Copenhagen on a Budget: Invaluable Tips by a Local (2024)

Although Copenhagen is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Europe it is also one of the most expensive destinations to put on your bucket list. Enjoying Copenhagen can be difficult due to the high prices. We have lived here for quite a while now and thought it would be time to share our insider tips on how to see Copenhagen on a budget with you. Starting from where to stay, where to eat, and what to do on a budget, we have tried to cover all the bases. At the end of the post, you will also find tips on how to save even more money!

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How Expensive is Copenhagen?

Yes, Copenhagen can be expensive. However, how expensive you perceive it to be largely depends on where you are coming from. If you are used to London prices, for example, Copenhagen should hardly hurt you.

Nonetheless, Copenhagen is expensive to most. While high prices are related to fair wages and taxes which carry the country’s welfare system, it doesn’t make it the best destination for budget travelers.

Below is an overview of how much you should expect to spend in Copenhagen at the minimum:

• Coffee Americano: 25-35 DKK
• Pizza Margherita: 55-110 DKK
• Draught Beer (0.3l): 30-55 DKK
• Brunch Plate: 110-160 DKK
• 24h Public Transport Ticket: 80 DKK
• Dorm Room: 165-250 DKK

When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Copenhagen?

If we are talking accommodation, prices are soaring high in summer and significantly more affordable in the winter. However, you will be more tempted to spend time inside which inevitably means spending money.

Also, some attractions may be closed which could mean that you get less bang for your buck if you’re planning on buying a Copenhagen Card.

Where to Stay in Copenhagen on a Budget

The biggest expense of your trip to Copenhagen will certainly be your accommodation. That is true for most destinations, of course, but especially true in densely populated Copenhagen. To keep costs low you can stay in a shared room in a hostel, or give Couchsurfing a try.

We are not big fans of Airbnb and the impact it has on the housing situation for locals here. However, if you are traveling solo you can consider renting a room from a local through Airbnb.

Cheap Hostels

Fortunately, Copenhagen offers a large variety of hostels in different locations, so you are sure to find something to find your needs. Below are our favorites:

• Urban House Copenhagen: Located in the hip Vesterbro district, only 2 minutes walk from the Central Station, you can hardly find a better-connected accommodation. You’ll also be close to many cafes and greengrocers.
• Generator Copenhagen: Located in walking distance to the Old Town as well as some of Copenhagen’s major sights such as Rosenborg Castle. With a cheap supermarket just around the corner.
• Bedwood Hostel: Located at the famous Nyhavn, this hostel provides budget accommodation at Copenhagen’s most expensive address.
• Danhostel: One of the cheapest and most reliable options in Copenhagen. A bit further from the sights, but perfect if you want to take a dip in the city’s harbor baths!

Cheap Hotels

If you are a couple or just want a little more privacy, you can book a private room in a hostel or even a hotel room. The most affordable hotels are located in the outer districts, but the metro gets you into the city in no time.

The drawback of the most affordable options is that you may have to share a bathroom with others. Here are some of our favorite recommendations:

• Steel House Copenhagen: Not a hotel, but a luxury hostel. Incredibly sleek and modern. Located only a 2-minute walk from Vesterport Station.
• Rye 115: Hygge hotel in Østerbro, close to the lakes. Will be connected to the city center by the new metro line which is expected to open in June 2019. In the meantime, bus connections are available. Breakfast included!
• SleepCph: Modern hotel located on Amager. Only 5 minutes walk from the metro station.

How to Get Around Copenhagen on the Cheap

Thankfully, Copenhagen is a relatively compact city. That means, that you can actually explore most of the city on foot. And unless you book a guided walking tour, this doesn’t have to cost you anything.

In fact, you can even create your own walking tour or follow our self-guided walking tour of Copenhagen which will take you to the city’s most important sights as well as some hidden gems.

If you are going to explore some of the outer districts of Copenhagen, or are simply tired of walking all day, you have the choice of using public transport or of biking.

Biking

I don’t usually recommend biking for visitors, because bike lanes in Copenhagen can get a little bit crazy. However, there are a few quieter corners where biking makes sense. Just because careful, because renting a bike isn’t necessarily the cheapest way to get around. Prices can vary drastically from one provider to another.

If you are looking for convenience, use one of the shared bike services. Bikes are available at certain pick-up points and usually paid for through a mobile app. This can be tricky as you possibly need to change the location of your app store. You can book the bikes from 30 minutes up to several days. Some of the most popular services are:

• Donkey Republic (12.5 DKK per 30 minutes)
• Bycyclen (15 DKK per 30 minutes)

The other alternative is to rent a bike from a physical place. If you are lucky, your hotel or hostel offers free bike rental so don’t be afraid to ask at the reception. Otherwise, you can rent a bike from a shop. That can be cheaper if you’re planning on staying longer, but also comes with a few drawbacks.

Firstly, you can only rent/return bikes during their opening hours. Second, some places require some sort of cash deposit (around 1000 DKK). Some popular services include:

• Copenhagen Bicycles (120 DKK per day, discount with the Copenhagen Card)
• Baisikeli (80-110 DKK per day)

Scooters

If you are not willing to commit to a bike just yet, but would like to hurry up your sightseeing, get a scooter instead. They have only started to appear in Copenhagen in recent months so the infrastructure is still developing.

All you need is your phone. The only thing I ask of you is not to leave them in the middle of the road like a jerk.

• Voi
• Tier

Public Transport

Public Transport is actually the cheapest way to get around Copenhagen, considering bikes often cost around 100 DKK per day. A public transport ticket covering all 4 zones, on the other hand, costs only 80 DKK (and that includes the airport).

I love public transport in Copenhagen. There are currently 2 metro lines that already have the city well connected, but 2 more lines are going to open in the next months.

You can either buy the Copenhagen City Pass from one of the ticket machines in the city (you find them at metro and train stations) or order a mobile version on your phone.

If you’re planning on doing some day trips in greater Copenhagen, the City Pass Large for 160 DKK is a good deal. A single ticket costs a minimum of 24 DKK, depending on how many zones you’ll be traveling through.

Where to Eat for Cheap in Copenhagen

Even residents will agree that eating out in Copenhagen can get expensive quickly. Thankfully we do know a couple of places which will leave you full and without a gaping hole in your wallet.

Breakfast: Bang & Jensen

Bang & Jensen is one of the very few cafes in Copenhagen that actually opens before 09:00. Although they serve food and even co*cktails throughout the day, you should definitely visit them for their breakfast buffet.

Amazingly, it already starts at 07:30 which means you can easily fit in a hearty meal before a long day of sightseeing. Best of all: it only costs 115 DKK.

Snack: Traditional Danish Hot Dog

You can’t leave Copenhagen without trying a traditional Danish hot dog! I really like them as a snack because they are relatively cheap, filling, and you can find them literally anywhere.

Steff Houlberg sausage cars are located all over the city and a hot dog here will only cost you about 35 DKK. However, if you can I recommend that you get a hot dog from DØP. Their hot dogs aren’t only organic, they are also super delicious!

Sweet Treat

For a quick sweet treat, I often head to 7-Eleven or any local bakery. Proper bakeries, even though their food is amazing, can be expensive, though. That’s why I often check out bakeries attached to supermarkets.

My go-to is the so-called studenterbrød. This ‘student bread’ is a kind of cake/pastry made from stale pastry dough and chocolate cake, topped with a generous layer of raspberry jam, streusels, and icing.

They don’t usually cost more than 15-20 DKK. Alternatively, you can, of course, go for a Danish, which is called wienerbrød in Danish.

Lunch/Dinner: Dalle Valle

Dalle Valle is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. They have several outlets around the city and offer both a-la-carte as well as a buffet. The buffet includes a small selection of Danish and regular continental dishes. The lunch buffet costs only 69 DKK while the dinner buffet costs 99 DKK (still a heck of a deal in Copenhagen!).

PS: If you want to know how to eat at Dalle Valle for even cheaper, scroll down to the end of this post!

Drinks: Dive Bars & Happy Hours

Going out in Copenhagen can be expensive, especially when it comes to drinks. Draught beer can easily cost upwards of 30 DKK and you’ll hardly ever find co*cktails for less than 100 DKK. One of the cheapest places to drink is usually the hostels around town, as well as the various Irish pubs in Copenhagen.

Alternatively, I strongly recommend that you check out one of the traditional Danish dive bars in Copenhagen, also known as a bodega. These are usually full of locals and the beer is cheap. I recommend Eiffel Bar, but be aware that it might be hard to get a seat! Here you can get a beer for only 18-22 DKK.

For co*cktails, seek out bars that have happy hours. There aren’t too many of them in the city, but some include the Hard Rock Cafe, Zefside, and Boutique Lize.

Self-Catering

Of course, one of the easiest ways to stay on a budget is to cook your own food rather than eating out. If you have access to a kitchen, you can cook a few simple meals at home. But even if you’re staying in a hotel, you can easily skip the expensive hotel breakfast and pick up a couple of snacks instead.

The cheapest supermarkets are Aldi, Lidl, and Netto, although the latter is easiest to find in the city. You can also check out Asian grocers around the train station and/or in Nørrebro for good deals.

For extra special savings, come late in the evening, just before closing. Most supermarkets are selling their baked goods at a discount then, although the exact timings vary from shop to shop.

Some (i.e. Coop shops) also have a ‘discount’ shelf where you can find products that are expiring soon, often including salads, yogurts, and so on. These are designed to reduce food waste which is why they are often labeled ‘Red Maden’ (‘save the food’).

WeFood

Alternatively, you can also head over to WeFood, a non-profit shop that sells food with damaged packaging, improper labeling, or food that is technically expired. While the prices are low, it’s always a good idea to double-check any food you’re buying although it is perfectly fine 99.99% of the time.

Too Good To Go

The last option is to download the app ‘Too Good to Go’. Here, you can hunt for supermarkets as well as restaurants selling their leftover food cheaply just before closing.

You may have to change the location of your app store in order to download the app, which makes it a little impractical for visitors.

Free Things to See in Copenhagen

Although Copenhagen has a number of attractions that are actually worth paying for, the wonderful thing about Copenhagen is that many of its top sights are completely free to see. And that includes the city’s most iconic sights!

PS: You can explore these and many more of Copenhagen’s top sights for 0 DKK on our self-guided walking tour!

Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is perhaps the city’s most famous landmark, adorning postcards, magnets, and other tchotchkes alike. The statue is based on the book character of the same name, written by famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

The statue is relatively small and a little underwhelming, but as long as you go in with the right expectations, you’ll be fine. In the end, it’s hard to leave Copenhagen without having seen the Little Mermaid!

Toldboden

One of my favorite areas in Copenhagen is Toldboden. This harbor area was once part of the Danish tax offices and responsible for toll. Today, much of the area has been repurposed.

I love taking a stroll here, admiring the architecture, and enjoying the Danish breeze. Across the harbor, you can also spot the famous Danish Opera House!

Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg Palace

Although admission to Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the Royal Danish Family, is most certainly not free, you can easily admire the palace from the outside. What’s even better is that you can observe the changing of the guard in front of the palace every day at noon.

How pompous the ceremony depends on whether Queen Margrethe II herself is at the palace, or whether ‘only’ other members of the royal family are present.

Nyhavn

Alongside the Little Mermaid, Nyhavn is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Copenhagen. Its pastel-colored houses adorn postcards aplenty and you can’t help but fall in love with it. Interestingly, although it is one of the most expensive addresses today, Nyhavn actually used to attract drunken sailors and prostitutes alike in its days as a functioning harbor.

Today, people hardly get drunk here due to the sky-high prices of the restaurants. If you want to do it like a local, pick up a beer from the closest shop and sit down by the water 🙂

Kongens Have

Although there are many green spaces to enjoy in Copenhagen for free (e.g. the Botanical Gardens, Langelinie Park, Fælledparken, …), my favorite is without a doubt Kongens Have. Located close to the city center, this garden has been open to the public since the late 18th century.

It quickly became a favorite among locals and remains so until today. Besides the gardens, the park also offers a splending view of Rosenborg Castle!

Strøget

Strøget is one of Europe’s oldest and longest pedestrianized shopping streets. Here, you can truly shop until you drop. Whether you are hunting for a piece of Danish fashion (think black) or authentic Danish designer pieces for your home, you’re in the right place.

However, even if you’re not looking to spend any money, you can enjoy walking here. Not only is it fun to people-watch and window-shop, but Strøget also has some of the city’s most beautiful buildings and facades.

Street Art

While you’re walking around Copenhagen, make sure to keep an eye open for some of the beautiful street art. Here, large-scale murals are usually commissioned by the city or housing associations.

They are generally well maintained which makes hunting for them all the more fun. If you want, you can go on a treasure hunt yourself with our map of the best street art murals in Copenhagen!

Architecture

Whether you enjoy classical or modern architecture, Copenhagen offers both. However, the city is best known for its recent urban development, including several ultra-modern constructions. You can find the highest concentration of modern architecture in Nordhavn and on Amager.

If you don’t mind searching a bit, you can also find some beautiful examples of functionalist architecture, particularly by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen, in and around Copenhagen.

Christiania

Finally, this list wouldn’t be complete without at least mentioning Christiania. Christiania is a Freetown and often described as a society within a society.

What started off as a loose conglomerate of anarchists and hippies has turned into a tightly-knit community. Christiania is best known for its Green Light District, a short street on which marijuana is (almost) freely sold.

However, there is so much more to this community than meets the eye at first. I challenge you to go beyond the hash dealers and search out some of the unique architectural pieces, or just go as far as the lake and enjoy the view.

Free Things to Do in Copenhagen

If you need to get out of the cold or need something with a little more substance, below we have compiled a list of the best free things to do in Copenhagen. Most of them take place indoors, but if you are visiting in the summer, we do have some activities for you as well 🙂

Christiansborg Tower

To get a beautiful view of Copenhagen on a budget, I strongly recommend that you take the time to visit Christiansborg Tower. The tower is part of the Christiansborg Palace which houses the Danish parliament as well as several museums.

As opposed to the museums, the entrance to the tower is completely free. Just be aware that you will have to go through security (it is the parliament building after all).

Tour of the Danish Parliament

If you don’t want to shell out tons of money for the museums as Christiansborg Palace, take a guided tour of the parliament rooms instead. It is rare that you can get a glimpse of a functioning parliament without having to pay, so do make the time.

The tours take place every Sunday and last about 45 minutes. You need to be there around 10:00 to pick up your free ticket and be back 15 minutes before the actual tour (i.e. 11:45). Otherwise, you run the risk of not getting a ticket.

Swimming in Harbor Baths

Did you know that Copenhagen has been named the best city in the world for swimming by CNN? As a densely populated urban center, Copenhagen offers a surprising amount of bathing options.

You can head out to Amager Beach Park, but the city is best known for its harbor baths in the heart of the city.

The water quality is excellent, there are lifeguards, and most of all: the use of the baths is free! As a result, locals love to stop by for a quick swim after work. You can check out Islands Brygge Harbor Bath (the best-known of all), Harbor Bath Fisketorvet, Svanemølle Beach in Østerbro, or Sluseholmen Harbor Bath in Sydhavn.

Free Museums

Several of the smaller museums in Copenhagen don’t actually charge any admission fees. In addition, they aren’t usually overrun by tourists which means that you can actually enjoy yourself there.

If you are looking for something to fill an hour or two, be sure to check out one of these free museums in Copenhagen:

• Post & Tele Museum: Home to the largest stamp collection in Denmark.
• David Collection: Excellent exhibitions of Islamic art. Very popular with locals.
• Amber Museum: Connected to an amber shop, but a few nice pieces to see.
• Bank and Savings Museum: Dedicated to Danish business history.
• Cathedral Museum: ‘Hidden museum’ in Copenhagen Cathedral.
• DieselHouse: Dedicated to B&W corporate history. With all sorts of engines on display.

Periodically Free Museums

Some of the more popular museums in Copenhagen do offer free admission one day per week. Some information on other websites is outdated, so be careful with that. As it stands now, the following 4 museums and galleries offer free admission periodically:

• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: One of the city’s most popular museums, housing ancient sculptures (look out for the ‘nose wall’!) and impressionist art. Famous for its photogenic palm house. Free admission every Tuesday.
• Nikolaj Kunsthal: Former church converted into an art gallery, mostly housing modern art. Free admission every Wednesday.
• Kunsthal Charlottenborg: One of the leading modern art galleries in Copenhagen. Free admission every Wednesday after 17:00.
• Thorvaldsens Museum: The oldest museum in Copenhagen, housing anything from sculpture to sketches by Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen. Free admission every Wednesday.

Cheap Things to Do in Copenhagen

It is nearly impossible to find things to do in Copenhagen for less than 75 DKK. Most museum tickets cost closer to 100 DKK, in fact. We have already touched on many free things to do, but here are a few more cheap things to do in Copenhagen.

Geological Museum (temporary)

Have you ever visited a geological museum? I have to admit, I’m not big on rocks, but at the moment the entrance to the Geological Museum in Copenhagen is only 20 DKK!

They are renovating so not all exhibitions are available, but if you need to fill a void on your itinerary, you may as well check it out. Alternatively, you can get a combi-ticket to all Natural History museums for 105 DKK.

Round Tower

One of the must-see attractions on every Copenhagen trip is, of course, the Round Tower. You’ll be happy to know that entrance to the tower and its beautiful viewing platform is only 40 DKK!

It is one of many buildings conceived by King Christian IV in the 17th century. Not only is it a striking landmark, but the spiral staircase it also utterly unique! And don’t forget that selfie from the viewing platform 😉

Canal Cruise on Public Transport

If you really want to see the city from the water but aren’t quite ready to spring for a canal cruise, check out the public harbor busses instead. They run regularly between the Royal Library and the Little Mermaid. It also makes stops at Nyhavn and the Royal Opera House.

The best thing is, you can ride the harbor bus with your regular public transport ticket. So if you already have a city pass or a Copenhagen Card, you don’t need to shell out any more money.

Otherwise, you can just buy a single ticket for 24 DKK. There are no ticket machines at the ferry stops, so you either need to plan ahead or buy a mobile ticket on your phone.

Canal Cruise on the Netto Boats

If you are looking for something between the traditional 85 DKK harbor cruise and the 24 DKK harbor bus, do check out the Netto Boats. They depart every 40 minutes and will take you all around the harbors of Copenhagen.

They depart from Nyhavn or Holmens Church and the tour lasts about 60 minutes. Best of all, tickets only cost 50 DKK.

How to Get Even More Discounts

We’ve already shared a few tips with you in this post, but what if I told you there are even more tricks to do Copenhagen on a budget?! These work the best if you are willing to spend a little bit of money but would still like to get the very best deal possible.

Copenhagen Card

One of the easiest ways to save a lot of money in Copenhagen is by buying a Copenhagen Card. The Copenhagen Card is an all-inclusive city pass, offering free admission to over 80 attractions as well as free public transport.

It is available for 24, 48, 72, or 120 hours. It grants admission to every attraction once. All you have to do is to show your Copenhagen Card at the entrance.

In addition, the Copenhagen Card also provides discounts on various services, such as bike rentals, segway cruises, as well as at a few cafes and restaurants. Discounts range from 10-25%.

You can order the card online and have it shipped to your home address or pick it up at one of the service points in the city (e.g. at Copenhagen Airport). Alternatively, you can buy a Copenhagen Card at any of the 30+ sales points in Copenhagen.

Minicards

Minicards is a kind of voucher which provides discounted admission to selected attractions in Copenhagen. The discounts can be quite substantial (up until 50%), but usually range in between 10-20%.

This is pretty handy if you are only planning to visit one attraction for which the Copenhagen Card isn’t worth it. Some of the best current discounts available are:

• Kronborg Castle (10%)
• Guinness World Records (10%)
• Frederiksborg Castle (10%)
• Danish War Museum (20%)
• Cisterns (10%)
• Copenhagen Canal Tours (20%)
• Hop On Hop Off (10%)

The Minicards can be found in rotating displays pretty much anywhere in the city, particularly at hotels, hostels, and tourist offices. Alternatively, you can also just print the voucher you need off their website. Their website isn’t very user-friendly, so I recommend that you pick up a proper Minicard if you can.

Deal Portals

Some people swear by deal portals to help save them money. In Denmark, these aren’t very common, but it’s still worth a look. You can check out an aggregation of deals on deal24.dk. In my experience, it is mostly random restaurants offering discounts via these portals.

I would strongly advise you to check their ratings on your preferred portal (i.e. Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp) before committing to any of their offers.

You can also find various services on discount through these portals, although you’re probably unlikely to use them as a visitor.

Combi Tickets

Many museums in Copenhagen are actually part of a conglomerate of museums. If you are planning to visit more than one of them, it’s often worth buying the combi ticket which unlocks even more attractions.

Parkmuseerne

One of the most popular tickets is the Parkmuseerne ticket which costs 245 DKK and includes admission to six museums. These are the National Museum of Art (SMK), Rosenborg Castle, the Geological Museum, The Hirschsprung Collection, the Worker’s Museum, the Palm House (Botanical Gardens), as well as the David Collection. In addition, you get a 10% discount at the respective museum shops.

Christiansborg Palace

Although it is only one palace, Christiansborg actually houses 4 paid attractions, namely the Royal Reception Rooms, The Royal Kitchen, the Ruins, and the Royal Stables. Individually they cost 60-95 DKK, but you can buy a single combi ticket for 160 DKK. In addition, you get a 50% discount on the admission ticket to the Theater Museum.

Canal Tour & Tivoli Gardens

This is a neat little buy if you are only in Copenhagen for a short time and want to splurge on two of the most popular activities: a canal tour and an outing at Tivoli Gardens.

Individually, these usually cost 85 DKK and 130 DKK respectively, but Stromma offers a combi ticket for 190 DKK which saves you 25 DKK. The best thing about it is that this ticket allows you to skip the line at Tivoli.

Thorvaldsens Museum & Nikolaj Kunsthal

If you don’t have the chance to see these two museums for free on Wednesday, you can still get a discount. Your ticket from Thorvaldsens Museum automatically grants free admission to Nikolaj Kunsthal as long as you redeem the offer within 48 hours.

DSB x Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

If you are planning on visiting the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, you will probably travel there by train. If you don’t already have the Copenhagen Card or the City Pass Large, you will need to buy a train ticket for the journey. Single tickets cost 95 DKK.

DSB does, however, offer a special combi ticket which includes a two-way journey and admission to the museum for only 210 DKK. Without the discount, you’d be paying about 315 DKK.

Museums on Slotsholmen

There are no less than 8 museums on the small island Slotsholmen in the historic center of Copenhagen. These are the Danish Jewish Museum, the Royal Stables, the Royal Library, the Castle Ruins under Christiansborg Palace, the Theatre Museum in the Court Theatre, Thorvaldsens Museum, the Royal Reception Rooms, and the Lapidarium of Kings.

If you visit any of these museums, be sure to keep your receipt as it offers a 10 % discount at selected cafes and restaurants in Copenhagen. Incidentally, these are some of the most popular establishments in the city:

• Royal Smushi Cafe
• Perch’s Tea Room
• Konditori Antoinette
• Funders

Special Discounts Provided by Hotels

Some hotels in Copenhagen offer special discounts for attractions around Copenhagen to their guests. For example, Scandic sells admission tickets for Tivoli 10% under market price. In addition, they also offer a 10% discount on tickets for the Blue Planet.

It’s always worth asking your front desk if they have any special offers, but make sure to compare them to the actual prices on the attraction’s official website.

VAT Refund

If you are visiting Denmark from outside the EU/Schengen and are departing the EU/Schengen zone from Denmark, you can claim a VAT refund at your port of exit (e.g. at Copenhagen Airport).

If you purchase goods worth more than 300 DKK at a single store, you can ask for a VAT refund receipt. You keep these receipts and hand them in at Global Blue at the airport. Not all shops do VAT refunds, however, so be mindful of that.

Also, remember that you have to show the purchased goods when you claim the VAT refund. While you’re at it, why don’t you look at our complete guide to Copenhagen Airport?

Now, what do you think? Do you have any more tips on how to do Copenhagen on a budget? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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