Copenhagen: a travel money guide

The basics

Currency

Danish krone

Exchange rate

£1 = 8 DKK (at the time of writing)

For context: £120 will get you almost 1000 DKK

Denominations

Krone notes: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 DKK 

Krone coins: 50 øre (copper), 1, 2 and 5 kr (silver with a hole in the middle), and 10 and 20 kr (brass) 

Overview

Copenhagen is a beautiful, vibrant city – but exploring it doesn’t come cheap. Denmark’s capital was ranked the world’s seventh most expensive city in the latest Economist Intelligence Unit survey, and with an average three-course meal for two coming in at £75 (600 DKK), it’s easy to see why.

However, the sights of Copenhagen are well worth the high price tag. There are also plenty of ways to minimise costs while travelling in the city.

Here’s a breakdown of how much you’ll need for your trip:

Flights

January (cheapest time to fly): around £40 return from the UK

July and August (peak season): £150-250* return from the UK

*Flights will be cheaper if you book in advance. Read more about how to save money on a peak season holiday here.

Accommodation

On a budget (£)

Dorm bed: 150-300 DKK (£18-40)

Double room in a budget hotel: 500-700 DKK (£62-90)   

Mid-range (££)

Double room in a midrange hotel: 700-1500 DKK (£60-200)

Top end (£££)

Double room in a top-end hotel: 1500+ DKK (around £200+)

Food and drink

• Brunch plate at Union Kitchen: 170 DKK (around £20)
• Lunch at Reffen street food market: 60-80 DKK (£8)   
• Three-course dinner at Høst (without wine): 350 DKK (£45)
• Cinnamon bun and a coffee: 75 DKK (£9)
• Smørrebrød (open-faced sandwich): around 75 DKK (£9)
• Glass of wine in a restaurant: 85 DKK (around £10.50)

Attractions

• Guided bike tour: 100 DKK (£12.50)
• Canal tour: 95 DKK (£11.80)
• Entry to Tivoli gardens: 140 DKK (£17.40)
• Unlimited ride wristband at Tivoli gardens: 230 DKK (£28.50)
• Entry to climb the tower of the Church of Our Saviour: 35 DKK (£4.30)
• Entry to the Hans Christian Anderson Museum: 60 DKK (adults), 40 DKK (children)
• Entry to the Rundetaarn (round tower): 25 DKK (£3)
• Entry to Christianborg Palace: 150 DKK (£18.60)
• Entry to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: 125 DKK(£15.50)
• Entry to Rosenberg Castle: 110 DKK (£13.60)
• GoBoat rental: 449 DKK/hour (around £55/hour)

Getting around

With a 24/7 metro service, large pedestrian zones and 400km of cycle lanes, Copenhagen is an easily accessible. Here's how much it will cost you to get from A to B: 

• Train from airport to city centre: 40 DKK (£5)
• Trains and buses (regular, two-zone ticket): 24 DKK (£3)
• 24-hour city pass with unlimited travel: 80 DKK (£10)
• Bike rentals: 130 DKK for 24-hours (£16)  
• Lime electric scooter: 10 DKK (£1.20) to unlock and 2 DKK (25p)/minute to ride

Money in Copenhagen

Cash or card?

Both cash and card are widely accepted in Copenhagen, with card payments gradually overtaking cash use. A growing number of businesses will only take card – including some taxi services and street food stalls like Reffen market.

However, a surcharge is sometimes imposed on foreign cards, so it’s a good idea to take some cash with you as well. You may need cash for some small purchases, particularly if you visit the alternative community of Christiana.  ATMs are widely available across the city.

Getting your Danish Krone

To get the best Pound to Danish Krone exchange rate, it’s a good idea to order your currency in advance. You can do this online and have your cash delivered directly to your door, or order it to be collected at a branch near you.

How much should I tip?

Tipping isn't expected in restaurants and hotels in Denmark, but adding an extra 10% to your food bill will be appreciated for especially good service. 

You also don't need to tip taxi drivers, but you could consider rounding up the fare. 

Money-saving tips

• Buy a Copenhagen card which grants you free access to over 70 museums, discounts at shops and restaurants and free public transport throughout the city (380 DKK for 24 hours, 635 DKK for 72 hours)
• Do as the locals do and explore the city by bike. Bike rentals cost around 25 DKK an hour or 120 DKK for a day, but you can also use the JUMP bikes or LIME scooters scattered across the city. These are generally cheaper than bike hire companies, and can be dropped wherever and whenever you like, so are mean you don’t need to worry about getting it back on time
• Buy a 24-hour public transport pass.
• Instead of taking a canal tour, hop on a harbour bus and see the sights of the Copenhagen canal for the price of a bus ticket.
• Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up in cafes, restaurants and at public water stations.
• Explore the city’s many free attractions, like The Little Mermaid, The National Museum of Denmark and The Botanical Garden.