Denmark
Copenhagen travel budget: what to plan for
Plan €1700 for 7 nights in Copenhagen, return flight from London included, or €577 travelling cheap. On the ground that works out at €240 per person per day.
Copenhagen - estimate transport, lodging, and meals before you book.
- From
- €80/day
- vs. London
- 105%
- Best month
- Jul
Your trip to Copenhagen
Set the length, the number of travellers and the comfort level: the figures recompute here.
€1,700
per person, flight included
- on the ground
- €1,680
- flight from London
- €20
- per person per day, on the ground
- €240
InstantTripCost estimate
Full 7-night budget breakdown
Per-person estimate including flights from London, split across the six expense categories.
per person · Comfort
| Category | Budget | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | €17 | €20 | €30 |
| Hotel | €217 | €756 | €1022 |
| Food | €231 | €546 | €1218 |
| Transport | €56 | €126 | €315 |
| Activities | €28 | €126 | €392 |
| Misc | €28 | €126 | €357 |
| 7-night total | €577 | €1700 | €3334 |
Flight from London (annual median).
Unit prices
comfort
Enough to check the total yourself, line by line, at the comfort level you picked.
- €12
- Breakfast
- €22
- Lunch
- €44
- Dinner
- €6
- City ride
- €18
- Site admission
- €240
- A full day
Orders of magnitude derived from our measured ranges, not surveyed venue by venue. Prices vary by neighbourhood and season.
Why go
Why visit Copenhagen
With a cost index of 105 % versus London, Copenhagen sits comfortably in the middle of the price spectrum.
A standard 7-night trip averages €1680 per person at mid-range comfort, flights from London included. Seasonality has a moderate impact on flights (max 24 % gap month to month), which simplifies planning: pick the dates that work, then optimize lodging and activities.
Real budget
What a trip to Copenhagen actually costs
Let's break it down. Lodging: a hostel dorm or entry-level hotel runs around €31 per night, a well-rated 3-star around €108, and 4 to 5-star around €146. Food: around €11 a day eating local, €26 mixing canteens and restaurants, €58 if you sit down for dinner every evening.
Local transport: roughly €8 a day on public transit, €18 adding a few taxi rides. Activities: about €23 a day at a normal sightseeing pace, €47 if you stack paid entries and day trips.
On a 5-to-7-day trip, lodging accounts for roughly 35-45 % of total budget, food 15-20 %, flights 20-30 % depending on the booking window, with the remainder split between local transport, activities, and miscellaneous (visa, insurance, tipping, SIM card). A Copenhagen trip that goes over budget is almost always because the hotel is oversized for the rest, rarely because of activities.
Seasonality
When to go and what it costs
Peak season in Copenhagen is summer (June through August): hotel and flight rates climb 30-60 % above winter levels. For an off-peak trip, August combines decent weather and still-reasonable prices.
Money saving
How to cut the Copenhagen budget
Start with lodging, the heaviest line in the budget. In Copenhagen, a hotel 1 or 2 metro stops from the hyper-center often costs half what an equivalent charges right in the middle. Booking timing matters too: aim for 6 to 8 weeks before departure, not the night before, not a year out.
Trip dates weigh as much as hotel choice. A shoulder-season month over peak, and airfare drops 10-20 %, hotels 15-25 %. That leaves activities: one well-chosen guided tour or day trip per day beats a string of rushed paid tickets.
Practical info
Language, currency, and logistics in Copenhagen
Language: Danish, English is understood in most hotels and restaurants in tourist areas. Currency: Danish Krone (kr) - plan €50-100 in cash for the first days and use a fee-free card for the rest.
The three tiers
What a budget traveller, a comfort traveller and a premium traveller typically spend.
Budget
€72
per day, approx
- Hotel / night
- €31
- Meal
- €11
- Transit / day
- €8
Comfort
€204
per day, approx
- Hotel / night
- €108
- Meal
- €26
- Transit / day
- €18
Luxury
€365
per day, approx
- Hotel / night
- €146
- Meal
- €58
- Transit / day
- €45
Weather & best time to visit
Average temperatures and conditions by month in Copenhagen.
Best month to visitJuly
Where to sleep in Copenhagen
The hotels we measured
Accommodation picks by price range.
a&o Copenhagen Nørrebro
Hotel, standard (6.9/10) from 7,421 reviews.
Generator Copenhagen
Hostel, decent (7.5/10) from 13,530 reviews.
Copenhagen Downtown Hostel
Hostel, decent (7.2/10) from 8,361 reviews.
Generator Copenhagen
Hostel, decent (7.5/10) from 13,530 reviews.
Sundbyvestervarehus
Hotel, very well rated (8.6/10) from 256 reviews.
Go Hotel Østerport
Hotel, decent (7.6/10) from 6,507 reviews.
Moxy Copenhagen
Hotel, very well rated (8.6/10) from 2,768 reviews.
Imperial Hotel
Hotel, well rated (8.1/10) from 1,366 reviews.
Tivoli Hotel
Hotel, well rated (8.4/10) from 7,706 reviews.
All observed hotels in Copenhagen
24 properties, nightly rate for a 2-night stay arriving 15 October 2026.
| Hotel | Category | Rating | From / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| a&o Copenhagen Nørrebro | Budget | ★ 6.9 | €17 |
| Generator Copenhagen | Budget | ★ 7.5 | €17 |
| Copenhagen Downtown Hostel | Budget | ★ 7.2 | €17 |
| Generator Copenhagen | Mid-range | ★ 7.5 | €17 |
| MEININGER Hotel Copenhagen | Budget | ★ 8 | €18 |
| Urban Camper Hostel & Bar | Budget | ★ 8.3 | €19 |
| Steel House Copenhagen | Budget | ★ 8.4 | €21 |
| Danhostel Copenhagen City & Apartments | Budget | ★ 7.8 | €21 |
| The Old Factory | Budget | ★ 4.9 | €21 |
| Sundbyvestervarehus | Mid-range | ★ 8.6 | €67 |
| Go Hotel Østerport | Mid-range | ★ 7.6 | €69 |
| Good Morning City Copenhagen Star | Mid-range | ★ 7.9 | €83 |
| ProfilHotels Richmond | Mid-range | ★ 8.1 | €83 |
| Four Points Flex by Sheraton Copenhagen Airport | Mid-range | ★ 7.7 | €86 |
| Moxy Copenhagen | Luxury | ★ 8.6 | €88 |
| Go Hotel Ansgar | Mid-range | ★ 8.1 | €95 |
| CPH Studio Hotel | Mid-range | ★ 8.2 | €100 |
| Imperial Hotel | Luxury | ★ 8.1 | €110 |
| Tivoli Hotel | Luxury | ★ 8.4 | €112 |
| Hotel Alexandra | Luxury | ★ 8.3 | €118 |
| Ascot Hotel | Luxury | ★ 8.2 | €120 |
| Copenhagen Strand | Luxury | ★ 8.7 | €125 |
| Phoenix Copenhagen | Luxury | ★ 8.5 | €131 |
| The Square | Luxury | ★ 8.5 | €136 |
Things to do in Copenhagen
Recommended activities and tours.
National Museum of Denmark
The National Museum of Denmark (Danish: Nationalmuseet) in Copenhagen is Denmark's largest museum of cultural history, comprising the histories of Danish and foreign cultures, alike. The museum's main building is located a short distance from Strøget at the center of Copenhagen.
National museum
Statens Museum for Kunst
The National Gallery of Denmark (Danish: Statens Museum for Kunst, also known as "SMK", literally State Museum for Art) is the Danish national gallery, located in the centre of Copenhagen. The museum collects, registers, maintains, researches and handles Danish and foreign art dating from the 14th century to the present day.
Art museum
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek ("ny" means "new" in Danish; "Glyptotek" comes from the Greek root glyphein, to carve, and theke, storing place), commonly known simply as Glyptoteket, is an art museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. The collection represents the private art collection of Carl Jacobsen (1842 - 1914), the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries.
Notable place
Grundtvig's Church
Grundtvig's Church (Danish: Grundtvigs Kirke) is located in the Bispebjerg district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a rare example of expressionist church architecture.
Church
Rundetaarn
The Round Tower (Danish: Rundetårn) is a 17th-century tower in Copenhagen, Denmark, one of the many architectural projects of Christian IV. Built as an astronomical observatory, it is noted for its equestrian staircase, a 7.5-turn helical corridor leading to the platform at the top (34.8 meters above ground), and its views over Copenhagen.
Museum
The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid (Danish: Den lille Havfrue) is a bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen, depicting a mermaid becoming human. The sculpture is displayed on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Tourist attraction
Frederik's Church
Frederik's Church (Danish: Frederiks Kirke), popularly known as The Marble Church (Marmorkirken) for its rococo architecture, is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen, Denmark. The church forms the focal point of the Frederiksstaden district; it is located due west of Amalienborg Palace.
Church
Church of Our Saviour
The Church of Our Saviour (Danish: Vor Frelsers Kirke; [vɒ ˈfʁælsɐs ˈkiɐ̯kə]) is a baroque church in Copenhagen, Denmark, most famous for the external spiral winding staircase that can be climbed to the top, offering extensive views over central Copenhagen. It is also noted for its carillon, which plays melodies every hour from 8 am to midnight.
Church
Copenhagen Zoo
Copenhagen Zoo (Danish: København Zoo) is a zoological garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded in 1859, it is one of the oldest zoos in Europe and is a member of EAZA.
Tourist attraction
Kongens Nytorv
Kongens Nytorv (lit. "The King's New Square") is a public square in Copenhagen, Denmark, centrally located at the end of the pedestrian street Strøget.
Square
Places referenced on Wikidata. Admission prices vary by season - check each venue's official site.
Paying less in Copenhagen
What moves the needle
What each decision takes off the €1732 total, strongest lever first.
- − €1120
Travel cheap rather than mid-range
Hostel or entry-level hotel, local canteens, public transport. Accommodation is where the gap opens up.
- − €480
Stay five nights instead of seven
Two fewer nights also removes two days of meals, transport and sightseeing.
- − €378
Travel as a pair
The room is shared, nothing else is. Travellers themselves name this as the strongest lever.
Differences computed from our own measurements, for a 7-night mid-range stay, excluding flights.
FAQ
FAQ - Copenhagen
- How much should I budget for a trip to Copenhagen?
- For a 7-day trip to Copenhagen, expect roughly €577 - €3334 per person depending on your travel style, flights included. The budget profile (hostels, local food, public transit) sits at the lower end ; mid-range comfort sits in the middle ; luxury (premium hotel, fine dining) approaches the top.
- When is the best time to visit Copenhagen?
- The best value is in July, with pleasant temperatures and usually cheaper flights than during peak tourist season. This window combines moderate crowds and lower airfare.
- How do I get around in Copenhagen?
- Local transport (metro, bus, taxi) costs an average of €8 - €45 per day depending on your style. Public transit stays the cheapest option ; a day or weekly pass usually pays off after just two rides per day.
- How can I do Copenhagen on a budget?
- For a cheap trip to Copenhagen, target around €80 - €240 per day per person excluding flights: a hostel or budget hotel, meals at local eateries, public transit, and 1-2 free activities per day. Across a week, plan to land below the lower bound of the global range.
- What's the budget for a weekend in Copenhagen?
- For a 3-day / 2-night weekend in Copenhagen, plan around €284 - €772 per person, flights included. Booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead and flying out Thursday evening / back Sunday evening cuts the total by 10-20 % on average.
- Is Copenhagen an expensive or affordable destination?
- At 81 % of our reference index, Copenhagen ranks among the moderately priced destinations we track. In practice, a daily budget close to our average, 19 % below it.
- How many days do you need in Copenhagen?
- Plan 4 days for the essentials. A full week lets you add the surroundings without rushing, for roughly €720 more per person. Beyond ten days the cost grows linearly: each extra night adds about €240, lodging and daily spending included.
- Do you need a car in Copenhagen?
- Our estimates assume public transport, which covers the centre and its near surroundings. Rental, fuel, parking and tolls are not included: if your route leaves the served area, add them as a separate line.
- How much cash should you bring to Copenhagen?
- Bring €50 to €100 for the first days, until you see where cards work. When paying or withdrawing, decline the conversion into your home currency that terminals offer: it applies its own rate, consistently worse than your bank's.
At a glance
Wikidata, Wikipedia and Open-Meteo data
- Population
- 667k
- Area
- 91 km²
- Elevation
- 14 m
- Language
- Danish
- Currency
- kr
- Time zone
- Central European Time
- Founded
- 1167
- Avg. July temp.
- 18°
- Avg. Jan. temp.
- 1°
- Rainy days / year
- 133
inhabitants
Danish Krone
14° - 21°
0° - 3°
About
Copenhagen in brief
Copenhagen is the capital and most populous city of both the country of Denmark and the wider Kingdom of Denmark, with a population of 667,000 people in the municipality and 1.4 million in the urban area. The city is situated mainly on the island of Zealand (Sjælland), with a smaller part on the island of Amager. Copenhagen is separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the Øresund strait. The Øresund Bridge connects the two cities by rail and road.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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