Flights to Copenhagen — What to Expect
Almost every major European carrier serves Copenhagen Airport (CPH), also known as Kastrup, which sits just 8km from the city centre — one of the best-positioned airports on the continent. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) is the dominant carrier and operates an extensive network of flights from Copenhagen to cities across Europe, North America, and Asia. Alongside SAS, you'll find Norwegian, easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, and Wizz Air all competing on popular routes. That competition keeps prices reasonable on many corridors. Flights from London to Copenhagen typically run €60–€150 return in economy if you book a few weeks out, while flights from Amsterdam, Berlin, or Paris often land in the €80–€180 range depending on how far in advance you move. Last-minute Copenhagen flight deals do occasionally surface, but summer is punishing if you wait — book at least six to eight weeks ahead for June through August travel.
If you're hunting for the cheapest flights to Copenhagen, low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet are your first stop, but check the baggage fees carefully — they add up fast on a trip where you'll want layers for unpredictable weather. Norwegian is worth a look for slightly more comfort at still-competitive prices, especially on Scandinavian routes. Wizz Air connects a growing number of Central and Eastern European cities to CPH at bargain fares. For travelers coming from outside Europe, SAS, British Airways, Lufthansa, and KLM all offer well-connected one-stop itineraries through their respective hubs. CPH itself is a genuinely pleasant airport — calm, efficient, well-signed in English, and with fast Metro access into the city the moment you land.
Best Time to Visit Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a year-round city, but the experience varies dramatically by season. June through August is the sweet spot for most visitors — days stretch to 17.5 hours in midsummer, temperatures hit a comfortable 20–21°C (68–70°F), and the city comes alive with outdoor dining, harbour swimming, and festivals including Copenhagen Jazz Festival in July. The trade-off: August gets genuinely busy and wetter, and flight prices spike. May and September are the insider picks — crowds thin out noticeably, prices on both flights and hotels drop, and the weather stays decent at 16–17°C (61–63°F). September in particular has a golden-light quality that makes the city look like a painting. October and November bring autumn colour along Frederiksberg's tree-lined streets, cooler temps dropping into the low teens, and a much quieter city. Good for budget travelers who don't mind a jacket. December has its appeal — Copenhagen does Christmas markets exceptionally well, especially at Tivoli Gardens, and the hygge culture feels authentic rather than performed. January and February are the hardest months: temperatures average 2°C with lows around -2°C, occasional snow, and short days. Unless you're genuinely drawn to off-season quiet and the lowest prices of the year, these months are tough going. March and April are transitional — cherry blossoms appear in late April around the lakes and in Bispebjerg Cemetery (a surprisingly beautiful spot), and the city starts to wake up without the tourist volumes that follow.
Getting Around Copenhagen
From CPH Airport, the Metro M2 line runs directly to the city centre in roughly 15 minutes and costs around 36 DKK (€5). It runs 24 hours, which matters when your flight lands at midnight. Taxis exist but cost €30–€40 for the same journey — not worth it unless you're in a group with heavy bags. Once in the city, Copenhagen's public transport is genuinely excellent. The Metro, S-Tog (suburban rail), and bus network all operate on the same ticketing system, and a 24-hour City Pass covering all zones costs around 130 DKK (€17). But here's the thing most guides skip: Copenhagen is best experienced by bike. The city has over 390km of dedicated cycle lanes, bikes are available for rent through Donkey Republic or Bycyklen (the city's smart bike scheme), and cycling between neighbourhoods like Nørrebro, Frederiksberg, and Christianshavn takes 10–20 minutes at a relaxed pace. For day trips to Helsingør or Roskilde, the regional trains from Copenhagen Central Station are fast, reliable, and reasonably priced.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen
The neighbourhood you pick shapes your whole trip. Indre By (Old Town) is central and walkable to the main sights, but hotels here lean expensive — budget €150–€250 per night for a decent mid-range option. It's convenient but not where Copenhageners actually spend their evenings. Nørrebro is the city's most culturally layered neighbourhood — immigrant-owned bakeries, vintage shops, coffee roasters, and some of the best bars in Denmark. Mid-range hotels and apartments here run €90–€160, and you'll feel like you're in the real city. Vesterbro, directly west of Central Station, has completed its gentrification arc and now hosts the Meatpacking District's restaurants and nightlife alongside good boutique hotel options in the €110–€180 range. Frederiksberg is quieter, leafy, and residential — good for families, with Frederiksberg Gardens nearby and solid value on apartments. Budget travelers should look at hostels like Generator Copenhagen in Indre By or consider the Amager district near the airport, which has cheaper hotels with a quick Metro connection to the centre.
Top Things to Do in Copenhagen
- Tivoli Gardens: The world's second-oldest amusement park, open since 1843. Don't let the touristy reputation put you off — the gardens are genuinely beautiful, the food has improved dramatically, and the Christmas and Halloween seasons are special. Entry around 160 DKK (€21).
- Nyhavn: Yes, it's on every postcard, but walk past the tourist restaurants along the canal to find the quieter end near the opera house. The coloured townhouses look best in late afternoon light.
- The National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet): Free entry and one of the best history museums in Northern Europe. The Viking and prehistory collections alone are worth two hours of your time.
- Freetown Christiania: A self-governing commune operating since 1971, with its own rules and culture. Walk through respectfully, skip the phone cameras on Pusher Street, and stop at Spiseloppen for a surprisingly good meal.
- Copenhagen Street Food at Reffen: A massive waterfront street food market in the Refshaleøen harbour area, open May through October. This is where young Copenhageners actually eat on weekends — dozens of vendors, outdoor seating, and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Day trip to Helsingør and Kronborg Castle: Shakespeare's Elsinore is 45 minutes by train from Central Station. Kronborg Castle is genuinely dramatic, perched on a headland facing Sweden, and the old town around it is worth an afternoon.
Practical Travel Tips
Visas: EU passport holders enter Denmark freely. UK citizens can visit for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa under current post-Brexit rules — check GOV.UK for any updates before you travel. Note that ETIAS, the EU's new pre-travel authorisation system for non-EU nationals, was expected to launch in 2025; confirm whether it applies to your nationality before booking. Currency: Denmark uses the Danish Krone (DKK), not the Euro — 1 EUR buys roughly 7.45 DKK at mid-market rates. Card payment is accepted almost universally, including at food markets and small cafes. Carrying a small amount of cash is useful but rarely essential. Tipping: Service charges are included in restaurant bills by law in Denmark. Tipping is appreciated but genuinely optional — rounding up on a taxi or leaving 10% at a restaurant you loved is plenty. Nobody expects or demands it. Safety: Copenhagen is one of Europe's safest capital cities. Standard urban caution applies — watch your bag in busy tourist areas and on public transport — but the city has very low rates of violent crime. The main practical annoyance is bike theft; use a proper lock if you rent one.
FAQ — Flights to Copenhagen
How much do flights to Copenhagen cost?
Flights to Copenhagen from other European cities typically range from €60 to €200 return in economy class, depending heavily on your origin city, how far ahead you book, and the time of year. Summer (June–August) pushes prices toward the higher end, while January, February, and November tend to offer the lowest fares. Low-cost carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air frequently offer Copenhagen flight deals under €80 return on competitive routes if you book four to eight weeks out and travel light.
Which airlines fly to Copenhagen?
Copenhagen Airport is served by a wide range of carriers. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) operates the most extensive network and is the flag carrier. Other major airlines include Norwegian, easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, and Finnair. For long-haul connections into CPH, SAS, United, and Delta operate transatlantic routes, while Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and Qatar Airways connect via their Middle Eastern hubs.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Copenhagen?
January and February are consistently the cheapest months to fly to Copenhagen, with fares often 30–50% lower than summer peaks. November is a close third. If you want cheap flights to Copenhagen without the full winter experience, late September and early October offer a reasonable compromise — prices have dropped from summer highs, the weather is still manageable, and the city is noticeably less crowded.
How long is the flight to Copenhagen from main European hubs?
Flight times from major European cities to Copenhagen are short: London Heathrow or Gatwick to CPH is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes; Amsterdam to Copenhagen is around 1 hour 40 minutes; Frankfurt to Copenhagen is roughly 1 hour 30 minutes; Paris CDG to Copenhagen runs about 2 hours; and Zurich to Copenhagen is approximately 2 hours. From further afield, flights from New York JFK to Copenhagen with SAS or connecting carriers take around 8–9 hours nonstop.