You can eat breakfast in Denmark and coffee in Sweden without breaking a sweat. The Copenhagen to Malmo crossing is one of the easiest international day trips in Europe — 35 minutes by train over the cinematic Øresund Bridge, with departures every 20 minutes through the day. Fares change, so check the current price at the station ticket machines or in the DSB app before you set off. Yes, you’re swapping countries, languages and currencies in the space of half an hour, but it feels utterly seamless. On the far side waits Sweden’s third city: the medieval square of Stortorget, Calatrava’s twisting Turning Torso, the long sweep of Ribersborg beach, and a café scene that rivals anything back in Denmark. This guide covers every way across — train, car and bus — plus the passport rules, the currency question, and the best things to do once you arrive.
A Malmö day trip is one of the most rewarding things you can add to a Copenhagen visit, and it slots neatly onto the same rail network you’re already using — see our complete guide to getting around Copenhagen for the bigger transport picture, and our day trips from Copenhagen guide for more ideas beyond the bridge.
Copenhagen to Malmo at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Train time | 35 minutes (Øresundståg from Copenhagen Central) |
| Train frequency | Every 20 min daytime; less often late at night |
| Train price | Shown when you buy, at the machine or in the app |
| Bridge length | 16 km (8 km bridge + 4 km tunnel + 4 km island) |
| Car time | Depends on traffic and where you start |
| Car toll | 470 DKK at the toll station, 420 DKK online, per crossing |
| Bus time | About 45 min to 1 hour (FlixBus) |
| Bus price | Varies; book early for the cheapest fares |
| Currency | Sweden uses SEK; Denmark uses DKK |
| Passport required | Yes — border checks in place since late 2015 |
| Time zone | Same as Denmark (CET/CEST) |
Copenhagen to Malmo by Train — the Easy Winner
For nearly everyone, the Øresundståg train is the way to go — fast, frequent and nothing to think about:
- Departs from Copenhagen Hovedbanegården (Central Station) and Copenhagen Airport
- Frequency: every 20 minutes daytime, less often late at night
- Travel time: 35 minutes Copenhagen Central → Malmö Central, and less from the airport, which is on the same line
- Ticket: a single for each direction; the fare is shown when you buy
- Buy tickets: the SJ app, the DSB app, the station ticket office, or self-service machines
- Eurail passes work, though surcharges may apply
- Border checks: random ID checks on the train or at the bridge
- Luggage: no charge, and big suitcases fit easily
- Wi-Fi: on most services
A tip worth banking: if you’re arriving into Copenhagen and heading straight for Malmö, you don’t even need to go into the city first — the same train stops at the airport, so you can board right there. For the wider rail network, our Copenhagen train travel guide has the detail.
By Car
Driving across the Øresund Bridge is simple, but the toll makes it pricey for a solo day trip:
- Toll: 470 DKK at the toll station or 420 DKK online, per crossing (passenger car up to 6m); 182 DKK with an ØresundGO contract
- Toll plaza: at Lernacken on the Swedish side — pay by card or cash
- ØresundGO — for regular crossers, 60% off every crossing in return for an annual fee
- Best for: families, multiple stops, or exploring beyond Malmö
- Parking in Malmö: metered street parking; check current rates on the City of Malmö’s website (malmo.se)
- Park-and-ride: at Hyllie station on the Swedish side
Honestly, unless you’re a family of four or pushing on into the Skåne countryside, the train beats driving on both cost and hassle — no toll, no parking, and you can nap on the way home.
By Bus
Flixbus and Vy Bus4you both run the route, and it’s the budget floor if you book early:
- Travel time: about 45 minutes to an hour (slower than the train thanks to traffic)
- Price: varies by date; book ahead for the cheapest fares
- Frequency: every 1-2 hours
- Departs from: the bus stops at Copenhagen Central Station
- Best for: budget travellers who don’t mind the extra time
Passport and Border Checks
This is the one thing people forget, so don’t: Sweden brought back border checks in late 2015, and you’ll need proper ID. Specifically:
- A passport (or EU national ID card) — required for all travellers
- Random ID checks — on the train or at the bridge
- A driving licence alone is NOT enough — you need a passport or EU ID
- Non-EU travellers: a passport with a Schengen entry stamp; Sweden follows the same Schengen rules as Denmark
- Visas: if yours covers Schengen, you can cross freely
Currency: Swedish vs Danish Kronor
Cross the strait and the money changes — Sweden uses Swedish kronor (SEK), not Danish kroner (DKK):
- Exchange rate: roughly 1 DKK = 1.50 SEK (it moves)
- Cards everywhere: Sweden is even more cashless than Denmark; cards are accepted universally
- ATMs in Malmö: at Malmö Central, Lilla Torg and Triangeln
- Do you need cash? Almost certainly not — cards cover everything
- Exchange: a Forex office at Malmö Central, plus exchange at CPH airport
- SEK in Denmark? No — DKK is Denmark-only, SEK is Sweden-only
- Tipping: not required, same as Denmark
The practical upshot: don’t bother hunting for a currency exchange before you go. Just tap your card, and if you somehow need cash, grab it from an ATM once you’re there.
Top Things to Do in Malmö
Malmö packs a lot into a walkable centre. Here’s what to prioritise on a single day.
1. Stortorget, the main square
Stortorget is Malmö’s medieval heart — Renaissance façades wrapped around the city hall, first built in 1547 and remodelled in the 1860s, with a statue of King Carl X Gustav at the centre. In summer the cafés spill outside. Wander down the neighbouring Södergatan pedestrian street and you’ll find plenty more cafés and shops.
2. Lilla Torg + Västra Hamnen
Lilla Torg (Little Square) is the most photogenic corner of town — half-timbered houses now filled with restaurants and cafés. From there, walk out to Västra Hamnen (the Western Harbour), the sleek modern waterfront where you’ll find the Turning Torso, the Bo01 sustainable-architecture experiment, and a canal-side promenade lined with new apartments.
3. Turning Torso
Santiago Calatrava’s Turning Torso (2005) rises 190 metres, a height beaten in the Nordic region only by Gothenburg’s Karlatornet — a 54-storey twist of glass and steel that’s become Malmö’s calling card. It’s residential, and the top floors open to visitors only on occasional pre-booked days, so plan to photograph it from the waterfront.
4. Ribersborg Beach
Ribersborg is Malmö’s long sand beach, just west of the centre. At the far end sits the wonderful Ribersborg Open Air Bath (Kallbadhuset), a wood-fired sauna paired with a cold Baltic dip (90 SEK for a single visit, sauna and sea pools included). It’s open year-round — a proper Scandinavian ritual if you’re brave enough for the water.
5. Malmö Castle (Malmöhus)
Malmöhus, built between 1526 and 1539 on the site of a fortress begun in 1434, is the oldest preserved Renaissance castle in the Nordic region, and today it houses the Malmö Museum (natural history, technology and art). Adult admission is 100 SEK. From 7 September 2026 to 31 May 2027 it opens Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00-17:00 (Thursdays until 19:00), and is closed on Mondays; from 1 June to 6 September it opens daily, 10:00-17:00.
6. St Peter’s Church (Sankt Petri Kyrka)
This 14th-century brick-Gothic church anchors the old town. Entry is free, and the medieval frescoes are worth a look.
7. Folkets Park (People’s Park)
Founded in 1891, this is Sweden’s oldest folkpark (people’s park), and a lovely family stop with mini-golf and outdoor restaurants.
A Perfect One-Day Itinerary
Want it all mapped out? Here’s a full day that flows without rushing:
- Around 09:00 — Copenhagen Central Station, board the Øresundståg (check departures on rejseplanen.dk)
- 35 minutes later — arrive Malmö Central; walk into the old town
- 09:45 — Stortorget and the Södergatan pedestrian street
- 10:30 — coffee at an outdoor café on Lilla Torg
- 11:00 — walk out to Västra Hamnen along the canal
- 11:30 — Turning Torso photo stop and a Bo01 architecture wander
- 12:30 — Ribersborg beach and the Kallbadhuset sauna (optional swim)
- 14:00 — lunch at Saluhall Malmö (the food market)
- 15:30 — Malmöhus Castle and the Malmö Museum
- 17:00 — Folkets Park, or coffee at Solde Kaffebar
- 18:30 — dinner at Vollmers (two Michelin stars) or Bastard for something casual
- After dinner — the train back to Copenhagen Central
Where to Eat in Malmö
Malmö punches well above its weight on food. A few we’d point you to:
- Vollmers — two Michelin stars, Swedish fine dining; book well ahead
- Bastard — head-to-tail Nordic cooking, mid-range, reservations wise
- Solde Kaffebar — the city’s best specialty coffee
- Saluhall Malmö — a central food hall with a spread of vendors
- St Jakobs Stenugnsbageri — the pick of Malmö’s bakeries
- Mary Land — burgers, casual and cheerful
- Lilla Torg cafés — outdoor seating all summer
Practical Tips
- Bring your passport — non-negotiable since the border checks began in late 2015
- Leave the cash — cards work everywhere; use an SEK ATM only if you must
- Same time zone — no clock changes, so a full day is easy
- Book Vollmers early — Malmö’s top table fills up, so reserve well ahead
- Pair it with Lund — the university town is just 10-15 minutes further north by train
- Pack layers — this is a coastal city and it can get windy
- Mind Mondays — most museums close, so aim for Tuesday-Sunday
- Remember it’s SEK — not DKK; cards are simplest for visitors
- An EU licence works for car rental and the toll plaza
Copenhagen to Malmö FAQs
How long does the trip take?
By train it’s 35 minutes from Copenhagen Central, and a little less from the airport. By car, it depends on traffic and where you set off. By bus, about 45 minutes to an hour.
How much does it cost?
Train: the one-way fare changes, so check it on the ticket machine or app when you buy. Car: a toll of 470 DKK per crossing at the toll station (420 DKK online, 182 DKK with an ØresundGO contract), plus fuel. Bus: FlixBus fares vary by date and are cheapest booked early.
Do I need a passport?
Yes — Sweden has checked travellers at the Danish border since late 2015. EU travellers can use a national ID card; everyone else needs a passport. A driving licence on its own won’t cut it.
Is Malmö worth the trip?
Very much so — you get a different national feel, a strong design culture, a sand beach, that spectacular bridge crossing, and even a two-Michelin-star restaurant. It works beautifully as a day trip, though 1-2 days lets you dig deeper. Our day trips from Copenhagen guide has more options.
How often do the trains run?
Every 20 minutes through the day, and less often late at night and early in the morning. The service runs around the clock with reduced overnight frequency.
Can I use a Eurail pass?
Yes — Eurail Global, Eurail Sweden and Interrail passes all cover the Øresundståg route. Surcharges may apply on some services, and you’ll need to validate before boarding.
Where do the trains leave from?
Copenhagen Central Station (Hovedbanegården) is the main departure, and the Øresundståg also stops at the airport (Kastrup) — handy if you’re arriving and heading straight for Malmö.
Is Malmö safe?
For tourists in the central areas, yes. Stortorget, Lilla Torg, Västra Hamnen and Ribersborg are all fine day or night. Some outer suburbs are less so, but you’re unlikely to have reason to go there.
Related Reading
- A day in Malmö — 35 minutes over the Øresund into Sweden.
- Where to hire a bike — Donkey Republic, the city bikes and the shops worth using.
- Walking tours — free tip-based walks plus food, history and architecture tours.
- How to structure your days
- Public transport tickets
- Copenhagen Airport to city centre
- Whether to take a taxi
The Verdict
Crossing to Malmö is about the easiest international day trip you’ll ever take. The Copenhagen to Malmo train (the Øresundståg), at 35 minutes, is right for almost everyone — bring your passport, block out a single full day, and you’ll take in a medieval old town, Calatrava’s Turning Torso, the long sand of Ribersborg, and a meal at one of Sweden’s best restaurants. Feeling ambitious? Tack on Lund, 10-15 minutes further, for a fuller taste of Skåne. Either way, you’ll be back in Copenhagen for a nightcap — passport stamp and all.
If a day in Malmö leaves you wanting more of Sweden, Stockholm is about five and a half hours away by train. Our comparison of Copenhagen vs Stockholm helps if you are deciding which capital deserves the longer stay.
Last updated: July 2026. Photo credits: images via copenhagentourism.org media library.
