Copenhagen for US travelers: the practical first-trip guide.

Facts checked 25 October 2026 against the sources at the foot of this page. Schedules and prices change, so confirm on your booking.

Getting there: nonstop flights from the US

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) has nonstop flights to several US hubs, flown by SAS, Delta and American Airlines. In September 2026 those airlines flew 12 routes between Copenhagen and 10 US destinations, and US–Copenhagen passenger numbers were up 8% on a year earlier.

Some routes are summer-only. The airlines' winter schedule started on 25 October 2026, so check the airline's own timetable for your dates before you plan around a nonstop. Our guide to flights to Copenhagen from the US lists every nonstop route with its season, flight time and landing time, plus the cheapest months to fly. The airline timetables:

• SAS: US destinations (most US routes)
• Delta
• American Airlines: flights to Denmark

Compare flights to Copenhagen (Kiwi.com) →

What the flight means for day one: eastbound transatlantic flights mostly leave in the evening and land the next morning, often before hotel check-in (usually 14:00–15:00). Plan a light first day: leave your bags at the hotel (nearly all will store them), walk the harbour, and keep the big sights for day two.

Airport to the city

Take the M2 metro. It leaves from beneath the arrivals hall, reaches Kongens Nytorv (the stop for Nyhavn) in about 14 minutes and runs 24 hours a day. A taxi takes 25–35 minutes and costs several times more.

• City Pass Small (zones 1–4, which include the airport) gives unlimited travel from 100 kr for 24 hours. For a day or more of sightseeing it usually beats single tickets.
• The Copenhagen Card includes public transport, airport trip included (see below).

Our Copenhagen Airport guide covers tickets, trains to Central Station and late arrivals. Starting a Baltic or Norway cruise here? See our Copenhagen cruise port guide for the airport-to-ship route and the night before. Wondering whether a sightseeing bus is worth it? Our Copenhagen hop-on hop-off bus guide has the routes and ticket prices.

Money: dollars, kroner, cards and phones

• Currency: Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK, written "kr"), not the euro. Check the day's USD rate in your bank app rather than relying on a fixed conversion.
• Cards and phones are the default. VisitDenmark notes that many shops, cafés and restaurants are now cashless. Contactless Visa, Mastercard and Apple Pay are the easy options. Bring a card with no foreign transaction fee, and expect a PIN or photo ID to be asked for now and then.
• Pay in DKK, not USD. When a terminal or ATM offers to charge you in dollars, choose kroner: the "convert to USD" option usually carries a worse rate.
• International card fees: businesses may add a fee for international credit cards, and must tell you before you pay. If one appears, try a different card.
• MobilePay is for residents. Setting it up needs a Danish MitID and CPR number, so most visitors can't use it. Where a café or stall shows a MobilePay sign, ask whether it takes cards. Most do.

More on ATMs, SIM cards and scams: Denmark travel tips.

Tipping: service is included

Service charges are included in hotel, restaurant and taxi bills, so tipping is not required. In practice:

• Restaurants: no 18–20% add-on is expected. Rounding up, or a little extra for standout service, is a kind gesture, not an obligation.
• Bars, cafés, taxis: no tip expected.
• When a card terminal asks for a tip, choosing 0 is normal.

Plugs and voltage

Denmark uses two-pin continental plugs at 220–230 V, 50 Hz (the US uses Type A/B plugs at 120 V, 60 Hz).

• A plain Type C (Europlug) adapter fits Danish sockets and is the one to pack.
• Phone, laptop and camera chargers are usually dual-voltage (look for "100–240V" on the brick), so an adapter is enough.
• US-only 110/125 V hair dryers, straighteners and other heating appliances need a transformer, or leave them at home. Most hotels supply a hair dryer.

What a trip costs

Copenhagen is expensive, mostly at the table. Our budget guide shows where the money goes and where it is easy to save. Spend deliberately on three things: location (it saves transport and time), one memorable dinner, and the few paid sights you care most about. Save on drinks: bar prices are high and the tap water is excellent. For the full numbers in dollars, flights included, see how much a trip to Copenhagen costs, with 3, 5 and 7-day budgets.

Copenhagen Card vs CopenPay

They do different jobs, and you can use both.

Whether the card pays off depends on your list: run it through our Copenhagen Card calculator. Children aged 3–15 need their own (cheaper) cards.

Where to stay on a first trip

• Indre By (old centre): walk to most first-trip sights; the M2 runs straight from the airport.
• Christianshavn: canal-side and calmer, also on the M2, so the easiest airport run.
• Vesterbro: food and nightlife, close to Central Station for day trips.
• Nørrebro: local and lively; better on a second visit.

Compare every area in where to stay in Copenhagen, or go straight to our hotel picks.

48 hours or 5 days?

48 hours: the core city. Nyhavn and the harbour, Rosenborg and the King's Garden, Christianshavn, and Tivoli when it is open. Follow our free 48-hour guide or the 2-day plan. With a morning landing, count arrival day as a half day.

3 days: add one day trip, Kronborg Castle or the Louisiana museum. See the 3-day plan.

5 days: worth it for a transatlantic trip. Add Malmö in Sweden (about 35 minutes by train), Roskilde's Viking Ship Museum and a slow neighbourhood day. Ideas: day trips from Copenhagen, Malmö day trip, Roskilde.

7 days or more: add Stockholm by train and fly home from there. Our Copenhagen and Stockholm itinerary splits the nights and explains the open-jaw flight.

Want it done for you? Copenhagen in 5 Days, our day-by-day PDF (€9.97, ≈ US$11.20), or a US trip plan built around your flight times (595 kr, ≈ US$89; Premium with a video call at a launch price of 995 kr, ≈ US$150).

Copenhagen tours and tickets →

Before you fly: entry requirements (official sources only)

Denmark is in the Schengen area. Entry rules for US passport holders, including the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS, are set and updated by official bodies. Check your own case directly with:

• US Department of State: Denmark travel information
• New to Denmark: visa-free visits
• European Union: ETIAS
• European Union: Entry/Exit System

NordGuide doesn't give visa or immigration advice. These links go to the official sources. See also our pre-departure checklist.

First winter trip from the US: what to expect

Most American readers who land on this page are planning a first visit, often a long weekend built around the Christmas lights. Four things catch them out.

• Short days. Copenhagen gets about 7 hours of daylight in December: on 13 December 2026 the sun rises at 8:30 and sets at 15:36 (timeanddate.com). Do museums, castles and walks before 15:30, and keep Tivoli and the Christmas markets for after dark, when the lights are the point.
• Time difference. From November to March, Copenhagen is 6 hours ahead of New York and 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
• Day one after the overnight flight. Drop your bags at the hotel, stay outside in the daylight to reset your body clock, and keep the evening light: a walk along Strøget to Nyhavn, then Tivoli. Save the big museum for day two.
• Entry rules are changing, slowly. ETIAS has not started yet (see the answer below), so there is nothing to apply for today.

Book the first evening: Tivoli entry tickets (GetYourGuide, affiliate link) · Scandic Palace Hotel on City Hall Square, next to Tivoli (Booking.com, affiliate link). Two countries on one trip? See Copenhagen and Stockholm in 7 days.

Quick answers

Is Copenhagen safe for American travelers?

The US State Department rates Denmark Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, because of the risk of terrorism (advisory of 16 September 2024). Check the current advisory before you fly and enrol in STEP for embassy alerts. The US Embassy in Copenhagen answers emergencies on +45 3341 7100.

Do Americans need ETIAS to visit Denmark?

Not yet. The EU's official ETIAS site says ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are collected; the EU will announce the start date several months in advance. Websites that charge for an ETIAS application today are not official.

How many hours of daylight does Copenhagen get in December?

About 7. On 13 December 2026 the sun rises at 8:30 and sets at 15:36; on 21 December it is 8:37 to 15:38. Plan sightseeing for the morning and the lights for the evening.

What is the time difference between Copenhagen and the US?

From November to March, Copenhagen is 6 hours ahead of New York and 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles.

Are there nonstop flights from the US to Copenhagen?

Yes. SAS, Delta and American Airlines fly nonstop between Copenhagen and several US cities; in September 2026 that was 12 routes to 10 US destinations. Some routes run in summer only, so check the airline's own timetable for your dates.

Do I need cash in Copenhagen?

Rarely. Many shops, cafés and restaurants are cashless and take cards or phone payments only. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee and choose to pay in kroner (DKK), not dollars.

Can I use MobilePay as a tourist?

Usually not. Setting up MobilePay needs a Danish MitID and a Danish CPR number. Places that show a MobilePay sign almost always take cards as well.

Should I tip in Copenhagen?

Service charges are included in hotel, restaurant and taxi bills, so tipping is not required. Leaving a little for great service is up to you, and choosing no tip on a card terminal is normal.

What plug adapter do I need for Denmark?

Denmark uses two-pin continental plugs at 220–230 V, 50 Hz. A Type C (Europlug) adapter fits. Most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage (look for 100–240V); 110/125 V appliances such as many US hair tools need a transformer.

How do I get from Copenhagen Airport to the city?

Take the M2 metro from beneath the arrivals hall: about 14 minutes to Kongens Nytorv, running 24 hours a day. A 24-hour City Pass Small (100 kr) covers the airport and the city.

Is the Copenhagen Card worth it for Americans?

It depends on how many paid attractions you plan, not on where you are from. The adult card costs 589 kr for 24 hours and includes public transport from the airport. Run your list through our free calculator before you buy.

Sources, checked 25 October 2026: route and passenger figures from Copenhagen Airport's September 2026 release, as reported by Aviation24.be; tipping, cashless payments, card fees and plugs from VisitDenmark and Wonderful Copenhagen; CopenPay from Visit Copenhagen; Copenhagen Card prices from copenhagencard.com (checked 20 October 2026); City Pass from DOT; MobilePay sign-up from Vipps MobilePay.

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