Copenhagen public transport: tickets, passes and apps

Copenhagen's metro, S-trains, regional trains, buses and harbour buses all use the same DOT zone system, so one ticket type works across every mode. That makes the decision simple: how many days will you actually ride?

For one or two days of a few trips, buy singles or tap a contactless bank card at the gate. For three or more days with two or more rides daily, a 24-hour or 72-hour pass pays for itself quickly and removes the need to think about zones.

If you are staying central and mostly walking or cycling, singles are cheaper. If your hotel is outside the centre, or you plan day-trips to Roskilde or Elsinore, check whether your pass covers those zones before buying.

Contactless bank cards and phones work at metro gates and on buses across the network. Tap in at the start and tap out at the end for trains and metro; on buses you tap once when boarding. The system charges the cheapest fare for your journey.

The DOT Tickets app is the official way to buy and store tickets on your phone. You can also use ticket machines at metro and S-train stations, or buy from 7-Eleven and other kiosks. Ticket machines take cards; some accept coins.

If you are using a foreign card, check whether your bank adds a foreign transaction fee. A local travel card or the DOT app may be cheaper for longer stays.

Copenhagen sits in zones 1–4, with the airport in zone 4 and the city centre in zones 1–2. Most tourist trips stay within zones 1–4, which is why a city-zone pass covers almost everything you will do.

Day-trips outside the city need extra zones. Roskilde is about 5 zones from the centre, Elsinore about 6, and Malmö in Sweden is a separate fare system. For those, buy a point-to-point ticket or a DSB regional ticket rather than a city pass.

Zone boundaries are marked on station maps and in the DOT app. If you are unsure, the app will calculate the fare for your route.

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) is on the metro M2 line and the Øresund regional train. The metro runs to Kongens Nytorv and Nørreport in about 15 minutes; the train reaches Copenhagen Central Station in about 15 minutes as well.

The airport is in zone 4, so a 3-zone or 4-zone ticket is needed from the centre. Most 24-hour and 72-hour city passes include zone 4, but confirm before buying.

Tickets can be bought at the airport station machines, via the DOT app, or by tapping a contactless card. Taxis are available but cost far more than the metro for the same trip.

Bikes ride free on S-trains but need a separate bike ticket on the metro. If you are renting a bike, factor that in.

The harbour bus is a normal bus route on the water and is covered by the same tickets. It is a cheap way to see the harbour.

Validate your ticket before boarding trains and metro; on buses you tap when you get on. Fines for travelling without a valid ticket are steep.

If you are staying a week or more, compare the 7-day pass with a Rejsekort card. The Rejsekort needs a deposit but gives a discount per trip.