Cheap flights to Accra
Set your departure airport and maximum budget: SniperAir tracks prices to Accra and alerts you the moment a deal matching your criteria appears.
Quick summary
Country
Ghana
Continent
Africa
Airport
ACC
Currency
Ghanaian cedi (GHS)
Time zone
UTC
Deals already spotted to Accra
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
Loading examples…
Why track Accra with SniperAir
You do not need to compare prices every day
Choose your departure
Enter your departure airport and your maximum budget for a flight to Accra (ACC).
SniperAir keeps watch
Our systems continuously compare new prices with the real price history of the route. SniperAir monitors prices and alerts you: it does not sell or book tickets.
You receive an alert
As soon as a price matches your criteria, you are notified, without having searched for anything yourself.
Accra is the capital of Ghana, and Wikivoyage (EN) describes it as a mix of 19th-century colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers and apartment blocks, and dusty shanty towns. It was founded by the Ga people, became the capital of the British Gold Coast in 1877 and of Ghana on independence in 1957, according to Wikivoyage (EN); Visit Ghana, the national tourism site, also dates its role as capital to 1877. Sources disagree on when and by whom the settlement was founded, so we give no founding date, and population figures vary widely between the city and its metropolitan area, so we publish none. ACC is the country's main hub, which makes price tracking worthwhile.
Airport and getting into town
An airport about ten kilometres north-east of the centre
Accra – Kotoka International Airport (ACC)
Kotoka International Airport lies north-east of the city centre according to French Wikipedia; English Wikipedia gives about 9.7 km (6 miles) from downtown. It has a domestic terminal with flights to Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi, according to French Wikipedia and Wikivoyage (EN). Wikivoyage (EN) lists direct links from London, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Lisbon, Istanbul, Dubai, Casablanca, Nairobi and New York; routes change, so check connections on your ticket. The sources we consulted give no reliable journey time into town, which depends heavily on traffic, and we do not publish taxi fares.
Distance from Wikipedia (EN), approximate. Journey times are not reliably given: they depend on traffic. We do not give fares.
Wikivoyage (EN) advises looking for the official taxi stand at the airport to get a regulated fare; otherwise quoted prices can be very high. Few Ghanaian taxis have meters, so the fare is negotiated before you set off. Yango and Uber ride-hailing apps work in Accra, according to the same source. Visit Ghana places Tema, a major commercial port, 25 km east of Accra.
Landmarks
James Town, the Nkrumah mausoleum and Osu Castle
Accra is best explored between its old fishing quarter, its places of remembrance of independence and its Atlantic seafront. The places below are illustrated; we stay cautious about dates and figures, which vary from one source to another.
James Town and its lighthouse
Wikivoyage (EN) presents James Town as the oldest part of Accra, still an active fishing centre, comparable to Stone Town in Zanzibar, with old stone houses, hidden alleys and views from clifftop harbour edges; it suggests going with a friendly local guide. Visit Ghana also lists the Jamestown lighthouse and community among the places to see.
The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
Wikivoyage (EN) says the memorial park honours Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to independence and became its first president, and who is buried there; he is called a highly important figure of the 20th century and Africa's Man of the Millennium. Visit Ghana lists it among Accra's key sites, with the National Museum, the National Theatre and Independence Square.
The statue of Kwame Nkrumah
In the same park, a bronze statue stands in front of the grey stone monument. Wikivoyage (EN) notes that visitors can see a monument to Nkrumah as well as his mausoleum. It is one of the most visited places of remembrance in the city, in a setting of lawns and pools.
Labadi Beach
Wikivoyage (EN) calls Labadi one of the most popular beaches with visitors, fairly clean, lined with makeshift cafés and souvenir vendors, between two big hotels. It lies south-west of the airport. At sunrise, fishing canoes are drawn up on the sand.
Osu Castle (Christiansborg)
Wikivoyage (EN) says Osu Castle, or Christiansborg Castle, was built by the Danes in the 17th century, changed hands several times and was also used to hold enslaved people before shipping. It places it on Barnes Road in Adabraka: check the visiting conditions before you go.
Other places named by Wikipedia (EN, FR) and Wikivoyage (EN): Independence Square, or Black Star Square, with its arch topped by a black star and an eternal flame first lit by Nkrumah in 1961; Fort James, established by the British in 1673; Ussher Fort, of Dutch origin, which houses a small museum and belongs to the UNESCO-listed forts and castles; Makola Market; the Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit and Wesley cathedrals; and the Ghana National Mosque. Further out, the Densu Delta, a Ramsar site, Bojo Beach and the Shai Hills reserve are day trips according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Museums and culture
National Museum, the Du Bois centre and fantasy coffins
The National Museum
Wikivoyage (EN) describes a look at Ghanaian history and culture from prehistory to the present: clothing, thrones, carvings, pottery, archaeological finds, traditional metalworking and rites of passage. Visit Ghana calls it one of the largest and oldest museums in the country.
The W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre
Wikivoyage (EN) explains that it is the home of the American civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois, who moved to Ghana near the end of his life, turned into a museum and library in the Cantonments neighbourhood.
Crafts, galleries and fantasy coffins
Wikivoyage (EN) names the Kane Kwei carpentry workshop in Teshie, where coffins carved as a fish or an aeroplane were invented in the 1950s, the Artists Alliance Gallery, an artist-run gallery on three floors, and the Nubuke Foundation, founded in 2006. We give no prices or opening hours, as they change.
Food and drink
Jollof, waakye, banku and kelewele
Everyday dishes
Jollof rice, spiced rice cooked in tomato sauce, is the emblem of West African cooking and is enjoyed in Ghana with chicken or fish. Waakye combines rice and beans, and banku, a fermented maize dough, is eaten with grilled tilapia and a hot pepper sauce. Kelewele, spiced fried plantain, is a much-loved street snack.
Restaurants and districts
Wikivoyage (EN) names Osu as a trendy district known for its nightlife and its many eateries, with places for traditional Ghanaian, Indian, Chinese or vegan food. Labone and East Legon also have popular tables.
Makola Market
Visit Ghana lists Makola Market in the city centre among the places to see. It is a very busy market: go early, carry few valuables and compare prices before you buy.
Getting around
Negotiated taxis, apps and tro-tros
Taxis and apps
Wikivoyage (EN) explains that very few Ghanaian cabs have meters: the fare is negotiated before you get in. Shared taxis cost a fraction of a private ride, but drivers do not always know tourist addresses. Yango and Uber work in Accra.
Car with driver and buses
Because the sights are spread out, Wikivoyage (EN) advises visitors who can to hire a car with a driver, who often doubles as a guide. Tro-tros, shared minibuses, serve for example Madina and the University of Ghana. Intercity buses link Accra with Lomé, Abidjan, Ouagadougou and Cotonou.
Train and walking
Wikivoyage (EN) says only one rail line operates, commuter trains to Tema. The city is spread out, but relatively safe to walk around by day; watch out for open sewers and traffic.
Budget and precautions
Budget and precautions
Price level
Accra is mid-range for the region, with large gaps between local eating places and chain hotels. The fares quoted by the sources we consulted are not cross-checked and are dated, so we publish none.
Currency
Ghana uses the Ghanaian cedi (GHS). Keep cash for markets and small shops.
Flights, safety and health
SniperAir tracks prices to ACC and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets. To compare, you can also follow Abidjan or Lagos. Visit Ghana presents the capital as safe and easy to get around; Wikivoyage (EN) finds it relatively safe on foot by day, but reports muggings at some Osu bars in the evening and in the university gardens. Official advice varies from one country of departure to another: check your own government's before booking. For health, ask a doctor or a vaccination centre before you go: yellow fever vaccination and malaria prevention in particular.
When to go
A hot climate, fairly dry for the region
Long rainy season (April to July)
French Wikipedia puts the first rainy season from April to June and Wikivoyage (EN) from April to mid-July, often as brief but intense thunderstorms that can flood some districts.
Short rainy season (September to November)
A second, less marked rainy season returns from September to November according to French Wikipedia, and from September to October according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Temperatures
Spanish Wikipedia gives a monthly mean of 24.7 °C in August, the coolest month, to 28 °C in March, the warmest, for an annual mean of 26.8 °C. Wikivoyage (DE) agrees that March is the hottest month and notes that humidity makes August hard to bear despite its relative coolness.
Rainfall
French and Spanish Wikipedia give 725 and 730 mm of rain a year respectively, which puts Accra in a semi-arid climate on the edge of tropical savanna.
Between the two rainy seasons, in July and August, and then from December to March, rain is less frequent according to the seasonal calendar given by the sources. We publish no full monthly averages, because the sources do not cover the same stations or years.
By length of stay
What to do in Accra by length of stay
Historic centre and places of remembrance
One or two days for James Town, Independence Square, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the National Museum and Osu Castle, taking a driver for the scattered sights.
Beaches, markets and culture
Add Labadi Beach, Makola Market, the Du Bois centre, an art gallery and an evening in Osu.
Tema, Shai Hills and the coast
Wikivoyage (EN) suggests the Densu Delta, Bojo Beach and the Shai Hills reserve; Visit Ghana places Tema 25 km to the east. The forts of Cape Coast and Elmina need more time.
In pictures
Accra in pictures
You might also like
Similar destinations
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Accra
Where is Accra airport and how far is it from the centre?
Kotoka Airport (ACC) is north-east of the centre; English Wikipedia gives about 9.7 km. It has a domestic terminal for Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi.
Is Accra a safe city?
Visit Ghana presents it as safe and easy to get around; Wikivoyage (EN) finds it relatively safe on foot by day but reports some muggings at certain night-time spots. Official advice varies by country of departure: check your own government's before booking.
What health precautions should I take for Accra?
Ask a doctor or a vaccination centre before you go: yellow fever vaccination and malaria prevention in particular. Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change: check the official sites.
When is the best time to go to Accra?
The main rains fall from April to July, with a lighter second season from September to November. Temperatures stay warm all year, from a mean of 24.7 °C in August to 28 °C in March according to Wikipedia (ES).
How long should I stay in Accra?
Two days cover the historic centre and the places of remembrance; add two days for beaches, markets and galleries, and more for the coast.
Do I need a stopover to fly to Accra?
Wikivoyage (EN) lists direct flights from several cities, including London, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels and Lisbon. Routes change: check connections on your ticket.
How much does a flight to Accra usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Accra drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Accra (ACC) as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected. SniperAir monitors and alerts, it does not sell or book tickets.
Ready to head to Accra?
Set your budget and let SniperAir monitor fares for you.
Create my alert