Cities
Car Hire in Kumasi and Takoradi: A Practical Guide
Quick answer: Both cities have local car hire firms offering self-drive and cars with drivers, though there are fewer of them than in Accra and international brands are scarce. In Kumasi, one local firm, Dorfrimps, publishes rates of around GH₵700–1,600 a day (for example, a Toyota RAV4 at GH₵900). In Takoradi, firms such as Sadak Car Rentals and Ultimate Car Rentals operate, but prices generally aren't published, so you'll need a quote. Kumasi is about 255 km from Accra and Takoradi about 240 km (NCRC). Both have airports with short flights from Accra, so flying in and hiring locally is often the smart move.
Most car hire information online is about Accra. That's fair enough, since the capital is where most visitors land. But if your family is from Ashanti or the Western Region, or you're working in the oil and gas sector around Takoradi, you'll want wheels where you actually are. Here's what we found.
Kumasi
Getting there
Kumasi is the Ashanti Region's capital and Ghana's second city. By road it's around 250–255 km from Accra on the N6, typically 4–6 hours (see our Accra to Kumasi road trip guide). By air, the Prempeh I International Airport, commissioned in May 2024 according to the Ghana News Agency, has frequent flights from Accra. FlightsFrom lists flight times of about 40–50 minutes, operated by Africa World Airlines and Passion Air.
Who hires cars in Kumasi
Our research found a cluster of firms around the Airport Roundabout area, as well as others across the city. From their own published information:
- Dorfrimps Car Rentals (Dichemso, near Airport Roundabout) publishes self-drive and chauffeur options. Its website lists a Toyota RAV4 at GH₵900/day, a Highlander at GH₵1,200, and other vehicles between GH₵700 and GH₵1,600.
- Ultimate Car Rentals lists a Kumasi branch at Amakom, alongside branches in Accra and Takoradi.
- FBK Car Rentals (Baamoah Road) offers self-drive, chauffeur and luxury cars, with prices on request.
- TLGhana (Airport Roundabout) offers car rental with a driver, alongside travel agency services.
We list these by name for reference only, based on their published information. This isn't an endorsement. Always verify a firm yourself before paying anything.
Price context
Kumasi firms tend to quote in cedis. To compare with Accra, KAYAK's Accra small-car average was around $72/day and its SUV average around $165/day when we checked in October 2026. Kumasi's published local rates sit in a broadly similar range once converted, but exchange rates move, so compare on the day.
Day trips from Kumasi
A car (or a car and driver) really earns its keep here. The cultural heart of the city is compact, but the best of the surrounding area isn't on a bus route you'd want to rely on.
- Lake Bosomtwe: about 30 km south-east of Kumasi, roughly 50 minutes to an hour by car (Wikivoyage). It's Ghana's natural crater lake, and lovely for a long lunch.
- Bonwire: the kente-weaving village, around 18 km north-east (traveling-to.com).
- Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary: about an hour's drive, according to Wikivoyage.
- In town, the Manhyia Palace Museum and Kejetia Market are about 2 km apart (Herit360). Kejetia traffic is intense, so a driver who can drop you off and circle back is a real advantage.
Takoradi
Getting there
Sekondi-Takoradi, the twin city that serves as capital of the Western Region, is about 240 km from Accra by road (NCRC), roughly four hours along the coast through Kasoa, Winneba, Cape Coast and Elmina (Ghana Travel & Tour). Takoradi Airport has short flights from Accra, with published schedules from airlines including Africa World Airlines, PassionAir and Starbow.
Who hires cars in Takoradi
The market is smaller than Kumasi's. Firms with a published presence include:
- Sadak Car Rentals at Adwoa Aframa Mall, Chapel Hill, with a website and social media. Prices aren't published.
- Ultimate Car Rentals, which lists a Takoradi branch at West Fijai.
We found fewer verifiable firms in Takoradi than in any other city we researched. That's a good reason to book early and to check carefully, especially when oil-sector business demand is high.
Why hire a car in Takoradi?
The beaches. Ghana Travel & Tour notes that the beaches worth the drive begin about an hour west of the city: Busua, Butre and Dixcove, with Axim and Beyin further on. The Nzulezo stilt village is around 2.5 hours away. The harbour water in Takoradi itself is a working port and not for swimming.
The UK FCDO warns of dangerous rip tides along Ghana's southern coast, so ask locally before you swim.
Self-drive or chauffeur outside Accra?
Outside the capital, we'd lean towards a driver for most visitors, and here's why. Roads between towns can deteriorate quickly. The FCDO says roads can be in poor condition, particularly in rural areas, and advises against travelling outside main towns after dark. A local driver knows which back road has washed out this season and where the checkpoints are, and can wait with the car while you're at a family function.
That said, if you know the area and hold the right documents (your licence plus a 1949 IDP), self-drive gives you freedom for exploring the coast or visiting relatives in several villages. Our self-drive vs chauffeur guide goes into the trade-offs.
One-way hire between cities
It's tempting to hire in Accra, drive to Kumasi or Takoradi and fly back. Some firms with branches in several cities may allow this, but expect a one-way fee to cover returning the car. Ask in writing. If one-way isn't possible, flying in and hiring locally is usually simpler.
Practical checklist
- Get a written quote with the daily rate, fuel policy, mileage limit and deposit.
- If you're taking a driver for several days, ask about their meals and accommodation.
- Confirm airport pickup if you're flying in. Not every firm meets flights.
- Photograph the car at handover.
- Keep copies of your driving documents for police checkpoints.
- Plan to be off the highways by dark.
A three-city loop
Plenty of visitors want to see the coast and Kumasi in one trip. Using the NCRC distance chart, a loop of Accra to Takoradi (about 240 km), back east to Cape Coast, then up to Kumasi (Cape Coast to Kumasi is about 200 km) and finally down to Accra (about 255 km) covers a lot of Ghana in a week. It's a lot of driving, though, so plan rest days and stick to daylight.
On a loop like this, a single car and driver for the whole trip is usually simpler than juggling three local hires. Ask an Accra firm for a fixed multi-day price that includes the driver's accommodation. If you'd rather drive yourself, check the mileage limit carefully, because you'll comfortably exceed 700 km.
Booking from abroad
Smaller cities mean smaller firms, and many of them work primarily through WhatsApp. That's fine, but apply the same care you would anywhere. Search the number, check the map listing, ask for a video of the car and get the price in writing. Some of the Kumasi firms in our research have only a handful of online reviews or half-built websites. That doesn't mean they're not genuine, but it does mean a phone call before you send a deposit is time well spent.
Prices in context
Because so few Takoradi firms publish rates, we can't give you a reliable local average there. Our advice is to ask two or three firms for a written quote on the same vehicle and dates. That's the quickest way to see what fair looks like.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire cost in Kumasi?
One Kumasi firm, Dorfrimps, publishes rates of roughly GH₵700–1,600 a day, for example GH₵900 for a Toyota RAV4 (checked October 2026). Other firms quote on request.
Is there car hire at Kumasi airport?
Several firms are based near Kumasi's Airport Roundabout. Arrange a pickup in advance rather than expecting a rental desk.
Can I hire a car in Takoradi?
Yes. Local firms including Sadak Car Rentals and a branch of Ultimate Car Rentals operate there, but fewer firms publish prices, so book early.
How far is Takoradi from Accra?
About 240 km by road (NCRC), roughly four hours, with short flights also available.
Should I fly or drive to Kumasi and Takoradi?
Flying saves hours. Driving gives you a car on arrival and lets you stop at Cape Coast on the way to Takoradi. Many visitors fly one way and drive the other.
Do Kumasi and Takoradi firms offer chauffeurs?
Many do. Dorfrimps, FBK and TLGhana, for example, list driver options on their websites.
Browse local firms
See verified firms on our Kumasi page, compare chauffeurs and self-drive options, or start in Accra and book an airport transfer for your arrival.
Information checked 13 October 2026.
Sources (14)
- dorfrimps.com/
- ultimatecarrentalsgh.com/
- sadakrentals.com/
- gna.org.gh/2024/05/president-akufo-addo-commissions-prempeh-i-international-airport-in-kumasi/
- flightsfrom.com/KMS-ACC
- ncrc-ghana.org/distancechart/
- ghanatravelandtour.com/blog/takoradi-sekondi-guide/
- en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Lake_Bosomtwi
- gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ghana/safety-and-security
- kayak.com/Cheap-Accra-Car-Rentals.20768.cars.ksp
- herit360.com/explore/manhyia-palace-museum
- traveling-to.com/ghana/kumasi/
- fbkcarentals.com/
- tlghana.com/
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