Does the Copenhagen Metro run 24 hours?

Yes. The Copenhagen Metro (M1–M4) runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At night it runs every 15–20 minutes. If you stay near a Metro station, you never need a taxi after midnight.

Do I need to tap out on Copenhagen public transport?

Yes — always tap both IN and OUT. Copenhagen uses distance-based fares. Forgetting to tap out results in the maximum zone fare being charged automatically. This applies to the Metro, S-tog and buses.

How do I get from Copenhagen Airport to the city centre?

Take the Metro M2 directly from Terminal 3 to Kongens Nytorv (15 min) or Copenhagen H (24 min), every 4–6 minutes, at a cost of DKK 36 (3-zone ticket or contactless tap). The DSB regional train also costs DKK 36 and reaches Copenhagen H in 14 minutes.

What is the best ticket for a 3-day trip to Copenhagen?

For most tourists, tapping a contactless bank card is the easiest option — same fare as the Rejsekort, no card to buy. If you make more than 5–6 trips per day, the 72-hour pass (DKK 220) saves money. For 1 day with 5+ trips, the 24-hour pass (DKK 100) is worthwhile.

What is the Rejsekort and do tourists need one?

The Rejsekort is a rechargeable travel card. The Anonymous Rejsekort costs DKK 80 (non-refundable card fee) plus a top-up. Most tourists can skip it and simply use their contactless bank card, which gives the same fares on Metro and S-tog gates.

What is the fine for fare evasion in Copenhagen?

The fine for travelling without a valid ticket in Copenhagen is DKK 750 (approximately €100). Inspectors check frequently, including on the automated driverless Metro.

Are children free on Copenhagen public transport?

Yes. Children aged 0–11 travel completely free when accompanied by a paying adult — up to 2 children per adult ticket. A third child needs a child ticket via the DOT Mobilbillet app or a station machine.

Do the harbour buses in Copenhagen cost extra?

No. Harbour buses (routes 901, 902, 905) are included in your regular transport ticket — they count as a standard bus ride. Use them like any city bus and enjoy great views of the harbour at no extra cost.

Public Transport in Copenhagen: Apps, Tickets & Tips 2026

Last updated: 2 March 2026
24/7 Metro, S-tog and great cycling infrastructure

Copenhagen has one of Scandinavia's most modern public transport systems, anchored by a fully automated, driverless Metro that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The network is operated by DOT (Din Offentlige Transport) and uses a zone-based fare system. For most tourist trips, you'll use the Metro (M1–M4) and the S-tog (suburban rail). Payment is simple: tap your contactless bank card directly at Metro and S-tog gates, or buy a Rejsekort for slightly lower fares. The DOT Mobilbillet app also lets you buy digital tickets on your phone.

iOS: Rejseplanen | Android: Rejseplanen

Essential Info

Main Form of Payment Contactless bank card or Rejsekort travel card Multiple people No (1 card/ticket per person) Check-in/validate Tap in AND tap out — fares are distance-based Payment methods Contactless Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Rejsekort, DOT Mobilbillet app Fine for fare evasion DKK 750 (≈ €100) Night transport after 01:00 Yes — Metro runs 24/7; night buses cover S-tog routes Exit scan required? YES — always tap out (fare calculated on distance) Rejsekort minimum balance DKK 80 (card blocks below this — top up before travelling) Real-time info Yes (Rejseplanen app, DOT Mobilbillet, Google Maps) Airport → Centre Metro M2: DKK 36, ~15 min to Kongens Nytorv

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

Contactless bank card ready — or Rejsekort with sufficient balance (min. DKK 80)
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)

Which Ticket to Choose?

ROAMMATE ADVICE: For most tourists, tap your contactless bank card directly at the Metro or S-tog gates — same fares as the Rejsekort, zero setup. If you plan to use buses frequently or want a pre-loaded backup, grab an Anonymous Rejsekort at any Metro station (DKK 80 card fee + top-up). For 3+ days of heavy sightseeing, a DOT 72-hour pass can save money if you make more than 5–6 trips per day.

Ticket Type	Price (2026)	Validity	When to choose?
Contactless bank card	Same as Rejsekort fare	Per ride (distance-based)	BEST FOR MOST TOURISTS — no card to buy
Anonymous Rejsekort	DKK 80 card fee + top-up (DKK 80 non-refundable)	Stored value, no expiry	Good for buses; also works everywhere contactless does
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 (3 zones)	DKK 36	Single journey	Metro M2 to/from Copenhagen Airport (CPH)

Avoid travel stress and fines. Receive a free Copenhagen public transport update in your inbox 2 weeks before departure.

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 36 per adult (M2 Metro, 3 zones)
Estimated transport budget per adult: DKK 220–350 for a 3-day city trip

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	~15 min to Kongens Nytorv ~24 min to Copenhagen H	DKK 36 (3 zones)	Every 4–6 min (24/7)
🚂 Regional train (DSB)	~14 min to Copenhagen H	DKK 36 (3 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 36 (3-zone ticket or contactless tap)
Frequency: Every 4–6 minutes, runs 24 hours a day
Station access: Metro station is directly in Terminal 3 — no shuttle required

Tip: Tap your contactless bank card at the Metro gate in the terminal — no ticket machine needed. The system automatically charges the 3-zone fare (DKK 36). 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 3-zone fare as the Metro (DKK 36)
Useful if your hotel is near Central Station or Nørreport
Trains leave from the lower train level (same building as Terminal 3)

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.

Tips

Use Rejseplanen for route planning — it covers Metro, S-tog, buses and regional trains with real-time data
Tap in AND out every time — the fare is calculated based on the distance between your check-in and check-out station
Contactless works everywhere on Metro (M1–M4) and S-tog gates, and on many bus card readers — fastest payment method
Harbour buses (routes 901, 902, 905) are included in your regular ticket and give great views of the harbour — use them like a regular bus
Bikes are allowed on the Metro outside peak hours (not Mon–Fri 07:00–09:00 and 15:30–17:30 in the direction of travel) — DKK 14 per journey
The Metro is fully automated and driverless — don't be surprised by the empty front cab

Don'ts

Don't forget to tap out — you'll be charged the maximum zone fare
Don't board without a valid ticket or tapped card — inspectors check frequently and the DKK 750 fine is steep
Don't use the same card for two people — one card/ticket per person at all times
Don't rely on cash — ticket machines accept cards, but Danish public transport is almost entirely cashless
Don't wait for the last S-tog if travelling late — it stops around 00:30– 01:00 on weeknights; use the Metro or night bus instead

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

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: Contact DSB for S-tog assistance on +45 70 13 14 15

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.

⛵ 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.

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.

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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.

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

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Stasher Typically €6,00/day

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

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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.