Copenhagen is one of the easiest city breaks you can do from the UK. It's roughly two hours by air, the airport is about 15 minutes from the centre, and the city is compact enough to cover in a weekend. The catch is the price. Denmark isn't cheap, so a little planning goes a long way. Here's how to get around, what's worth paying for and where to save.

Getting in from the airport

You don't need a taxi. The metro (line M2) takes about 15 minutes to Nørreport and runs every 4 to 6 minutes during the day. A train to Copenhagen Central Station also takes around 15 minutes. Both cost about 30 kroner (DKK) for a single ticket, and both leave from Terminal 3. A taxi is roughly DKK 250 to 400, which is hard to justify when the metro is this quick.

Denmark uses kroner, not euros. As a rough guide, there are around 9 kroner to the pound, so a 30 kroner ticket is about £3.30. Check the rate before you go, because it moves.

Where to stay

The centre around Nyhavn and Strøget is handy but pricey. Vesterbro and Nørrebro are good alternatives, with plenty of cafes and bars and, according to one 2026 cost guide, hotels and meals that can be 25 to 35% cheaper than the centre. Both are a short metro or bike ride from the main sights.

Prices drop in the colder months. The same guide puts accommodation 30 to 40% cheaper between November and February, though it's also when the days are shortest.

Day one: the classic centre

Start at Nyhavn, the colourful harbour on every Copenhagen postcard. It's lovely first thing, before the crowds, and the waterfront cafes are better for a coffee than a full meal. A canal tour is a good way to see the harbour from the water. One UK travel guide puts a one-hour tour at under £10 a head, and prices vary by operator. If you'd like something quieter, this electric canal tour with a live guide is one option on Viator.

From there, walk to Amalienborg Palace, where the changing of the guard happens at noon, then on to Rosenborg Castle if you'd like to see the crown jewels. If you only have a weekend, don't try to fit in everything. Some guides suggest skipping the Little Mermaid statue altogether because it's small and always busy.

Finish the day at Tivoli Gardens. It's an amusement park and garden in the middle of the city, and it looks best once the lights come on. More on the cost below.

Day two: markets, bikes and neighbourhoods

Start at Torvehallerne, the food market by Nørreport station. It's a good place for breakfast or an early lunch, with smørrebrød, the Danish open sandwich, a dish worth trying at least once. Our guide to what to eat in Copenhagen explains how to order it. Coffee Collective has a stall here too.

Then do what the locals do and get on a bike. Cycling is the best way to see Copenhagen, and one cost guide puts a city bike at around €18 to €25 a day. Cross the water to Christianshavn for its canals and cafes, and, if you're curious, walk through Christiania, the self-governing neighbourhood. Follow the posted rules there, especially about photos.

In the afternoon, head to Vesterbro and the old meatpacking district, Kødbyen, for street art, bars and restaurants. If you're there in summer, Islands Brygge has a harbour bathing area that locals really do use.

Is the Copenhagen Card worth it?

It depends how much you plan to pay to get into. Prices for adults were listed at about DKK 589 for 24 hours, DKK 859 for 48 hours and DKK 1,039 for 72 hours. Booking in pounds through Viator, the 24-hour card currently starts from £69, which is a little more than a straight conversion, so check the final price in pounds before you decide. The card includes unlimited public transport, airport included, and entry to more than 80 attractions, among them Tivoli, Rosenborg Castle and a canal cruise.

One review worked out that a 72-hour card saves around DKK 750 for a packed itinerary of paid sights. But if you're more of a wander, cycle and eat person, you'll likely do better paying for what you actually use. Add up your must-sees first, then compare with the card price. If you decide it's worth it, you can buy the Copenhagen Card on Viator. Check which version and duration you're choosing, because the included attractions can differ.

What Tivoli costs

Entry is separate from rides. The figures we found are around DKK 190 on weekdays and DKK 210 at weekends, about £20 to £23, with an unlimited ride pass costing roughly DKK 199 to 229 on top. A combined ticket is around DKK 379 to 399. Pay-per-ride tickets run to about DKK 50 to 90 each, so the pass is better if you plan to go on more than a few.

Tivoli also changes with the season. It runs a Halloween season from mid-October to early November, and a Christmas season from mid-November to early January, with a market and decorations. Book ahead where you can, and allow at least three hours. These prices come from third-party guides and may have changed, so check Tivoli's own website before you go.

What things cost

  • Dinner: a mid-range restaurant meal is around €35 to €60 (£28 to £48), based on one 2026 guide
  • A pint: roughly €7 to €11 (£5.60 to £8.80)
  • Coffee: around €4.50 to €7
  • Smørrebrød: €8 to €12 from a local bakery, €18 to €25 in tourist spots
  • Mid-range hotel: about €160 to €240 a night

The easiest saving is to make lunch your main meal. The same guide says lunch deals can be 40 to 50% cheaper than dinner. Supermarkets such as Netto are also fine for breakfast and snacks.

Planning the trip

If you're flying with a low-cost airline, our cabin bag guide will help you avoid charges at the gate, and what actually changes the price of a flight explains when to book. To see how it adds up, use our Trip Budget Calculator and choose "My own numbers", then enter the prices above. If you've enjoyed a city break like this, our weekend guide to Porto is a cheaper alternative, and our Christmas markets guide covers winter trips. It's also worth thinking about whether you need travel insurance.

Where this comes from

Prices and opening details change, so this is a snapshot checked on 7 October 2026. These are the guides it draws on: