Last Updated on July 13, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos
The International Airport of Copenhagen (CPH) is one of the busiest hubs in Northern Europe. Although it often feels slow and somewhat chaotic, the truth is that Kastrup Airport will impress you with its Scandinavian design elements and ease of navigation. Moreover, as you will read in the following lines, getting from Copenhagen Airport to the city center is pretty easy and fast. Travelers often consider the time spent at the airport as lost time, but this won’t be the case with Kastrup.
I recently flew to Denmark’s capital, and when I first saw its airport, I felt intimidated by its size. I thought it’d take a long time to reach the city, but luckily, I was wrong. Kastrup is conveniently located just 8 km from downtown Copenhagen, and the ride toward your accommodation will be smooth and quick. Airports close to city centers aren’t the norm anymore, but Copenhagen is a beautiful exception.
That said, in this article, I’ve broken down every available option for commuting between Kastrup Airport and Copenhagen’s city center. In addition to explaining the options, you’ll also find travel times and prices to give you a better overview of the costs involved.
Let’s start.
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Copenhagen Airport to the city center: every option explained
There are five travel options between Copenhagen’s city centre and Kastrup Airport. Although the majority of people will use the first three, I will analyze all of them. I will also share the one I prefer and explain why.
From Copenhagen Airport to the city by metro
The most popular option is to take the metro to the city center. You can embark straight at the airport on the M2 metro (the yellow line), and it only takes 13 minutes to downtown Copenhagen. After just eight stops, you will reach Kongens Nytorv metro station, which is in the heart of the city.
From there, you have the option to walk to your accommodation or hop on the M3 line (the red line). The latter is called City-ring, and it’s practically a circular line with 17 stops. The vast majority of accommodations are located along this line, so chances are that you won’t have to walk more than 5-10 minutes to your hotel or Airbnb.
A good number of accommodations are also close to Nørreport. That’s the next stop after Kongens Nytorv, but there’s no corresponding line at this stop: that said, you’ll have to walk to your accommodation.
Lastly, if you’re on your way to Copenhagen’s cruise terminal, once again, you’ll have to stop at Kongens Nytorv. However, in this case, you should embark on the M4 and head to Nordhavn.
How much does the metro cost?
The metro is the fastest and cheapest way to the city center from Copenhagen airport. A one-way ticket costs 36 Danish Kroner (~4,8 euros or 5,2 US dollars). The metro is reliable, and during the day, it travels every 2-3 minutes; on the other hand, a late-night delay means you’ll have to wait up to 20 minutes. However, the constant service throughout the day makes it the best option for getting from Copenhagen Airport to the city center.
Since Copenhagen’s public transport is split into travel zones, you’ll need a 3-zone ticket for your journey. However, you don’t have to worry: when you add CPH Airport to the machine, it’ll calculate the zones automatically.
You can buy metro tickets at the vending machines—they accept cash and cards—or at the 7-Eleven stores. You can also purchase tickets online here.
Copenhagen travel tip: If you plan to do sightseeing while visiting Denmark’s capital, you should consider the Copenhagen City Card. It provides free entry to various attractions and free rides to and from the airport. You can purchase the CPH Card here.
Note: It is worth mentioning that you won’t be able to buy a ticket onboard, and you’ll be fined if you don’t have one. Therefore, never embark on public transport without a ticket or your city card.
From Copenhagen Airport to the city center by train
A great alternative to the metro is the train. The train is an equally fast and reliable option for your journey, but please keep in mind that they run every 10 minutes during the day, every 20 minutes in the evening, and once per hour at night. However, it’s a smooth 15-minute ride to the city center, where the Copenhagen Central Station is located.
I believe that if you decide to stay in Copenhagen, the metro is a much better option unless your accommodation is close to the Central Train Station. However, using the train is a must if you don’t plan to stay in the capital but are off to the province or another city in Denmark. In this case, the train comes in handy because after reaching Copenhagen Central, you can hop straight on the train.
How much does the train cost?
The train costs the same as the metro, 36 DKK (~4,8 euros or 5,2 US dollars). Like with the metro, you should purchase a ticket before embarking on the train.
From Copenhagen Airport to the city center by taxi
The taxi is a reliable but surprisingly slower option for traveling between Kastrup Airport and the city. In terms of speed, the metro is really unbeatable, but taxis offer a more relaxed way of traveling. In my opinion, unless you’re traveling with heavy luggage, there’s no real need to pay for a taxi ride in Copenhagen. Apart from being costly, taxis depend obviously on traffic, and you’ll probably need half an hour to reach your accommodation. You can queue for a cab outside Terminals 1 and 3.
On the other hand, taxis make more sense if you have a red-eye flight from Copenhagen and want to be on time at the airport. Pulling your luggage in the middle of the night is not something everyone is willing to do, so if you’re about to spend money on a taxi, it’s better to save it for your departure.
Various taxi operators offer their services in Copenhagen, and your best option to book a cab is to ask your hotel or accommodation to call one for you. Taxis in Copenhagen use taximeters, so it’s pretty transparent what you’ll pay for the ride; however, you should expect an extra cost (it’s clearly declared) for your luggage.
How much does the taxi cost?
As I wrote earlier, taxis in Copenhagen are costly. You should expect to pay approximately 350-500 DKK (~45-65 euros or 50-70 US dollars) for an airport ride: the final price will depend on traffic and whether you need one during the day or at night. As you can see, it is costly for solo travelers, but if you are a group of 3-4 people, it feels significantly more affordable.
Copenhagen Travel Tip
I firmly believe it’s better to save the taxi money. Instead, for a similar amount, you can book entrance at the airport’s lounge. There, you can unwind in a cozy environment before your flight back home, get something to eat, and enjoy a drink. Moreover, the Eventyr Lounge at CPH enjoys panoramic views from Öresund to Sweden, and it’s a beautiful example of the world-famous Scandinavian design.
You can book your Eventyr Lounge Access here.
From Copenhagen Airport to the city center by private transfer
This option is pretty similar to a taxi ride, but the difference is that you can pre-book your ride. That said, you won’t have to wait in line to get a cab, and your driver will wait for you straight upon arrival. This is an equally costly option, and it all depends on the services you want to have.
Once again, unless there’s a specific reason you want to use private transfer (for example, a business appointment or an accommodation off the metro lines), it’s probably better to save your cash. Exactly like with the taxi, the journey from Kastrup to the city depends largely on the traffic: it can take anywhere between 25 and 40 minutes.
How much does a private transfer cost?
Private transfers are expensive, so make sure they justify the cost. Despite being more affordable when you’re traveling as a group, the final price depends on the size and quality of the car and your arrival time in Copenhagen. The most affordable option for 1-3 people costs approximately 110 euros, and you can book this private transfer here.
From Copenhagen Airport to the city center by bus
Last but not least, you also have the option to reach the city center by bus. I added it to the bottom of this list because buses are the slowest means of transportation between the city and the airport. When traffic is not an issue, buses are generally slower even than taxis and private transfers, so unless you travel to a very specific location in the city that only the bus serves, there’s no need to consider them.
Bus 5C departs straight outside Terminal 3, and you’ll need approximately 40 minutes to reach the city center. If you are a fan of slower, immersive experiences, then the bus might be an option. However, I believe that the metro is a much better option, and you can enjoy Denmark’s landscape on a day trip from Copenhagen.
How much does the bus cost?
As with every other public transport option, the bus from Kastrup Airport to the city costs 36 DKK (4,8 euros or 5,2 US dollars).
Copenhagen Airport to the City Center Recap
Here’s how to travel between Kastrup Airport and Copenhagen city center, including travel times and costs:
- The metro takes 13 minutes to reach the city center and costs 4,8 euros.
- The train takes 15 minutes to the city, and the cost is also 4,8 euros.
- A taxi takes 25-40 minutes to downtown Copenhagen and costs 45-65 euros.
- A private transfer also takes 25-40 minutes, and the cost starts from 110 euros for 1-3 people.
- Finally, the bus takes 40 minutes and costs 4,8 euros.
Traveling between CPH and the city center: Conclusion
The metro is the best option to travel between the Copenhagen Airport and the city center: it’s fast, smooth and costs just 4,8 euros. That’s how I also traveled back and forth, and such a short ride means that you won’t lose time from sightseeing. The other four options I explained in this guide are decent alternatives, but none is as easy as the metro.
Obviously, an airport like Copenhagen’s offers car-renting options and parking facilities. If you’re on a road trip in Denmark, this is definitely something to consider, but if you are just visiting Copenhagen, there’s no reason to add an extra cost to your budget. The CPH Airport offers various rental services, and you can discover your car options here.
Overall, I found the Kastrup Airport fairly easy to navigate, and traveling from and to it was a seamless experience. Even if you fly with a low-cost airline, reaching the exit won’t take more than 15 minutes. For an airport this size, I believe it’s really acceptable. Copenhagen is a stunning city, and the proximity of the airport to the city center (8 km) is a great plus. I appreciated it a lot.
More about Copenhagen: The ultimate Copenhagen guide, Canal Tours in Copenhagen, Nyhavn facts, The Round Tower, Where to eat in Copenhagen
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