Let’s clear up the big question first: there’s no Uber in Copenhagen. If you’re weighing up a taxi in Copenhagen versus Uber, the short answer is that Uber pulled out of Denmark in 2017 over the country’s taxi laws and hasn’t come back, and Bolt isn’t running here either. What you get instead are proper licensed taxis — reliable, English-speaking, spotlessly regulated, and, yes, pricey (a 50 DKK starting fare plus 14-18 DKK per km). The good news is the local taxi apps do everything the app you use at home would, with a fixed price up front. This taxi Copenhagen Uber guide covers what a cab actually costs, where to find one, when it beats public transport, and how to book without any fuss.
Taxis are the backup, not the default — for most trips the metro or a bike wins on speed and cost, as our guide to getting around Copenhagen lays out. But when you do need a car, here’s how it works.
Taxi vs Uber in Copenhagen at a Glance
| Service | Starting fare | Per km daytime | Per km nights/weekends | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxa 4×35 (largest) | 50 DKK | 14 DKK | 18 DKK | Reliable, well-run taxi service |
| Dantaxi | 50 DKK | 14 DKK | 18 DKK | Dependable alternative |
| Drivr | 50 DKK | 13 DKK | 16 DKK | Newer Danish app-based taxi |
| Viggo | Fixed quote | Quoted | Quoted | Electric fleet, price up front |
| Uber | — | — | — | Does not operate in Copenhagen |
| Bolt | — | — | — | Does not operate in Copenhagen |
| Airport taxi | Fixed 300 DKK | Included | Same | Airport transfer |
Why There’s No Uber (or Bolt) in Copenhagen
Here’s the story. Uber launched in Denmark, then withdrew in 2017 after the country introduced taxi rules — mandatory fare meters and seat sensors among them — that its model wouldn’t meet. It hasn’t returned, and Bolt doesn’t operate in the city either. So if you open either app on arrival, you’ll see no cars. It’s the single most common surprise for first-time visitors, and worth knowing before you land tired at the airport.
The workaround is genuinely painless, because the local apps behave exactly like the ones you know:
- Taxa 4×35 — the biggest network; book in the app or by phone, track your car, pay by card
- Viggo — an all-electric fleet that gives you a fixed price before you confirm
- Dantaxi — another reliable nationwide app
- Drivr — a newer Danish app-based taxi option, often a touch cheaper per km
And a small safety note: if someone approaches you near the airport or a station offering an "Uber," it’s unlicensed — wave it off and use a rank or a local app instead.
Copenhagen Taxi Pricing in Detail
Rates are set by the city, so every licensed taxi charges the same — no haggling, no surprises:
- Starting fare: 50 DKK
- Daytime per km (06:00-18:00 weekdays): 14 DKK
- Night per km (18:00-06:00) and weekends: 18 DKK
- Waiting time: 6.50 DKK per minute
- Phone-booking surcharge: 25 DKK
- Central Station to Nyhavn (3 km): ~95-110 DKK
- Central Station to Christianshavn (3 km): ~95-110 DKK
- Nørreport to Tivoli (1.5 km): ~70-90 DKK
- Copenhagen to Roskilde (35 km): ~600-700 DKK
Put plainly: a cab across the centre is roughly 30-50% dearer than the equivalent in London or Paris. Worth it for the right moment, but not for a hop you could do on the metro for 30 DKK.
Where to Find a Taxi
Flagging one down on the street rarely works here — Copenhageners use ranks or apps. Your options, roughly best first:
- Taxi ranks: Central Station (Hovedbanegården), Nørreport, Kongens Nytorv (by Nyhavn) and Copenhagen Airport
- Taxa 4×35 app — the biggest network; book and track in the app
- Viggo app — electric fleet with a fixed price before you confirm
- Dantaxi app — a solid alternative network
- Drivr app — a newer Danish taxi service
- Hotel concierge — usually more reliable than trying your luck on the street
- Ask at a restaurant — most will happily call a cab for you
- Phone booking: +45 70 25 25 25 (Taxa 4×35)
Taxi or Public Transport?
Here’s the honest call on when a cab is genuinely worth it, and when the metro wins:
| Situation | Best option | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Late-night arrival (00:00-05:00) | Taxi | Metro runs but is slower overnight; a taxi is direct |
| Heavy luggage | Taxi | No stairs, more comfort |
| Group of 3-4 sharing | Taxi | Split the fare and it beats four individual tickets |
| Hotel off the metro grid | Taxi | Saves the walk from the nearest station |
| Reduced mobility | Taxi | More accessible than some stations |
| Single central trip | Metro | 30 DKK and 13 min beats a 50 DKK-plus cab |
| Rush hour (08:30-09:30) | Metro | Faster than crawling through traffic |
| Weekend evening out | Bus/walk | Or a shared taxi for 2-3 people |
Taxis from the Airport
Airport cabs have their own tidy fixed-fare deal:
- Fixed fare to central Copenhagen: 300 DKK, whatever the meter says
- Travel time: 25-35 minutes
- Pickup: the curb-side rank at the terminal exit
- Payment: cards everywhere; cash optional
- Tipping: not expected, it’s in the fare
- Late arrivals: available 24/7
- Group of 4: the same 300 DKK total — which works out cheaper than four metro tickets
For every way in from the terminal, side by side, see our Copenhagen Airport to city centre guide.
Tipping and Payment
- Tipping isn’t expected — the service charge is already in the fare
- Round up if you like — 5-10 DKK is generous, but nobody expects it
- Card payment: Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay all accepted, and preferred over cash
- Cash: accepted but a bit inconvenient; ATMs are scarce late at night
- Receipt: always offered — ask if you need one for expenses
- Currency: DKK only; foreign notes aren’t taken
- Apple Pay / Google Pay: tap-to-pay works with zero fuss
Common Questions and Concerns
- Are the taxis safe? Yes — licensed drivers, regulated rates, electronic receipts.
- Are they honest? Yes — meter rates are fixed by the city, and scams are rare.
- Are they expensive? Yes — 30-50% more than London or Paris, which is why locals mostly take the metro.
- Do drivers speak English? Universally — English is effectively a second working language here.
- Can I hail one on the street? Occasionally, but a rank or an app is far more reliable.
- Can I share a taxi? Yes — split it with your group at no extra per-person cost.
- Is it safe late at night? Yes — and booking through an app beats waiting at a random rank.
- Should I book ahead? Handy for airport runs; spontaneous trips are fine without.
Late-Night Taxis
Taxis run 24/7, but rates and demand shift after dark. Worth knowing:
- 18:00-06:00 weekdays — the night rate of 18 DKK/km applies
- Weekends (Fri 18:00 to Sun 18:00) — the same night rate
- Friday and Saturday, 22:00-04:00 — peak demand, so expect a wait outside clubs and bars
- Apps beat ranks at peak times — they dispatch the nearest car to you
- Pre-book for an early airport run leaving 04:00-06:00
- Remember the metro runs all night too — often the faster, cheaper way home
A quick reality check on cost
To put the fares in context: a short central hop like Nørreport to Tivoli runs about 70-90 DKK, versus 30 DKK on the metro for a similar distance. A cross-town ride is easily 100-200 DKK. Where a taxi genuinely wins is the airport run for a group — that fixed 300 DKK splits to 75 DKK a head for four, comfortably under four metro tickets with luggage in tow. Solo or in a pair, though, the metro almost always makes more sense.
Taxi Copenhagen Uber FAQs
Is Uber available in Copenhagen?
No — Uber withdrew from Denmark in 2017 over the country’s taxi laws and hasn’t returned, and Bolt doesn’t operate here either. Use a rank taxi or a local app like Taxa 4×35 or Viggo instead.
How much does a taxi cost?
The starting fare is 50 DKK, then 14 DKK/km by day and 18 DKK/km at night and weekends. A typical short trip is 70-110 DKK, a medium one 100-200 DKK, and the airport is a fixed 300 DKK.
What do I use instead of Uber?
The local taxi apps do the same job: Taxa 4×35 (the biggest), Viggo (electric, with a fixed price up front), Dantaxi and Drivr. You book, track and pay by card in the app, just as you would with Uber elsewhere.
Should I tip the driver?
No — tipping isn’t expected, since the service charge is built into the fare. Rounding up by 5-10 DKK is a nice gesture on a longer ride, nothing more.
Where do taxis pick up?
From ranks at Central Station, Nørreport, Kongens Nytorv and the airport, or wherever an app dispatches one. Hailing on the street is uncommon and rarely works.
Are the taxis safe at night?
Yes — they’re safe around the clock, with licensed drivers and electronically tracked meters. Use an app for the fastest pickup during the late-night rush.
Can I take a taxi from the airport?
Yes — a fixed 300 DKK fare to most central destinations, a 25-35 minute ride, from the curb-side rank at the terminal exit. Our airport to city centre guide compares it with the metro and train.
Do taxis take credit cards?
Universally — Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay are all accepted, and cards are preferred over cash.
How do I order a taxi?
Best via the Taxa 4×35, Viggo, Dantaxi or Drivr apps, or by calling +45 70 25 25 25. A hotel concierge will also happily call one for you.
Related Reading
- Getting hold of a bike — Donkey Republic, the city bikes and the shops worth using.
- Copenhagen Metro guide
- Crossing to Malmö — the Øresund train, the bridge, and what a day in Sweden costs.
- Public transport tickets
- Copenhagen Card review
- Practical things to know before you go
- How to structure your days
- Walking tours worth joining
The Verdict
So, taxi versus Uber in Copenhagen? There’s no Uber to weigh up — it left in 2017 and hasn’t returned, and Bolt isn’t here either. On the taxi Copenhagen Uber question, licensed taxis fill the gap: reliable, card-friendly and best kept for late-night arrivals, heavy bags, groups of three or four sharing, and hotels off the metro map. Book through Taxa 4×35 or Viggo for a price up front, don’t bother tipping, and take the fixed 300 DKK airport fare when a group makes it cheaper than four metro tickets. For most central trips, though, the metro or a bike will get you there faster and for a fraction of the cost — so use taxis for the moments they’re genuinely worth it.
Last updated: July 2026. Photo credits: images via copenhagentourism.org media library.
