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Airport & Transfers

Kotoka Airport Arrivals Guide (Terminal 3): What to Expect

Landing at Kotoka International Airport can feel busy the first time, but Terminal 3 is straightforward once you know what comes next. This guide takes you through immigration, baggage reclaim, getting connected and finding your driver at the meet-and-greet point. Arrange your pickup in advance and most of the guesswork disappears.

Kotoka Airport Arrivals Guide (Terminal 3): What to Expect
Representative photo via Wikimedia Commons — replace with your own

Landing at Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is the international terminal at Kotoka, so it is where most visitors arriving by air will come through. After you land, follow the signs for arrivals and immigration rather than stopping in the aisle to check your phone. Disembarking a full flight can take a while, so allow some patience.

Before the aircraft lands, have your passport, any visa or entry approval, and your arrival documents ready. Keep essentials such as medication, a charger and a little local cash in your hand luggage in case your checked bags take longer than expected.

If you have arranged a pickup with CarRentalGH, you will not need to look for a taxi rank or negotiate a fare outside. Send us your flight number when you book so we can keep track of any changes to your arrival time. You can reach us on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or by email at info@carrentalgh.com.

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.

Immigration and baggage

Immigration is the first real checkpoint. Check the current entry requirements for your nationality before you fly, as visa rules and health documents such as the yellow fever certificate can change and apply differently depending on where you are travelling from. Have the following ready when you reach the desk:

  • Passport valid for your stay, with blank pages for stamps
  • Visa or entry approval, if required for your nationality
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate, if it applies to your travel history
  • Your accommodation address or booking confirmation

Queues can build up when several international flights land together, so stay in the correct line for your passport type and follow the signs. Answer the officer's questions about your visit clearly and honestly. After immigration, follow the signs to baggage reclaim and check the screens for your flight's carousel. Match the tag on your luggage to your ticket, and keep a little small change for a trolley, as some airports charge for them. Then proceed through customs and declare anything you are required to declare.

Finding your driver (meet and greet)

Once you have cleared immigration and collected your bags, follow the signs into the arrivals hall. Your CarRentalGH driver will wait at the meet-and-greet point holding a name board with your name on it, so you can find them without searching the crowd. Ignore anyone who approaches you in the hall offering a ride, and look for the name board that matches your booking.

The simplest way to make this smooth is to book a meet-and-greet pickup in advance. Message us on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503, or email info@carrentalgh.com, with your full name as it appears on your passport, your flight number, your arrival date and your destination in Accra. With these details we can confirm your driver and update you if your flight is delayed.

Every hire comes with a professional driver, so once you are in the car you can focus on settling in rather than the road. If your plans change after you land, message the team with your updated details before you leave the terminal. Book your Kotoka meet-and-greet now so your driver is waiting when you walk out.

SIM card, money and essentials

Getting connected early makes the rest of your day easier. The main mobile networks in Ghana are MTN, Telecel and AT, and you can buy a SIM from counters and kiosks in or near the arrivals area. Expect to register the SIM with your passport, so keep it with you. Compare data bundle prices before you buy, and ask staff to help you activate the SIM if you are unsure.

The local currency is the Ghana cedi (GH₵). Change only what you need for your first day, using official bureaus or bank counters, and compare the rates you are offered. Avoid anyone who approaches you on the floor of the arrivals hall offering to change money, as this is a common route to short-changing and counterfeit notes. ATMs may be available in or near the terminal, so use one in a visible, secure spot and keep your card and PIN private.

Pack the essentials in your hand luggage: a charger and power bank, a copy of your booking, your driver's contact number, water, sun protection and any medication you need. Mobile Money is widely used in Ghana, so have your mobile wallet ready. Our own payment options are Mobile Money, bank transfer or cash, and no credit card is needed.

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Staying relaxed in arrivals

Arrivals halls can be busy and noisy, especially after several flights land together. Stay alert rather than anxious: keep your bags close, keep your phone and wallet secure, and use a trolley where you can. Most hassles at the airport come from people offering help you did not ask for, so politely decline unofficial porters, drivers and money changers who approach you.

A frequent annoyance is the unofficial driver who insists your ride has been cancelled or is waiting somewhere else. If anyone tells you your driver has changed, check with the booking contact first rather than following them out of the building. Keep a screenshot of your booking confirmation and your driver's details on your phone so you can verify them quickly.

Plan for the heat and the walk. The terminal can feel warm and humid, so drink water and keep sunglasses and light layers within reach. If you are travelling with children or older relatives, mention it in your booking so we can plan around their needs.

Onward travel into Accra

Kotoka is close to central Accra, but traffic can turn a short journey into a long one, particularly at busy times of day. Destinations such as Airport Residential, Cantonments, Osu, Labadi and East Legon can each take a different amount of time depending on the route and conditions, so allow extra time for your first journey. If you use a taxi or another transport option, agree the fare before you set off.

A pre-booked transfer is the simplest way to avoid negotiating in the arrivals hall. CarRentalGH provides Kotoka airport transfers from GH₵450, with a professional driver who will take you to your hotel, office or home in Accra. Confirm the exact fare for your destination when you book so there are no surprises.

If you are staying longer or plan to explore beyond Accra, tell us your itinerary when you book and we will help you choose the right vehicle and driver for the journey. Message us on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or email info@carrentalgh.com to arrange your transfer from Kotoka.

Frequently asked questions

Will I have a professional driver for my airport transfer?
Yes. Every CarRentalGH hire comes with a professional driver, including Kotoka pickups, so you do not have to navigate Accra traffic yourself.
How will I recognise my driver at Kotoka?
Your driver will wait at the meet-and-greet point in the arrivals hall holding a name board with your name on it. Book the meet-and-greet in advance and share your flight number so we can confirm the details with you.
Can I pay by credit card?
No credit card is needed. You can pay by Mobile Money, bank transfer or cash.
Should I change money at the airport?
Change only a small amount for your first day, at an official bureau or bank counter, and compare the rates. Avoid anyone who approaches you in the arrivals hall offering to change money.
What if my flight is delayed?
Share your flight number when you book, and message us on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or email info@carrentalgh.com if your arrival time changes. We will update your driver.
How much is a transfer from Kotoka?
Kotoka airport transfers start from GH₵450. Confirm the exact fare for your destination when you book.

Ready when you are

Make Terminal 3 the easy part of your trip. Book your Kotoka Airport pickup with CarRentalGH on WhatsApp at +233 24 915 1503 or by emailing info@carrentalgh.com, and we will confirm your meet-and-greet with a professional driver waiting with your name board. Transfers start from GH₵450, and you can pay by Mobile Money, bank transfer or cash, with no credit card needed.

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The 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.