Johannesburg, South Africa → Accra, Ghana · ✈ 6h 20min · 🚗 75h 49min
2,519 nautical miles · Time difference: -2h behind · Direction: northwest
The distance from Johannesburg to Accra is 4,666 km (2,899 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 6h 20min.
The straight-line distance from Johannesburg, South Africa to Accra, Ghana is approximately 4,666 kilometers (2,899 miles or 2,519 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Accra is located northwest of Johannesburg. Johannesburg is in Africa, in the Gauteng region of South Africa, while Accra is in Africa, in Greater Accra, Ghana. Both cities are in Africa.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 4,666 km | ~6h 20min | Best option for speed |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Johannesburg to Accra. For 4,666 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Johannesburg sits at 26.2041°S, 28.0473°E, while Accra is located at 5.6037°N, 0.1870°W. The initial compass bearing from Johannesburg to Accra is 315° (NW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Johannesburg heading roughly NW. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 31.81° and the longitude difference is 28.23°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Johannesburg and Accra is approximately 10.6129°S, 13.1840°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 2,333 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
Accra is roughly 2 hours behind Johannesburg. When it is 09:00 in Johannesburg, it is approximately 07:00 in Accra. A 2-hour shift is small enough that most travelers adjust within a day. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Johannesburg is a major city in South Africa with a population of approximately 5,635,127. Located in the Gauteng region, it is an important hub in Africa. As one of the largest cities in South Africa, Johannesburg is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
→ See all distances from Johannesburg
Accra is a notable city in Ghana with a population of approximately 2,291,352. Situated in the Greater Accra region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Accra offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Ghana.
→ See all distances from Accra
4,666 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
The 4,666 km between Johannesburg and Accra means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 15.6 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 6h 20min.
The straight-line distance from Johannesburg to Accra is approximately 4,666 kilometers (2,899 miles, 2,519 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 6h 20min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 75h 49min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Accra is approximately -2h behind compared to Johannesburg.
The estimated road distance is approximately 6,066 km, which is about 30% longer than the 4,666 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.