Copenhagen Airport to City Center

Have you finalized Copenhagen as your travel destination? The first thing you should work on is to find ways to transfer from Copenhagen Airport to City Center. Getting some knowledge about transferring from the airport to the city center can save both your time and money. Every tourist should book a hotel located in the city center, because many must-visit places are located in or around the city center. 

The central area of the city is also recognized as the business and tourism hub of Copenhagen. Many of the things to do in Copenhagen are located within the city center. Moreover, getting to the city center from the airport is easy and fast.

As a travel blogger, I have used Copenhagen Airport many times, and I would love to share my knowledge and experience on airport-to-city transfer for people coming to Copenhagen for the first time.

Copenhagen Airport (CPH)

The international airport of Copenhagen is known as Kastrup Airport. It’s located just 8 km south of the city center. It’s the main gateway to Denmark and one of the busiest airports in Europe, with more than 700 flights per day. The IATA Code for Copenhagen International Airport is CPH.

The airport has three passenger terminals, all of which are well-connected. Millions of passengers use this airport as it’s the main entrance to Denmark. The airport is perfectly linked with the city center through various transportation sources like the metro, train, taxi, and bus.

How to Get from Copenhagen Airport to City Center?

As discussed earlier, the airport is well connected to central Copenhagen through various transportation sources. The most convenient and inexpensive ways to get to the city center are by train and metro. You should choose the mode of transportation, keeping in mind your budget and time. 

Below is the detailed guide on getting from Copenhagen Airport to City Center:

1- Train (Easy and Cheapest Way)

The airport is directly connected to the central station of Copenhagen by train. It’s the easiest, cheapest, and time-saving mode of transportation. Trains depart from the underground track 2 at Terminal 3 every 10 minutes during busy hours, every 20 minutes in the evening, and once an hour late at night. The train runs without a single stop from the airport to the central station, from where you can change trains to reach your final destination.

You need to buy a ticket before getting into the train from the DSB Ticket Booth or the ticketing machines installed in the arrival area of the airport. The cost of the ticket could be around 30 Krone, equal to 4.68 dollars and 4.02 Euros. It’s the fastest way to get from Copenhagen Airport to City Center with a travel time of 13 to 15 minutes.

2- Metro (Fastest and Most Reliable Mode of Transport)

Another reliable and economical way to get to the city center is the metro. M2 Metro service (Yellow Line) is available 24 hours a day to offer travelers a comfortable journey. You can get a metro ride without stepping out of the airport because the metro station is located inside the airport Terminal 3. Frequent service makes it the best option to reach the city center quickly.

An interesting fact is that you can go anywhere in Copenhagen from the airport by Metro. Change the metro at Kongens Nytorv to reach your final destination. Kongens Nytorv is a junction point from where you can take the M3 Metro, which runs around the city center. It’s a circle route, which means both directions will take you to your destination.

Talking about the ticket price and travel time, the price is the same as the train, which is 30 Danish Krone. Tickets can be purchased from the DSB ticketing booth and ticketing machines installed at the arrival areas of the airport. The travel time is also the same as the train, which is around 13 to 15 minutes.

3- Buses (Slow but Economical)

You can also move from the Copenhagen Airport to City Center by bus. Bus 5C will take you to the city center from outside the airport’s Terminal 3. Various bus companies operate from the airport to different parts of Copenhagen. Greyhound’s bus 999 operates from the airport’s Terminal 3 to Malmø (Sweden), and Abildskou Bus 888 runs between Terminal 2 and northern Jutland. So, make sure you are boarding a bus en route to your destination.

The traveling cost in the bus is the same as the train and the metro, but the bus is much slower than them. The bus ticket price for central Copenhagen is around 30 DKK ($4.68), and it takes around 30 to 40 minutes from Copenhagen Airport to City Center.

4- Taxi (Slow and Expensive Option)

You can get a taxi from outside the airport terminals 1 and 3. It’s expensive but good for private transportation to central Copenhagen. People travelling to Copenhagen with a lot of luggage or visiting Copenhagen with kids and family should go for a taxi. People who just want to avoid public transport choose a taxi service to go to their destination. 

You can book a taxi before you arrive in Denmark, but there is no need, because many taxis are waiting for you outside the airport. The cost of reaching the city center from the airport by taxi can be between 250 DKK and 400 DKK. Travel time from Copenhagen Airport to the City Center depends on the traffic, but keep a 20 to 40-minute duration in mind.

5- Rent a Car (Travel Independently)

Need privacy during your Copenhagen visit? Renting a car is the perfect option for you. Many people coming with families prefer to rent a car and travel anywhere from the airport. It’s a private, independent option for getting from Copenhagen Airport to City Center. Many companies providing car rental services are available at the CPH Airport. The big names are Avis, Sixt, Hertz, Budget, and Europcar. It’s a costly way to move from the airport, and not everybody can afford it.

Moreover, you need to fulfill some requirements to get a rental car. You should have a driving license valid in Denmark, a Passport, and a Credit Card to avail the car rental service. Once you get a car, you can drive to the city center or anywhere in the city. Must book a car in advance if you are coming in the summer, when the tourism season is at its peak.

6- Hotel Pickups

Many well-known hotels located in central Copenhagen offer pickup service from the airport. Some hotels provide this service free of cost, while others adjust the pickup charges to your bill. As a traveler, I highly recommend booking a hotel in Copenhagen that provides a pickup service from the airport. It’s as important as selecting the ideal places to stay in Copenhagen for first-time visitors.

7- Car Sharing at Copenhagen Airport

Car sharing is also a good option available at the airport if you are traveling alone. More than 1000 eco-friendly, electric cars are running in the city of Copenhagen, including at the airport. Get a Green Mobility vehicle from the parking P7A of Terminal 3 and move from the Copenhagen Airport to City Center. You need to register on the Green Mobility app to rent an electric car. Payment will be charged to you based on the minutes you use.

What is the Copenhagen Card, and how does it benefit?

You should buy a Copenhagen Card before your arrival. It’s the most valuable thing to enjoy in the city. If you have the card, you need no more money to travel from the Copenhagen Airport to City Center. You can travel freely in buses, the metro, and trains with this card. Just buy the card online from home, activate it upon your arrival, and enjoy free travel to different parts of Copenhagen.

Not only transportation, but also entry to more than 89 tourist attractions is free through the Copenhagen Card. The validity of the Copenhagen Card depends on the type of card you bought. So, must consider your stay duration in the city at the time of purchasing the card.

Tips to move from Copenhagen Airport to City Center

• Choose the mode of transport according to your budget
• Must buy a ticket before boarding a train or metro
• Be aware of pocket pickers at crowded places and spammers when booking a taxi or any other private transport.
• Drive according to local traffic rules if you rented a car.
• Don’t drive in the bike lanes and keep them safe.
• Keep in mind the things not to do in Copenhagen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

There are multiple ways to move from the Copenhagen Airport to City Center. Most people use trains and the metro to move from the airport because they are cheap and fast. Both modes of transport take 13 to 15 minutes to reach central Copenhagen. Uses are also available at a cheap ticket price, but it’s much slower than the train and the metro. It’s important to learn about the transportation options available at the Airport so that you can choose one according to your budget and time.

I hope this guide helps you in choosing the right option to reach your destination in Copenhagen.