Getting around Copenhagen: public transport, passes and taxis

Copenhagen is compact and flat, so the choice is usually between walking, a bike and the metro or S-train. The metro covers the airport, the centre and the new districts fast; S-trains reach the suburbs and day-trip stations; buses fill the gaps. Everything runs on the same zone system, so one ticket can cover a bus, metro and train leg within its validity window.

Prices below are 2026 estimates. Confirm current fares and pass prices with the operator before you travel.

Copenhagen's public transport is priced by zones. A journey within the city core is usually 2 zones; the airport and outer suburbs need more. Tickets are valid for a set time after check-in, so a single ticket can cover several short rides if you keep moving within the window.

The Rejsekort is the stored-value card locals use: tap in and out and the system charges the cheapest fare for your journey. Visitors can buy a Rejsekort at stations and kiosks, but the deposit and top-up can be more hassle than it is worth for a short stay. For most visitors, a small or large city pass, or single tickets bought in the app, is simpler.

If you plan several days of heavy riding, compare a multi-day pass against your likely ride count. If you mostly walk and bike, buy singles.

Bikes are the fastest way to cover the centre and the harbour districts, and the city is built for them: wide cycle tracks, separate signals and bridges over the harbour. Rental shops and hotel bikes are common, and city bikes can be unlocked by app for short trips. Expect to pay DKK 100–200 a day for a rental, less for a few hours.

Rules matter. Lights are required after dark, and fines apply for riding on pavements, through red lights or against the flow of a one-way cycle track. Use hand signals, keep right, and watch for turning cars at junctions. Bikes ride free on S-trains; on the metro you need a bike ticket and should avoid rush hour.

Walking is the best option for Indre By, Nyhavn and Christianshavn, where sights sit 10–25 minutes apart. Cobbles and bike traffic mean you should look before crossing, and cycle tracks are not pavements.

Taxis are metered, card-friendly and easy to find at stations, the airport and ranks in the centre. A short central hop is roughly DKK 100–150; airport runs cost more. Ride-hailing apps operate in Copenhagen, though the local market has changed several times, so check which apps are active before you rely on one.

Taxis make sense for late nights, heavy luggage, groups of three or four, and trips the rail network does not serve well. For everything else, the metro and S-train are usually faster and cheaper. Tipping is not expected; rounding up is normal.

A day of city transport on single tickets is usually DKK 50–90 if you ride three or four times; a pass can be cheaper if you ride more. Bikes cost DKK 100–200 a day, which is often the best value for a full day of sightseeing. Taxis are the expensive option: a few short rides can exceed a day of passes.

Budget roughly DKK 100–200 a day per person for a mix of metro, bike and the occasional taxi, and less if you walk a lot. All figures are 2026 estimates; check current prices before you buy.

Buy tickets in the app before boarding where required, and validate paper tickets at the start of each journey. Inspectors do check, and fines are steep.

Avoid the metro and S-train at peak commuter hours if you have luggage or a bike. The centre is small enough that walking often beats waiting for a bus.

If you are staying several days, decide between a pass and pay-as-you-go on day one by counting your likely rides. Most visitors underuse a pass and overpay.