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Copenhagen Airport is Denmark’s main international gateway.
The good news here is that getting from arrivals to the city center is super easy and painless.
There’s only one arrival hall at the airport, so everything below applies no matter which flight you’re on or which terminal you land at.
I’m a train person myself, so this guide leans into that — but I’ll walk you through all four main options, since which one makes sense really depends on where in the city you’re headed.
🥳 QUICK INFO
Fastest and easiest: Take the train (DSB) or the metro (M2) — both leave right from the arrival hall, take around 20-25 minutes door to door, and cost the same either way.
Ticket price: 36 DKK (a bit over $5) for a single 3-zone ticket, 2026 pricing.
My personal pick: The train, straight into Copenhagen Central Station.
👉 I regularly update these guides, so you are working with up to date recommendations, prices and locations. This article was last updated July 2026.
What are the options
Taxi from Copenhagen Airport
You’ll see signs to follow for taxis as soon as you’re through arrivals. This is my least preferred option, mostly because it’s both more expensive and slower than taking the train or metro.
You can also book through Welcome Pickups if you’d rather arrange something ahead of time.
The rate for Welcome Pickups is a bit higher since they will be waiting for you. Expect to pay around 600 DKK or €80.
- Price: 350-500 DKK
- Time: about 30-50 minutes
- Taxis here are all metered, so you don’t need to worry about being overcharged, and you can pay by credit card directly in the taxi
- One important note: there is no Uber service in Denmark
How to get the train from Copenhagen Airport
After you enter the arrivals hall, all you have to do is go straight through and you’ll see the DSB ticket machines on your right hand side.
There are about 10 machines altogether, under a huge DSB logo, so it’s hard to miss.
You can buy your ticket directly at one of the machines. There are a few different options to choose from, but I’ve also found staff on hand at all times who can help you navigate the choices if you’re unsure.
Quick note: this is also where train tickets to Sweden (Malmö) are sold, so make sure you’re buying the right one.
Want to save money? I’d suggest looking into the Copenhagen Card, which I’ve reviewed in full here. It includes free transport for the duration of the card, and it’s entirely virtual — super easy to activate right from your phone.
Book your Copenhagen City Card here
If you’d rather not get the Copenhagen Card, you can also download the DOT app or the DSB app and buy your ticket that way instead of using the machines.
👉 Buying the single ticket: You’ll need a 3-zone ticket. Select your departure as Københavns Lufthavn, with your destination as København H (Copenhagen Central Station) — this is the ticket toward the city center. This same ticket works on the bus, metro, or train, so you’re not locked into one mode once you’ve bought it.
- Price (2026): 36 DKK per adult, a bit over $5
- You can choose a specific departure time, or just buy it when you’re ready to travel — either way, it’s valid for about 90 minutes, so time your purchase to when you actually intend to use it
- No need to validate the ticket in a machine
- There are frequent ticket checks on board, so if you’re the type to lose a paper ticket, the app is the safer bet
👉 Finding your platform: There are two Spor (track) signs on either side of the DSB machines. For the city center, head to Spor 2 (closest to the exit on the left side of the machines) — the sign will say Danmark, København C. Spor 1 is for trains to Sweden, so don’t board from there by mistake.
👉 How long is the trip? About 20 minutes, with trains departing every 10-15 minutes, so there’s no need to rush.
You’ll arrive at Copenhagen Central Station. If your hotel is nearby, it’s usually just a 10-15 minute walk from there.
One more thing worth knowing: there are convenient lockers inside Copenhagen Central Station. Handy if your hotel check-in is much later in the day and you want to drop your bags somewhere so you can go explore right away.
👉 Personal note: I find Copenhagen Central Station quite easy to navigate once you’ve done it a few times — there are plenty of signs and staff around. Just know that once you arrive, there’s an exterior exit that involves going up a set of stairs (not fun with luggage), or an interior route through the station itself with escalators.
🥳 TESTED TOP PICKS FOR COPENHAGEN
🚤 Top Repeat Activity: Stromma Canal Tour: I’ve done this tour more than 4 times now, and every time I see something different to excite me. Of the 4 times, I’ve only had a subpar guide once. It is also only $24 and has multiple departure times throughout the day. Just dress warm in the winter!
- 🚲 Fun to do: 3 Hour City Highlights Bike Tour: Even though I am scared of biking, this tour is the best way to explore the city.
- 📲 Best eSIM: You’ll need an eSIM to stay connected to the internet. I’ve tested several options. Airalo is one of the cheapest usually.
- 🥐 Best Meal: I always look forward to eating at Fleisch (smørrebrød), Andersen & Maillard is a standout option for coffee and pastries, and I’ve eaten more Gasoline Grill burgers than I’m willing to admit (even though the Tivoli location is a miss due to price and business)
How to get the bus from Copenhagen Airport
The bus is very low on my list of preferred options, mostly because I’m almost always heading into Copenhagen Central Station anyway, and the train gets me there faster.
That said, if you’re heading into a different area of the city, the bus might actually make more sense for you.
The bus sign is just past the Spor 1 exit, a bit further down. It takes about an hour to reach the city center — I’ve never personally used it myself, since the train has always covered what I need.
Once again you can use the same ticket as for the metro or train.
How to get the metro from Copenhagen Airport
The metro is another great option, especially if there’s a delay on the train line, or if you’re heading further out into one of Copenhagen’s neighborhoods rather than straight into the center.
From the arrival hall, you just keep going straight and up the escalators — you’ll see signs pointing the same direction for both car sharing and the metro.
It’s just as simple to use as the train, though I still personally prefer the train. Metro trains depart every few minutes, and since the airport is the very last stop on this line, there’s only one direction to travel in — so you genuinely can’t get on going the wrong way.
You can use the DOT app for metro tickets too, the same as the train.
You can be at Nyhavn within about 25 minutes, max.
Last Thoughts
Copenhagen is, frankly, one of the easiest cities to navigate transport from the airport into the city.
There are plenty of options, all well sign-posted, and there’s always help available if you need it. There are no tricks, no confusing routes, and no overpriced options aimed at catching out tourists. What you see is what you get here.
Have more questions about Copenhagen?
Here are some more guides to help you plan your trip:
Short on time? Top Denmark recommendations
📲 Best eSIM for Denmark: The easiest way to stay connected in Denmark is with an eSIM you install before departure. I’ve tested several options. Airalo is one of the cheapest usually.
🚖 Airport Tip: The fastest way to head into the city from CPH airport is with the train but metro also works depending on where you’re heading.
🚲 Best THINGS TO DO: Denmark has a ton of interesting activities, both as a country but also within Copenhagen.
These are my favorite tested options in various spots around the country:
- Billund: 1-Day Ticket to LEGOLAND® with All Rides Access – $72
- Combine with visit to LEGOHOUSE – from $44
- Copenhagen: Kronborg, Frederiksborg Castle and Roskilde Tour – $211 (full day tour)
- Visit the Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church – FREE
- Take a ferry to Samsø island, one of my favorite spots in Denmark.
And some more options for Copenhagen specifically:
- 3-hour Copenhagen City Highlights Bike Tour $55
- 🔥(MUST) Classic Canal Tour with Guide – $33
- Copenhagen: Tivoli Gardens Entry Ticket & Ride Pass – $76
- CopenHill Ski Pass Including Rental Gear – $57 (much harder than it looks!)
- Den Blå Planet (National Aquarium of Denmark) – from $33
Copenhagen: Danish Architecture Center Entrance Ticket $19 (save your souvenir shopping time for here)
