Why Fly to Denmark
Denmark punches well above its weight for a small country. You get a compact, bikeable capital in Copenhagen, a genuinely relaxed pace of life, world-class food, and enough history to keep you busy for a week without feeling overwhelmed. The Danes have quietly built one of the most livable — and visitable — countries in Europe, and it shows in everything from the design of the public transit to the way a harbor-side cafe is laid out. This is not a place where you tick off a checklist of monuments. You come here to eat well, move slowly, and actually enjoy yourself.
Beyond Copenhagen, Denmark has real depth. Aarhus is a university city with serious art credentials and a beach scene that surprises most visitors. Odense gives you Hans Christian Andersen without the tourist circus. Roskilde and Kronborg Castle are easy day trips that deliver Viking ships and Shakespearean drama respectively. The country is small enough that you can cover multiple cities in a single trip without exhausting yourself on long travel days.
Best Time to Visit Denmark
Summer — June through August — is the clear sweet spot. Temperatures sit between 15°C and 25°C, daylight stretches well past 9pm, Tivoli Gardens is in full swing, and the beaches around Aarhus and the Danish Riviera north of Copenhagen actually get used. This is peak season, so accommodation prices rise and Copenhagen gets crowded, but the energy is worth it. Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September) offer fewer crowds, lower prices, and the kind of crisp, golden atmosphere that makes a waterfront coffee feel like a reward. Winter is cold, grey, and dark, but if Christmas markets and hygge-by-candlelight are your thing, December in Copenhagen delivers exactly that. Just don't come in January expecting anything other than moody skies and very good pastries.
Getting Around Denmark
Trains are your best friend here. DSB operates reliable intercity services connecting Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus, and Aalborg, with most journeys taking two to three hours. Book in advance online for cheaper fares. Within cities, Metro and bus networks are efficient — Copenhagen's Metro runs 24 hours. Biking is genuinely practical everywhere, not just a tourist gimmick. Rental bikes and cycling infrastructure are excellent. If you want to explore the countryside or smaller islands, a rental car gives you flexibility, though driving in central Copenhagen is unnecessary and parking is expensive. Domestic flights exist but are rarely worth it given the short train times.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Denmark is part of the Schengen Area. EU and EEA citizens enter freely with a valid national ID or passport. US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period — no stamp-hunting required, just a valid passport. UK travelers should note this is a Schengen entry, not a separate bilateral arrangement, so the 90-day rule applies across all Schengen countries combined, not just Denmark. Make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay. Entry requirements can shift, so check your government's official travel advisory before you fly.
Money & Budget
The currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). One DKK is roughly 0.14–0.15 USD, though exchange rates fluctuate. Denmark is expensive by most standards — don't come expecting budget-Europe prices. That said, you can manage it smartly. Forget cash almost entirely; cards and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted practically everywhere, including market stalls and small cafes. ATMs exist if you need them, but you rarely will. For daily budgets, backpackers staying in hostels and eating at supermarkets or lunch specials can get by on DKK 600–900 per day. Mid-range travelers — comfortable hotel or Airbnb, sit-down meals, a couple of paid attractions — should budget DKK 1,200–2,000 per day. Luxury travelers doing fine dining and design hotels should plan for DKK 3,000 or more. Note that many of the best experiences — harbor walks, cycling, parks, Strøget — cost nothing.
Top Cities to Visit in Denmark
- Copenhagen: The capital and the main event — Nyhavn, Rosenborg Castle, Tivoli Gardens, and some of the best restaurants in the world packed into a very walkable city.
- Aarhus: Denmark's second city with the rainbow-roofed ARoS art museum, a thriving food scene, and beaches within easy reach.
- Odense: Hans Christian Andersen's birthplace, worth a half-day or full day for the museum and the charming old town streets.
- Roskilde: An easy day trip from Copenhagen with a remarkable Viking Ship Museum and a UNESCO-listed cathedral.
- Aalborg: Further north but worth it for Viking burial grounds, unexpected street art, and a less-touristed slice of Danish life.
- Helsingør (Elsinore): Home to Kronborg Castle — the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet — and a quick 45-minute train ride from Copenhagen.
FAQ — Flights to Denmark
Which airport should I fly into for Denmark?
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) in Kastrup is the main international hub and handles the vast majority of long-haul and European flights. It's well-connected to central Copenhagen by Metro in about 15 minutes. Billund Airport serves Aarhus and central Jutland if you're heading west, and Aalborg Airport covers the north, but both have far fewer international connections than CPH.
How long is the flight to Denmark from the US?
Direct flights from the US East Coast to Copenhagen run approximately 8–9 hours. From the West Coast, expect 10–11 hours nonstop or longer with a connection. SAS, United, Delta, and several European carriers operate transatlantic routes into CPH. Flying into a European hub like Amsterdam or London and connecting onward is often a cheaper alternative.
Is it worth flying into Copenhagen even if I want to explore all of Denmark?
Yes. Copenhagen is the obvious base to start from, and Denmark's efficient train network means you can reach Odense in about 1.5 hours, Aarhus in just under 3 hours, and Aalborg in around 4.5 hours — all from Copenhagen Central Station. Fly in, spend a few days in the capital, then travel by rail. You don't need a second flight within the country.