Kotoka International Airport (ACC) Arrival Guide: SIM Cards, Wi-Fi and Transfers
Everything you need in your first 90 minutes at Kotoka International Airport — immigration and yellow fever checks, buying a registered SIM card in Ghana, airport Wi-Fi, ATMs and the real cost of every Accra airport transfer option.
Landing at Kotoka International Airport (ACC)
Kotoka International Airport in Accra, run by Ghana Airports Company Limited, is West Africa's smoothest major arrival — Terminal 3 is modern, air-conditioned and well signposted — but the first 90 minutes after you step off the aircraft still decide how the rest of your trip feels. Get your SIM card, your money and your ride sorted correctly, and Accra opens up. Get them wrong and you start your trip overpaying a stranger in a car park.
This is a practical, current arrival guide for 2026: immigration, health requirements, SIM cards and data prices, Wi-Fi, currency exchange, and every legitimate way to get from ACC into the city.
Before You Land: Documents Checklist
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival.
- Ghana visa or visa-on-arrival authorisation — most nationalities need a visa issued in advance. See our Ghana visa on arrival 2026 guide to check whether you qualify.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate — mandatory, checked at the Ghana Health Service desk before immigration.
- Return or onward ticket and an address in Ghana for the arrival form.
We assist with Ghana entry documentation through our visa assistance service, though we do not guarantee visa approval — decisions rest entirely with the Ghana Immigration Service.
Terminal 3 Arrivals: What Happens, In Order
- Health check desk — yellow fever card inspected.
- Immigration — biometric capture (fingerprints and photo) for most visitors. Queues run 10–45 minutes depending on how many wide-bodies landed together.
- Baggage reclaim — porters in numbered vests are official; agree a tip (GH₵ 20–50) before they touch your bags.
- Customs — green/red channel; random scanning is common.
- Arrivals hall — SIM card kiosks, ATMs, forex bureaux, car hire desks and the meet-and-greet area.
The whole process typically takes 40–75 minutes from wheels-down to kerbside.
Getting a SIM Card in Ghana at the Airport
The National Communications Authority requires Ghana Card or passport registration for every SIM, so buy from an official kiosk, never from a hawker with a pre-activated card. Bring your passport to the counter.
Networks available in the arrivals hall:
| Network | Coverage strength | Notes for visitors |
|---|---|---|
| MTN Ghana | Best nationwide, strongest data | The default choice; best for Mole, Cape Coast and rural travel |
| Telecel Ghana (formerly Vodafone) | Strong in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi | Good city data, competitive bundles |
| AT Ghana (AirtelTigo) | Decent urban coverage | Cheapest bundles, weaker upcountry |
Realistic 2026 costs: SIM card GH₵ 5–15, then a tourist data bundle of roughly GH₵ 50–120 for 10–25 GB valid 30 days. Registration takes 10–20 minutes and requires a fingerprint scan tied to your passport.
Tips that save money:
- Ask the agent to load the bundle and confirm it is active before you leave the counter.
- Save the shortcodes for balance checks (MTN \
138#\, Telecel \126#\, AT \*100#\). - Ask about mobile money — MoMo is how Ghana pays for almost everything, and visitors can register a wallet with a passport.
- eSIM is supported by MTN and Telecel in 2026 if your phone allows it; you still register in person.
Wi-Fi at Kotoka
Free airport Wi-Fi is available in Terminal 3 arrivals and departures — connect to the airport network and accept the portal terms. It is fine for messaging and calling a ride, less reliable for large uploads. Do not rely on it for a work call; buy the SIM.
Most Accra hotels, cafés and co-working spaces offer solid fibre Wi-Fi, but a local data bundle remains the fastest, most reliable option for a visitor moving around the city.
Money: ATMs, Forex and What to Carry
- Currency: Ghana cedi (GH₵). Card acceptance is good in hotels and malls, patchy elsewhere.
- ATMs in the arrivals hall dispense cedis; withdrawal limits are typically GH₵ 1,000–2,000 per transaction.
- Forex bureaux at the airport are convenient but rarely give the best rate. Change a small amount (US$50–100 equivalent) for your first day, then use a licensed bureau in Osu, Airport Residential or Accra Mall.
- Never change money with someone who approaches you in the car park.
Airport Transfers from Accra Kotoka: Every Option
| Option | Typical cost to central Accra | Travel time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private transfer (chauffeur meets you) | From GH₵ 350 | 15–45 min | First-time visitors, families, late arrivals |
| Uber / Bolt (walk to the designated pick-up point) | GH₵ 40–120 | 15–45 min | Budget travellers with a working SIM |
| Airport taxi rank | GH₵ 150–300 (negotiate first) | 15–45 min | Quick departures without an app |
| Hotel shuttle | Often included | 15–40 min | Guests of larger hotels |
| Tro-tro from the nearby roadside | GH₵ 5–15 | 45–90 min | Light packers only — see our tro-tro survival guide |
Distances from ACC: Airport Residential 5–10 min · East Legon 15–25 min · Osu 20–35 min · Accra Central 25–45 min · Tema 45–70 min · Kasoa 60–120 min.
Ride-hailing apps are not allowed to collect at the terminal kerb; follow the signs to the designated pick-up zone or your driver will ask you to walk.
Arriving after 10 p.m., travelling with children, or on a business schedule? Pre-book a chauffeur-driven airport transfer so a named driver with your flight number is waiting at arrivals.
Practical Arrival Tips Locals Would Give You
- Fly with a small power bank. Terminal 3 has sockets, but the useful ones fill up quickly.
- Dress for heat. Accra is 28–33°C most of the year; the terminal is cold, the car park is not.
- Say your destination as a landmark, not a street name — "Osu Oxford Street", "East Legon American House", "Dansoman Last Stop".
- Keep GH₵ 100 in small notes for tips, water and the first taxi.
- Screenshot your accommodation address before you land, in case the SIM queue is long.
- Ignore anyone offering to "fast-track" you through immigration for cash.
Departing from ACC Later
Check in 3 hours before international departures. Terminal 3 has good lounges, duty-free and cafés airside. Traffic to the airport between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. is heavy — leave earlier than the map suggests. Airline flight bookings, seat selection and travel insurance can be handled through our flight booking service.
Related Reading
- How to Navigate Accra's Tro-Tro System
- Best Time to Visit Makola Market
- Ghana Visa on Arrival 2026: Complete Guide
- Things to Do in Accra 2026
- Is Ghana Safe in 2026?
- Visit Ghana — Plan Your Trip Hub
Arriving in Accra soon? Book a travel consultation and we'll arrange your airport pick-up, SIM, hotel and first-week itinerary before you board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a SIM card at Kotoka International Airport?
Yes. MTN, Telecel and AT operate registration kiosks in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall. Bring your passport — Ghana requires biometric SIM registration. A SIM costs GH₵ 5–15 and a 10–25 GB tourist bundle valid 30 days costs roughly GH₵ 50–120. Ask the agent to activate the bundle before you leave the counter.
Is there free Wi-Fi at Accra airport?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available in Terminal 3 arrivals and departures via a captive portal. It is reliable enough for messaging and booking a ride but not for large uploads or video calls, so a local data bundle is still worth buying on arrival.
How much is an airport transfer from Kotoka to Accra?
A pre-booked private chauffeur transfer starts from about GH₵ 350, Uber or Bolt from the designated pick-up zone costs GH₵ 40–120, and airport taxis charge GH₵ 150–300 negotiated in advance. Journey times range from 15 minutes to Airport Residential to 45 minutes to Accra Central.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate to enter Ghana?
Yes. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all arrivals and is checked at the health desk before immigration. Travellers without one can be vaccinated at the airport at their own cost or refused entry.
How long does immigration take at Kotoka International Airport?
Typically 10–45 minutes depending on how many wide-body flights land together, with biometric fingerprint and photo capture for most visitors. Allow 40–75 minutes overall from landing to kerbside once baggage reclaim and customs are included.
Should I change money at Accra airport?
Change only a small amount — around US$50–100 equivalent — at the airport for your first day, then use a licensed forex bureau in Osu, Airport Residential or Accra Mall for better rates. ATMs in arrivals dispense cedis with limits of about GH₵ 1,000–2,000 per transaction.