Copenhagen Airport offers a rare combination: excellent public transport and short distance to the city. The metro costs a fraction of a taxi, and the journey time is comparable. Here is the full pricing picture.
Price breakdown by destination
| Destination | Metro / Train | Taxi (metered) | Private transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norreport | 39 DKK (5.20 EUR) | 250–300 DKK (34–40 EUR) | 400–500 DKK (54–67 EUR) |
| Central Station | 39 DKK (5.20 EUR) | 250–300 DKK (34–40 EUR) | 400–500 DKK (54–67 EUR) |
| Kongens Nytorv / Nyhavn | 39 DKK (5.20 EUR) | 270–330 DKK (36–44 EUR) | 400–550 DKK (54–74 EUR) |
| Vesterbro | 39 DKK (5.20 EUR) | 280–350 DKK (38–47 EUR) | 450–550 DKK (60–74 EUR) |
| Frederiksberg | 39 DKK (5.20 EUR) | 300–380 DKK (40–51 EUR) | 450–600 DKK (60–80 EUR) |
| Orestad | 39 DKK (5.20 EUR) | 150–200 DKK (20–27 EUR) | 300–400 DKK (40–54 EUR) |
| Malmo, Sweden | 119 DKK (16 EUR) | 600–900 DKK (80–121 EUR) | 800–1,200 DKK (107–161 EUR) |
The metro fare is a flat 39 DKK for a single journey within zones 1–4, which covers the entire city centre. Children under 12 travel for half price. Children under 2 travel free.
Ticket options that save money
- DOT Tickets app: Buy single tickets on your phone. No queue, works immediately.
- Rejsekort: Denmark's travel card. Load credit and tap on/off. Fares are 20–30% cheaper than single tickets. Worth it if staying several days.
- Copenhagen Card: Includes unlimited transport plus museum entry. Starts at 479 DKK (64 EUR) for 24 hours. Only worth it if you plan heavy sightseeing.
- City Pass Small: 80 DKK (11 EUR) for 24 hours of unlimited travel in zones 1–4. Good value if you take 3+ metro rides in a day.
Why taxis are expensive
Copenhagen taxis use meters with a start fee of approximately 50 DKK, plus 8–12 DKK per km depending on time of day. The per-km rate increases slightly after 23:00 and on weekends. For the 8 km airport-to-city trip, this adds up to 250–350 DKK (34–47 EUR) — roughly 7 times the metro fare.
That said, if you are a group of 3–4 splitting the fare, a taxi becomes 60–90 DKK per person — still more than the metro but less painful.
Is a private transfer worth it at CPH?
Honestly, for most travellers — no. The metro is fast, clean, frequent, and direct. A private transfer at 400–600 DKK (54–80 EUR) is justified only if you have mobility issues, excessive luggage, or are arriving after the metro stops on a weeknight. The service quality difference between a Copenhagen taxi and a private transfer is small — both are professional and comfortable.