Getting Around Denmark: Visitors Transportation Guide

Getting around Denmark is straightforward once you know which transportation option fits your travel style. The country is compact, well connected, and built for both public transit and cycling. You can move easily between cities by train, explore islands by ferry, bike through towns, or rent a car for rural areas and national parks.

This guide breaks down how to get around Denmark by city, region, and experience, covering trains, metros, buses, bikes, ferries, flights, and car rentals—plus when each option makes the most sense for your trip.

Getting Around Copenhagen

Copenhagen has one of the easiest public transportation systems in Europe, so most visitors don’t need a car. Honestly, you’ll notice it right away—parking spots are often packed with bikes, not cars.

Copenhagen Airport to City Center

From Copenhagen Airport (CPH), you have several fast options:

• Metro (M2 line) → runs directly to the city center
• Regional train → connects to Copenhagen Central Station
• Travel time: ~13–15 minutes
• Ticket: 3-zone ticket (about DKK 36)

Tickets can be purchased at machines or via the official transit app.

🔗Official Transit Info

Metro, S‑Train, and Buses

Copenhagen’s transport network includes:

• Metro (M1–M4) – fastest way around central areas
• S‑Train – suburban rail connecting outer neighborhoods
• City buses – frequent and reliable

If you’re staying more than a day, look into:

• City Pass (unlimited travel for set hours)
• Copenhagen Card (get unlimited transportation + access to 80+ attractions)

🔗Copenhagen Metro
🔗Copenhagen Card

Biking in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is one of the best cycling cities in the world.

• Bike lanes are everywhere
• Flat terrain makes riding easy
• Bike traffic rules are respected and enforced

You can rent bikes from:

• Local bike shops
• Donkey Republic (app-based rentals)

🔗Donkey Republic

🚲 You can bring bikes on:

• Metro (not during weekday rush hours)
• Regional trains (bike ticket required)

Harbour Bus (Water Bus)

The Harbour Bus runs through Copenhagen’s canals and works like a regular bus.

• Same tickets as buses/metro
• Great for Nyhavn → Reffen → Islands Brygge
• Runs on electric power

🔗Harbour Bus Routes

Traveling Between Danish Cities

Train Travel in Denmark (DSB)

Trains are the backbone of long-distance travel in Denmark.

Popular routes:

• Copenhagen → Odense: ~1.5 hours
• Copenhagen → Aarhus: ~3 hours
• Copenhagen → Aalborg: ~4 hours

The national rail operator is DSB.

🔗Book Trains

💡 Tip:
Look for DSB Orange tickets for cheaper off‑peak fares when booking ahead.

International Trains

• Copenhagen → Malmö (Sweden): ~40 minutes
• Copenhagen → Stockholm: ~5.5 hours (direct options available)

🔗Swedish Rail (SJ)

Getting Around Regions & Nature Areas

When Trains Are Best

Use trains if you’re:

• City hopping (Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus, Aalborg)
• Traveling without strict schedules
• Avoiding driving in cities

When to Rent a Car

Renting a car is best for:

• Jutland road trips
• National parks
• Small villages and countryside
• West Coast beaches
• Flexible island exploration

Denmark’s roads are excellent, and driving is stress-free outside cities.

🔗 Rental comparison: https://www.rentalcars.com/

Buses & Coaches

For routes not covered by trains, buses fill the gaps.

• Regional buses connect towns and rural areas
• Long-distance coaches are budget-friendly

Major operators:

• 🔗FlixBus – domestic and European routes
• Eurolines – international connections

Ferries & Island Travel

With hundreds of islands, ferries are a normal part of travel in Denmark.

Popular ferry routes include:

• To Bornholm
• To Samsø
• To Ærø
• To Fanø
• To Mandø (tide-dependent)

🔗 Ferry
🔗 DFDS Routes

💡 Tip:
Some smaller ferries require advance booking in summer.

Domestic Flights & Seaplanes

Flying within Denmark is rarely necessary, but it can save time in certain cases.

Domestic routes connect Copenhagen with:

• Aalborg
• Aarhus
• Billund
• Bornholm

Operators include SAS, Norwegian, DAT, and Alsie Express.

🔗 SAS: https://www.flysas.com/
🔗 DAT: https://www.dat.dk/

✈️ There’s also a seaplane between Copenhagen and Aarhus:
🔗 https://www.nordicseaplanes.com/

Transportation by Travel Style

Best for City Travelers

• Metro
• Trains
• Bikes
• Walking

Best for Nature & National Parks

• Rental car
• Regional buses (limited flexibility)

Best for Island Hopping

• Trains + ferries
• Car + ferry (if exploring deeply)

Best for Budget Travelers

• Trains booked early
• Buses
• City passes