Public Transport in Copenhagen: Apps, Tickets & Tips 2026

Last updated: August 2026
24/7 Metro, S-tog and great cycling infrastructure

Best ticket Rejsebillet app — check in/out at gates with one tap, pays per ride. For 3+ heavy days: 72-hour pass (DKK 220) saves money if you make 5–6 trips/day.
How to pay Use the Rejsebillet app — check in and out at gates with one swipe (Visa/MC/Apple Pay/Google Pay in-app). No smartphone? Buy a Basiskort (80 DKK, at station kiosks). Distance-based fares — always tap IN and tap OUT. Contactless bank cards are not accepted directly at gates.
Don't get caught Always tap OUT — forgetting means the maximum zone fare is charged automatically. Fine for fare evasion: DKK 750 (≈ €100). Inspectors check frequently, even on the driverless Metro.
Always tap IN and tap OUT

Copenhagen uses distance-based fares. If you forget to tap out, the system charges you the maximum possible fare for your journey. This applies to the Metro, S-tog and buses. Make it a habit: card on the reader when you enter, card on the reader when you exit.

Quick Check before boarding

Which ticket should you buy?

Roammate advice For most tourists, the Rejsebillet app is the easiest option — download it, check in and out at gates with one tap, and pay by card in-app. No physical card needed. If you don't have a smartphone, buy a Basiskort (80 DKK anonymous, at station kiosks or machines). The physical Rejsekort stopped working on 29 June 2026 — do not look for one. For 3+ days of heavy sightseeing, the 72-hour pass (DKK 220) saves money if you make 5–6+ trips per day.
Ticket Type Price (2026) Validity When to choose?
Rejsebillet app Our pick Free app + top-up (Visa/MC/Apple Pay) Per ride (distance-based) BEST FOR MOST TOURISTS — check in/out at gates, no physical card needed
Basiskort (physical card) 80 DKK (anonymous) Stored value, physical card For travellers without a smartphone — buy at station kiosks or ticket machines
Rejsekort app Free app + top-up Stored value, digital card Alternative digital check-in/out app — physical Rejsekort stopped 29 June 2026
DOT Mobilbillet app Same as single ticket fare Per journey Quick one-off purchase on your phone
Single ticket (2 zones) DKK 24 1 hour / 2 zones Occasional use — buy via app or machine
24-hour pass DKK 100 24 hours, all zones in city area Heavy sightseeing day with 5+ trips
72-hour pass DKK 220 72 hours, all zones in city area 3-day trip with lots of transport use
Airport ticket (5 zones) DKK 46 Single journey Metro M2 to/from Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
Cost example — 3 days in Copenhagen
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From Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to the City Centre

Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup/CPH) is located just 12 km from the city centre on Amager island. The Metro M2 connects directly from Terminal 3 to the centre — it's the fastest, cheapest and most convenient option for almost all travellers.

Option Time Price Frequency
Metro M2 Recommended ~15 min to Kongens Nytorv
~24 min to Copenhagen H
DKK 46 (5 zones) Every 4–6 min (24/7)
🚂 Regional train (DSB) ~14 min to Copenhagen H DKK 46 (5 zones) Every 10–20 min
Taxi ~20–30 min DKK 200–350 Always available
🚗 Uber ~20–30 min DKK 150–280 App-based

Metro M2 (RECOMMENDED)

  • Route: CPH Airport → Øresund → Amager Strand → Christianshavn → Kongens Nytorv (city centre)
  • Time: ~15 minutes to Kongens Nytorv, ~24 minutes to Copenhagen H (with change at Vanløse/Frederiksberg)
  • Price: DKK 46 (5-zone ticket via Rejsebillet app or ticket machine)
  • Frequency: Every 4–6 minutes, runs 24 hours a day
  • Station access: Metro station is directly in Terminal 3 — no shuttle required
Tip Use the Rejsebillet app to check in at the Metro gate in the terminal — no ticket machine needed. The app calculates the 5-zone fare (DKK 46) automatically. Remember to tap out when you exit.

🚂 Regional Train (DSB — same price, slightly faster to Central Station)

  • DSB trains from the airport run directly to Copenhagen H (Central Station) in ~14 minutes
  • Same 5-zone fare as the Metro (DKK 46)
  • Useful if your hotel is near Central Station or Nørreport
  • Trains leave from the lower train level (same building as Terminal 3)
Fare system & rules

How to pay

  • The Rejsebillet app is the recommended payment method — check in and out at Metro, S-tog and bus readers with one swipe. No smartphone? Use the Basiskort (physical card, 80 DKK). Contactless bank cards are not accepted directly at gates.
  • Tap in AND out every time — fares are distance-based, calculated between your check-in and check-out station.
  • Harbour buses (routes 901, 902, 905) are included in your regular ticket — use them like a regular bus.
  • Bikes on the Metro outside peak hours (not Mon–Fri 07:00–09:00 and 15:30–17:30) — DKK 14 per journey.

Fare rules to know

  • One card = one passenger — each person must tap their own card or ticket.
  • Danish public transport is almost entirely cashless — machines accept cards, not cash.
  • Inspectors check frequently; the fine for fare evasion is DKK 750 (≈ €100).

System essentials at a glance

Main form of paymentRejsebillet app (recommended) or Basiskort (physical card)
Multiple people on one card?No — 1 card/ticket per person
Check-in/validateTap in AND tap out — fares are distance-based
Payment methodsRejsebillet app, Basiskort, DOT Mobilbillet app (no contactless bank card tap at gates)
Fine for fare evasionDKK 750 (≈ €100)
Rejsekort statusPhysical card stopped 29 June 2026 — use Rejsebillet app or Basiskort
Real-time infoYes (Rejseplanen app, DOT Mobilbillet, Google Maps)
Airport → CentreMetro M2: DKK 46, ~15 min to Kongens Nytorv

Quick Check before boarding

  • Rejsebillet app installed — or Basiskort (physical card, 80 DKK anonymous, at station kiosks)
  • Rejseplanen app downloaded for route planning
  • Airport: take Metro M2 from Terminal 3 — no bus needed
  • Tap both IN and OUT at every journey start and end
  • Children under 12 travel free with a paying adult (max 2 per adult)
Discounts for Children & Families

Age Limits & Prices

Age Price Notes
0–11 years FREE Up to 2 children per paying adult
12–15 years Child fare (approx. half adult) Child ticket via DOT app or machine
16+ years Full adult fare No tourist youth discount
65+ years Reduced fare (pensioner discount) Applies to Danish pension card holders — not tourists

Tips for Families

  • Children under 12 travel completely free when accompanied by a paying adult — up to 2 children per adult ticket
  • For a third child, buy a child ticket via the DOT Mobilbillet app or station machine
  • Strollers are allowed on all Metro, S-tog and buses — use the wide doors and lifts at Metro stations
  • All Metro stations have lifts — great for pushchairs and wheelchair users
  • Harbour buses (routes 901, 902, 905) are included in your regular transport ticket and kids love the water views

🧮 Cost Estimate for a 3-day Family Trip

  • Adults (2×): tap contactless or buy a 72h pass (DKK 220 each)
  • Children 0–11: travel free alongside paying adults
  • Airport to centre: DKK 46 per adult (M2 Metro, 5 zones)
  • Estimated transport budget per adult: DKK 220–350 for a 3-day city trip
Accessibility & Tips for Travellers with Disabilities

★★★★★ 5 / 5

Copenhagen is one of Europe's most accessible cities for travellers with reduced mobility. The Metro was built from the ground up with accessibility in mind, and the S-tog network has been progressively upgraded.

Metro: Fully Accessible

  • Lifts: All Metro stations have at least one lift — fully operational
  • Step-free boarding: Trains are level with the platform — no gap, no steps
  • Tactile guidance paths: Present at all stations and platforms
  • Wide doors: Accommodate wheelchairs, strollers and mobility aids
  • Audio announcements: All stations and trains in Danish and English

🚂 S-tog: Mostly Accessible

  • Most S-tog stations have lifts — check Rejseplanen for real-time lift status
  • Modern S-tog trains have low-floor sections and spaces for wheelchairs
  • Staff assistance: available at Copenhagen H and major stations

Buses: Good Coverage

  • All new Movia buses are low-floor with ramps
  • Priority seats clearly marked near the front
  • Harbour buses have accessible boarding points — inform the driver when arriving

🛠️ Assistance & Extra Info

  • CPH Airport: Fully accessible Metro station — level boarding from Terminal 3
  • Guide dogs: Allowed on all transport
  • Passenger Service: DSB Handicapservice — dedicated disability booking line: +45 70 13 14 19 (book 12h in advance for escorted platform access)
Accessibility tip Copenhagen's Metro is genuinely one of the most wheelchair-friendly systems in the world — step-free from platform to train at every station. Plan your route around Metro stops whenever possible and use Rejseplanen for lift status updates.

Visual Impairment

  • Tactile paving: Present at all Metro Cityringen stations and S-tog platforms (tested and approved by Dansk Blindesamfund). Note: Metro tactile tiles are dark grey rather than the standard yellow — a documented aesthetic compromise that reduces visibility for passengers with residual vision.
  • Audio announcements: Metro trains announce the next stop; S-tog trains call all stops via external door speakers and onboard PA. The physical Rejsekort card was discontinued on 30 June 2026 and replaced by the Rejsekort app and the new Basiskort — check-in/check-out still happens by tapping a card or phone on the same readers, though audio feedback on the new readers is not yet confirmed by an official source. Ticket machines require sighted assistance — no Braille confirmed.
  • Assistance & discounts: DSB Handicapservice provides escorted platform access, bookable 12h in advance (tel. 70 13 14 19). Reduced-rate annual travel pass available for Dansk Blindesamfund members.
Night Transport in Copenhagen (after midnight)

Copenhagen's night transport advantage: the 24/7 Metro

Unlike most European cities, Copenhagen's Metro runs around the clock every day of the week. If you stay near a Metro station, you have no night transport problem at all. S-tog and buses have reduced night schedules but cover the rest of the city.

Transport Night hours Notes
Metro M1–M4 24/7 always Every 15–20 min at night
S-tog (night S) Fri–Sat night until ~05:00 Night S-tog runs hourly on main lines
Night buses 00:00–05:00 N-prefix routes cover S-tog corridors
Airport Metro M2 24/7 always Direct from CPH Airport at any hour
Harbour buses Until ~22:00–23:00 No night service

Night Buses

Movia operates night buses (N-prefix) that run along S-tog routes when the trains stop. They're slower than the Metro but cover areas like Valby, Vanløse, Hvidovre and other western suburbs.

Night tip If you're staying in central Copenhagen (City centre, Vesterbro, Nørrebro, Østerbro, Amager) — the 24/7 Metro has you covered completely. Plan your evening around a Metro station and you'll never need a taxi after midnight.
Shared Transport: Taxis, Bikes & Harbour Buses

⛵ Harbour Buses

Copenhagen's harbour buses (Havnebus) are one of the city's hidden gems — a scenic water route across the inner harbour, included in your regular transport ticket.

  • Routes: 901 (Nordre Toldbod → Refshaleøen), 902 (Royal Library → Fisketorvet), 905 (inner harbour loop)
  • Included in any valid ticket or Rejsekort — no extra cost
  • Runs approximately 06:00–22:30 daily
  • Great for reaching Nyhavn, the Royal Library (Black Diamond) and Operaen

Bikes (Cycling Capital of the World)

Copenhagen is one of the world's best cycling cities — 60%+ of residents cycle to work. As a tourist, cycling is one of the best ways to see the city.

  • Bycyklen (electric city bikes): DKK 30 for 30 minutes via the app — stations throughout the city centre
  • Donkey Republic: Standard bikes, DKK 35/hour — book via app
  • Lime: E-scooters available throughout Copenhagen — DKK 1,50 start + DKK 2,50/min
  • Dedicated bike lanes on virtually every main road — cycling is safe and well-signed

Taxis

  • Metered taxis available throughout the city — flag them on the street or book via app
  • Start fare: approx. DKK 47 + DKK 12–18/km depending on time of day
  • Copenhagen taxis are significantly more expensive than in most European cities
  • Apps: Taxa 4×35 (most common), Dantaxi

🚗 Ride-Hailing

  • Uber: Available in Copenhagen (UberX and Comfort)
  • Bolt: Available, often cheaper than Uber in Copenhagen
Copenhagen tip Rent a bike for at least one day. The city is remarkably flat, the bike lanes are excellent, and you can reach most tourist highlights — Nyhavn, Christiansborg, Tivoli, the Little Mermaid — without any public transport. Bycyklen electric bikes are ideal if you want to go further with less effort.
Roammate Tip
Tip: All-in-one app for shared transport

In Copenhagen you can use the app umob. With this you book and pay easily for all shared transport (bikes, scooters, cars) from different providers in one handy app. Convenient, because you no longer need separate accounts.

Get umob →
eSIM & Internet in Copenhagen

Denmark has excellent 5G coverage throughout Copenhagen and most of the country. The Metro and many public spaces have free WiFi. An eSIM is the most convenient way to stay connected from the moment you land.

Copenhagen tip Activate your eSIM before departure. Danish transport apps (Rejseplanen, DOT Mobilbillet) work best with a live data connection for real-time departures. Free WiFi in the Metro is reliable for casual use but patchy in tunnels.
Roammate Tip
Airalo eSIM From $4,50

Best choice for most travellers. Instant activation, excellent 5G coverage across Denmark and the Nordics. One plan covers multiple Scandinavian countries.

1GB / 3GB / 5GB Instant setup 5G Support
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Perfect safety net. Free basic data for essential apps like WhatsApp or Maps — no credit card needed.

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Luggage Lockers & Storage in Copenhagen

Don't drag your suitcase around Copenhagen's cobbled streets. Central Station (København H) has lockers, and luggage storage services are available near the main tourist areas.

Most Locations
Bounce Luggage Storage Typically €5,00/day

Store your bags in vetted local shops and hotels near Nyhavn, Strøget and Central Station. Book online in advance.

$10,000 Protection Free Cancellation Vetted locations
Find Storage Near Me →
Stasher Typically €6,00/day

Premium storage network with vetted hotels and businesses. Fully insured and bookable in advance.

Fully Insured Vetted hosts
Book Storage with Stasher →

DSB Lockers at Central Station (København H)

Self-service lockers available at Copenhagen Central Station, open during station hours.

  • Price: approximately DKK 40–75 per day depending on locker size
  • Location: Ground floor near platforms — follow signs for "Bagageopbevaring"
  • Note: Can fill up quickly in summer — book via Bounce or Stasher for guaranteed availability
Roammate Advice If you have a late flight from CPH Airport, store your bags near Kongens Nytorv (Metro M1/M2) and use the 24/7 Metro to get to the airport at any time — no stress about last trains.