Last Updated: August 11, 2023
Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in Europe.
And I mean really expensive!
I nearly had a heart attack the first time I bought a coffee, and not because of the caffeine!
We’re mainly budget travellers. So the idea of heading to expensive places like this usually flash by and we tend to table them for ‘another time’ when we’ve got a bit more dollar (which never actually happens).
But when we managed to find flights for ONE POUND from the UK we couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
After booking the flights in a rush to get the deal, it was only then we started to look at accommodation and feeling slightly sick as we browsed the pricey options.
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But don’t be put off by Copenhagen’s expensive price tag. It can be done on a budget, IF you’re careful. It is a great city for a short break and one of our favourites from Europe to visit.
Getting to Copenhagen on a Budget
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and as such is a massive transport hub.
You can get into Copenhagen by train from pretty much anywhere in western Europe relatively painlessly.
Train can be a good budget option in some cases, although flights can sometimes be cheaper.
Booking trains through Europe can be a bit complicated and some companies are better than others, depending on the country you are going from/to. Rail Europe is generally a good one for Denmark, but you can try your luck with others as well to see if you get better results.
If you’re coming in from further afield, flying into the international airport is pretty easy. With the airport serving numerus international destinations.
You might be wondering how we got our deal, well we found it on Holiday Pirates.
Holiday Pirates is a great way to find cheap flights and hotels. With regular flash sales getting posted on their website. This is how we came about the 1 pound flights. So keep your eyes pealed on there for other cheap flights, as it really can save a ton of money.
The alternative is to have a look through a flight comparison website like Skyscanner. You can find some pretty cheap flights on here, providing you are ready to be flexible.
Getting Around Copenhagen on a Budget
Bicycle is definitely the best and probably cheapest way to get around.
Copenhagen is extremely bike friendly and cycling is the main way most people get about (there’s actually more bikes than cars in Copenhagen).
However, it’s worth noting the Danes take their cycling seriously. It is a way to commute and move around the city, not just a leisurely pastime.
So don’t dawdle too much and learn the rules of the road before you set out. Maybe avoid rush hour on your first couple of trips as well, until you are used to the system.
The bike system has it’s own lanes, traffic lights, junctions etc. usually separate to the car system. So it’s very safe to cycle around, in comparison to some other busy European cities.
There’s lots of bike hire available and lots can supply children’s bikes or, for even smaller kids, a child seat or tow carriage.
The longer you hire the better the deal usually. So hiring a bike by the day for the duration of your trip is usually the best way to go. But you can also use one of the bike sharing systems such as Bycyclen if you just need one for a short trip.
When you’re not on two wheels, then Copenhagen has a vast public transport network. With a Metro, Buses and Harbour Buses to get you wherever you need to go.
If you’re going to use the public transport a lot and you’re not getting a Copenhagen Card (more on that below) then it’s advisable to get a City Pass.
There are numerous ones to choose from for various ‘zones’ of the city. The ‘Small’ pass usually suffices to get you around the main attractions dotted about the city centre. If you do need to go further afield, or you’re staying outside this zone, you’ll need to get one of the larger area passes.
Easiest way to get tickets is on the app. You can get the link and any other information you need about the public transport on the DOT website.
Taxi’s should be a last resort for the budget travellers, as they are pretty expensive. And with all your other options they’re generally not necessary unless you are heading somewhere very obscure or in a massive rush.
There is no Uber in Copenhagen, so metred Taxi’s will be your best bet.
Look for the green ‘FRI’ sign in the window for available taxis. All the taxis are metred and there is a service charge included in the fare so no need to tip (the taxi driver will likely look puzzled if you do try to!).
Staying in Copenhagen on a Budget
Accommodation can be a pricey one in Copenhagen. But there are all the usual hacks that can help you out.
Using the usual price comparison websites such as booking.com are good for trying to find cheap deals.
Get out of your comfort zone and don’t just go for the standard hotels.
Hostels can always be a good go-to, even for families, as most still have some private rooms on offer. Some more unusual accommodation might also be a way to go. We managed to get a cheap Airbnb by staying on a small docked boat down by the marina.
Some accommodation will provide bikes as well, so look for those as this can save on a cost of the hiring a bike if it’s already included.
Couchsurfing is also a great way to stay somewhere for free. Some are very family friendly and it can be a great way to connect with locals as well if that’s what you’re after.
In terms of location, don’t worry too much about being bang in Copenhagen centre, as naturally the centre is where the more expensive stays are. And with the good options of transport, it shouldn’t be too difficult to commute into the centre if you are a little further out.
Eating in Copenhagen on a Budget
If you are looking to do Copenhagen on a budget then self catering will be your best bet. One of the best and most well known budget supermarket is Netto. Nadia has particularly fond memories of this superstore from it’s popular time in the UK back in the day! It’s cheap and vast in it’s selection.
To save even more, we even went to the extend of bringing some of our own food on the plane. As we were only taking hand luggage (again to keep costs down!) we could only take dry food and no fruit veg etc. in case of any customs problems.
So it was the likes of instant noodles, rice pots etc. that we shove in the bag. But it’s surprising how many meals you can make with just a kettle like we had!
When you’re out and about there are lots of good picnic spots and it’s common practise for the Danes to do this also. So pack a picnic and take it out for the day, as even buying a quick snack can catch you out if you’re not careful.
You can also drink for free the whole time you’re in Copenhagen!
Unfortunately I’m not talking about alcohol, but the Danish water is completely safe to drink. So there is no need to buy bottles of water.
Not only is the cost going to add up over time, but it’s also not great for the environment. Instead, get yourself a re-fillable bottle.
You’ll find drinking fountains in various locations around the city, so you’ll easily be able to keep filling your bottle as you go.
It’s ok to have a splurge of course, so a meal out to try some of the local dishes might take your fancy.
But again the usual rules for cutting costs apply; Don’t go to a restaurants right by a famous tourist site, they’re almost always more expensive. Look for the restaurants and cafes where you see lots of locals (they’re there for a reason!). And try to eat out at lunch rather than in the evening, it’s generally cheaper and there’s often deals on in some places, so keep an eye out.
You can try some of the local cuisine without hurting your wallet too much. Bakeries are everywhere and so a ‘Danish Pastry’ might be something you want to partake. Although it’s technically not originally Danish! But has still been made pretty famous by the Danes, so that’s enough of an excuse to get one whilst there!
A smørrebrød is also a classic in Denmark and one that can be found for reasonably cheap prices in shops and cafes. An open faced sandwich with various fillings it’s simple, but delicious, food to try when out and about.
Things to do in Copenhagen on a Budget
Ok, here’s where the real challenging part comes in.
As with all expensive places we visit, we tussle with how much to see and do when we’re on a budget. One part of us wants to save money and so limit what we do. The other part of us is screaming out that we might not be here again so just bite the bullet and spend the money.
We have to say, the latter argument normally wins and this is where we end up spending most of our cash.
But we think this is where you should spend the money if you can.
If you’ve worked hard cutting costs on all the other elements of your trip then you’ve earned the right to indulge a little in this area.
And you don’t want to have any regrets after you’ve left a place.
But even saying that there are some cost hacks you can do in Copenhagen that can hopefully still reduce the pain a little.
There are numerous things you can do for free. A trip to the Botanical Gardens for one. With a huge collection of plants and trees. You can wonder around this large green space to your hearts content.
Copenhagen’s most famous landmark is also free. The Little Mermaid sits proudly in the water at Langelinie Pier.
Children and indeed adults will likely know the Disney adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson tale, although the original is a little darker if you want to look into it!
Either way, you can head down to the pier and get a glimpse of this bronze and graphite statue for free.
You can see The Little Mermaid and other parts of the city from the canals on a cruise. There are lots to shooce from and the more basic ones are not too expensive and a good way to see the city.
Tivoli Gardens is usually a must for most people. A traditional theme park in the centre of the city.
Although it can be a bit pricey it might be something you and your kids don’t want to miss. When we went, me and Nadia were able to share a ride wristband to save a bit on cost, meaning we could take turns in going on the rides with the kids. Although there is limited info about this, it’s worth asking at the desk if you can to see if this is an option.
You can get all the other ticketing info at the Tivoli Gardens website.
An alternative or an additional theme park you can visit is Bakken. This is a little more out of the centre and takes a commute. But the good news on this one is it is free to enter and you can then cherry pick the rides you want to go on. It’s the oldest theme park in the world!
There are also numerous museums that are great for kids. Such as the Zoological Museum, Natural History Museum, The National Museum and Experimentarium Science Museum. Most do have a small entrance fee, so maybe choose the one or two that most take your fancy.
If you are going to be hitting a lot of the paid for sites, you should look into the Copenhagen Card.
On the face of it it might look quite pricey, but it includes lots of sites and public transport. You can also get kids a card for free for ages up to 11 and kids 12-15 get a discounted price. So for a family it can be a massive saving.
Do the maths and look at what you intend to see and if the card will save you some of those precious Krones!