Before you go · Copenhagen
Copenhagen essentials
The practical things worth knowing before you arrive, checked against official sources on 28 October 2026. Entry rules change: always check the official sources before you travel.
Updated October 2026
Entry to the EU
Denmark is in the Schengen area. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) registers travellers from outside the EU electronically at the border.
ETIAS, the travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, is not yet in operation: the EU will announce the start date on its official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, in advance. Never pay a third-party site. Malmö is in Sweden, so carry your passport or ID card on that day trip.
From the airport
The M2 Metro and the trains leave from Terminal 3 of Copenhagen Airport and take around 15 minutes to central Copenhagen: the Metro to Kongens Nytorv and Nørreport, the train to the Central Station (VisitCopenhagen, October 2026).
Tickets and the Copenhagen Card
One ticket covers the buses, trains, Metro and harbour buses: buy it in the DOT app or use a Rejsekort. The Copenhagen Card, the official city card since 1984, includes public transport and many museums and sights.
Danish kroner
Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Cycling etiquette
Copenhagen is a city of bicycles. Keep to the right on the cycle lanes, signal before you stop or turn, and never walk on the cycle lanes. Rent an electric city bike from Bycyklen by app.
Emergencies and medical help
Call 112 for ambulance, police and fire. For acute illness or injury that is not life-threatening, call the Capital Region’s Emergency Helpline 1813 before you go to an emergency department. Steno Apotek, opposite the Central Station, is open 24 hours a day. Carry your EHIC or GHIC, or travel insurance that covers medical costs.
Questions and answers
Do I need ETIAS to visit Copenhagen?
Not yet: ETIAS is not in operation. The EU will announce the start date in advance on its official site.
How do I get from Copenhagen Airport to the city?
By the M2 Metro or the train from Terminal 3, in about 15 minutes.
What is 1813?
The Capital Region of Denmark’s emergency medical helpline, for acute illness outside your doctor’s hours; for life-threatening emergencies call 112.
What currency is used in Copenhagen?
The Danish krone (DKK).
Entry rules and transport change, sometimes at short notice. Check the EU’s official sites, regionh.dk, m.dk, dsb.dk and your government’s advice before you travel.