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Copenhagen (Denmark): Airport to city center travel information

  • Writer: Thor
    Thor
  • 6 days ago
  • 7 min read
A canal with boats reflects colorful buildings and a bridge in Copenhagen. People walk along the quay under a partly cloudy sky.

If you land at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), the default best option is the regional train from Terminal 3 to København H (Copenhagen Central Station) in about 13 minutes, with the Metro as an equally easy backup. The trade-off is ticket confusion: you must have the right zones or a City Pass before boarding.

Copenhagen also has Copenhagen Roskilde Airport (RKE), which is much smaller and not on the metro or rail network. The consequence is extra planning: public transport can include a bus plus a walk, so a pre-booked pickup or taxi can save real time.


Last updated: 2026


Quick overview and key details


Quick overview

  • Fastest most people: CPH → city by train (best for Central Station and Vesterbro) or Metro M2 (best for Nørreport and Kongens Nytorv).

  • Cheapest simple ticket: a 3-zone ticket (often enough for CPH ↔ central areas) or City Pass Small if you will ride a lot.

  • Most luggage-friendly: train or metro from CPH; avoid tight bus aisles if you have multiple bags.

  • RKE reality check: expect bus + walk or book a car, especially outside weekday daytime.


Key facts


Which airport did you land at?

  • CPH (Kastrup): use the train or Metro from Terminal 3 and treat the trip like normal city public transport.

  • RKE (Roskilde): plan for bus plus walking time, or book a car or taxi if timing matters.


Ways to get in (train, bus, taxi, rideshare, transfer)


From CPH, the two public-transport workhorses are the regional train and Metro M2. The train is the most direct choice for København H (Central Station) and hotels around Vesterbro, and it is straightforward with luggage because you stay on one vehicle and stations have clear signage. The Metro is usually the cleanest choice for Nørreport, Kongens Nytorv, and connections across the metro network, but it can be a little slower if you ultimately need Central Station.

Buses are a valid third option when your accommodation is on a bus corridor. Bus 5C is a common direct route from the airport area toward Central Station, with an often-quoted travel time around 35 minutes. It is not ideal if you have multiple large suitcases or if you arrive at peak commuter times. (VisitCopenhagen bus note)

Taxis are best for door-to-door convenience, very early departures, or groups with heavy luggage. Copenhagen airport pickup is regulated and licensed; pricing varies by company and time of day, so treat any “flat price” you see online as an estimate unless it is on the operator’s own site. (Dantaxi airport guide)

App-based rides exist, but availability and vehicle types depend on local rules. Bolt explicitly supports airport pickups with in-app pickup points. (Bolt at CPH) Uber can show taxi options in Copenhagen in some contexts; confirm in your app before relying on it for a late-night plan. (Uber Copenhagen taxi)

From RKE, public transport is a planning exercise rather than a default. The airport itself points you to bus routes 212 and 220 and flags the walking distance from the closest stop, which is the main reason taxis and pickups are common for tight schedules. (Roskilde Airport passenger info)

For all modes and both airports, the safest planning tool is the official journey planners that reflect disruptions and the exact stop you need: use Rejseplanen and the DOT planner. (Rejseplanen, DOT plan your journey)


Tickets and where to buy (avoid common mistakes)


For CPH, the key point is that train, metro, and bus in Copenhagen use the same zone-based ticket logic. Central Copenhagen is zone 1 and the airport is zone 4, and most airport-to-centre trips are effectively priced as three zones, even though you start in zone 4. (VisitCopenhagen zones, Copenhagen Metro zone rule)

The simplest purchase method is the Rejsebillet app, which calculates zones for your trip, but you can also use machines at stations and at the airport. (PublicTransport.dk tickets) If you prefer to buy in the station area at CPH, note that some machines are coins and card only, which matters if you arrive with cash notes. (CPH metro tickets note)

If you will take several rides per day, check whether a City Pass Small (zones 1 to 4, including the airport) beats buying singles. It is designed for 24 to 120 hours and can be activated when you arrive. (PublicTransport.dk City Pass, VisitCopenhagen City Pass mention)

Optional micro-checklist

  • Buy your ticket in the app or at the station before boarding.

  • If you buy a single ticket, make sure it covers the right number of zones (often 3 for CPH ↔ centre).

  • Keep the ticket available for inspections until you exit.

  • If you are doing many short trips, price-check City Pass Small.

  • For RKE, confirm the last bus and walking route before you commit to public transport.


Late-night arrivals, luggage, and accessibility


Late at night, the Metro is the most predictable public transport option because it runs frequently in the evening and continues overnight with longer intervals (typically 15 to 20 minutes at night). The trade-off is that you might need a short walk from the metro station to your hotel, while a taxi is door-to-door. (CPH by metro)

For luggage, trains and the metro generally feel easier than buses because you avoid narrow aisles and frequent stops. If you choose the bus, aim for off-peak hours and expect a slower ride to Central Station compared with rail options. (VisitCopenhagen bus note)

Accessibility depends on the specific station and route, but the most important practical point is that CPH rail and metro stations are integrated into Terminal 3, reducing outdoor walking. If you land at RKE, the airport explicitly notes about a 2 km walk from the closest bus stop, which can be a deal-breaker with reduced mobility or heavy bags unless you arrange a pickup. (CPH by train, Roskilde Airport passenger info)


Costs and time trade-offs


If minutes matter, choose rail from CPH. Official tourism guidance frames CPH ↔ centre as roughly 13 to 35 minutes depending on mode, which is why the train and metro dominate for most travelers. (VisitCopenhagen airport transport)

If price matters and you are staying central, start with a 3-zone single (listed as DKK 30) and only upgrade to a pass when you expect several rides. The pass makes sense when you plan to crisscross the city, not when you will mostly walk after arrival. (DOT City Pass page, PublicTransport.dk City Pass)

If simplicity matters most, a taxi or app ride is the least mental load, especially for families, groups, or very late arrivals. The trade-off is cost and variability by time and company, so it helps to book with a known operator such as Dantaxi if you want a consistent ordering flow. (Dantaxi)


Practical tips that actually change the day


  • If your hotel is near København H, default to the regional train.

  • If your hotel is near Nørreport or Kongens Nytorv, default to Metro M2.

  • Take one minute to check zones: centre is zone 1, airport is zone 4, but you usually pay max three zones on the airport metro/train corridor.

  • Use the Rejsebillet app when you do not want to count zones.

  • For RKE, assume public transport includes extra walking and build margin.

  • For disruptions or late-night routing, check Rejseplanen right before you leave the terminal.


FAQ


How do I get from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Copenhagen city center?

  • Train or Metro from Terminal 3 are the defaults; trains suit København H, while Metro M2 suits Nørreport and Kongens Nytorv. (CPH transport overview)


How long does CPH to the city center take?


Is the metro from CPH frequent late at night?

  • Yes, it continues overnight, typically every 15 to 20 minutes at night. (CPH by metro)


What ticket do I need from CPH to central Copenhagen?

  • Central Copenhagen is zone 1 and the airport is zone 4, and airport-to-centre trips are commonly treated as three zones. (VisitCopenhagen zones)


How much is a 3-zone ticket in Copenhagen?


Can I use City Pass from the airport?


Where do I buy tickets at Copenhagen Airport?


Do ticket machines at CPH accept cash?

  • Some airport-area machines are noted as not accepting notes (coins and cards only), so plan to pay by card or in-app if you arrive with cash notes. (CPH metro tickets note)


Is there a direct bus from CPH to Central Station?

  • Bus 5C is a commonly cited route toward Copenhagen Central Station, around 35 minutes depending on traffic. (VisitCopenhagen bus note)


How do I get from Roskilde Airport (RKE) to Copenhagen?

  • RKE points to bus routes 212/220 and warns that you can face about a 2 km walk from the bus stop, so many travelers use a taxi or pickup for tight schedules. (Roskilde Airport passenger info)


Are Bolt or Uber usable from the airport?

  • Bolt publishes airport pickup guidance for CPH. Uber can show taxi options in Copenhagen depending on availability, so check your app before relying on it at night. (Bolt at CPH, Uber Copenhagen taxi)


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