it’s still in development so I suggest coming prepared. There is an information desk and there are self-check-in kiosks with very friendly staff to aid in any needs like where to go and how to find things. If you need an ATM or FOREX I recommend Zenith bank in the arrivals hall.

The airport has 3 business lounges. The newest is in Terminal 3 and it’s also my favorite one here – it’s called the Akwaaba Lounge and it’s generally reserved for business class and first class passengers only, but you can pay a fee to enter. For Wi-Fi elsewhere, the airport has several spots where you can connect for free, or you can purchase a local SIM card to use (it’s very inexpensive).

If you want to send a postcard there is a full-service post office in the northern zone of the airport near Emirates Sky Cargo – just look for the signs. There is also a police station at the airport just outside the terminal if you have any safety concerns. For medical needs, there is a clinic right outside the terminal within just a few minutes’ walk. It’s open 24 hours per day. There is also a pharmacy in Terminal 3.

I do recommend luggage wrapping when cruising around Africa to keep fragile items safe – and this service is available at Wraprite in the check-in area of Terminal 3. It doesn’t cost much and it’s completely worth it. Speaking of luggage, there are luggage scales all over the terminal as the airport is rather strict with the weight of checked luggage.

Eating and drinking at Kotoka International Airport

ACC has a number of bars and restaurants available at both terminals and they are rather inexpensive with some delicious snacks. Try Muttina Bacci for a drink and some nuts (Terminal 2 food court), or for a fresh juice try the Fresh Juice Lounge.

My favorite coffee place is the South African coffee company Vida E Cafe, and I recommend a meia-de-leite – an espresso with milk served in a big cup – and the savory quattro muffin to go with it.

There is also Alf and Gina and Tante Royale in Terminal 2 for pizza, full meals and drinks if you need something more substantial. The Pub in Terminal 3 is the best spot for people watching and just having a cold beer – this is also where everyone congregates, so you’re bound to meet interesting people here.

Inspired by all the Chinese workers coming in and out of Ghana, there is now a Wok Inn in Terminal 2. It offers a full menu of Chinese dishes as authentic as you can come across in this part of the world.

Shopping at the airport

Kotoka International Airport has 2 big duty-free areas for shopping with all the usual goods from skin care to cologne. They are DUFRY and GTDC, and you will find the stores in Terminal 3.

There are a few very cool fashion stores here, too, with local designers that are definitely worth perusing and purchasing. Placito (in the Terminal 3 departures area) is my favorite, with local fabrics in bright and gorgeous colors plus bags and gifts to take home.

If you need electronics there is a Smice International for chargers and other useful accessories. If you need more gifts there are a few other stores I enjoy. Abundant Grace has a variety of great options in the domestic arrivals area and Woonoo Ventures has shirts, watches and all kinds of interesting knickknacks in the international departures area.

Getting to the airport

If you like a VIP service, the airport offers this in a car with AC or a minibus to your hotel or destination, to and from the airport. It’s not very expensive and it will take you almost anywhere throughout the country. You can book this directly on the airport website.

My recommendation in Accra is to take a taxi or an Uber. They are right across from the terminal and you will easily find the meeting point in parking lot 5. Taxis are available 24 hours per day and do not have a meter, so it’s best to negotiate before you get into the vehicle. Ubers are very inexpensive.

It’s about 15 to 30 minutes in the car to downtown Accra where many of the hotels are, but traffic can be very heavy. Be mindful to get into the correct Uber, or an official taxi only.

There are also shuttles, buses, and shared cars, but the schedules for these are rarely reliable and if you don’t know the city or Ghana well these could be overwhelming to navigate. But if you’d still like to take a bus, the bus stop is located just a few feet from Terminal 2 on Liberation Road. Follow the signs and you can walk there with the other passengers.

Parking and car rental at ACC

There are 6 different parking lots available at Kotoka International Airport and they are open 24 hours per day with security. They are located right outside both terminals and you can easily walk to them via a walkway if you just follow the signs.

Driving in Ghana is difficult, but doable. If you plan to do that you can rent a car at the airport. There are 24-hour car rental offices and you can pick up your car from the parking lot across from the terminals. Hertz has an office right inside the Terminal 3 building and there are also a few local car companies that have offices here.

I highly recommend making sure you have full insurance, either with your credit card or travel insurance to securely rent a car in Ghana. As a South African, I’m very familiar with both car rentals and driving in Africa, and it’s important to be vigilant at all times.

Hotels near the airport

There are several hotels that offer a shuttle service that can pick you up and drop you if you need to spend more time at Accra airport. The two I recommend are Holiday Inn Accra Airport and Accra Marriott Hotel. The Holiday Inn is just a mile from the airport and offers a free breakfast. Plus, they have a pool.

The Accra Marriott has nice dining and also has a pool. They are both a mere 4 minutes from the terminal and the shuttle runs all the time. The Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast is 20-minute drive away and they can send a car to pick you up – if you need to spend extra time in Accra this is the hotel to do that in. They have a great spa and are located right near downtown.

Wherever you choose to stay, it’s important to remember that you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times and exercise more personal caution than you might at home.