Few big airports make it this painless. Getting from Copenhagen Airport to city center takes about as long as reading this intro: the terminal sits just 8 km out at Kastrup, with the metro and train stations tucked directly beneath the arrivals hall. The M2 metro reaches the middle of town in 13 minutes for 30 DKK; the DSB train hits Central Station in around 15, for the same fare; a metered taxi costs roughly 250-400 DKK, with the time depending on traffic; and the budget bus is there if you want it. This guide lays out every option side by side — cost, journey time and exactly where each one drops you — so you can decide before you’ve even collected your bag.
Arriving by train or cruise ship instead, or want the 2026 fares and the sum on whether a City Pass pays off? Our guide to arriving in Copenhagen covers every way into the city, from the airport and Central Station to the three cruise terminals.
Short version: unless you’re loaded with luggage or arriving in the small hours, take the metro. It’s the fastest, cheapest and least fussy way in, and it’s part of the same network you’ll use all week — see our complete guide to getting around Copenhagen for the bigger picture.
Copenhagen Airport to City Center at a Glance
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| M2 Metro | 30 DKK | 13 min | Most travellers — fastest, cheapest |
| DSB Train | 30 DKK | About 15 min | Anyone heading to Central Station |
| Bus 5C | 30 DKK | Longer; depends on traffic | Budget; reaches some hotels the metro doesn’t |
| Taxi | About 250-400 DKK, metered | Depends on traffic | Heavy luggage, late arrivals, group of 4 |
| Local taxi app | Fixed quote in the app | Depends on traffic | Booking ahead with a price quote |
| Hotel shuttle | Ask your hotel | Varies | Some hotels; book ahead |
| Private transfer | Quoted by the operator | Depends on the route | Group of 6+; multiple stops; meet & greet |
The Best Way from Copenhagen Airport to the City Center
For the vast majority of visitors, the M2 metro is the answer — cheaper than a taxi, faster than the bus, and straight into the centre. The only times it’s worth reaching for a taxi instead are if you’ve got heavy bags, three or more people, a late arrival after 23:00 (the metro still runs, just less often), or you’re travelling with reduced mobility. Otherwise, follow the signs downstairs and hop on.
By M2 Metro
The M2 (yellow line) is the quickest way in, and here’s what to expect:
- Frequency: every 4-6 minutes through the day and evening, running 24/7
- Travel time: 13 min to Kongens Nytorv (the Nyhavn area), 15 min to Nørreport (Torvehallerne), a little longer to Frederiksberg
- Price: 30 DKK for a single 3-zone ticket
- Where to buy: the DOT app, or the self-service machines at the metro entrance
- Luggage: no charge, and big suitcases fit easily
- Stations served: Lergravsparken, Amager Strand, Christianshavn, Kongens Nytorv, Nørreport, Forum, Frederiksberg
When you land, just follow the Metro/Train signs from baggage claim down to the lower level. For everything else about the network, our guide to riding the metro has the full rundown.
By DSB Train
The DSB trains share that same station under the terminal, and they’re the smarter pick if your base is near Central Station:
- Travel time: around 15 min direct to Hovedbanegården (Central Station)
- Price: 30 DKK, same as the metro
- Best for: hotels near Central Station or Vesterbro, or onward trips to Helsingør, Roskilde and Malmö
- Frequency: frequent through the day; check departures for your time on Rejseplanen
- Connections: S-tog, regional trains, and Sweden via the Øresund crossing
Heading straight on to Sweden? Our Copenhagen to Malmö train guide and Copenhagen train travel guide cover the connections.
By Bus 5C
Bus 5C is the slow-and-scenic option — it takes longer than the metro but reaches a few neighbourhoods the rails miss:
- Travel time: longer than the rail options, and it depends on traffic
- Price: 30 DKK, same as everything else
- Frequency: varies through the day, so check the timetable before you rely on it
- Route: Copenhagen Airport → Amagerbro → Hovedbanegården → Nørreport → Nørrebro → Herlev Hospital
- Best for: hotels not directly on the metro, or a budget traveller who fancies a look around on the way
By Taxi
Airport taxis run on the meter, with no flat fare to the centre — the easy choice when the metro doesn’t fit:
- Fare to the centre: metered, roughly 250-400 DKK; TAXA’s app offers a fixed price that depends on your pickup address, the car and the time of day
- Travel time: longer than the metro, and it depends on traffic
- Pickup: the curb-side taxi rank at the terminal exit — no booking needed
- Companies: TAXA 4×35 and Dantaxi, which Uber now owns
- Payment: cards accepted everywhere; cash works too
- Tipping: not expected, it’s already included
- Late arrivals: often the simplest choice after midnight
- Group of 4: the same fare as going solo, so much better value shared
A Note on Uber and Bolt
Here’s what to know before you land: Uber pulled out of Denmark in 2017 after new taxi laws it wouldn’t comply with, but it came back in 2025 through a partnership with Drivr and has since bought Dantaxi. Bolt runs here too, having bought Viggo in 2025. Book through the app itself and ignore anyone touting rides in the arrivals hall. The local taxi apps do the same job, with a fixed quote before you book:
- TAXA 4×35 — one of the largest operators; app or phone booking
- Viggo — a taxi app owned by Bolt since 2025
- Dantaxi — a nationwide option, now owned by Uber
- Price: quoted before you book, in the same range as a rank taxi (about 250-400 DKK to the centre)
- Payment: in-app card, no cash needed
For the full story on cabs, apps and Uber’s return, see our taxi and Uber in Copenhagen guide.
Where to Buy Tickets
- The DOT app (easiest) — download it, register a card, buy in-app
- Self-service machines at the metro/train entrance — Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay
- DSB ticket office — staffed, and handy if you have questions
- Copenhagen Card / City Pass — from the DSB office or the visitor centre
Always hold a valid ticket before you travel, or you risk a fine: the control fee is 750 DKK on the metro and DSB trains and 1,000 DKK on Movia buses. For every ticket type, see our Copenhagen public transport tickets guide.
Money-saving tip
Don’t default to a single 30 DKK airport ticket if you’ll be riding all week. A City Pass covers the airport zones and every trip afterwards, so if you plan to use public transport more than a couple of times a day, buy the pass at the machine on arrival and skip buying tickets one by one. It usually pays for itself within the first day.
Where Each Option Drops You
| Method | End point | Walk to Nyhavn |
|---|---|---|
| M2 Metro to Kongens Nytorv | Old-town heart | 5 min |
| DSB Train to Hovedbanegården | Central Station, near Tivoli | Longer than from the metro |
| Bus 5C to Hovedbanegården or Nørreport | Central Station or Nørreport | Depends on your stop |
| Taxi to hotel | Direct to the door | 0 min |
| Local taxi app | Direct to the door | 0 min |
Which Option for Your Hotel
If you already know your neighbourhood, here’s the shortcut:
- Tivoli-area hotels: DSB train to Hovedbanegården — a short walk to Tivoli
- Nyhavn-area hotels: M2 metro to Kongens Nytorv — 5 minutes on foot
- Vesterbro hotels: DSB train plus a walk, or M2 to Nørreport then a bus
- Nørrebro hotels: taxi is easiest, or M3 Cityringen via Kongens Nytorv
- Frederiksberg hotels: M2 metro straight to Frederiksberg station
- Airport hotels (Crowne Plaza, Hilton CPH): walkable from the terminal
For where to base yourself, see our hotels near Copenhagen Airport guide and our where to stay for first-time visitors guide.
Late-Night and Early-Morning Arrivals
The metro runs 24/7, so a late flight is no drama — the waits just stretch a little:
- Day (05:00-23:00): metro every 4-6 min
- Overnight: metro about every 8 min on Friday and Saturday nights and about every 20 min on other nights — still running, just less often
- Trains: reduced overnight, so check the DSB schedule
- Bus 5C: check the timetable for late departures
- Taxi: the simplest way to skip a wait after midnight
Copenhagen Airport to City Center FAQs
How long does the trip take?
The M2 metro reaches Kongens Nytorv in about 13 minutes and the DSB train gets to Central Station in around 15. Bus 5C is slower, and a taxi’s journey time depends on traffic.
How much does it cost?
Metro, train and bus are all 30 DKK. A taxi runs on the meter at roughly 250-400 DKK, or you can book one in an app for a fixed quote based on your address and the time of day. The bus is technically cheapest by the second, but the metro is the best value for time and comfort.
Is the metro easy to find?
Very — the M2 station is one level below the terminal. Follow the Metro/Train signs from baggage claim, buy a ticket at a machine or in the DOT app, and you’re away.
Does the metro run 24/7 from the airport?
Yes — 24 hours a day, every day. Through the night trains come roughly every 8 minutes at weekends and every 20 minutes midweek, but it never stops.
Taxi or metro?
For most people the metro wins hands down — 30 DKK and 13 minutes against a taxi fare of several hundred kroner and a ride at the mercy of traffic. Take a taxi only for heavy luggage, a group of 4+ (where the fare is shared), a late-night arrival with reduced mobility, or a hotel that isn’t near a station.
Is Uber available at the airport?
Yes. Uber left Denmark in 2017 but came back in 2025 through a deal with Drivr, and Bolt operates here too. A rank taxi or a local app like TAXA 4×35 does the same job. Our taxi and Uber guide explains the whole situation.
Can I buy a Copenhagen Card at the airport?
Yes — at the DSB ticket office or the Copenhagen Visitor Center inside the terminal. It bundles free metro and train travel with 80+ attractions; our Copenhagen Card review weighs up whether it’s worth it.
Is the airport in central Copenhagen?
No — it’s in Kastrup, on the southern edge of Amager, about 8 km from the centre. The M2 metro connects the two in 13 minutes.
Related Reading
- Walking tours — free tip-based walks plus food, history and architecture tours.
- Renting a bike — Donkey Republic, the city bikes and the shops worth using.
- Copenhagen itinerary
The Verdict
Getting from Copenhagen Airport to the city centre is refreshingly free of hassle: the M2 metro, at 30 DKK and 13 minutes, is the right call for almost everyone, and the DSB train serves Central Station just as well for the same fare. Save the taxi (a few hundred kroner on the meter) or a local taxi app for heavy luggage, a group of four-plus, a late arrival, or a hotel off the metro map. Honestly, it’s so streamlined it needs zero advance planning — buy a ticket when you land, follow the signs downstairs, and you’ll be downtown before you’ve finished your first Danish pastry.
Last updated: July 2026. Photo credits: images via copenhagentourism.org media library.
