Getting around in Copenhagen

You can choose from a variety of sustainable public transport options when visiting Copenhagen.

May 6, 2025 - 08:45

Thanks to its compact size, Copenhagen is fairly simple and convenient to get around, and travelers have a multitude of options for exploring the city, from hopping on a bike to jumping on the Metro or a harbor bus boat.

Whether you're there to hit all the city's highlights, explore some green parks, or find the best local shops, you can leave the car behind and embark on a sustainable journey around the Danish capital.

Here are the best ways to get around Copenhagen.

High-angle view of a busy shopping street in Copenhagen.
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Explore Copenhagen on foot

Copenhagen's small size makes it a walkable city, and few of the main sights or shopping quarters are more than a 20-minute walk from the city center. Walking around Copenhagen allows you to find hidden gems and interesting detours that you might miss otherwise.

Walking is a big part of Danish culture, and it's thought that the country's biking and walking habits are closely linked to the fact that Denmark scores high on the World Happiness Report.

People riding bicycles on a sunny day in a street filled with bike lanes and modern buildings in the distance.

Take advantage of this cyclists' paradise

Copenhagen is one of the world's best cities for a bike ride, and cycling is deeply ingrained in the city's culture. In the Danish capital, bicycles outnumber cars, and Copenhagen has 382km (237 miles) of bike lanes.

Riding a bike is a must while you're here. You get to experience the Danes' unique biking culture firsthand, and you might even be inspired to bring some of it back home. It's also the most convenient, quick and sustainable mode of transportation, and you'll get a workout while sightseeing. Rent a bike from a local bike shop or by signing up for citywide bike-share services like Donkey Republic. Many hotels offer bike rentals, as well.

Cycling in Copenhagen is also serious business, and it's how many residents commute to work. Always follow local cycling rules – like signaling and sticking to the right in the bike lane – if you want to avoid angry looks from residents.

Close-up of red Metro train with bicycle symbols painted on the windows and a passenger on the platform in the distance.

Access all public transportation with one ticket

Copenhagen's public transportation system consists of buses, harbor bus boats, trains (called S-trains) and the Metro. A ticket is required to ride public transportation in Copenhagen; a one-hour ticket for the central city zone costs 24kr (US$3.70). You can buy tickets at train or bus stations, purchase a reloadable Rejsekort travel smart card or use the DOT Mobilbilletter app.

The Copenhagen Card, which offers discounted entry to attractions around the city, also includes free access to public transportation.

Ride Copenhagen's expanding Metro system

Copenhagen Metro added 17 new stations in 2019, making this mode of transport an even faster and more reliable way to get around much of the capital. The self-driving Copenhagen Metro consists of 39 stations across four train lines, and it runs 24/7, with trains arriving every few minutes. The Metro travels to and from the airport and takes you to the city center in just 13 minutes.

For the best views, head to the front of the train for a ride that usually only the driver gets to enjoy.

Use the S-train for airport travel and day trips

Copenhagen’s S-train is a suburban train network with seven lines through Central Station. It offers quick and easy transport between the station and Copenhagen Airport and a way to explore beyond the city center. Services run every four to 20 minutes between 5am and 12:30am on weekdays, with hourly all-night services on Fridays and Saturdays.

Copenhagen harbor bus on the water in Copenhagen at dusk

Admire Copenhagen from the water aboard a harbor bus

Copenhagen includes a network of boat routes as part of its public transportation system, and they offer gorgeous panoramic views of the city. Taking a harbor bus is a quick way to get around, with a total of nine harbor stops from the Royal Danish Library to Nyhavn and Islands Brygge. These electric boats are a green mode of transportation, and they are wheelchair accessible, too.

Find a taxi

You might not need a taxi in Copenhagen because public transportation is efficient and getting around on foot is easy. Still, sometimes jumping into a cab is the best solution after a long day of sightseeing or a late night out on the town.

Ubiquitous ride-hailing app Uber is now available in Copenhagen. Or you can try to hail a cab in the street, especially in front of train stations and nightclubs.

Enjoy accessible travel in Copenhagen

Copenhagen's public transportation network is accessible, and the sidewalks are wide and straight. All Copenhagen Metro stations have elevators, and the stations are the same level as the Metro, meaning wheelchairs and strollers can roll straight on the train from the platform with no ramp required.