Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH) is only about 8 km from the city centre and has one of the best airport connections in Scandinavia — a direct metro and a mainline rail station in the same terminal building mean you are in the heart of Copenhagen in under 15 minutes. Here is what each option involves.
Metro (M2): fast and frequent
The Metro Line M2 connects the airport directly to central Copenhagen, with the journey to Kongens Nytorv taking about 14–15 minutes, and to Vanløse (via the city loop) a few minutes more. The metro station is located below Terminal 3, accessible via a short signposted walk from arrivals. Trains run every 4–6 minutes during the day, and the M2 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including through the night — making it ideal for very early or very late flights.
From Kongens Nytorv you can transfer to Line M1 for the rest of the network. Kongens Nytorv is also a short walk from the Nyhavn waterfront district and close to several central neighbourhoods.
Tickets are bought from the metro ticket machines in the airport or on the DOT mobilbillet app. You need a ticket covering at least three zones for the full journey into the centre. Copenhagen uses a zone-based ticketing system across metro, S-tog and regional trains; a 24-hour or 72-hour travel card covers all modes within the city zones and is a sensible purchase for a multi-day visit.
Regional rail (train to Nørreport / Østerport)
Kastrup Airport station — adjacent to Terminal 3, connected to the metro station — is also on the regional rail network serving routes south into Sweden (Malmö, via the Øresund Bridge) and into the Copenhagen S-tog network. Direct regional trains reach Østerport in about 13 minutes and Copenhagen Central (København H) in about 14 minutes, making this slightly faster than the metro for those heading to the main station.
The regional train runs slightly less frequently than the metro but is comfortable and quiet. The same zone-based ticket covers both metro and regional rail, so you can choose whichever departs sooner. Importantly, if you are travelling on to Malmö or other Swedish cities, you board these trains directly from Kastrup — you do not need to change in the city.
Sweden via the Øresund Bridge: The regional train (Øresundståget) connects Kastrup Airport to Malmö Central in about 22–25 minutes and to other Swedish cities beyond. A separate Swedish zone ticket is needed for the onward leg, though various combined tickets are available. No passport check is required for EU/Schengen travellers, but carry ID.
Bus options
Bus routes serve the airport but are generally slower than the metro or train for central destinations. Bus 5C and several other routes connect the airport to various parts of Copenhagen, and the IAP (International Airport Plan) route runs to the central bus terminus. Buses are useful if you need to reach a suburb not well served by the metro, but for the city centre, the metro is simply faster.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Taxis are available from the designated rank outside Terminal 3. The journey to central Copenhagen typically takes 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Fares are metered and, like most things in Denmark, sit at the higher end of the European range. For a solo traveller or pair, the metro is substantially cheaper; for three or four people with luggage, a taxi becomes more proportionate.
Uber does not operate conventionally in Denmark (it exited the Danish market over driver status issues), but app-based taxi services including Taxa 4×35 and Dantaxi function similarly and can be booked via their apps.
Travelling onwards from Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a major Scandinavian rail hub. From Copenhagen Central you can take direct trains to Odense, Aarhus and Esbjerg in Denmark, or continue across the Great Belt Fixed Link; international connections include Stockholm, Hamburg and Amsterdam. The city is also one of the main embarkation points for Scandinavian ferry routes operated by DFDS and others. Our guide to European routes has more on these longer journeys, and see Copenhagen to Stockholm or Copenhagen to Malmö for two of the most popular onward legs.
Luggage, accessibility and first-timer tips
Both the metro station and the regional rail platform sit directly beneath the terminal building, connected by lifts and escalators, making this one of the more step-free, luggage-friendly airport transfers in Europe — there is no need to navigate stairs with a heavy suitcase at either end. Ticket machines accept major cards and several currencies, and staff at the information desks in the terminal can help with first-time ticket purchases if the machines feel unfamiliar. If travelling with a bicycle, both the metro and regional trains allow bikes outside the most crowded peak hours, though check current rules before travelling, as space is limited.
Choosing between metro and regional train
For most city-centre destinations, the two options are close enough in journey time that the choice comes down to whichever departs first — check the departure boards in the terminal rather than committing to one mode before you land. The regional train is marginally faster to Copenhagen Central and Østerport, useful if your hotel sits near the main station, while the metro's greater frequency and 24-hour operation make it the more dependable choice for very early or late arrivals, when regional services run less often.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the metro take from Copenhagen Airport to the city?
About 14–15 minutes to Kongens Nytorv, with trains running every 4–6 minutes around the clock, every day of the year. It is consistently one of the most reliable airport connections in Europe.
Does the airport metro run through the night?
Yes — the M2 runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including through Saturday and Sunday nights. Night frequency is reduced to roughly every 7–15 minutes but the service does not stop.
How many zones do I need for the Copenhagen Airport metro fare?
The airport sits in zone 4 (or zones 3–4 depending on the pricing structure in force); most city-centre destinations require a ticket covering zones 1–3 or 1–4. Check the current zone map on the Movia or DOT website, as the zone system has changed in recent years.
Is there a train from Copenhagen Airport to Sweden?
Yes — the Øresundståget regional train connects Kastrup to Malmö Central in about 22–25 minutes, running regularly. Additional tickets for the Swedish section are required. No border control for Schengen residents, but carry ID.
Sources and further reading:
- Metro M2 schedule and tickets: Metro Copenhagen (m.dk).
- Regional trains and Øresund services: DSB (dsb.dk) and Øresundståget (oresundstaget.se).
- Bus routes: Movia (moviatrafik.dk).
- Airport information: Copenhagen Airport (cph.dk).