Ghana welcomes church groups, service teams, students and families every year. Here is what we most often help travelers plan: when to fly, which routings suit a group with luggage, and how to get around once you land in Accra.
Ghana at a glance
- Main international gateway: Kotoka International Airport (ACC), Accra. Kumasi (KMS) is the main domestic hub in the interior.
- Busiest fare periods: December, and June to July.
- Often better-value periods: late January to April, and September to November.
- Heavy rains in the south: about April to July.
When to fly
December is Ghana’s single busiest travel month. Christmas, family visits and large diaspora events bring heavy demand and high fares. June and July are also busy because of summer student programs. If you have flexibility, late January to April and September to November are often easier on the budget.
Weather affects what a team can do. Southern Ghana has its heaviest rains from about April to July, which complicates construction and rural medical outreach. Many groups plan outdoor work for the drier months, roughly November to March, though December to February can be dusty when the harmattan wind blows.
If you’re a student, the June to July and December windows are the ones to book early. If you’re leading a team, the cheapest months and the best working weather overlap less than you might hope, so decide which matters more for your project.
Routings and baggage
Delta Air Lines flies non-stop between New York (JFK) and Accra, and has run seasonal winter service from Atlanta (ATL). United has resumed Washington Dulles (IAD) to Accra service. Non-stop flights take roughly 10 to 11 hours. Airlines add and drop these routes, so confirm what is operating for your dates. Connecting options include Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD), Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca (CMN) and British Airways via London (LHR), and these are often competitive on price.
Check checked-bag allowances on the exact fare, since they vary by airline and ticket type. Heavy luggage is common on group trips, so plan the weight of each bag before you pack.
Ghanaian customs may ask about large quantities of items such as medical supplies, laptops or matching shirts. Carry a letter of invitation from your Ghanaian host church or organization and an itemized list of what you are bringing, ask your host in advance whether duty applies to donated goods, and declare your items honestly. Clear paperwork is the best protection against delays.
Airports and getting around
International flights land at Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Yango work well in Accra and are a common, convenient way to reach your hotel or host. Many groups also arrange a private pickup through their host.
To reach cities such as Kumasi or Tamale, domestic airlines including Africa World Airlines and PassionAir fly from Accra, and domestic flights generally use a separate terminal from international ones, so confirm on your ticket. For groups traveling overland, hire a dedicated air-conditioned coach through a recognized charter company rather than relying on shared minibuses (tro-tros), which have limited space for luggage.
How to pay less on flights to Ghana
- Avoid December if you can. It is the busiest month, with June and July also busy. Late January to April and September to November are often easier on the budget.
- Weigh non-stop against connecting. Non-stop service from New York and Washington is convenient, but connections through Addis Ababa, Casablanca or London are often competitive on price.
- Balance weather and price. The heaviest rains in the south run from about April to July, so the cheapest months and the best working weather overlap less than you might hope.
- Book your term dates early. Students flying in June to July or December should book as soon as dates are firm, and compare the days either side.
For the general method, see how we find cheap flights. Send us your dates and a specialist compares the options for this route.
Before you go
Yellow fever: Ghana requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry, and the CDC also recommends the vaccine. Carry the original international certificate (the yellow card) for every traveler, and vaccinate at least ten days before you arrive so the certificate is valid. Children under nine months are the usual exception, so ask your clinic.
Malaria: the CDC lists malaria risk throughout Ghana, including Accra, so prevention tablets, repellent and bed nets are standard advice for every traveler.
Other advice: hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are commonly recommended. At the time of writing the CDC listed a Level 2 notice for yellow fever activity in the region, which is one more reason to be vaccinated. See the CDC page for Ghana for the current notices. Book a travel clinic visit four to six weeks before departure, because some vaccine courses take time.
Check passport validity and Ghana’s current visa rules through the official government portal for every traveler, since requirements depend on nationality.
Health notes below reflect the CDC’s Travelers’ Health pages as we last checked them (October 2026). Notices and outbreak levels change quickly, so read the current page before you book vaccines.
Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. Airline routes, schedules, baggage rules and entry requirements change, so your specialist confirms the current options when they quote your trip.
Planning a trip? See our Ghana flights page, our mission travel and student travel pages, or send us your dates for a quote.
Questions, answered.
When is the best time to fly to Ghana?
December is the busiest month, driven by Christmas and diaspora events, with June and July also busy for student programs. Late January to April and September to November are often better value. Southern Ghana’s heavy rains run from about April to July, and many groups prefer November to March for outdoor work.
Are there non-stop flights from the US to Accra?
Delta flies non-stop between New York (JFK) and Accra, with seasonal Atlanta service, and United has resumed Washington Dulles (IAD) to Accra, roughly 10 to 11 hours. Many travelers also connect through Addis Ababa, Casablanca or London. Confirm current schedules when you book.
What paperwork should a mission group carry?
Carry a letter from your Ghanaian host church or organization and an itemized list of supplies. Ask your host about duty on donated goods, and declare what you bring.
Is a yellow fever certificate required for Ghana?
Yes. Ghana asks arriving travelers for proof of yellow fever vaccination, and the CDC recommends the vaccine. Carry the original certificate, and vaccinate at least ten days before you travel.
