Kotoka International Airport (ACC) — 2026 Arrival Guide
Kotoka's Terminal 3 handles all international arrivals and is one of West Africa's most modern terminals. From wheels-down to a ride into Osu typically takes 60–90 minutes. Here's exactly what happens, what it costs, and how to avoid the three most common first-arrival mistakes.
Last verified: November 2025 against Ghana Airports Company Ltd (GACL) and the Ghana Immigration Service. See editorial policy.
Step 1 — Immigration & visa
Most travellers need a visa before boarding. As of January 2025, Ghana announced visa-free entry for all African Union passport holders — but for everyone else, you still need a sticker visa from a Ghanaian embassy or a pre-approved e-Visa (rolling out in phases). Show:
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory — they will check)
- Return or onward ticket
- Address of stay in Ghana (hotel booking or host's address)
Confirm the latest rules on the Ghana Immigration Service website 48 hours before flying.
Step 2 — Baggage, customs & currency
- Baggage hall has free trolleys. Carousel waits average 25 minutes.
- You can bring up to USD 10,000 in cash undeclared. More than that, declare it on the customs form.
- Exchange a small amount (USD 50–100) at the airport for taxi/SIM. Rates inside Terminal 3 are 4–6% worse than city forex bureaux — change the rest in Osu or Airport Residential.
- ATMs in the arrivals hall accept Visa and Mastercard. Daily limit usually GHS 1,500–2,000.
Step 3 — Buy a SIM at the airport
MTN, Telecel and AT have official kiosks in the arrivals hall. A starter pack with 10GB of data costs GHS 80–120. Bring your passport — biometric registration is mandatory under Ghana's SIM re-registration policy. MTN has the best coverage outside Accra.
Step 4 — Transport into the city
| Option | Cost (GHS) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel pickup | Included / 200–350 | Easiest — driver meets you with a name board. |
| Uber / Bolt | 60–120 to Osu/Cantonments | Walk to the upper-level departures kerb to get a better pickup spot. |
| Airport taxi (yellow) | 200–350 fixed | Agree the price BEFORE getting in. No meters. |
| Aayalolo bus (BRT) | 5–10 | Cheap but slow with bags. Not recommended on first arrival. |
Three first-arrival mistakes to avoid
- Accepting "help" from un-uniformed strangers with your trolley. They will demand a tip, often in USD.
- Changing all your dollars at the airport. Change just enough for the first 24 hours.
- Going to Labadi Beach straight from the airport on Sunday. Drop your bags first — beach security is fine, but car parks aren't.