Copenhagen airport to city center is one of Europe’s easiest airport transfers — Copenhagen Airport (CPH/Kastrup) is just 8 km from the city center, with metro and train stations directly below the terminal. The M2 metro takes 13 minutes for 40 DKK, the DSB train takes 14 minutes (also 40 DKK), taxis cost 250-300 DKK in 25-35 minutes, and Uber/Bolt rideshare match taxi pricing. This complete Copenhagen airport to city center guide compares all 5 options, costs, journey times, and where each lands in central Copenhagen.
Copenhagen Airport to City Center at a Glance
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| M2 Metro | 40 DKK | 13 min | Most travelers — fastest, cheapest |
| DSB Train | 40 DKK | 14 min | Travelers heading to Central Station |
| Bus 5C | 40 DKK | 35-45 min | Budget; reaches some hotels metro doesn’t |
| Taxi | 250-300 DKK fixed | 25-35 min | Heavy luggage, late arrivals, group of 4 |
| Uber/Bolt | 200-280 DKK | 25-35 min | Cheaper than taxi; need credit card |
| Hotel shuttle | Free or 100-200 DKK | 30-45 min | Some 4-5* hotels offer; book ahead |
| Private transfer | 650-1,200 DKK | 25-35 min | Group of 6+; multiple stops; meet & greet |
Best Way to Get from Copenhagen Airport to City Center
For 95% of Copenhagen visitors, the M2 metro is the best Copenhagen airport to city center option — cheaper than a taxi, faster than a bus, and direct to the city center. Only consider taxi/Uber if: heavy luggage, multiple passengers (3+), late arrivals after 23:00 (metro runs but less frequent), or arriving with reduced mobility.
Copenhagen Airport to City Center by M2 Metro
The M2 (yellow line) metro is the fastest Copenhagen airport to city center transfer:
- Frequency: Every 4-6 minutes peak; every 6-9 min off-peak; 24/7 operation
- Travel time: 13 min to Kongens Nytorv (Nyhavn area), 14 min to Nørreport (Torvehallerne), 16 min to Frederiksberg
- Price: 40 DKK single ticket (3 zones)
- Where to buy: DOT app, self-service machines at airport metro entrance
- Luggage: No charge; large suitcases fit easily
- Stations served: Lergravsparken, Amager Strand, Christianshavn, Kongens Nytorv (city center), Nørreport, Forum, Frederiksberg
On arrival at CPH terminal: follow Metro/Train signs from baggage claim. The metro entrance is below the terminal at the lower level. See our Copenhagen Metro guide for fuller metro context.
Copenhagen Airport to City Center by DSB Train
DSB trains share the same airport station as the metro:
- Travel time: 14 min direct to Hovedbanegården (Central Station)
- Price: 40 DKK same as metro
- Best for: Travelers staying near Central Station, Vesterbro, or onward to Helsingør, Roskilde, Malmö
- Frequency: Every 10 minutes peak, 20-30 min off-peak
- Connections: S-tog, regional trains, Sweden trains via Øresund crossing
Copenhagen Airport to City Center by Bus 5C
Bus 5C runs from Copenhagen Airport to the city center — slower than metro but reaches some city neighborhoods metro doesn’t:
- Travel time: 35-45 min depending on traffic
- Price: 40 DKK same as metro
- Frequency: Every 7-10 minutes
- Route: Copenhagen Airport → Christianshavn → city center → Norrebro → Husum
- Best for: Hotels not directly metro-served; budget travelers wanting a sightseeing route
Copenhagen Airport to City Center by Taxi
Copenhagen Airport taxis are reliable, fixed-fare, and run 24/7:
- Fixed-fare to city center: 300 DKK (most central destinations)
- Travel time: 25-35 minutes depending on traffic
- Pickup location: Curb-side taxi rank at terminal exit; no booking needed
- Companies: Taxa 4×35, Dantaxi, Taxi Nord (any are reliable)
- Payment: Cards universally accepted; cash also works
- Tipping: Not expected (already included)
- Late arrivals: Available 24/7; only choice after 00:00 for direct service
- Group of 4: Same price as solo — better value for groups
Copenhagen Airport to City Center by Uber/Bolt Rideshare
Both Uber and Bolt operate at Copenhagen Airport with full coverage:
- Uber: 200-280 DKK to city center; pickup zone just outside terminal exit
- Bolt: 180-260 DKK; usually slightly cheaper than Uber
- Surge pricing: Possible during late-night arrivals; check before booking
- Payment: In-app credit card; no cash
- Best for: Travelers comfortable with apps; solo travelers wanting cheaper than taxi
- Time: Same 25-35 min as taxi
Copenhagen Airport — Where to Buy Tickets
- DOT app (recommended) — download iOS/Android, register with credit card, buy tickets in-app
- Self-service machines at airport metro/train entrance — accept Visa/Mastercard/Apple Pay
- DSB ticket office — staffed; helpful for visitors with questions
- Copenhagen Card / City Pass — buy at the airport DSB office or visitor center
No paper-ticket validation needed; Copenhagen runs on honor system with random conductor checks. Always have a valid ticket; fines for fare-jumping start at 1,000 DKK.
Where Each Option Lands in Copenhagen
| Method | End point | Walk to Nyhavn |
|---|---|---|
| M2 Metro to Kongens Nytorv | City Hall area | 5 min |
| DSB Train to Hovedbanegården | Central Station, near Tivoli | 12 min |
| Bus 5C to Rådhuspladsen | City Hall Square | 10 min |
| Taxi to hotel | Direct to door | 0 min |
| Uber/Bolt | Direct to door | 0 min |
Copenhagen Airport to City Center for Specific Hotels
Hotel-specific recommendations:
- Tivoli area hotels: DSB train (Hovedbanegården) — 5-min walk to Tivoli
- Nyhavn area hotels: M2 metro (Kongens Nytorv) — 5-min walk
- Vesterbro hotels: DSB train + 10-min walk; or M2 to Nørreport + bus
- Norrebro hotels: Taxi/Uber preferred; or M3 Cityringen via Kongens Nytorv
- Frederiksberg hotels: M2 metro to Frederiksberg station + 5-min walk
- CPH Airport hotels (Crowne Plaza, Hilton CPH): Walk-able from terminal
See our hotels near Copenhagen Airport guide for airport-area accommodations and our where to stay first time guide for neighborhood selection.
Late-Night and Early-Morning Arrivals
Copenhagen Metro runs 24/7, but frequency drops:
- Day (05:00-23:00): Metro every 4-6 min
- Late night (23:00-00:00): Metro every 6-9 min
- Overnight (00:00-05:00): Metro every 15-20 min — still runs, just less frequent
- Trains: Reduced overnight; check DSB schedule
- Bus 5C: Runs 24/7 with reduced overnight frequency
- Taxi/Uber: Always available; best for late-night arrivals to avoid waiting
Copenhagen Airport to City Center FAQs
How long does it take to get from Copenhagen Airport to the city center?
M2 metro: 13 minutes to Kongens Nytorv (city center). DSB train: 14 minutes to Central Station. Bus 5C: 35-45 minutes. Taxi/Uber: 25-35 minutes.
How much does it cost to get from Copenhagen Airport to the city center?
Metro/train/bus: 40 DKK. Taxi: 300 DKK fixed-fare. Uber/Bolt: 200-280 DKK. Bus is cheapest; metro is best value for time + comfort.
Is it easy to take the metro from Copenhagen Airport?
Yes — the M2 metro station is directly below the terminal at the lower level. Follow Metro/Train signs from baggage claim. Buy tickets at self-service machines or via the DOT app.
Does the metro run 24/7 from Copenhagen Airport?
Yes — Copenhagen Metro runs 24 hours, 7 days a week. Frequency drops to every 15-20 minutes overnight (00:00-05:00), but trains never stop.
Should I take a taxi or metro from Copenhagen Airport?
For most visitors, the metro (40 DKK, 13 min) beats a taxi (300 DKK, 30 min) on speed and price. Take a taxi only if: heavy luggage, group of 4+ (where taxi cost is shared), late-night arrival with reduced mobility, or hotel not near metro station.
Is Uber available at Copenhagen Airport?
Yes — Uber and Bolt both operate at Copenhagen Airport with pickup zones outside the terminal. Both usually slightly cheaper than taxis. See our taxi and Uber Copenhagen guide.
Can I buy a Copenhagen Card at the airport?
Yes — at the DSB ticket office or Copenhagen Visitor Center inside the terminal. Copenhagen Card includes free metro/train + 80 attractions. See our Copenhagen Card review.
Is the airport in central Copenhagen?
No — Copenhagen Airport (CPH/Kastrup) is in Kastrup, on the southern edge of Amager island, 8 km from the city center. The M2 metro connects them directly in 13 minutes.
Related Reading
- Copenhagen transportation guide.
- Copenhagen Metro guide.
- Public transport tickets.
- Hotels near Copenhagen Airport.
- Copenhagen Card review.
- Taxi and Uber Copenhagen.
- Copenhagen itinerary.
The Verdict on Copenhagen Airport to City Center
Copenhagen airport to city center is unusually easy — the M2 metro at 40 DKK in 13 minutes is the best option for 95% of visitors. DSB train serves Central Station equally well at the same price. Use a taxi (300 DKK) or Uber (200-280 DKK) only when: heavy luggage, group of 4+, late arrivals, or your hotel isn’t near a metro station. The Copenhagen airport to city center transfer is so streamlined that it requires no advance planning — buy a metro ticket on arrival and you’re downtown in 13 minutes.
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