Danish krone
£1 = 8 DKK (at the time of writing)
For context: £120 will get you almost 1000 DKK
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)
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:
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.
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+)
Reffen street food market
Smørrebrød
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:
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.
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.
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.