Bike, walk, uber, train, metro…it’s all in here!
There are many options when it comes to traveling to Copenhagen or getting around the city. For first-timers, read through the info below so you can make the most adequate plans for your trip!
GETTING TO COPENHAGEN:
Copenhagen’s main airport: Kastrup Airport (CPH) is one of the best airports to travel in and out from, for its beautiful design and delicious food options (very important!) Check-ins and security lines may take longer during high travel hours, make sure you give yourself some cushion room with time.
It’s a main hub in Scandinavia, so many international carriers fly to CPH as well as numerous low-cost European airlines.
If you want an alternative airport to reach Copenhagen, try Malmo, Sweden’s Sturup Airport (MMX) which is only 40 minutes by car or 30 minutes by train to reach Copenhagen Central Station.
BEST FOR: If you’re traveling from Sweden, Germany or other Danish cities.
Traveling to Copenhagen from another Scandinavian country? Taking the train is your best bet! From Sweden, there are routes at every hour between Copenhagen – Malmö, Lund, Gothenburg. There are 12 daily trains between Copenhagen and Stockholm. Other train connections include: Karlskrona, Kalmar. Travel time between Malmö and Copenhagen Central Station, for example, is about 35 minutes, and costs 107 Kr (approx. USD $15.)
From Germany, there are trains that run up to 6 times a day between Copenhagen to Hamburg (€33,) and two directly to Berlin (€46.)
If you’re traveling from other Danish cities, there are enormous train options as well.
BEST FOR: If you’re coming in from Sweden, Germany, Poland or other Danish cities, especially islands including: Jutland, and Zealand.
Between Jutland and Zealand, three are buses that run quite a few times a day that reach Copenhagen Central Station.
From other European cities like Malmo or Berlin, there are several websites where you can find info or buy tickets online. Check out: GoEuro, CheckMyBus, or FlixBus.
BEST FOR: If you’re traveling from Norway.
DFDS Seaways provides ferry route between Copenhagen and Oslo will arrive at the beautiful new ferry terminal near Nordhavn station. It’s a 17-hour cruise ride, and runs up to 7 times each week. Because frequency and duration may change each season, so check the website for live updates before booking. Reservations can be easily made from the website, average price during low-season (December) is about 166 euros and up to 400 euros in July.
If you want to take the night cruise, there are Commodore cabins with double beds that are outside and Seaways cabins with bunk beds that are both outside and inside. You can choose your evening meal from four different restaurants.
FYI, Copenhagen is a very popular port among cruise ships touring both the Baltic sea and the Norwegian fjords. Keep that in mind, if that’s how you want to travel.
FROM CPH TO CITY/DOWNTOWN:
Head to Terminal 3 to buy your ticket from a vending machine. From Kastrup Københavns Lufthavn, Kastrup Station to Central Station (Hovedbanegården, or København H) will take 12 minutes by train. The 36 Kr (approx. USD $5) one-way ticket covers 3 zones, and you’ll need to use it within 75 minutes after purchasing.
Vending machines only take coins and credit cards. They won’t accept bills.
Take the M2 metro to Vanløse Station which takes 15 minutes and 13 minutes to Nørreport Station (hub in city centre) from the airport. Each ticket costs the same as the train, 36 Kr (approx. USD $5.)
Tickets can be bought in Terminal 3, don’t get confused with another metro station stop name Kastrup which is the same name as the airport but it’s a different stop. Vending machines only take coins and credit cards. They won’t accept bills.
Metro from the airport leaves every 4 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes during the night. So it’s frequent and convenient.
Take the 5A bus that’ll take you to Central Station, City Hall Square, Nørreport…and more. Expect 30-35 minutes of bus ride, and they run every 10 minutes daily though not as frequent at night.
You can also buy tickets at Terminal 3 at the CPH or on the actual bus but drivers only accept coins.
Another convenient way is by taxi, which will cost 250-400 Kr (approx. USD $36-44.) There are taxi stations in both Terminal 1 and 3, and the cab ride will take 20 minutes to reach downtown.
BEST FOR: If you’re traveling to and from the airport within 72 hours by bus, train or metro.
Copenhagen offers a City Pass that’s free if you’re traveling with TWO children under 12 years old. A 24-hour City Pass costs 80 Kr (approx. USD $12) for an adult and 40 Kr (approx. USD $6) for a child. And a 72-hour City Pass costs 200 Kr (approx. USD $30) for an adult and 100 Kr (approx. USD $15) for a child.
It covers unlimited rides on buses, trains, and 1-4 metro zones, even to and from the airport.
GETTING AROUND COPENHAGEN:
Copenhagen is compact and walking-friendly, so we highly recommend that you take the time to enjoy outdoors by foot. There’s no better way to stay in shape while sightseeing!
Copenhagen Metro is easy with two major lines, the green and yellow. One runs from Vanløse and throughout the city center, while the other line heads toward the airport. There isn’t a timetable, and it runs nonstop at night as well. The trains are automatic without drivers.
Each train ticket is 24 Kr (USD $3.5) for adults and 12 Kr (USD $1.25) for children under 16 years old. Children under 11 years old can travel for free with one accompanying adult. You can buy tickets via DOT Mobilbilletter app in the AppStore or Google Play. Tickets cover 2 zones and you must use it within an hour. You can use the same ticket for trains, metro, and buses.
The Danes buy Rejsekort card, which costs 80 Kr (USD $11.7) each, and can be purchased at ticket offices, airport or Copenhagen Central Station.
The S-train in Copenhagen is great for traveling outside of downtown into the suburbs, it operates similar to Paris RER or the German S-Bahn. Trains have free Wi-Fi and runs from early morning to late at night. Announcements are spoken in both Danish and English.
Each train ticket is 24 Kr (USD $3.5) for adults and 12 Kr (USD $1.25) for children under 16 years old. Children under 11 years old can travel for free with one accompanying adult. You can buy tickets via DOT Mobilbilletter app in the AppStore or Google Play. Tickets cover 2 zones and you must use it within an hour. You can use the same ticket for trains, metro, and buses.
The Danes buy Rejsekort card, which costs 80 Kr (USD $11.7) each, and can be purchased at ticket offices, airport or Copenhagen Central Station.
The best way to get around the city is by bicycle, which is also beloved by local Danes. Copenhagen is designed for cyclists, with wide bike lanes that are highly respected by drivers and pedestrians. Always keep to the right, for more bike tips.
You can rent bikes from your hotel or check out these rental shops: Rent a Bike in Copenhagen, Baisikeli, Rent a Bike Copenhagen, and Donkey Republic which is great to book bikes online by your location, then unlock the bike using bluetooth.
You can rent local Smart Bikes, called: Bycyklen, they come with touch screens, electric motors, GPS, super puncture-resistant tires and locks. You can only pay for the bikes by credit card though. If you don’t want to use your card, then visit Bycyklen’s website for more details and signups. These bikes can be rented from several stations throughout the city and are available 24/7. Each bike costs DKR25/hour.
Hello Mercedes & BMWs as your taxis in the city! They’re prevalent and premium. Though you pay for it with 11-15 Kr/kilometer (USD $1.5-2) in addition to a fixed initial charge at 25 Kr (USD $3.65.) All taxis will accept credit cards and even Euros.
If you call by phone to be picked up at a specific location, there’s an extra charge of 12-15 Kr. And it’s not respectful to negotiate the price before getting on (unlike in other countries.)
Uber is available in Copenhagen, and it works well!
Seeing the city via canal tours is a great option since it includes quite a few stops at main attractions. There are different tours: DFDS Canal Tour – Unguided hop on and off water bus, and a 75-minute guided tour with a pre-recorded tape in various language. Netto-bådene – Fixed tour, but cheaper.
Also check out GoBoat, which promotes social interaction through sustainable boat rental. This is great if you want to be your own captain!
EXPLORING OUTSIDE OF COPENHAGEN:
By taking the Eurail Denmark, you can discover other cities, including: Århus, Odense and Aalborg.
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