Copenhagen Travel Essentials

Our Copenhagen Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help planning your trip to one of the most popular destinations in Denmark. No matter how frequently you travel, some questions will always need answers: What’s the weather like? How can I get from the airport to my hotel? What currency and type of plug do I need? We have all these answers plus other basic info about the best time to go, getting there, getting around, and a few useful travel tips.

It’s all compiled in this Copenhagen Travel Essentials. After reading this short and easy-to-read guide, you will be a little more prepared to start your trip in Copenhagen.

1. When is the best time to travel to Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has an oceanic climate, with average temperatures ranging from 1ºC in winter to 18ºC in summer.

1. Daylight ranges from 17 hours in summer to only 7 hours in winter.
2. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year,with an average of 13 rainy days per month.
3. Expect snowfall between November and March.
4. June-August is peak tourist season, with hotel and flight prices rising accordingly.
5. March-May is a great time to visit Copenhagen. The weather is usually pleasant, and you can get good deals on hotel rooms and flights.

2. Copenhagen basics

1. Languages:
   Primary:Danish
   English is also widely spoken in Denmark
2. Plug types: K and E
3. Electricity: 230 V
4. Currency: Danish krone (kr)
5. International dialing codes: +45
6. Emergency telephone number: 112

3. How to get to my hotel in Copenhagen?

Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup

One of the largest airports in Scandinavia, Copenhagen Airport serves Copenhagen as well as neighboring southern Sweden. It sits 8 km southwest of the city center. It features 2 passenger terminals and 3 runways. Here, you’ll find a good choice of dining and shopping options. Facilities such as free Wi-Fi and currency exchange services are also at hand. There are several transfer options to reach central Copenhagen:

1. A taxi takes around 15-20 minutes. The taxi ranks are directly outside Terminal 3.
2. The Metro takes around 15-20 minutes. The Metro station is in an extension at the end of Terminal 3.
3. A public bus – line 5A – takes around 20-30 minutes to reach Copenhagen Central Station. Bus stops can be found in front of the terminals.
4. Car rental agencies sit in the Car Rental Center located 600 meters west of Terminal 2. A free shuttle is provided to get you there.

4. How to get around Copenhagen?

Travel tips

Downtown Copenhagen is compact and can easily be explored on foot. Landmarks and attractions such as the Tivoli Gardens, the National Museum of Denmark and Torvehallerne – an extremely popular local market – are within walking distance of each other. You’ll also find a great choice of restaurants, shops and cool bars for a drink after nightfall in central Copenhagen. For longer journeys, there’s a good choice of public and private transportation services to choose from.

5. Public transportation networks

1. Copenhagen Public transportation is operated by different companies.
2. Metro and S-train are run by Metroselskabet – The Metro Company.
3. Buses are operated by Trafikselskabet Movia – Movia traffic company.
4. Local trains are run by the DSB – Danske Statsbaner (Danish State Railways).
5. Fortunately, the 3 of them conveniently work with the same ticketing system.
6. Copenhagen is divided into zones which determine ticket prices.
7. A 2-zone single ticket covers all of Copenhagen – but not the airport which is in zone 3.
8. 24- and 72-hour City Passes are available.
9. Tickets and passes can be purchased at metro and train stations, on the bus and in various places throughout the city. You can also download the DOT Mobilbilletter application on your mobile phone.

6. Copenhagen Card

If you plan to visit many attractions, the Copenhagen Card gives you unlimited use of public transportation in all zones plus free admission to over 80 museums and attractions. The card also offers discounts in designated shops and restaurants.

1. Copenhagen Cards are valid for 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours.
2. Passes can be purchased online and in locations including 7-Eleven outlets, tourist information centres and more.

7. Taking a taxi

1. Taxis can be hailed down on the street in Copenhagen. Look for the green lighted ‘FRI’ on the windshield that indicates that a taxi is free.
2. Cab stands can be found outside hotels and near attractions.
3. You can also call companies such as Taxa 4x35 (35 35 35 35), Taxi 4x27 - Amager Øbro (27 27 27 27) or Københavns Cykeltaxa (61 51 20 30), just to name a few.
4. Taxi prices are regulated in Denmark. They are higher at night and on weekends.

8. Cycle around Copenhagen with Bycyklen

1. Hosting over 400 km of cycle tracks, the least we can say is that Copenhagen is a very bike-friendly city. Riding a bicycle is a great way to explore the city and surroundings on clear days.
2. The city runs a bike-sharing scheme called Bycyklen, and the privately-owned Donkey Republic also operates in Copenhagen.
3. Both these schemes feature many docking stations throughout the city.
4. Both these schemes require an online registration with credit card – there’s a refundable deposit – and the downloading of an app.

9. What are the main annual events in Copenhagen?

Roskilde Festival

1. What: This 4-day outdoor music festival is one of the largest cultural events in Northern Europe. Over 200 bands and artists from all around the world perform on 8 stages. All types of music are represented.
2. When: July
3. Where: Roskilde, 30 km west of Copenhagen

Sankt Hans Aften

1. What: A dual celebration of the shortest night of the year and the celebration of Saint John the Baptist, you will find many bonfires and gatherings on mid-summer night in Cophenagen
2. When: 23 June
3. Where: Frederiksberg Gardens

Distortion

1. What: Distortion is an annual 2-day rave founded in 1998. The festival takes place in the city streets, the Copenhagen Harbour and the Distortion Club. It attracts large crowds of modern music aficionados.
2. When: May-June
3. Where: Copenhagen Harbour and Distortion Club

Copenhell

1. What: A not-to-be-missed event for all metalheads, Copenhell – Copenhagen’s heavy metal festival – showcases world-famous and upcoming bands for a 4-day celebration of blasting big sound and distorted guitars in a very friendly atmosphere.
2. When: June
3. Where: Refshaleøen Island, 3 km northeast of the city center

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.