train travel from london to copenhagen

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London to Copenhagen by train

Travel from London (United Kingdom) to Copenhagen (Denmark) by train (956km): schedule and information to the train connection. Compare fares and buy your ticket.

To travel by train from London in the United Kingdom to Copenhagen in Denmark, you have several travel routes available. On most, you have to include an overnight stop, for example in Hamburg (Germany). An interesting route is to include the ferry from Harwich (United Kingdom) to Hoek van Holland (Netherlands) or Newcastle to Amsterdam, which are both available overnight.

There are two main routes. Compare them and decide which one feeds your needs best.

1 London (United Kingdom) - Harwich (United Kingdom) - Hoek van Holland (Netherlands) - Hamburg (Germany) - Copenhagen (Denmark)

2 london (united kingdom) - brussels (belgium) - hamburg (germany) - copenhagen (denmark).

The following links could be interesting for you.

train connections : popular connections travelled by other users

The route consist of more than one step. You have to buy several train tickets.

1a Travelling from London (United Kingdom) to Harwich (United Kingdom)

To travel the United Kingdom by train, buy your train ticket online via one of the following booking links. There you find exact schedules and ticket prices for all operators in England, Scotland and Wales. Book early to get advance and off-peak fares. If you travel several legs, we recommend to have a look at a rail pass such as Britrail, Interrail and Eurail.

Where to buy a ticket from London to Harwich?

Cheap train tickets! Buy your train ticket online on Omio. The easy to use booking system with very good prices and e-tickets.

Online shop of Caledonian Sleeper. Tickets to their night trains.

15% discount If you are travelling more than one route in the UK, the BritrailPass is a very good value option. Find prices and information on the official Britrail Rail Pass here.

Interrail/Eurail celebrates its 50th anniversary. Get 10% discount now! --> Make your journey easier: buy only one Interrail or Eurail pass instead of several train tickets. Save your time and money!

night train: Night trains that might be suitable for this trip. Caledonian Sleeper London - Glasgow / RIV London - Penzance / CAL London - Aberdeen / CAL London - Edinburgh / CAL London - Fort William / CAL London - Inverness

bus: Bus connections that might be helpful. London - Paris / London - Amsterdam

ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful. Harwich - Hoek van Holland / Holyhead - Dublin / Dover - Calais / Liverpool - Belfast

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Harwich - London / London - Birmingham / London - Cambridge / London - Edinburgh / London - Glasgow / London - Leeds / London - Liverpool / London - Manchester / London - Newcastle upon Tyne / London - Nottingham / Birmingham - Manchester

search for train schedules here: Online timetable information, on which you can find relevant, up-to-date connections. rail.cc Deutsche Bahn

1b Travelling from Harwich (United Kingdom) to Hoek van Holland (Netherlands)

To travel from the UK to the Netherlands by train, the fastest option is to include the direct Eurostar train from London to Amsterdam (ticket price from 50 EUR, travel time is four hours). Buy your ticket via the booking links provided. There you can also find timetables and ticket prices. Book early in advance to get saver-price tickets. To London and from Amsterdam, you may need to buy additional tickets if the booking of your entire itinerary is not possible in one step. You can also include the ferry of Stenaline on the route from Harwich to Hoek van Holland (ticket price from 49 EUR, journey time is seven hours). Stenaline also offers tickets called "Rail&Sail" including the train ticket from and to the ferry.

Where to buy a ticket from Harwich to Hoek van Holland?

Cheap international train tickets Official online shop of Netherlands railways (NS International). International train tickets for Europe including overnight trains. Buy your saver fare tickets easily and securely here.

Official online shop of Stena Line Great Britain. Buy your ferry tickets for Stena Line routes easily and securely here.

train types: Train types you are likely to travel with. Eurostar (EST)

night train: Night trains that might be suitable for this trip. Caledonian Sleeper Aberdeen - London / RIV Penzance - London / CAL Edinburgh - London / CAL Fort William - London / CAL Inverness - London

bus: Bus connections that might be helpful. London - Amsterdam

ferry: Ferry connections that might be helpful. Harwich - Hoek van Holland

train company: NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen / EST Eurostar International / STENA Stena Line

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Hoek van Holland - Harwich / London - Amsterdam / London - Eindhoven / London - Nijmegen / London - Rotterdam / London - The Hague / London - Utrecht / Birmingham - Amsterdam / Birmingham - Amsterdam / Manchester - Amsterdam / Glasgow - Amsterdam

1c Travelling from Hoek van Holland (Netherlands) to Hamburg (Germany)

To buy train tickets from the Netherlands to Germany, compare the booking links we give. Prices are usually the same, but sometimes vary slightly. Depending on where you start in the Netherlands (and where you want to travel to in Germany), you can either use the route from Amsterdam via Utrecht to Cologne and Frankfurt by direct ICE train. Or from Amsterdam by direct IC train right to the East, to Berlin. The Europe Special fare ("Sparpreis Europa") of Deutsche Bahn is available from 29/39 Euro. As earlier you book, as cheaper the tickets are.

Where to buy a ticket from Hoek van Holland to Hamburg?

Official saver fares! Official online shop of German railways (Deutsche Bahn). Train tickets for Germany and to bordering countries. Buy your saver fare tickets easily and securely here.

train types: Train types you are likely to travel with. Intercity (IC) / IntercityExpress (ICE)

train company: DB Deutsche Bahn / NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Hamburg - Hoek van Holland / Amsterdam - Berlin / Amsterdam - Munich / Amsterdam - Frankfurt am Main / Amsterdam - Hamburg / Amsterdam - Cologne

1d Travelling from Hamburg (Germany) to Copenhagen (Denmark)

Travel from Hamburg to Copenhagen by direct IC train. The journey time is 4:40 hours. Train tickets are available from EUR 29. There are at least three direct connections daily. Departure of the direct trains in Hamburg ("Hamburg Hbf") at 08:53, 12:53 and 16:53. Arrival in Copenahgen ("Koebenhavn H") at 13:33, 17:33 and 21:33. Find train tickets and train schedules via the booking links. The trains which includes a ferry crossing from Puttgarden (Germany) to Røby (Denmark) does not run anymore.

Where to buy a ticket from Hamburg to Copenhagen?

train types: Train types you are likely to travel with. Regional Express (RE) / EuroCity (EC) / InterCityLyn (Lyn) / InterCity (IC)

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Copenhagen - Hamburg

Spending almost 24 hours with one of the RZD railway birds

From the “high” north to germany’s south in under 7 hours, from inverness to thurso and wick, by caledonian sleeper from london to inverness, travel by train on a ferry from germany to denmark, introducing three travel classes, frequent thalys and intercity brussels services provide direct connections., travel by high-speed train or slower and cheaper by bus., 2a travelling from london (united kingdom) to brussels (belgium).

Travel from London to Brussels by direct Eurostar high-speed-train. The journey time is 1:50 hours. The train ticket price starts at 57 EUR. There are at least 8 train connections daily. If you want to travel cheaper use a bus. The journey time is 6 hours. The bus ticket price starts at 16 EUR. Find the exact train and bus schedules and buy your ticket via the given booking links.

Where to buy a ticket from London to Brussels?

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Brussels - London

2b Travelling from Brussels (Belgium) to Hamburg (Germany)

Travel from Brussels to Hamburg by train. The journey time is 6:50 hours. The train ticket price starts at 17 EUR. You have to change trains in Cologne. From Brussels to Cologne you travel by ICE or Thalys high-speed-train. From Cologne to Hamburg you travel by ICE train.

Where to buy a ticket from Brussels to Hamburg?

train types: Train types you are likely to travel with. Intercity (IC) / IntercityExpress (ICE) / THALYS (THY)

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Hamburg - Brussels

2c Travelling from Hamburg (Germany) to Copenhagen (Denmark)

The direct thalys train or as option by ice/ic/ter trains (interrail/eurail), world class city in a nutshell, a video documentation of 1st class travel, take the night train to cornwall., across the north sea with europe's longest ferry., need a cheap place to sleep we recommend booking.com, find a cheap flight compare prices on kiwi.com.

Do you have questions about the connection between London and Copenhagen? Does something not work as it should? Just ask in our forum and get competent answers from our rail travel experts.

Eurail: if you want to travel this route by Eurail instead of train tickets, have a look here for reservation fees and further information.

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A step-by-step travel guide Take the train from London to Copenhagen

Traveling by train from London to Copenhagen is an unforgettable journey. You'll pass through Hamburg . It's a 2 days long train ride with beautiful scenery.

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Good to know when traveling from London to Copenhagen

Travel insurance.

International train journeys in Europe are covered by the CIV protection rules, a set of rules to make it easier to travel cross-boarder with train. Primarily providing compensation for lost baggage and a guarantee of onward transport.

You can find out if your journey is covered by CIV by checking the tickets. "CIV" should then be printed in a corner.

...there are many cases when these rules does not apply. Therefore All Aboard advise you to have a valid travel insurance before going on your trip. It's never a fun thing either to miss a connection or to loose your luggage, we know, therefore it's very useful to have an insurance where you're fully covered.

Can I charge my phone on the train?

Most long distance trains in Europe have power sockets available. In some cases, the number of power sockets may be limited in the 2nd class cars. In 1st class, however, it's most common that there are power sockets somewhere around each seat. If it's super important to you, the best way to really know is to google the name of the train (that can be found on your ticket) and you'll find out.

Wondering if there's free wifi available? Find more information here: Is there wifi on the train?

Do I have to book seat reservations?

Regular train tickets

Some trains require that you have a seat reservation. Seat reservations are included when mandatory with all regular tickets purchases made on All Aboard. If you wish to reserve seats when they are not included you can do so either at the train station or on the operator website.

Seat reservation for Interrail

Seat reservations are usually  not required  for local and regional trains. However, it is needed for most high-speed, international, and night trains. But make sure to book seats if you need to be somewhere at a certain time, traveling with kids or if it's high season. Unsure if you need a seat reservation?  Check your route here .

Reservations for travelers with Interrail pass can be purchased at the train station, on the rail operator website, and on Interrail.eu .

Some rail operators will ask for your "pass cover number". This is a code which used to come with the old paper passes. You can generate such a code using your Interrail mobile pass here .

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Travelling to Copenhagen by train is straightforward, and takes less time than you may think.

Copenhagen has many famous attractions including the statue of The Little Mermaid. At the more than 100 year old amusement park Tivoli you can ride the oldest still working roller coaster and the oldest ferris wheel in the world. Copenhagen is widely recognised as one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world, and is widely reported to have the best quality of life.

But that is not all! Copenhagen has a history that dates back to 1043. The city is full of historic landmarks and buildings including Amalienborg Palace. Shop till you drop on the shopping street Strøget.

Travel by train on the 3:04pm Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels and then on to Frankfurt on the high speed ICE, after an hours wait in Cologne you will then join the comfortable City Night Line direct to Copenhagen, or “København” as the station signs will say, arriving 10:02 the following morning. The return journey is a mirror image leaving København train station at 6.20pm and after breakfast in Cologne and another change of trains in Brussels you arrive back in London in time for lunch at 1:33pm.

The return fare for this journey starts from as little as £225.00 this is for second class travel and a berth in a 6 berth compartment overnight, sleepers are available at an additional cost and can be well worth it for the added privacy. The fares and reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking and reservations can be made from around 4 months prior to the date of travel.

To buy your rail tickets to Copenhagen please use our contact form to give us the details of your journey.

If you plan to use Copenhagen as a base to explore Denmark you may want to consider purchasing a one Country Interrail pass for Denmark. See our InterRail pass page for more details.

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Traveling to Europe? Book one of these new train trips.

Europe is in the midst of a great rail revival. An increased awareness of environmental issues , the many hassles of air travel and the mental effort required to drive long distances are all reasons for people to get back onto trains. European passenger numbers are on the rise again, if not quite at pre-pandemic levels .

In response, operators across the continent are investing in new services, tracks and special offers. And it’s only going to get better: Dozens of projects are in motion from the Baltic states to Portugal, with the European Union aiming to double high-speed rail traffic by 2030 and supporting “10 pilot projects to establish new rail services or improve existing ones” right now .

My family’s summer will involve a train journey from Paris to Barcelona, down the Rhône valley and along the Mediterranean coast, but you don’t have to travel at 200 miles an hour to get the best out of Europe’s rail network.

From slow trains to high-speed bargains, there are plenty of options if you’re traveling in Europe in the next few months.

1. New sleepers from Belgium and Sweden

The sleeper train revival is picking up speed. They seemed to be on the way out in 2016, when the government of France, their last stronghold, decided to cut funding for a number of services. Happily, many of those have since been restored, and other countries around Europe — most notably Austria, under the brand name Nightjet — are investing heavily in night trains.

This summer sees the debut of a service between Brussels and Berlin, two key political centers, run by a new company called European Sleeper . Customers can leave Brussels at 7:22 p.m. (or Amsterdam at 10:34 p.m.) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and arrive in Berlin at 6:48 a.m. Return trips depart on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. There are three types of tickets, starting at $85: a seat, a bed in a six-berth compartment or a bed in a three-bed compartment.

Other night trains have also recently been introduced, such as Stockholm to Hamburg , which started in the fall, or Paris to Vienna , which began in 2021.

I’ve traveled on night trains from Paris to the south of France on a number of occasions. The experience is not luxurious, but it’s generally cheaper than the cost of a flight and a room — and the beds, while slim, are surprisingly comfortable. Be warned, though: The romance of trundling across Europe in the dead of night can make it hard to sleep.

2. German rail pass for $50 a month

Last summer Germany’s national rail company, Deutsche Bahn, offered monthly passes for the country’s huge network for under $10, a response to cost-of-living problems caused by a sharp rise in costs for electricity, food, heating and mobility. The success of that project has led to the introduction of the Deutschland-Ticket , which will cost around $50 a month and allow unlimited travel on all trains, buses and city subway services, with the exception of the most direct and speedy intercity services.

The possibilities are enticing. Beer lovers, for example, could travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne to Bamberg and onward to Munich, hopping off for distinctive local brews along the way. Those in search of scenery, meanwhile, might prefer the West Rhine Railway, stretching down the Rhine from Cologne in the north to Mainz.

One thing to remember: The Deutschland-Ticket is only available as a rolling, app-based subscription. British train expert Mark Smith, better known online as the Man in Seat 61, recommends canceling by the 10th of the month to avoid being charged for more than a month.

3. The first 100-mph locomotive, in the U.K.

Given locomotives are a British invention, the rail network in the United Kingdom can be a disappointment. Yes, it’ll get you where you need to go, eventually, but services are often late, and there’s only one high-speed line, used by Eurostar and domestic services, from London into the Kentish countryside. The current national debate over ongoing construction of HS2 (High Speed 2) offers a reason: NIMBY -ish attitudes tend to triumph over the greater good.

No wonder Britons are wont to retreat into the past for comfort. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the world’s first fully authenticated 100-mph passenger locomotive, the Flying Scotsman; as a result, a number of special excursions are planned. For those who can afford it, the Centenary Weekender looks like the most appealing trip, from London to York and then Edinburgh, followed by a jaunt up Scotland’s beautiful East Coast.

The Flying Scotsman may be unique, but Europe is full of historical interest. There’s another anniversary, too: The Wuppertal Schwebebahn , a remarkable suspension railway that continues to operate, was completed in 1903 . And then there’s the Beaux-Arts Canfranc Station, opened as the crossing point from Spain to France in 1928, which was revived as a hotel this year .

4. A $7 high-speed train in Spain

Budget services are increasingly common in Europe, but no one is moving so fast as Spain’s Avlo , which runs high-speed, low-cost trains between Madrid and Barcelona, with tickets starting around $7. The network is expanding: From the start of June , there’s a new route from the Spanish capital to Andalusia, taking in Cordoba, Seville and Malaga.

In France, there’s Ouigo , which provides high-speed and standard services from Paris to cities all around the country, including Bordeaux, Marseille and Strasbourg. The advantage of the standard service — which offers tickets starting around $11 — is that prices don’t change, so you can get a last-minute bargain. The U.K., too, has a low-cost service , from London to Edinburgh via Newcastle, although tickets are not always such good value.

5. New subway lines in Turkey and England

Few cities have seen such huge investment and rapid improvement in subway provision as Istanbul. Earlier this year, a line connecting Istanbul Airport to the city opened, while other new lines and extensions are entering service all the time. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a city that had virtually no underground transport until 1989.

It’s not the only capital to be investing in underground trains, though. The experience of visiting Copenhagen has been transformed by the 2019 opening of the City Circle Line . Since last summer, visitors arriving at London Heathrow can reach the city center, and much besides , far quicker courtesy of 2022’s Elizabeth Line.

Paris, meanwhile, is in the foothills of a significant expansion program, Grand Paris Express , which will provide new connections in the city’s long-neglected suburbs. You can expect to see those services start to come online next year, when Paris hosts the Olympics and when Metro Line 14 will be extended to Orly, Paris’s second-largest airport.

A Total Trip: What I spent on an expensive weekend in Copenhagen

Apr 25, 2024 • 9 min read

Copenhagen is an expensive city to visit © Daniel Rasmussen

In our A Total Trip series, writers document what they spent on a recent getaway. In this edition, Chamidae Ford shows us how far her money went on a long weekend in Copenhagen, Denmark.

I recently spent a sunny weekend in  Copenhagen – a city known for its stunning architecture, signature design and burgeoning food scene – with my friend and coworker Ann Douglas . When planning this trip, I knew I’d only be there for a few days, and I also knew I wanted to taste delicious food and shop for a few souvenirs (or more than a few).

As someone who lives in New York , I must acknowledge that my sense of what is deemed overpriced and what is "normal" is a bit skewed. Still, I will bare my spending soul if only to offer a grasp on what a weekend in this city may cost if you enjoy yourself rather than convert prices on a currency app.

Pre-trip spending 

A goal for me was to do as little pre-trip spending as possible. Since I was already in Dublin for work, I took a short flight costing 679kr to Copenhagen. 

For the hotel, I wanted a place that felt young and prioritized design, so it truly felt like we were in Copenhagen. I also looked for something central to avoid long commute times when visiting the main sites. We stayed at 25 Hours Hotel in Indre By , a pricier option but in a great location, and we split the cost of the room. For three nights, our stay was 5408kr, which means my portion was 2704kr, which I paid for with credit card points I had been saving.

Pre-trip spending: 697kr

On-the-ground spending

Airport transfer: We landed in Copenhagen around 4:30pm, and we discovered that one of Copenhagen's finest perks is how straightforward it is to get from the airport to the city! Doing the same in London, Paris, or New York is a pricey, timely and exhausting feat; this was cheap (30kr) and fast. I got from the airport to my hotel in roughly 20 minutes.

Activities: With a dinner reservation for 8pm (you must make dinner reservations in advance; Copenhagen is not the place for walk-ins), we spent a few hours taking in the early evening, the winding streets, and noting places we would like to visit the next day. 

Apertivo: We stopped at Little Green Door , a cocktail bar along the canal, for a pre-dinner drink. We each enjoyed a single shot, gin and tonic for a whopping 131kr (262kr for both). After swiping my card, this was the moment I knew my weekend was going to be more expensive than I had anticipated.

Dinner: In the evening, we dined at the intimate yet bustling  Lilo Vinoria , a chic wine bar with Italian-inspired food and an extensive drink menu. I am unsure if it was because I had only consumed a single croissant that day due to travel or because I was coming off a week of pub food in Dublin, but this meal felt like everything I had ever needed.

We split the burrata featuring a yuzu marinade, walnuts and jalapeños and shared the pork and veal rosemary polpettes. Ann Douglas and I each enjoyed a plate of the freshest, brightest, most rejuvenating pea and asparagus risotto. Throughout the meal, I nursed a very dry martini, which was fine but made me long for the Dirty Martini at Long Island Bar in Brooklyn.  My share of the cost for that meal was 471.85kr .

Total: 632.85kr

Breakfast: On this beautiful Saturday, the sun was shining, and we were on the hunt for a full breakfast – I needed more than a croissant to sustain me today. We stumbled across Coffee Room , where I had a scrambled eggs with chives, crispy bacon, toast, avocado, freshly squeezed orange juice and an Americano (237kr) .

Activities: First and foremost, I wanted to shop. I had heard about the city's vintage stores and seen the incredibly stylish locals, and I knew I needed to come home with a few pieces from my travels.

We went to Mads Nørgaard , a Copenhagen brand that makes iconic striped shirts that are so comfy. I bought the pink-on-pink, striped long-sleeve, which I would end up wearing the very next day (299kr) . From there, we browsed a few vintage shops, but the real winner was O-S-V Second Hand , where I got a very chic, brown boatneck top sprinkled with polka dots and a white midi length skirt ( 599kr for both). 

We stopped by a stunning glass shop called Studio Arhoj , a suggestion courtesy of Lonely Planet writer Verona Farrell in her story, Copenhagen in 5 Shops . I walked away with a handful of gifts for friends and a piece for myself (599kr) .

Having sufficiently spent a lot of my money, we decided to start sightseeing. We chose to purchase the Copenhagen Card  (CPH Card), which includes all public transit and entrance to most of the city’s main sites. We strategically bought it in the afternoon of day two to maximize its use. For 48 hours, the card costs €100 (746kr) . Included in the card was a boat tour through the canals. We cruised through the city, learning some of its history while enjoying the sunny day. The hour-long tour even gave us a glimpse of the famous Little Mermaid statue . 

Lunch: For lunch, we visited a hot dog stand, where I got a spicy dog covered in onions, relish, ketchup, mustard and a herby aioli. Delish! (45kr) .

Activities: After our quick bite, we headed to the Copenhagen Design Museum (included in the CPH Card), featuring an exhibit on local supermarket chain  Irma . It delved into the brand's design evolution, showcasing how it had changed since its inception in 1886. I decided to skip the gift shop. My credit card was still tired from the morning.

Dinner: That evening, we took the bus (CPH Card) to dinner, where we enjoyed a tasting menu at Mirabelle Spisería , a moody Italian restaurant in inner Nørrebro. The food was delicious but not necessarily mind-blowing. We split a crispy arancini, flatbread doused in olive oil and mozzarella, burrata with pistachios and capers. We also enjoyed a salad of cod and citrus, which I loved, plus cacio e pepe  (cheese and pepper pasta) and brown butter sage ravioli. I particularly enjoyed the delicious glasses of Nero wine. 

My share of the dinner bill came to 536kr .

Total: 3061kr (oof!)

Breakfast: We stopped by Lagkagehuse , where I had a kanelsnegl  (cinnamon roll) and an Americano (90kr) .

Activities: Today we were leaving the city behind to visit the  Lousiana Museum of Modern Art (CPH Card) – this was the activity everyone had recommended, and I must admit they were right. It's an hour-long train ride outside the city, which is a gentle way to ease into the day and a great opportunity to see a bit of Danish countryside. We followed signs from the station that led us on the 10-minute walk to the museum, and arrived at opening time of 11am.

We spent two hours exploring the museum, which included a wide range of exhibits, from Dominican-American artist Firelei Báez and her captivating multimedia pieces that explore the black diaspora and folk tales to the French artist, Chaïm Soutine's expressionist pieces that span his lifetime. The museum itself is stunning, with glass walls and a sculpture park in the center. Perched on a hill overlooking the water, it is a captivating location that remains the highlight of my trip. I purchased a Báez print to take home with me (350kr) .

Lunch: Back in the city, we immediately went looking for a Gasoline Grill for lunch. Famous for its excellent burgers (and long lines), we decided to stick it out as everyone said it is the best.

The classic cheeseburger (100kr) was truly unforgettable. The bun is toasted to perfection, so each bite has a crunch; the meat, which is never frozen, is seasoned throughout the process. Ann Douglas and I ate, standing against a brick fence in silence, completely focused on the experience. For the quality, it felt like a steal (NYC loves to charge $28 for a burger) and totally worth the wait.

Activities: After lunch, we explored the Rosenborg Castle (CPH Card), catching a glimpse of the crown jewels, grand halls and many stylish rooms. It is no Versailles , but it is an interesting historic space in the city's center. The park grounds surrounding the castle are stunning, and catching the tulips in bloom was exciting.

Dinner: For our final evening, we opted for Mediterranean food and ventured over to Vesterbro for a meal at Delphine . It was a bit of an Instagrammy spot, but the food was great, and the atmosphere was fun.

The tzatziki and flatbread, to start, was refreshing and light. The lamb was juicy and delicious, the prawns a bit small but well seasoned, the french fries crispy, which I prefer, but the star to me was a watermelon feta salad, which had mint, perfectly firm chunks of green tomato, onion, olives and a dash of vinegar. Truly perfect.

For my share of the meal, I spent 490kr .

Total: 1030kr

Breakfast: For our final morning, we stopped by Holms Bager (63kr) for coffee and a pastry before returning to a couple of shops where we wanted to grab some items we had been thinking about (334kr), another one of those Mads shirts and more items from the Studio Arhoj  glass shop. Mostly, we savored our final hours and enjoyed the early morning quietness of the city.

Airport transport: We hopped on the train back to the airport and our CPH card, in its final hours, still covered our fare. 

Lunch: In the airport before the 8.5-hour flight, I stopped by Joe & the Juice for an underwhelming sandwich (85kr) , but it is airport food; what more can you expect?

Total: 482kr

The final tally: 5902.85kr

Overall, it was an expensive weekend, but more due to my own desire to shop and indulge in lavish dinners. Only having alcohol with dinner ended up saving me a lot of money in the long run, as most days, I only had one drink. 

The Copenhagen Card is a hack when you are visiting places nonstop, but I don't think we fully maximized its bang for its buck due to doing more wandering and shopping than overall sightseeing.

Here is more expert advice to help you plan your trip to Copenhagen

9 of the best things to do in Copenhagen Copenhagen in 5 shops: food halls, curated fashion finds and more Local Bites: the best places to eat and drink in Copenhagen

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Before you buy your tickets

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets .  It answers all the usual questions, "Do I need to book in advance or can I buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a €35 point-to-point ticket?".  How far ahead can you buy train tickets?

European train travel FAQ

Copenhagen to odense, esbjerg, arhus & other destinations in denmark.

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Copenhagen to London from €98

See the London to Denmark page for routes, times, fares & how to buy tickets between the UK and Copenhagen, in either direction.

Copenhagen to Paris from €68

Option 1, Copenhagen to Paris in a single day - a chill-out day across Europe

You can travel from Copenhagen to Paris by train in a single day.

Until 15 July 2024, leave Copenhagen at 07:26 daily, change at Hamburg Hbf & Karlsruhe arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 22:13.

From 16 July 2024, leave Copenhagen at 07:26 daily, change at Hamburg Hbf & Mannheim arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 22:52.

On or many dates you can leave Copenhagen at 07:26 daily, change at Hamburg Hbf & Cologne Hbf arriving Paris Gare de l'Est 22:05.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , Hamburg to Karlsruhe or Mannheim by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then to Paris by either ICE or TGV Duplex at up to 320 km/h (199 mph) with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Cologne to Paris is by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) with cafe area, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

How much does it cost?

Copenhagen to Hamburg starts at €28.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

Hamburg to Paris starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to check times & buy tickets

First, check train times for the whole journey using the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

Run an enquiry from Copenhagen to Paris, first changing Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes .  This gets you robust connections with time for a coffee between trains.  Ignore the silly-money €300+ fares that appear at this stage.  Look for a journey with just 2 changes, click for details and note down the interchange stations and times of each train.

Now buy tickets by splitting the booking.

For journeys via Karlsruhe or Mannheim, first use int.bahn.de to book from Copenhagen to Hamburg.  Then use it again to book the required trains from Hamburg to Paris. You'll get a cheap Sparpreis fare for each stage.  Easy when you know!

For journeys via Cologne, first use int.bahn.de to book from Copenhagen to Cologne.  Then use www.sncf-connect.com to book the Eurostar from Cologne to Paris.  Or you can book both tickets in the same place at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  On Bahn.de I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Paris with overnight stop in Hamburg - a time-effective option

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:04.

Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Paris with overnight stop in Cologne - another time-effective option

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg leaving Copenhagen at 11:26, changing at Hamburg Hbf & arriving Cologne Hbf at 20:47.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or show it on your phone or laptop.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Stay overnight in Cologne .  The good & inexpensive Ibis Hotel Köln-am-Dom is ideal as it's part of Cologne Hbf itself, with an entrance to the left of the main station entrance - many of its rooms have a cathedral view.  Also near the station with good reviews are the Breslauer Hof Am Dom , Hotel Domspitzen , CityClass Hotel Europa am Dom , Hilton Cologne , Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom .

For dinner I recommend the traditional German fare at the Brauhaus Sion ( www.brauhaus-sion.de ), 8 minutes walk from Cologne Hbf, see walking map , or the Malzmuehle restaurant ( www.muehlenkoelsch.de ), 17 minutes walk from the station, see walking map

Fares start at €35 in 2nd class or €79 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish EuroCity train .  From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey .

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this.  There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo .  Larger photo .

Copenhagen to Strasbourg

Option 1, Copenhagen to Strasbourg in a single day

From 16 July 2024:  Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg at 19:34.

From 16 July 2024:  Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg at 21:34.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Offenburg by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Offenburg to Strasbourg by regional train.

Copenhagen to Offenburg starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Offenburg to Strasbourg costs €11, fixed-price, unlimited availability.

How to buy tickets

Go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

Step 1, click Stopovers and enter Offenburg , leaving length of stay zero,  Run an enquiry from Copenhagen to Strasbourg, look for a 2-change option leaving at 07:26 or 09:26.  At this stage it only shows silly-money fares, so split the booking to book as follows:

Step 2, book from Copenhagen to Offenburg looking for the 07:26 departure and a 1-change option.

Step 3, now use int.bahn.de again to but a regional ticket from Offenburg to Strasbourg.  This ticket is good for any SWE local train that day.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  You print your own tickets or can show them on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Strasbourg with an overnight stop in Hamburg

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Strasbourg, for example:

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 07:28, change at Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg 15:33.

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 09:28, change at Offenburg, arriving Strasbourg 17:33.

Hamburg to Offenburg is by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, Offenburg to Strasbourg is by regional train.

Copenhagen to Hamburg starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Hamburg to Offenburg starts at €17.90 in 2nd class or €26.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Offenburg to Strasbourg costs €11, fixed-price.

Step 1, use the German Railways website int.bahn.de to book the Copenhagen to Hamburg train. 

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Step 2, use int.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Offenburg, looking for a direct train.

Step 3, use int.bahn.de again to book from Offenburg to Strasbourg on the regional service marked SWE RB25 .

Tip:   You can save a few euros by booking Copenhagen to Offenburg as one journey.  Set departure time as 15:00.  To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers , enter Hamburg with a length of stay of (say) 10 hours.  Adjust stopover duration as necessary to get the Hamburg-Offenburg train you want next morning.

Copenhagen to Lyon, Avignon, Nice & other French cities from €68

Option 1, Copenhagen to Lyon, Avignon or Marseille with an overnight stop in Hamburg.  This option by-passes Paris.

Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Mannheim or Frankfurt by ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Until 15 July 2024, leave Hamburg Hbf at 09:24, arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:00.

From 16 July 2024, leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:24, arriving Mannheim 13:27.

Day 2, travel to Lyon, Avignon, Aix en Provence or Marseille by TGV Duplex .

Until 15 July, leave Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:56 every day arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:09, Aix en Provence TGV 21:33 & Marseille St Charles at 21:46.

From 16 July 2024, leave Mannheim at 14:39 every day arriving Lyon Part Dieu at 19:56, Avignon TGV 21:09, Aix en Provence TGV 21:33 & Marseille St Charles at 21:46.

The 320 km/h double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

Stay overnight in Marseille and travel to Cannes, Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Perpignan next morning (Day 3).

Copenhagen to Hamburg starts at €27.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.

Hamburg to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

Step 1, use the German Railways website int.bahn.de to book from Copenhagen to Hamburg.

Step 2, use int.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Lyon, Avignon, Aix or Marseille, but - and this is important - make sure you change Transfer time from normal to 40 minutes before running the enquiry.  If you don't, it'll put you on a later train from Hamburg with a risky 9-minute connection, a simple 10-minute delay and you're toast.

Book onward trains within France at either www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking for French trains opens up to 4 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Lyon & southern France via Brussels - also avoids having to cross Paris

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Brussels in a single chill-out day as shown in the Copenhagen to Brussels section .

Day 2, travel from Brussels to Lyon, Avignon, Aix, Marseille, Nimes, Montpellier by direct TGV.  There are several morning TGV departures from Brussels Midi which by-pass central Paris via Marne la Vallée & CDG.

Tip:   Nimes & Montpellier Saint Roche are in the city centres.  Nimes Pont du Gard and Montpellier Sud de France are out-of-town stations several kilometres outside the city.

Check times and buy tickets from Brussels to anywhere in France at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Look carefully for journeys that don't involve changing in Paris.

Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Lyon & southern France via Paris - means changing trains & stations in Paris, but offers widest range of options

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a single chill-out day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above .

How to cross Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare du Nord to other Paris stations .

Stay overnight in Paris .  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train from the Gare de Lyon next morning.  See other suggested hotels near Paris stations .

Day 2, travel from Paris to Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, Toulouse or anywhere else in France.

Check times and buy tickets from Paris to anywhere in France at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

Copenhagen to Brussels & Bruges from €49.90

Option 1, Copenhagen to Brussels in a single chill-out day

Option 2, Copenhagen to Brussels with overnight stop in Hamburg - a time-effective option

By all means book the earlier 13:26 to have more of an evening in Hamburg, see the timetable here .

Option 3, Copenhagen to Brussels with overnight stop in Cologne - another time-effective option

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Cologne, leaving Copenhagen at 11:26, changing at Hamburg Hbf & arriving Cologne Hbf at 20:47.

Step 1, Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train .  From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey .

Step 2, Hamburg to Cologne by ICE4 .  These come with a waiter-service restaurant car, cafe counter, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICEs .

Step 3, Cologne to Brussels by ICE .  This is an ICE3 at Cologne Hbf.  More about ICE trains .

Copenhagen to Amsterdam from €49.90

Option 1, Copenhagen to Amsterdam in a single chill-out day from €49.90.

Copenhagen depart 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Osnabruck , arriving Amsterdam Centraal 18:00.

Copenhagen depart 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & Osnabruck , arriving Amsterdam Centraal 20:00.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by comfortable EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, Hamburg to Osnabruck by ICE4 train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Osnabruck to Amsterdam by Intercity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Hamburg from €49.90 - a time-effective option

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Osnabruck from €49.90 - a time-effective option

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Osnabruck, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 by EuroCity train , change at Hamburg Hbf onto a German Intercity train , arriving Osnabruck 22:36.

Stay overnight in Osnabrück .  The Holiday Inn is an 8-minute 550m walk from the station and gets great reviews, see walking map .

Day 2, travel from Osnabrück to Amsterdam leaving Osnabruck at 07:06 by InterCity train and arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 10:00.  Or leave Osnabrück at 09:06 arriving Amsterdam 12:00.

To get the overnight stop in Osnabruck, click Stopovers and enter Osnabruck with a length of stay of 8-10 hours.  Adjust length of stay to get the trains you from Osnabruck to Amsterdam.

Step 2, Hamburg to Osnabruck by ICE4 .  These come with a waiter-service restaurant car, cafe counter, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICEs .

Step 3, Osnabruck to Amsterdam by Intercity train , seen here arrived at Amsterdam Centraal .  Power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley.  More about these Intercity trains .

Copenhagen to Luxembourg

You can travel from Copenhagen to Luxembourg by daytime trains in a single day leaving 07:26 or 09:26.

Or you can split the journey with an overnight stop in Hamburg or Cologne.

Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .    Look for journeys with the fewest changes.  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Copenhagen to Basel, Zurich. Geneva & Switzerland from €49.90

Option 1, Copenhagen to Switzerland using the Hamburg-Zurich sleeper.  The most time-effective option

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two double-deck sleeping-cars with compact 1 or 2-berth standard compartments with washbasin and several 1 or 2-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, plus one or two 3-berth compartments with washbasin.  There are toilets at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy onward tickets within Switzerland at www.thetrainline.com (so you can keep all your bookings together in one place, in €, £ or $, easy to use) or at the Swiss Railways website www.sbb.ch (in CHF).  You print your own ticket.

Tip:   If you book in advance, you may find Supersaver fares available for longer Swiss domestic journeys (for example, Basel-Geneva), saving up to 70% off the regular flexible fare, or a Saver Day Pass .  Supersaver fares commit you to a specific train, so I'd allow at least an hour between the Nightjet arrival and an onward train.  A Saver Day Pass can be cheaper than regular fares if booked in advance, good for unlimited travel all over Switzerland on any train all day, this is a better option.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Switzerland by daytime trains in a single day

Copenhagen depart 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arrive Basel SBB 18:55 & Zurich HB 20:00.

Copenhagen depart 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arrive Basel SBB 20:55 & Zurich HB 22:00.

Copenhagen depart 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arrive Basel SBB 23:04.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Switzerland by superb German ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Times may vary, so check your date at int.bahn.de .  More about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey .

Option 3, Copenhagen to Switzerland by daytime trains with an overnight stop

Copenhagen to Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome & Italy from €75

Option 1, Copenhagen to Italy using the Hamburg-Zurich sleeper & the Gotthard route - the most time-effective option

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two double-deck sleeping-cars with compact 1 or 2-berth standard compartments with washbasin and several 1 or 2-berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, plus several 3-berth compartments with washbasin.  There are toilets at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  The train has couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers & couchettes, served in your compartment.  See the Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips, photos & video .

Update: A freight train derailed in the Gotthard Base Tunnel in August 2023, in 2024 trains are still being diverted over the original (very scenic) Gotthard line taking an extra hour and with fewer departures.  Check times online.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Italy using the Hamburg-Innsbruck sleeper & the Brenner route - another time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , leaving Copenhagen at 13:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf 18:03.

A later connection is theoretically possible leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, but a 20 minute connection is too risky when catching a sleeper.

Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €47.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Have dinner in Hamburg, see suggested restaurants near Hamburg Hbf .

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train , leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

From the timetable change on 10 December 2023 this train is operated by a new generation Nightjet train with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos .  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

Fares start at €59.90 in a mini cabin or 4-berth couchettes, €109.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €159.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Tip:   If you have a sleeper ticket and/or 1st class ticket for the onward train, you can use the ÖBB Lounge at Innsbruck Hbf between trains, with free WiFi and complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks & snacks.

Step 3, travel from Innsbruck to Italy by EuroCity train , leaving Innsbruck Hbf 11:24, arriving Verona P. Nuova 14:58 & Bologna Centrale 16:19.

The train travels through the lovely Brenner Pass, with a restaurant car for lunch, treat yourself!  See the Brenner Pass scenery video here .

Change at Verona Porta Nuova for Venice.  Change at Bologna Centrale for Florence, Rome & Naples. 

Tip:   Don't risk a tight connection with the earlier 09:24 EuroCity to Verona, I'd play safe and stick with the 11:24.

Fares from Innsbruck Verona or Bologna (or, on the direct train, Venice) start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.

Onward fares from Bologna to Florence or Rome start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Step 1, book the Copenhagen-Hamburg train at the German Railways website www.bbahn.de .

Step 2, book the nightjet sleeper from Hamburg to Innsbruck at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, a bit more fiddly, same prices).  Look for the train marked NJ (Nightjet) with 0 changes.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Step 3, now use www.thetrainline.com again to book from Innsbruck to Florence, Rome, Naples or anywhere in Italy.  This connects to both the German, Austrian and Italian ticketing systems so you can book this as one transaction all in one place.  You print your own ticket for the Austrian train and the Italian high-speed trains are ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.  Booking normally opens up to 4 months ahead, but it can vary.  There's a small booking fee.

Step 2, Hamburg to Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train .  More about new-generation Nightjets .

Option 3, Copenhagen to Italy by daytime trains via the Gotthard route, with overnight stop in Frankfurt

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Frankfurt, leaving Copenhagen at 11:26, changing Hamburg Hbf , arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 21:00.

Update: A freight train derailed in the Gotthard Base Tunnel in August 2023, in 2024 trains are still being diverted over the original (very scenic) Gotthard line taking an extra hour and with fewer departures.  Whilst this continues, you'll need to change in Zurich, check times online.

Option 4, Copenhagen to Italy by daytime trains via the Brenner route, with overnight stop in Munich

Copenhagen to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain from €114

Option 1, Copenhagen to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Paris

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above .  Book this as shown .

Change stations in Paris from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon by taxi or metro .

Stay overnight in Paris .  The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning.  See other suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon .

Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex , leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.

The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.  It's a scenic and comfortable journey, click here for the sights to see on the way .

Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .

Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante and so on by high-speed train.

A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:07 & Alicante 23:40.

For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station.  Next morning direct high-speed AVE trains leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 for Granada and 08:35 for Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano.

Check times & buy onward tickets in Spain at either www.raileurope.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish Railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards see advice on using it first ) or www.petrabax.com (easy to use, in $, small mark-up).  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead , but it can vary.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stop in Cologne

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Cologne on one of these two departures.

Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , and arrive Cologne Hbf at 16:49.

Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , and arrive Cologne Hbf at 18:49.

Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , and arrive Cologne Hbf at 20:47.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley, then Hamburg to Cologne by ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Day 2, travel from Cologne to Paris by Eurostar (formerly Thalys) , leaving Cologne Hbf at 08:44 and arriving Paris Gare du Nord 12:05.

Eurostar has 3 classes, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about Eurostar (formerly Thalys) .

Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Cross Paris by taxi or metro to the Gare de Lyon .

Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by high-speed TGV Duplex , leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 14:42 & arriving Barcelona Sants at 21:27.

The 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Book an upper deck seat for the best views.  It's a scenic and comfortable journey, click here for the sights to see on the way .

Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Again, fares vary like air fares, so book ahead for the cheapest prices.

Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or using the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  Booking normally opens 4 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.  It's sometimes cheaper to split the booking at Perpignan, see the advice here .

Stay overnight in Barcelona.  The Hotel Barcelo Sants is the top choice here, it's part of Barcelona Sants station so easy to use when arriving & departing by train, with great reviews & good feedback from Seat61 users.  See other suggested hotels near the station .

Day 3, take an onward high-speed train from Barcelona Sants next morning, check times & book at www.raileurope.com .  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead , but it can vary.

For Madrid:   AVE-S103 high-speed trains link Barcelona Sants with Madrid Atocha every hour or two in as little as 2h30 from €35.

For Granada:   Leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 by AVE S112 high-speed train arriving Granada at 13:10.

For Malaga:   Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE-S112 high-speed train arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano at 14:51.

For Cordoba & Seville:   Leave Barcelona Sants at 08:35 by AVE-S112 high-speed train arriving Cordoba 13:42 & Seville Santa Justa 14:32.

For Valencia & Alicante:   EuroMed trains link Barcelona Sants with Valencia & Alicante regularly through the day, for example one leaves Barcelona Sants at 07:15 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 10:10 & Alicante 12:38 or at 10:15 every day arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 13:13 & Alicante 15:32.

For Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna & Vigo , there's a morning Alvia train to Galicia, see details here .

Option 3, Copenhagen to Barcelona & Spain with overnight stops in Hamburg & Marseille - avoids the need to change trains & stations in Paris

Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €49.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Frankfurt by ICE train , leaving Hamburg Hbf at 09:24 every day arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:00.

The ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  Treat yourself to an early lunch on board.

Then travel from Frankfurt to Marseille by TGV Duplex , leaving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 13:56 every day arriving Marseille St Charles at 21:46.

The impressive double-deck 320 km/h (199 mph) TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

Fares from Hamburg to Marseille start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy a ticket from Hamburg to Marseille at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

Tip:   Change Transfer time from normal to 30 minutes to ensure a robust connection.  Times may vary, you may need to leave Hamburg at 08:24 and change at Mannheim instead of Frankfurt on some dates.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead . Important, make sure you change Transfer time from normal to minimum 40 minutes before running the enquiry.  If you don't, it'll put you on a later train from Hamburg with a risky 9-minute connection, a simple 10-minute delay and you're toast.  So make sure it books you the earlier train with time for a coffee at Frankfurt (Main) Hbf .

Fares from Marseille to Barcelona start at €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Fares from Marseille to Madrid start at €44 in 2nd class or €54 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this journey at either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or using Renfe's own website www.renfe.com (in €, more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it ).  Booking opens up to 4 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Day 3, take a high-speed train from Barcelona to Valencia & Alicante or from Madrid to Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Malaga.

A fast EuroMed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.

Check times & buy tickets using either www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, small booking fee) or Spanish railways own site www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it ) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up).  You print your own ticket.

Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead , but it varies.  I'd allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona or Madrid.

Copenhagen to San Sebastian

Hotels near Paris Gare du Nord with good reviews:  Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station);  Art Hotel (3-star);  Avalon Hotel (2-star);  Hotel Cambrai (1-star).

Book this train at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (both sites easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).  French trains open for booking up to 4 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

Day 2, transfer from Hendaye to San Sebastian by Euskotren metro, every 30 minutes, journey time 37 minutes.

Simply walk out of Hendaye station and turn right, the little Euskotren station is in a corner of the main station forecourt.  Buy a ticket for €2.75 at the Euskotren station from the machines or staffed counter and hop on the next half-hourly Euskotren metro from Hendaye to San Sebastian Amara station, journey time 37 minutes.  More about the journey from Paris to San Sebastian .

Copenhagen to Lisbon , Porto & Portugal

Stay overnight in Paris , see suggested hotels near the Gare du Nord & Gare de Lyon .

Day 2, travel from Paris to Barcelona by 320 km/h TGV Duplex leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.

This double-deck TGV has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  It's a comfortable & scenic journey, see an account of the sights to see from the train on the way .

Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .  Booking for the TGV opens up to 4 months ahead .

Day 2, travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE high-speed train , leaving Barcelona Sants at 18:25 and arriving Madrid Atocha at 20:55.

The AVE has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about trains from Barcelona to Madrid .  Times vary on Saturdays.

Fares start at €38 in Standard class or €45 in Comfort class.  Fares work like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com .  Booking for Spanish trains normally opens 60 days ahead , but this varies.

Copenhagen to Andorra

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Paris in a day as shown in the Copenhagen to Paris section above .  Book this as shown above .

Stay overnight in Paris. Hotels near Paris Gare du Nord with good reviews:  Libertel Gare du Nord Suede (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 2-star), 25 Hours Terminus Nord (formerly the Mercure Terminus Nord, now refurbished in a decidedly funky style, 3-star, directly across the road from the station);  Art Hotel (3-star);  Avalon Hotel (2-star);  Hotel Cambrai (5 min walk from Gare du Nord, 1-star).

Fares start from €25 in 2nd class or €45 in 1st class.

Copenhagen to Hamburg

Copenhagen to berlin.

Option 1, Copenhagen to Berlin by daytime trains

A range of daily departures link Copenhagen with Berlin with one easy change in Hamburg:

Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Berlin Hbf 14:20.

Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Berlin Hbf 16:20.

Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Berlin Hbf 18:20.

Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Berlin Hbf 20:20.

Leave Copenhagen at 15:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Berlin Hbf 22:23.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays, 31 March to 1 November 2024

It runs daily except Saturdays from 31 March to 1 November 2024.  It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

It leaves Malmö Central at 22:25 and arrives Hamburg Hbf at 05:31 & Berlin Hbf at 08:47.

The train has 6-berth couchette compartments & ordinary seats.  Couchettes can be booked individually in shared compartments, or you can pay a fixed price for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy by 1-6 people, the same price for 1 to 6 people.

Check dates & times at www.snalltaget.se , entering Kobenhavn H to Berlin.  It uses Berlin Gesundbrunnen on certain dates, not Berlin Hbf.

Snälltåget has run a sleeper train between Malmö & Berlin twice a week in summer in previous years, in 2021 it was expanded to run direct from Stockholm & Malmö to Hamburg & Berlin, in 2022 it's further expanded to run daily for much of the year.

Fares start at 499 SEK (about €49) per person with a seat, 749 SEK (€74) per person with a reclining seat, or 2999 SEK (€295) for sole occupancy of a couchette compartment for any number of people between 1 & 6.

Copenhagen to Cologne & Düsseldorf

Several daily departures link Copenhagen with Düsseldorf & Cologne with one easy change in Hamburg:

Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE1 train arriving Düsseldorf 16:25 & Cologne Hbf 16:49.

Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE1 train , arriving Düsseldorf 19:22 & Cologne Hbf 18:46.

Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE1 train , arriving Cologne Hbf 20:47.

Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE4 train arriving Düsseldorf 22:25 & Cologne Hbf 22:49.

Leave Copenhagen at 15:26, change at Hamburg Hbf onto an ICE4 train arriving Cologne Hbf 00:51.

Copenhagen to Frankfurt

Several daily departures link Copenhagen with Frankfurt with one easy change in Hamburg:

Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 16:00.

Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 18:00.

Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 20:00.

Leave Copenhagen at 13:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Frankfurt (Main) Hbf at 23:00.

Copenhagen to Munich

Option 1, Copenhagen to Munich by daytime trains

Several daily departures link Copenhagen with Munich with one easy change in Hamburg:

Leave Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Munich Hbf at 18:40.

Leave Copenhagen at 09:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Munich Hbf at 20:45.

Leave Copenhagen at 11:26, change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Munich Hbf at 22:40.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Munich using the Hamburg-Munich sleeper train

A later connection is theoretically possible leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, but a 25 minute connection is too risky when catching a sleeper.

Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train , leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10 & arriving Munich Hbf at 07:06 next morning.

Step 2, Hamburg to Munich by Nightjet sleeper train .  More about new-generation Nightjets .

Copenhagen to anywhere else in Germany

Option 1, Copenhagen to Germany by daytime trains

Change at Hamburg Hbf for connecting trains to anywhere in Germany, centre to centre with no check-in or trek to and from remote airports.

Copenhagen to Hamburg by Danish EuroCity train:  From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024.  The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats and a refreshment trolley.  More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey .

Option 2, Copenhagen to Hamburg or Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays 31 March to 1 November 2024

The sleeper train runs daily except Saturdays from 31 March to 1 November 2024.  It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

It leaves Malmö at 22:25 and arrives Hamburg Hbf at 05:31 & Berlin Hbf at 08:47.  Check times at www.snalltaget.se as there's a later arrival in Berlin on certain dates.

The train has ordinary seats, reclining seats, and 6-berth couchettes.  A fixed price is charged for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy, the same price for 1 person or any number of people up to 6, unlike normal overnight trains berths are not sold individually.

Copenhagen to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €78

Option 1, Copenhagen to Austria using the Hamburg-Vienna/Innsbruck sleeper train - the comfortable, time-effective option

Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 13:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 18:03.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna, Linz or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train , leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10 & arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17 next morning with another portion going to Innsbruck, arriving Innsbruck Hbf 09:14.

Change at Wels for a railjet train to Salzburg, arriving Salzburg Hbf at 08:49.

From the timetable change on 10 December 2023 both portions of this train are due to be operated by new generation Nightjet trains with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos .  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

Step 2, Hamburg to Vienna or Innsbruck by Nightjet sleeper train.  More about new-generation Nightjets .

Option 2, Copenhagen to Austria with overnight stop in Frankfurt

Day 2, travel from Frankfurt to Austria on any train you like.

The 06:21 ICE-T train from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf arrives Vienna Hbf at 12:47, but by all means enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take a later one, they run every 2 hours.

The 06:53 from Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a change at Munich Hbf will get you to Salzburg Hbf at 11:59, but by all means take a later one, they leave regularly.

Fares from Copenhagen to Austria start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book from Copenhagen to any station in Austria at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .

To build in the overnight stop in Frankfurt, click Stopovers and enter Frankfurt (Main) Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Frankfurt to Austria - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.

You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Austria with overnight stop in Hamburg

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , leaving Copenhagen 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:04.

Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna, Salzburg or anywhere in Austria.

For example, a direct ICE-T train with restaurant car leaves Hamburg Hbf at 08:04 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:47.

To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg to Austria - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.

Copenhagen to Malmö & Gothenburg

Copenhagen to stockholm from 346 sek (€31).

Option 1, Copenhagen to Stockholm by SJ daytime train - fastest and most frequent

With no check-in to worry about, from city centre to city centre it takes little longer than flying, and it's a lot more comfortable.  The trains have a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  These trains are run by SJ, Swedish Railways.  More about X2000 trains .

These trains cross from Denmark to Sweden over the Öresund fixed link , a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden, it's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

1st class passengers can use the DSB first class lounge at Copenhagen , or the SJ 1st class lounge at Stockholm Central .

Fares start at 346 SEK (€31) in 2nd class or 525 SEK (€47) in 1st class.

You can buy tickets at Omio.com which links directly to the SJ (Swedish Railways) ticketing system, same prices as SJ, quick & easy to use, small booking fee, no problem with overseas credit cards, you can pay in various currencies including Swedish Kr, £, € and $.

Or buy using SJ's own website www.sj.se .  You pay in Swedish krona, no booking fee, you can usually select your seat from a seat map, but it can sometimes be fussy with overseas credit cards.  See advice on using sj.se .

Whichever site you buy from, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Stockholm by Snälltåget daytime trains - in competition with SJ in summer 2024!

A morning train leaves Copenhagen Ørestad station (well south of the city centre) at 07:02, arriving Stockholm Central at 13:20.

A Snälltåget train at Malmö Central station.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Stockholm by sleeper train - the time-effective option

You can take the 20:47 departure or the earlier 20:27, these trains run every 20 minutes, journey time 39 minutes. 

Or travel earlier and have dinner in Malmö.  The train uses the Öresund fixed link , a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure between Denmark & Sweden.  It's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

Alternatively, you can easily book the Malmo-Stockholm sleeper train at Omio.com , overseas cards no problem, but it will only book a seat or couchette in a 6-berth compartment, not a sleeper.  You first need to book Malmo to Stockholm and look on the last page of the search results for the overnight train.  Book that, then add a Malmo to Copenhagen ticket.  You can pay in £, €, $ or Krona, there's a small booking fee, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Copenhagen to Oslo & Norway

Option 1, Copenhagen to Oslo by train - the overland daytime option

Option 2, Copenhagen to Oslo by ferry - the luxury overnight option

A luxurious overnight cruise ferry sails from Copenhagen to Oslo every night.

Copenhagen to Helsinki & Finland

Step 1, book the Stockholm-Helsinki ferry at www.tallinksilja.com or book the Stockholm-Turku ferry at www.sales.vikingline.com .

Copenhagen to Prague from €37.90

Option 1, Copenhagen to Prague in a single day

Tip:   If you'd like to stop off for a couple of hours in Hamburg or Berlin, click Stopovers , enter Hamburg or Berlin and specify the number of hours.  In Berlin, you can stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate in just 17 minutes from Berlin Hbf .

Option 2, Copenhagen to Prague with overnight stop in Hamburg - as option 1, but with an overnight stop

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , leaving Copenhagen at 15:26 & arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Prague by Czech EuroCity train , leaving Hamburg Hbf at 06:48 & arriving Prague Hlavni at 13:24.

Or you can leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:51 and arriving Prague Hlavni at 15:24, or there are later trains.

This is a lovely scenic ride along the Elbe River valley south of Dresden, see the scenery photos and video here .  The trains have free WiFi and a restaurant car serving meals, snacks, beer & wine.

Book from Copenhagen to Prague or any Czech station at the German Railways website int.bahn.de . 

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg to Prague.  A little trial and error is sometimes needed.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Prague with overnight stop in Berlin - another time-effective option

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen at 15:26, change at Hamburg Hbf & arrive Berlin Hbf at 22:23.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

By all means take the earlier 11:26 or 13:26 from Copenhagen and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin, perhaps take an evening stroll past the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate , just 17 minutes walk from the station.

Stay overnight in Berlin.   Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf 's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com .  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

Day 2, travel from Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train on any train you like, see the timetable here .

The 07:16 from Berlin Hbf will get you to Prague Hlavni at 11:24 with breakfast in the restaurant car as you glide along the scenic Elbe river valley, see the scenery photos and video here , but by all means have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and take the 09:16 or 11:16, they leave every two hours.

Book from Copenhagen to Prague at the German Railways website int.bahn.de . 

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  To build in the overnight stop in Berlin, click Stopovers and enter Berlin Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00 hours.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Berlin to Prague.  A little trial and error is sometimes needed.

Option 4, Copenhagen to Prague using Copenhagen-Berlin sleeper - summer-only

Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin by Berlin Night Express sleeper train as shown here .  This runs twice a week March-September, daily in high summer.

Step 2, travel from Berlin to Prague by comfortable EuroCity train with restaurant car leaving Berlin Hbf at 11:16 arriving Prague Hlavni 15:24.

Book Berlin to Prague at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest from €63

Option 1, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest with overnight stop in Berlin

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, leaving Copenhagen 15:26 by EuroCity train , change at Hamburg Hbf arriving Berlin Hbf 22:23.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

By all means take the earlier 11:26 or 13:06 from Copenhagen and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin, perhaps take an evening stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate , just 17 minutes walk from the station.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest using the Prague-Budapest sleeper

This has a comfortable Czech sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin.  There's a shower at the end of the corridor for passengers in the regular sleepers.  Morning tea or coffee is included in the fare.

Fares start at €49 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €69 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €80 in a single-bed sleeper.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Bratislava & Budapest using the Berlin-Budapest sleeper - same as option 2, but with an afternoon in Berlin

This has a comfortable Hungarian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, and a couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats,  In sleepers, morning tea or coffee is included in the fare.  More about this sleeper train .

Fares start at €49.90 with a couchette in a 6-berth, €59.90 with a couchette in a 4-berth, €69.90 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €88.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €129.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Copenhagen to Brasov, Bucharest & Romania

Option 1, Copenhagen to Romania using the Budapest-Bucharest Ister - the fastest option

Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .

You print your own ticket or show it on your laptop or phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna by Nightjet sleeper train , leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:10 and arriving Vienna Hbf 09:17 next morning.

From the timetable change on 10 December 2023 both portions of this train are operated by new generation Nightjet trains with 1 & 2 bed sleepers all with shower & toilet, 4-berth comfort couchettes, individual mini cabins and ordinary seats, see the new generation Nightjet page for a guide to on-board accommodation, travel tips & photos .  The sleeping-car attendant can serve drinks, snacks & light meals from a room service menu.  A light breakfast is included in sleepers, couchettes & mini cabins.

Step 2, travel from Vienna to Budapest by EuroCity train with restaurant car, leaving Vienna Hbf at 10:42 and arriving Budapest Keleti at 13:19.  Enjoy an afternoon in Budapest.

Fares start at €19.90 in 2nd class or €29.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Step 3, travel from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest by sleeper train Ister leaving Budapest Keleti at 19:10 and arriving Brasov at 08:50 & Bucharest Gara de Nord at 11:30 next day.

This sleeper train Ister has an air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest, a real treat.  Ister is the ancient name for the Danube.

Fares start at €39 with a couchette in 6-berth, €46 with a couchette in 4-berth, €69 with a bed in a 3-bed sleeper, €84 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €162 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself.  All prices per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

You can also book at the Hungarian Railways website www.mav-start.hu , see my advice on using it .  For Bucharest type Bucuresti .  You show your ticket in the MAV app on your phone.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Romania using the Vienna-Bucharest Dacia Express

Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna by ICE train with restaurant car, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:04 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf at 17:47.

Fares from Copenhagen to Vienna start at €49.90 in 2nd class, €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for cheapest prices.

Book from Copenhagen to Vienna at the German Railways website int.bahn.de .

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  To build in the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 12:00 hours.  Look carefully in the search results to find a journey that suits you, adjusting length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg to Austria - a little trial and error is sometimes needed.

Day 2, travel from Vienna to Romania on the Dacia Express, leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 every day, and arriving next day in Simeria 07:10, Sighisoara 09:13, Braşov 12:36, Ploeşti Vest 14:28 & Bucharest Nord at 15:06 (Day 3 from Copenhagen).

The Dacia Express has a modern air-conditioned Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 berth compartments with washbasin and several deluxe compartments with en suite shower & toilet.  It has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments.

A Hungarian restaurant car is attached between Vienna & Budapest, treat yourself to dinner with wine.  A bar car is attached in the morning between Arad & Bucharest, serving drinks & snacks.  There's wonderful almost Alpine scenery through the Carpathian mountains between Brasov and Bucharest.

The Dacia Express also conveys a portion from Vienna to Cluj Napoca, also leaving Vienna Hbf at 19:42 and arriving Cluj Napoca at 10:47. This portion has a Romanian couchette car with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats.

Fares start at €59 with a couchette in a 6-berth compartment, €69 with a couchette in a 4-berth compartment, €79 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper, €99 with a bed in a 3-berth sleeper or €159 with a bed in a single-berth sleeper all to yourself.  All per person per berth.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at .

Booking normally opens 90 days ahead .  In the search results, look for the direct train marked D with no changes.

You can also book this train at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro .

Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead .  For Vienna type Wien , for Bucharest type Bucuresti.   For Austria to Romania journeys you now print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone..  Tip:   Prices might be cheaper than on oebb.at, so check both sites!

Option 3, Copenhagen to Romania with overnight stops in Berlin & Budapest - if you prefer daytime trains & hotels to sleepers

By all means take the earlier 11:26 from Copenhagen , change at Hamburg Hbf , arriving Berlin Hbf 18:02 and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin, perhaps take an evening stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate , just 17 minutes walk from the station.

Stay overnight in Budapest .  Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station.  Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel , the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away.

Day 3, travel from Budapest to Brasov & Bucharest by daytime train.

The comfortable air-conditioned InterCity train Traianus leaves Budapest Keleti daily at 07:10 via Arad & Timişoara Nord, arriving Bucharest Nord at 00:31.  A Romanian cafe-bar car is available for snacks & drinks.

Another air-conditioned IC train leaves Budapest Keleti 09:10 via Simeria & Sibiu and arrives Brasov 22:42.

Fares from Budapest to Brasov and other Romanian cities start at an unbelievably cheap €26.30 if you book in advance direct at the Hungarian Railways website www.mavcsoport.hu , see my advice for using it .  Booking opens 60 days ahead.  For Bucharest, type Bucuresti .

You can also book at the Romanian Railways website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro .  Click EN top right for English.  Booking opens up to 90 days ahead .  For Bucharest type Bucuresti.   You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

Copenhagen to Ljubljana & Zagreb

Option 1, Copenhagen to Ljubljana & Zagreb using the sleeper from Stuttgart

Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Stuttgart, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26, changing at Hamburg Hbf & arriving Stuttgart Hbf 19:08.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with power sockets at all seats, refreshments available.  Hamburg to Stuttgart is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Book this at either www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, small booking fee, using Thetrainline allows you to buy both tickets together in one place) or the German Railways website int.bahn.de (in €, no fee).

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone.

Fares start at €49 with a couchette in 6-berth, €59 with a couchette in 4-berth, €89 in a 2-bed sleeper or €129 in a single-bed sleeper.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or Austrian Railways own site www.oebb.at (same prices, in €, a bit more fiddly).  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Ljubljana & Zagreb with an overnight stop in Munich

The scenery across Austria on the Tauern route is wonderful, the journey along the river Sava between Ljubljana and Zagreb is a delight.

Alternatively, spend the morning in Munich and take the later 12:18 EuroCity train Mimara from Munich Hbf direct to Ljubljana & Zagreb .

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, book ahead for the cheapest prices

Copenhagen to Belgrade & Montenegro

Step 2, travel from Zagreb to Belgrade by train, leaving Zagreb at 11:04 and arriving Novi Beograd 18:04 & Belgrade Centar at 18:12.

This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended.

This train has air-conditioned Serbian carriages with comfortable 2nd class seats, but no 1st class.  There's no catering, so bring a picnic and some beer or wine.

Copenhagen to Sofia

Option 1, Copenhagen to Sofia via Bucharest

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Budapest using either the Berlin-Budapest sleeper as shown above .

The Muntenia has 4 & 6-berth couchettes and ordinary seats.  A Romanian sleeping-car with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments is attached from Arad (depart 21:04) to Bucharest.  There's no catering car, so bring your own food & drink.

Fares start at €40 with a couchette in 6-berth or €47 with a couchette in 4-berth.  These are limited-availability advance-purchase fares

Book this at the Romanian Railways international website bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en .  You print your own ticket.

The fare is around €34.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Sofia via Belgrade

Not currently viable while Zagreb-Belgrade, Budapest-Belgrade and Belgrade-Sofia trains remain suspended.

Copenhagen to Warsaw & Krakow from €49.90

Option 1, Copenhagen to Warsaw or Krakow in a single day

Option 2, Copenhagen to Warsaw or Krakow with an overnight stop in Berlin

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , with power sockets at all seats, refreshments available. Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

By all means take the earlier 11:26 or 13:26 from Copenhagen and spend a pleasant evening in Berlin, perhaps taking an evening stroll past the Reichstag building to the Brandenburg Gate , just 17 minutes walk from the station.

Day 2, travel from Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralna on any Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train you like.

On Mondays to Saturdays you can leave Berlin Hbf at 05:51 and arrive Warsaw Centralna 11:14 with breakfast in the restaurant car.

Or have a leisurely breakfast and leave Berlin Hbf at 09:52 arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:14.  Or there are later trains.

For Wroclaw & Krakow

Day 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Wawel , leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:52 every day, arriving Wroclaw 15:05, Katowice 17:15 & Krakow Glowny 18:07.  The Wawel has a restaurant car, treat yourself to lunch with a beer or two.

Option 3, using the summer-only Copenhagen-Berlin sleeper

Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin by Snalltaget's Berlin Night Express sleeper train as shown above .  This runs daily except Saturdays March-November.

Step 2, travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train with restaurant, leaving Berlin Hbf 10:52 arriving Wroclaw 15:05 & Krakow Glowny 18:07. 

Or Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train with restaurant car, leaving Berlin Hbf at 11:52 arriving Warsaw Centralna at 17:14.

Option 4, Copenhagen to Gdynia, Gdansk, Warsaw or Krakow by overnight ferry from Sweden to Poland

Buy a ticket at www.sj.se and print it out.

Tip:   Book the ferry first and confirm ferry times, then look for a train that arrives in Karlskrona at least 2-3 hours before the ferry sails.

There are 2 or 3 sailings a day, the overnight one typically sails at around 21:00 and arrives around 07:30, but times may vary.

The ferry is a floating hotel with restaurants & bars, all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

Fares vary, you might pay €39 per passenger as basic fare plus €79-€89 per cabin for a private 1 or 2 bed room.

Step 3, travel from Gdynia to Gdansk, Warsaw or Krakow by train.

In Gdynia , the ferry terminal is 5.5 Km from Gdynia Glowna (main station), see station-port map , either take a taxi or use bus 150.  Bus 150 runs every 15-20 minutes and takes 10 minutes.  You pay the bus driver or can pay using the Jakdojade app.

Gdynia to Gdansk takes 25-35 minutes, trains leave regularly, in this case I'd buy at the station when you get there.

Gdynia to Warsaw takes around 3 hours, you'll normally find one leaving Gydnia around 09:30 and arriving Warsaw Centralna around 12:35.

Gdynia to Krakow takes around 6 hours, you'll normally find one leaving Gydnia around 10:30 and arriving Krakow Glowny around 16:30.

Copenhagen to Vilnius

Option 1, Copenhagen to Vilnius via the Karlshamn-Klaipeda ferry - the fastest & easiest route

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Karlshamn by train, leaving Copenhagen around 13:47 and arriving Karlshamn around 16:20.

Öresund trains run from Copenhagen to Karlshamn every hour taking 2h33.  Don't cut it fine, allow several hours in Karlshamn between train and ferry in case of delay.

The fare is around 310 DKK, about €42, fixed-price.

Check train times and buy a ticket at www.oresundstag.se or buy at the station.

Day 1, sail from Karlshamn to Klaipeda by comfortable overnight ferry.

Two ferry lines operate this route, DFDS and TT Line.  DFDS have the more modern ships with the better facilities, they sail daily, typically leaving Karlshamn at 19:00 and arriving Klaipeda at 09:00.  TT line also sail daily with more basic ships, typically sailing at 20:00 and arriving 10:00.  Check-in closes 1h before sailing time.

There is a restaurant and a range of cosy shared or private cabins, all with en suite toilet & shower.

Fares start at just €60 with a bed in a shared cabin.

Day 2, travel from Klaipeda to Vilnius by train.

In Klaipeda, it's 5 km from the DFDS ferry terminal to the railway station ( see walking map ), there's a frequent city bus service or take a taxi.  The TT ferry arrives further away, 8.4 km from Klaipeda station.

If you arrive at 09:00 by DFDS you should make a train leaving Klaipeda at 11:00 on most days and arriving Vilnius at 15:11, or there are later trains, check times at ltglink.lt .

The train fare is €24.80 in 2nd class, €35.30 in 1st class.

Step 1, take the hourly Öresund train from Copenhagen to Karlshamn.  More about Öresund trains .

Step 2, sail overnight from Karlshamn to Klaipeda with DFDS.  That's the Luna Seaways on the right, arrived at Klaipeda.  Courtesy of Matias Lq.

Step 3, take a train from Klaipeda to Vilnius.  Above left, Klaipeda station. Above right, the express train to Vilnius.  Photos courtesy of Lewis Baston.

Vilnius station.  Photo courtesy of Yuk Wah Chu.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Vilnius via Berlin & Warsaw - the overland route, by train all the way

Fares start at €49.90 in 2nd class or €79.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Copenhagen to Riga

Option 1, Copenhagen to Riga via the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry.

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Stockholm by train & Stockholm to Tallinn by overnight ferry, as shown in the Copenhagen-Tallinn section .

Day 2, take a train or bus from Tallinn to Riga, as shown on the Tallinn to Riga page .

Option 2, Copenhagen to Riga via the Karlshamn-Klaipeda ferry.

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Karlshamn by train & Karlshamn to Klaipeda by overnight ferry, as shown in the Copenhagen-Vilnius section .

Day 2, travel from Klaipeda to Riga by bus, direct buses take around 4h30, check times & buy tickets at Omio.com .

Allow at least a couple of hours between ferry arrival and bus departure in Klaipeda.

Option 3, Copenhagen to Riga via Berlin, Warsaw & Vilnius - the overland route, a longer way round

Days 1 & 2, travel from Copenhagen to Vilnius by train via Warsaw as shown in the Copenhagen to Vilnius section .

Day 3, take a bus or train from Vilnius to Riga as shown on the Vilnius to Riga page .

Copenhagen to Tallinn

Option 1, Copenhagen to Tallinn via the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry - the fastest & easiest way

Option 2, Copenhagen to Tallinn via Berlin, Warsaw & Vilnius - the overland route, a longer way round

Day 3, take a bus from Vilnius to Tallinn, check times & buy tickets at Omio.com .

Copenhagen to Kyiv & Ukraine

Option 1, Copenhagen to Kyiv using the Kyiv Express sleeper train from Warsaw

Day 1, travel from Copenhagen to Berlin, stay overnight, and continue to Warsaw next day (day 2) see the Copenhagen to Warsaw section .

Or travel in a single day, stay overnight in Warsaw and have a day free to explore, also as shown in the Copenhagen to Warsaw section .

Copenhagen to Moscow & St Petersburg

Option 1, Copenhagen to Moscow via Stockholm & Helsinki - avoids Belarus so no need to get a Belarus transit visa

Option 2, Copenhagen to Moscow via Berlin

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train , there's no catering car so bring your own food & drink.  Hamburg to Berlin is by superb German ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

By all means take the earlier 07:26 from Copenhagen arriving Berlin at 16:22 if you'd like time for dinner and a more robust connection.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €59.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Train suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions.

Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the Talgo train runs through a special gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the new gauge.  Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  Approaching Moscow, you may glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino.

You can book the Berlin-Moscow train at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru and print your own ticket, it's a little fiddly but usually works, or you can easily buy it online with English language after-sales service if you need it, using the Real Russia online system here .

Option 2, via Berlin & Warsaw

Train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions & war in Ukraine.

The train from Warsaw to Moscow uses Russian air-conditioned sleeping-cars, pictured below, with compartments which can be used as 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth (shown below right), with a shower & toilets at the end of the corridor.  See panorama photo inside one of the new Russian sleepers .

Copenhagen to Athens & Greece

Option 1, Copenhagen to Athens by train & ferry via Italy, the leisurely way

Stay overnight in Milan:   Affordable hotels with good or great reviews just outside Milan Centrale include the Hotel Bristol , Hotel Bernina , 43 Station Hotel , B&B Hotel Milano Central Station , Guesthouse Teodora .  Pricier more upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel , Glam Hotel , Made to Measure Business , Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson .

Day 3, travel from Milan to Bari, leaving Milan Centrale at 08:05 on a pleasant journey along the Adriatic coast arriving Bari Centrale 15:27.

Fares start at €29.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class.  Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (in €, £ or $, easy to use, small booking fee) or www.italiarail.com (easy to use, in €, £, $ or Au$) or www.trenitalia.com (in €, more fiddly).  Italiarail will refund their small booking fee if you email them at [email protected] with your booking reference.  Booking normally opens up to 4 months days ahead .  It's ticketless, you simply print out your booking reference or show it on your phone.

In Bari, transfer from station to port, see map of Bari showing station, port entrance, check-in building & Superfast Ferries berth .

You can walk the 1.9 km from the station to the port entrance in 25 minutes, a stroll through Bari's pleasant old town, see correct walking map from the station to the port entrance gate - if Google tells you any different, trust me, not Google!

Alternatively, bus 50 runs from Bari Centrale station to the road outside the port gate roughly every 40 minutes.  A taxi will take 10 minutes.

Day 3, sail overnight from Bari to Patras in Greece with Superfast Ferries.

The ferry sails from Bari at 19:30 on Mondays-Saturdays, arriving Patras at 13:00 next day (Day 3).

On Sundays the ship sails at 13:30, too early to make connections from Milan.

You can check sailing times & dates at using the Direct Ferries website or at www.superfast.com or www.ferriesingreece.com .

You should check in at the Superfast desk on the ground floor of the cruise terminal (Terminal Crociere) at Bari port with passport & booking number to get your boarding pass, ideally 3 hours before departure in summer, although in practice 2 hours or even 1½ hours is normally fine.

You then walk 500m from check-in to the ferry, board the ferry via the foot passenger gangway at the stern and head up the escalator to the main lounge and reception desk to get your cabin key.

The ship is comfortable, with self-service restaurant, lounge, bar and sun deck.  You can book a deck place (a good & cheap option in summer if you have your own sleeping bag), a reclining seat or various types of cabin, all with private shower & toilet.  Strolling the decks in the morning sun as the ship cruises past the islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca is the nicest part of the trip, and it's a wonderful way to arrive in Greece.

Day 4, travel from Patras to Athens by Greek Railways bus/train combo.

Corfu:  The Bari-Patras ferry calls at Corfu on certain dates in summer.  It calls at Igoumenitsa on the Greek mainland on all departures year-round.  If you can't find a direct ferry to Corfu, book the ferry from Bari to Igoumenitsa, then take the local ferry from Igoumenitsa to Corfu with Kerkyra Lines ( kerkyralines.com ).  These sail half a dozen times a day, crossing time 60-90 minutes, fare around €5-€10.  Buy a ticket at kerkyralines.com or when you get to Igoumenitsa.

Option 2, Copenhagen to Athens overland by train via Munich & Belgrade

Copenhagen to Istanbul & Turkey

Step 1, travel from Copenhagen to Bucharest using any option shown above .

Do not risk any tight connections in Bucharest, I'd allow a minimum of 2 hours, or plan an overnight stop.

Book online as shown on those pages, but you should consider using an Interrail pass for the flexibility it gives.  You'll find more info about using a pass for a journey like this on the London to Istanbul page .

Hotels in Copenhagen

For advice on hotels in Copenhagen, see the hotels section on the Copenhagen station page .

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com .

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Is it necessary to buy these in advance or can you just purchase on the day of travel?

4 replies to this topic

You can purchase on the day of travel.

Just use the Skånetrafiken app. Activate the ticket before you board the train. It'll get you tickets for public transport in the whole of Skåne province (and some cities outside that).

It's the same price for every train if you take Öresundståg

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The Best Hotels in Copenhagen

Book these editor-loved and T+L award-winning hotels in the Danish capital.

Amy Louise Bailey is a freelance content creator and media specialist. Her work has been published in Vogue , Harper’s Bazaar , Elle , Condé Nast Traveler, Bloomberg Pursuits , and Robb Report .

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Hotel Danmark

Wander the streets of Copenhagen and you’ll discover why its residents are consistently ranked among the happiest people on earth. Everything is pristine and charming: rainbow-hued buildings line the canals; there are historic landmarks, Michelin-starred restaurants, cool cafes galore; and locals exude the laidback hygge mentality, cruising around on bicycles with flowers and freshly baked cinnamon buns in their baskets.

Sleek Scandinavian design and classical European grandeur is presented with equal enthusiasm, which is perhaps why it was named the World Capital of Architecture by UNESCO in 2023. And beyond the Danish capital’s aesthetic highlights, it boasts a variety of unique cultural attractions, from the whimsical Tivoli Gardens – the world’s oldest (and undoubtedly, the most elegant) theme park, to royal palaces, and The National Gallery of Denmark, where art aficionados admire Danish treasures alongside an impressive Matisse collection.

With a wave of hip new developments and Scandinavian Airlines flying direct from nine US cities, there has never been a better time to plan your trip. We’ve compiled this list of the best hotels in Copenhagen based on a combination of personal experience, editor-loved properties, and winners of T+L’s World’s Best Awards and It List. Read on to find our top picks.

Hotel d'Angleterre, Copenhagen

Hotel d'Angleterre Copenhagen

This luxurious hotel has been Copenhagen’s crown jewel for more than 250 years and is a center of celebration around Christmas, Easter, and key Danish holidays.

As you might expect, it is one of the more expensive options in the city.

Hotel d’Angleterre is to Copenhagen what Claridge’s is to London and The Carlyle is to New York : an iconic landmark that embodies the spirit of the city in the most elegant fashion. It has been a perennial favorite for over 250 years, hosting a revolving door of world leaders and luminaries that would accept nothing less than excellence. And excellence you are guaranteed, from the prime location in the center of Copenhagen’s largest public square, flanked by the Royal Danish Theater and Charlottenborg Palace, to luxurious rooms with sprawling marble bathrooms and every contemporary comfort that you could require.

Michelin-starred cuisine is on offer at the French-inspired Marchal, where you can order fine dining specialties like lobster topped with caviar and gougeres with truffle cream. And traditional Nordic spa treatments can be experienced at the hotel’s wellness center, Amazing Space, home to the only pool in inner Copenhagen. D'Angleterre seamlessly blends old-world grandeur with modern Scandinavian luxury, and it was ranked on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards in 2021 and 2023.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Kongens Nytorv
• Distance From Airport: 6 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Royal Danish Theater, Charlottenborg Palace, Amalienborg Palace, Nyhavn
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
• Rates: From $788 per night
• Wi-Fi: Complimentary

Also available to book at Expedia.com

This hotel takes sustainable hospitality to another level: it’s carbon negative, almost entirely plastic-free, and if you book a room on the hotel’s website, it will donate a tree on your behalf.

You’ll often find a DJ spinning decks in the courtyard at night – a dream for some, a nightmare for others.

Located in the hip Vesterbro neighborhood, this stylish 88-room hotel opened right before the pandemic and has since become one of the most coveted places to stay in Copenhagen. It featured on Travel + Leisure’s It List in 2022 and the World’s Best Awards in 2023, and as is often the case with any trendy new hotel, it is the destination du jour for professionals arriving for key cultural events, such as Copenhagen Fashion Week and 3daysofdesign.

Café Coco is located at the entrance of the hotel and is the primary dining offering on site, with a cool, casual atmosphere. But if you’re in the mood for something a bit more formal, Coco’s Mediterranean-inspired sister restaurant, Delphine, is located 30 steps away. Room sizes vary from singles at 150 square feet to junior suites at 270 square feet, and the larger rooms include a sitting area and bathtubs. Overall, it’s an excellent option for individuals, couples, and business travelers heading to Copenhagen.

• Neighborhood: Vesterbro
• Distance From Airport: 8 miles
• Nearby Attractions: The Glyptotek Museum, The Meatpacking District, Tivoli, Sankt Jørgens Park
• Rates: From $202 per night

Hotel Sanders

It’s full of mid-century character and is located just opposite the Royal Danish Theater.

Rooms do not have coffee machines or kettles.

Rendered in a calming neutral color palette, Hotel Sanders is a stylish boutique hotel with 53-rooms spread across four townhouses. It featured on Travel + Leisure’s It list in 2018 and is a popular option for design lovers, with rooms that look like they’ve been decorated over the decades rather than dressed in an artificial mid-century theme.

The location is ideal, right in the historic center by Nyhavn Canal (the picture that’s likely to come up when you Google “Copenhagen”), and it’s within walking distance to key attractions and cafes. On-site dining consists of Sanders Kitchen – an all-day eatery with a simple evening menu serving delicious seasonal fare (think: dishes like salt-baked celeriac, vol-au-vent, and stracciatella with pumpkin and sage), and it is also home to Tata – a vintage-style cocktail bar that comes alive at night with both locals and travelers alike.

• Neighborhood: Historic center, near Nyhavn Canal
• Distance From Airport: 5 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Nyhavn Canal, The Royal Theater, The New Opera House, Designmuseum Denmark, Amelienborg Palace
• Rates: From $255 per night

The Audo Residence

It feels like stepping into an interior design photoshoot, which is unsurprising, given it’s the hospitality branch of luxury furniture brand, Audo Copenhagen.

It’s not a traditional hotel, so it lacks some of the standard facilities that you may require (however, if you want a workout, it has a partnership with popular local gym Nordic Strong).

With only 10 well-edited rooms, The Audo Residence takes the concept of a boutique hotel to another level, feeling part concept store, part Airbnb. The rooms are spacious, with different residential-style configurations, ranging from the penthouse to studio suites, and it features stylish decor throughout, with pieces from Audo’s contemporary furniture collection, all available for purchase, should you be inspired to recreate the look at home.

Bathrooms follow the same Scandi luxe theme, and there is a restaurant on site, where organic sharing plates are served during the day and a seasonal three-course menu is offered at night (a favorite is the rib-eye sandwich on brioche with wasabi and leek mayo). Also within the same complex is the official showroom for Audo Copenhagen, so if you’re a design aficionado, this is an excellent option.

• Neighborhood: Nordhavn
• Nearby Attractions: Nordhavn Bassin, Rundetaarn, Strøget
• Rates: From $405 per night

Manon Les Suites

Also available to book at Agoda

It has a lovely tropical-style pool that feels more like Bali than Copenhagen – a unique culture mash.

If you’re seeking something that feels distinctly Scandinavian, this is not the place – it has a jungle-style theme rather than the classically minimalistic vibe that the city is known for.

Located in a former factory in the ultra-hip Vesterbro neighborhood, Manon Les Suites is unlike any other hotel in the city. The aesthetic takes inspiration from Bali, with a pool that is supremely photogenic and a rooftop that is perfect for sunbathing, should you want your city escape with a side of resort-esque relaxation. The 87 suites are generously sized, outfitted in eco-friendly furnishings with kitchenettes and sofa beds, making it a great option for families or groups of friends (especially if you don’t intend on having every meal out). The hotel’s restaurant, Chapung, is also notable, serving Asian fusion classics from the sixth floor overlooking the city.

• Distance From Airport: 9 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Tivoli, Rundetårn, Glyptoteket, Rosenborg Castle
• Accessibility : It is not ideal for wheelchair access given there are doorsteps in the rooms
• Rates: From $245 per night

It has a rooftop terrace with 360-degree views across the city, plus a complimentary wine hour.

Some of the smaller rooms are indeed small (as in, best suited for one person).

Hotel Danmark follows the classic Copenhagen formula of minimal decor, organic food, and a hipster-luxe vibe. Its standout attraction is the rooftop terrace, which offers impressive views across the city, and in the summer months, it hosts a series of events and musical acts, attracting a mix of local denizens and international guests. There are 89 rooms that are indeed compact: the largest of them all is the junior suite, which is 322 square feet, and the smallest is a mere 130 square feet – just enough space to undress and roll into bed. It also has a bunk room category, which is a great option for groups of friends touring the city and simply seeking a clean and modern crash pad with an abundance of photogenic backdrops.

• Neighborhood: Copenhagen Cultural District
• Distance From Airport: 4 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Tivoli, The National Museum, City Hall, Strøget
• Rates: From $112 per night

It is located at the edge of Tivoli – Copenhagen’s equivalent of Disneyland – so it is a great option for families with kids.

It is one of the more costly options in the city (but it is worth it in our opinion).

Tivoli is one of Copenhagen’s most beloved attractions and the Nimb Hotel sits right alongside its fairytale grounds on the western side of the gardens. The exterior looks more like an opulent Moorish palace rather than a historic Danish building, and it’s particularly enchanting at night, when it’s illuminated with glowing lights.

As for the actual accommodations, there are 38 spacious rooms with views across the theme park and the gardens, all furnished with elegant, modern interiors. Amenities are a step above standard, with Bang & Olufsen televisions, Nespresso machines, cocktail cabinets filled with spirit decanters, and some with fireplaces and balconies. It also has a rooftop swimming pool and six restaurants on-site, so there are options to suit everyone.

• Nearby Attractions: Tivoli, The Kings Gardens, Amalienborg Palace
• Accessibility: Nimb Hotel offers three rooms that are particularly suitable for wheelchair users: rooms 18, 21, and 37
• Rates: From $998 per night

Nobis Hotel

Nobis Copenhagen

Also available to book at Mr & Mrs Smith

This Swedish-owned property is centrally located and luxurious, with detail-oriented decor and service.

Some of the rooms are located on street level and people can peer in, so there is not a lot of privacy – we would suggest requesting something on a higher level.

Located in the building that formerly housed the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music , Nobis is the sister property of the luxurious Nobis Hotel Stockholm, marking the Swedish hospitality group’s first foray outside of Sweden. The interiors have been designed to respect the building’s heritage, blending original period details with modern Scandinavian minimalism.

It has 75 rooms, including four suites, all of which contain high ceilings that provide the illusion of having even more space. Interior highlights include plush furnishings, such as the Duxiana mattresses on steel four-poster bed frames, Italian marble bathrooms, and bath products by Byredo – certainly better than your average list of amenities. Modern renditions of Nordic fare can be found at the hotel’s restaurant, NOI, and you can enjoy elegant seasonal cocktails at the sleek Marble Bar (which does an excellent espresso martini with butterscotch foam). It also has a wellness center with a pool, sauna, gym, and lounge – ideal for all of those hygge moments.

• Nearby Attractions: Tivoli Gardens, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Danish Architecture Center, City Hall
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with two adapted rooms available
• Rates: From $810 per night

Hotel Ottilia

Also available to book at Travelocity

It’s a dream destination for beer lovers, housed in the former Carlsberg brewery building. And in the spirit of imbibing, it has a wine hour and a nightcap hour, on the house for all guests.

The area is still being developed, so there aren’t as many shops and cafes nearby as there are in other neighborhoods.

This industrial hotel is housed in the former Carlsberg brewery building in the up-and-coming Carlsberg City district. It has a distinct façade lined with giant Instagram-worthy gold circles, and inside, you’ll find original architectural details, including steel beams and concrete walls.

The raw, minimalist theme continues throughout the hotel’s 155 rooms, dressed with herringbone floors with metal tables and clean, simple furnishings rendered in a mosaic of block-colored neutrals – think charcoals, tans, and icy whites. On top of the hotel, you’ll find Tramonto Rooftop – an Italian restaurant and bar with impressive 360-degree views across the city – a popular place for both locals and travelers during the warmer months. It also features a small fitness room and in-room fitness kits are available as well.

• Neighborhood: Carlsberg City District
• Nearby Attractions: Copenhagen Zoo, Carlsberg Visitor Center, The Hillhouse Museum, Cisterns in Søndermarken Museum
• Rates: From $138 per night
• Wi-Fi: Complimentary, once you sign up for the newsletter

Villa Copenhagen

Also available to book at Hotels.com

It’s a travel industry favorite, renowned for running a slick operation and for its spacious suites.

It has 390 rooms, which is on the larger side for any hotel.

Since opening its doors in 2020, Villa Copenhagen has made a favorable impression among travel industry insiders, including Jaclyn Sienna India, founder and CEO at Sienna Charles, a luxury travel concierge. “My go-to accommodation is Villa Copenhagen, housed in a gorgeous century-old building. Their designer-furnished suites typically feature a master bedroom, a dining area, and a bathroom complete with a spacious freestanding bathtub.” Rooms are indeed more spacious than most in the city. As for the other highlights? “I highly recommend trying the pastries at their on-site bakery and the fish at the brasserie, which uses only locally-sourced ingredients,” India adds. “And I love starting my mornings doing yoga in the fitness room, and occasionally wrapping up the day with a session in the sauna."

• Nearby Attractions: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Nyhavn, Tivoli, Rosenborg Castle
• Rates: From $303 per night

The Darling

It has a homey ambiance; plus, complimentary slippers and a bottle of champagne are served on arrival.

There is no elevator as the building dates back to the early 1700s.

This exclusive guest house contains two beautifully decorated residences that feel like you’re staying in the private apartment of a hip Danish friend rather than a hotel that you’re paying for. There are abstract artworks, whimsical wallpapers, and stylish examples of Danish decor throughout – everything looks like it’s been carefully collected over time by someone with good taste.

If you’re looking for more of a residence-style accommodation, where you have all the facilities that a private apartment would offer, this is a great option, given it includes a kitchen, living room, dining room, and a study, in addition to a spacious bedroom and bathroom. The inaugural residence named “The Grand,” also has a private outdoor terrace overlooking The Church of the Holy Spirit – a tranquil place to enjoy coffee in the morning. And despite the residential-style set up, it has a concierge that can provide all the services you would be able to access at a luxury hotel, including a driver, a chef, a masseuse, and even a florist.

• Neighborhood: Amagertorv
• Nearby Attractions: Strøget, Rundetaarn, Copenhagen University
• Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
• Rates: The Classic begins at $1,028 and The Grand begins at $1,352 per night

Hotel Skt. Annae

It has an authentic Scandinavian vibe and is located close to many of the city’s star historic attractions.

Like many of the hotels in the city, rooms are on the smaller side and can feel a bit cramped.

This authentic hotel is located in Frederiksstaden – an area known for its architectural beauty and well-preserved buildings from the Rococo era. Nearby you will find notable historic attractions, including Amalienborg Palace, where the Danish royal family resides, as well as the Marble Church (Frederik's Church), Amalie Garden, and the Nyhavn neighborhood is just a three-minute walk away.

Accommodations vary from the penthouse to apartments, suites, and rooms that are suitable for solo travelers and couples, and the decor has a warm, lived-in feel.

• Neighborhood: Frederiksstaden
• Nearby Attractions: Amaliehaven, Amalienborg Castle, Kongens Nytorv, Christiansborg Palace, Rundetårn, Castle Rosenborg
• Rates: From $173 per night

Hotel CPH Living

It is a floating hotel located on a boat – a unique option for anyone who is interested in experiencing an unconventional stay.

Given it's on the water, it is not for everyone, and it's not ideal for anyone who suffers from motion sickness.

For something totally unique, consider this floating boutique hotel docked in Copenhagen’s city center. It has 12 rooms throughout, designed with wooden floors, simple furnishings, and large windows with front-row views of the water – it feels like being on a very small cruise ship.

A basic breakfast is provided in the mornings, but there is no restaurant on site, so you’ll need to venture out for dining. One of the highlights is the terrace with sun loungers, which is lovely if you’re visiting over the summer months. If you’re a maritime enthusiast or enjoy hotels that are a bit more unconventional, this could be the place for you.

• Neighborhood: Christianshavn
• Nearby Attractions: Danish Royal Library, National Museum of Denmark, Christiansborg Palace, Tivoli Gardens
• Accessibility: It is not suitable given it is on a boat
• Rates: From $123 per night

It’s a lively social hub, where you won’t feel the need to leave for dinner or drinks in the evening for a taste of the nightlife scene.

If you want some peace and quiet, this may not be the place, as it can be noisy with DJs and concerts on weekends.

SP34 is a hip establishment from the hoteliers behind some of Copenhagen’s most revered design hotels, and the group’s signature style is evident throughout, with Nordic decor and a cool, minimalist vibe. The 188-room hotel opened in 2014, with three restaurants (including an organic burger joint, a plant-focused bistro, and a casual eatery, Din Nye Ven), four bars, a private cinema, and a terrace across three connected apartment buildings.

There are exposed brick walls, calming neutral tones, and clean, minimal Scandinavian furniture is featured throughout. It’s a great place for creatives that thrive in a lively scene, and on Friday nights, there are DJs and musical acts, which is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in the local nightlife culture without having to leave the property.

• Neighborhood: Latin Quarter
• Nearby Attractions: City Hall Square, Strøget, gourmet food market, Torvehallerne
• Rates: From $119 per night

Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Copenhagen

Rickard L. Eriksson

It is located in Copenhagen’s first skyscraper, and as such, it provides great views across the city.

For a hotel chain brand, prices can be steep.

Business travelers gravitate toward this popular hotel located within Copenhagen’s first skyscraper (as you might expect from a corporate-friendly hotel chain like the Radisson), which has all of the big hotel amenities one could need: conference rooms, event spaces, fitness facilities, and conveniences like dry cleaning.

Rooms have sprawling views across the city, given they’re positioned high in the sky, and the hotel underwent a renovation in 2018, so everything feels fresh and polished. There are a variety of room types, but the hotel’s crown jewel is the Panorama Suite, which is almost 550 square feet and resembles a retro airport lounge. For dining, there is a Peruvian Japanese restaurant, ISSEI Copenhagen, that is not to be missed, as well as a classic breakfast selection. It is conveniently located near key transport hubs, vibrant neighborhoods, and key attractions, including Tivoli.

• Nearby Attractions: Christiansborg Palace, Tivoli Gardens, Rundetaarn
• Rates: From $191 per night

Know Before You Go

Embrace the concept of hygge.

“The essence of hygge is something that is very unique, though hard to pinpoint, especially in the English language where it often gets translated to cozy,” says Mads Østergaard, U.S. head of PR and Press for VisitDenmark. “Hygge is more like a state of mind, an ambiance, a feeling, or a vibe. Think cozy sweaters, a warm fireplace, good friends around you, a laid-back feeling, family, the feeling of being sheltered. Though all that is not uniquely Danish, the Germans call it ‘Gemütlichkeit,’ the Norwegians call it ‘Koselig,’ and the Dutch call it ‘Gezelligheid,’ we are probably the only ones who use it as a verb. We can 'hygge' with each other. We can ask a good friend if we want to 'hygge.' As an adjective or an adverb, it constantly gets thrown around in the Danish language as a way of saying ‘nice.’ Was it a good party? Yes, it was ‘hygge-ligt.’ That shows how highly valued hygge is.”

Most people speak English

“Undskyld, jeg forstår ikke, hvad du siger! Just kidding!” Østergaard jokes. “Practically everyone in Denmark speaks English. Nowadays, we start learning in first grade, but my grandparents’ generation spoke English very well, too. As a tiny nation that wants its voice to be heard on the world stage, we quickly realized that we needed to speak English.”

The best way to get around is by bicycle

“About 50 percent of Copenhageners bike to work every day, including politicians and on rare occasions, the royals,” Østergaard says. “Biking is a safe, affordable, and green way to get around in the city, and continued municipal investment has made this number rise over the last years. Copenhageners might bike fast to get from point A to B, so watch out in rush hour. Luckily, most of our designated biking lanes are quite spacious. And if you’re not comfortable on the ‘iron horse’ as we call it, our new subway system will get you anywhere in the city with new improvements getting you to places like Sydhavnen in the southern part of Copenhagen.”

Experience the city like a local

Østergaard recommends experiencing Copenhagen like a local. “Ride a bike through the biking lanes that snake through the city like green highways. Share a meal with Copenhageners at one of our great communal dining destinations. And if the temperature allows it, jump in the water in our clean canals at some of our designated harbor-baths. As a former Copenhagener, these were all part of my everyday life,” he explains. “And don’t just stay in the city center. Explore the many neighborhoods like the new Carlsberg neighborhood on the former brewing grounds of the beer giant with an eclectic mix of new and old architecture or the vibrant and multicultural neighborhood of Nørrebro. Or go even further – with a train ride of 30 minutes you can experience idyllic fishing villages with colorful houses like Dragør or see King Hamlet’s Elsinore with the Majestic Kronborg Castle overlooking the narrow strait between Denmark and Sweden.”

How We Chose These Hotels

This story was written by T+L contributor Amy Louise Bailey who has spent time in Copenhagen and has family and friends that are currently living in the city. She also interviewed Mads Østergaard , U.S. head of PR and Press for VisitDenmark and a former resident of Copenhagen, and spoke with Jaclyn Sienna India , founder and CEO at Sienna Charles, a luxury travel concierge. Several of these properties were featured on our coveted World’s Best Awards List and It Lists, in which Travel + Leisure readers vote on their favorite hotels. Furthermore, the key attributes we consider when recommending hotels are aligned with our core values, which can be viewed here .