Your transport options in Accra
Visitors to Accra usually choose between a few main ways of getting around: a hire car with a professional driver, ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt, taxis, trotros (shared minibuses) and public transport more broadly, and walking. Each suits a different kind of trip, and many visitors end up combining two or three of them.
The right choice depends on how far you are going, how many people are travelling, how much luggage you have, the time of day and how much you want to spend your time on the trip itself rather than on logistics. Traffic is the biggest single factor. A journey that looks short on a map can take much longer in the late afternoon, and rain or a major event can change the picture again.
The sections below cover each option, including where it falls short.
Arriving in Accra? Sort your ride first.
Pre-book a car with a driver or a Kotoka airport pickup — fixed price, agreed before you land.
A car with a driver
A hire car with a professional driver is the option we recommend most for visitors. It is the only one of the main choices that gives you a dedicated vehicle, a driver who knows the city and a plan for the whole day.
The main advantages are comfort, local knowledge and door-to-door travel. A good driver knows which roads tend to clog at particular hours, where to park near busy markets and offices, and how to reach an address that is not clear on a map. You can make several stops in one outing, wait for you during meetings or visits, and know the cost before you set off.
The trade-off is that a hire car costs more per trip than a shared minibus or a short app ride, and it is best to book ahead for busy periods. For a single short journey across town, a ride-hailing app may well be cheaper.
Our day rates are GH₵800 for a Corolla, GH₵1,200 for a RAV4 and GH₵1,600 for a Prado with driver. Every hire includes a professional driver. Message us on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or email info@carrentalgh.com to check availability for your dates.
Ride-hailing and taxis
Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt are widely available in Accra and work well for short, point-to-point trips when you are not carrying much. You can see the price or an estimate before you confirm, follow the car on the map and avoid haggling.
Taxis are also available, but they work differently. Taxis in Accra generally do not run on meters, so agree the fare clearly before you get in. Ask your hotel or a local contact what a journey should roughly cost so you have a sense of a fair figure.
Ride-hailing has real limits for visitors. Waits can lengthen at busy hours or in rain, drivers may not find the exact spot you want, and a long trip through heavy traffic can cost more than the distance suggests. Apps also do not help you plan a full day of visits, so if you have several appointments, a hire car is usually simpler.
Safety tips: check the driver's name, photo and number plate against the app before you get in, share your trip with someone you trust, sit in the back, and choose well-lit, busy pick-up points late at night. Do not get into an unmarked car that approaches you on the street.
Trotros and public transport
Trotros are the shared minibuses that run along many of Accra's main routes. They are one of the cheapest ways to travel across parts of the city, and they are a genuine part of everyday life, so they are worth understanding even if you do not plan to use them.
Fares are paid in cash, usually to a conductor known as the mate, who calls out the destination and collects payment as you travel. Vehicles pick up and set down passengers along the route and can fill up quickly before they leave.
The advantages are cost and the chance to see the city the way local people do. The drawbacks for a first-time visitor are real. Vehicles are often crowded and hot, stops and routes are not always signposted in English, a vehicle may not go to your exact address, and you may need to change vehicles to complete a journey. Travel times are hard to predict in traffic.
Safety tips: keep bags in front of you, keep valuables out of sight, carry small notes and coins for fares, and avoid travelling alone late at night. If you are unsure of a route, ask a local or your hotel before you board, or simply book a driver for the trip.
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Getting between the key areas
Kotoka International Airport to central Accra and Airport Residential: the distance is not great on paper, but traffic on the main approach roads can add a lot of time. After a long flight, a pre-booked transfer from GH₵450 means you are not negotiating a fare at the kerb. Book ahead on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or by email at info@carrentalgh.com.
Osu: popular for restaurants, bars, shops and the coast. It is well served by ride-hailing and taxis, but parking is limited in busy spots, so a driver makes an evening out easier.
East Legon: a residential and business area with many restaurants, offices and embassies. Single trips work well by app, while a day of meetings across several parts of East Legon suits a hire car.
Accra Central, including Makola: the busy commercial and market area, with narrow streets, heavy foot traffic and limited parking. It is hard to drive yourself through, which is why many visitors prefer a driver who can drop them close to their destination and wait nearby.
Labadi: a beach area east of the centre that is popular at weekends. The coast road can be congested at busy times, so a hire car is convenient for a day trip with several stops.
Tema: the port and industrial city east of Accra, linked by the Accra-Tema Motorway. Trips to Tema for business or port visits are easier with a driver who knows the approach at peak hours.
If your day takes in several of these areas, a hire car with a professional driver is the simplest plan. Message us on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or email info@carrentalgh.com to arrange it.
Our recommendation for visitors
If you are visiting Accra for the first time, we recommend a hire car with a professional driver for most of your trip. It removes the need to understand the traffic, the routes or the fare system. It gives you a clear cost for the day and lets you focus on your meetings, the city and the people you have come to see.
A sensible pattern for many visitors is to book the Kotoka transfer from GH₵450 for arrival and departure, arrange a driver for the days you have appointments or sightseeing, and use ride-hailing for the occasional short trip you want to make on your own.
Choose your vehicle by group size and luggage. The Corolla at GH₵800 per day suits smaller groups travelling light. The RAV4 at GH₵1,200 per day gives more room for longer days and bags. The Prado with driver at GH₵1,600 per day is the larger option for bigger groups or heavier luggage.
To book, message us on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or email info@carrentalgh.com. You can pay by Mobile Money, bank transfer or cash.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to drive myself in Accra?
No. Every CarRentalGH hire comes with a professional driver. You tell the driver where you want to go and they handle the traffic, parking and local routes, so you can focus on your visit.
Is it safe to use Uber or Bolt in Accra?
Ride-hailing apps are a sensible option for many visitors. Check the driver's name, photo and number plate against the app before you get in, share your trip with someone you trust, and stick to well-lit, busy areas late at night. Avoid unmarked cars that approach you on the street.
How much does a taxi cost in Accra?
Taxi fares depend on distance, time of day and traffic, and taxis generally do not use meters, so agree the fare before you set off. If you need a predictable cost for a full day of meetings or sightseeing, a hire car with a driver is usually clearer.
Can I get from Kotoka Airport to my hotel without a long wait?
Yes. A pre-booked airport transfer means a driver is arranged in advance, so you are not negotiating a fare at the kerb after a long flight. Transfers start from GH₵450. Book on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or email info@carrentalgh.com with your flight number and pick-up time.
Are trotros safe for visitors?
Trotros are part of everyday life in Accra and many people use them without trouble. They are crowded, routes and stops are not always signposted in English, and fares are paid in cash. Keep valuables close and, if you are unsure, ask a local or choose another option for your first few days.
How do I book and pay for a hire?
Book with a WhatsApp message to +233 24 915 1503 or an email to info@carrentalgh.com. Tell us your dates, pick-up point and vehicle preference. You can pay by Mobile Money, bank transfer or cash.
Ready when you are
Ready to stop worrying about traffic and routes? Message us on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or email info@carrentalgh.com with where you are going and when. We will arrange a professional driver and a suitable vehicle for your visit.
GHThe CarRentalGH Team
Written by the CarRentalGH team in Accra. We run airport pickups at Kotoka and drive clients across Greater Accra, Kasoa and the coast every week, so these guides come from the road, not a desk.
