1Labadi Beach
Best beach in Accra — 10 minutes from KIA. Reggae and highlife bands play on weekends. GHS 10 entry.
Photo: Stig Nygaard from Copenhagen, Denmark, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Kotoka Airport (ACC) · Ghana
3-Hour Layover in Accra: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Rjruiziii, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 3-hour layover in Accra?
Entry
Ghana requires a visa for most non-African nationalities. e-Visa at visa.mfa.gov.gh ($100 USD for US/UK/AUS). ECOWAS nationals visa-free.
Into town
Taxi / Uber: 20–40 min, $10–20.
Time outside
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
Times from ACC arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Accra: Where to Go
The sights in Accra worth leaving the airport for.
1
2National Museum of Ghana
Kente cloth, Asante goldweights, and tribal masks from across Ghana. GHS 5 entry, low crowds.
Photo: Sathyan Velumani, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
3Makola Market
Accra's central market — fabric, yam, and spice stalls across several streets. Go with a purpose and a local guide.
Photo: Benggriff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Itinerary ideas for Accra
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
You are here3 hours in Accra
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
Insider tip
Accra is more relaxed and walkable than Lagos. The airport is very close to the tourist belt — Osu, Labadi Beach, and the National Museum are all within 30 minutes.
Into Accra
Getting to Accra City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi / Uber | $10–20 | 20–40 min |
| Trotro (minibus) | $0.30 | 30–50 min |
Eat like a local
Eat Like a Local in Accra
Kelewele (spiced fried plantain with ginger and cayenne) from a street stall near Osu — Ghana's finest street snack, GHS 10.
3 hours in Accra
3-Hour Itinerary
1
0–30 min
Stay airside and find your departure area
With 3 hours, leaving Kotoka Airport is risky: passport control, the trip into Accra and security on the way back take most of the time.
2
30–120 min
Eat, rest or use a lounge airside
Check the departures board for your gate before you settle in.
3
120–180 min
Go to your gate
Allow at least 30 minutes for security checks and the walk to the gate.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 3-hour layover in Accra?
Ghana requires a visa for most non-African nationalities. e-Visa at visa.mfa.gov.gh ($100 USD for US/UK/AUS). ECOWAS nationals visa-free. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 3 hours enough to leave Kotoka Airport?
Stay airside — 3h is too tight. Getting into Accra by Taxi / Uber takes 20–40 min each way.
How do I get from Kotoka Airport to Accra centre?
Taxi / Uber: 20–40 min, $10–20. Trotro (minibus): 30–50 min, $0.30.
Getting out of Kotoka Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Trains & buses from Accra
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Planning a longer stay in Accra?
Read our full destination guide — hotels, attractions, visa tips, and more.
Accra Destination Guide →Also useful for your Accra trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Accra
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from ACC.
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Airport lounges at Kotoka Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Accra travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Accra works
01
Check you can leave
Ghana requires a visa for most non-African nationalities. e-Visa at visa.mfa.gov.gh ($100 USD for US/UK/AUS). ECOWAS nationals visa-free.
03
Back in time for your flight
Allow at least 30 minutes for security checks and the walk to the gate.
Ready for Accra?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.