Practical guide · Checked 27 October 2026
Copenhagen to Aarhus by train: under three hours, city centre to city centre
Here in Denmark we usually take the train between Copenhagen and Aarhus. You board at Copenhagen Central Station, cross the Great Belt partly in a tunnel under the sea and partly on a long, low bridge, and step out in the middle of Aarhus a little under three hours later, a short walk from ARoS and the old town. This page has the real times and fares, what the cheap Orange tickets mean, and when driving is worth it instead.
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Quick answer: take a DSB train from København H to Aarhus H. The InterCityLyn takes about 2 h 48 and an ordinary InterCity a little over 3 hours, with more than 30 departures a day. Orange fares start at DKK 119 (about US$18 / £13) one way if you book ahead, and up to two children under 12 travel free with each adult. Book a seat ticket (DKK 30) on Fridays, Sundays and around holidays.
Checked 27 October 2026 against DSB's Copenhagen–Aarhus route page. Orange fares are "from" prices. US$ and £ amounts are rough conversions at the October 2026 ECB rate.
Train or car at a glance
| Option | Time | From | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSB InterCityLyn | ~2 h 48 | DKK 119 (Orange) | Most visitors |
| DSB InterCity | a little over 3 h | DKK 119 (Orange) | Same tickets, a few more stops |
| Car over the Great Belt Bridge | ~3 h 25, no stops | DKK 235 toll each way, plus fuel | Trips that carry on to Skagen, Mols Bjerge or LEGOLAND |
| Car and the Odden–Aarhus ferry | ~1½ h drive + 80–90 min sailing | Ferry fare | Drivers who prefer the sea to the motorway |
The train ride
Trains leave from Copenhagen Central Station (København H), right next to Tivoli, and arrive at Aarhus Central Station (Aarhus H) at the end of the main shopping street. On the way the train stops in Odense, so it is easy to break the journey for H.C. Andersen's town.
There is free wifi and a power socket at every seat on the route. You can bring your own food and drink on board, and here in Denmark we usually pick up a coffee and a cinnamon pastry at the station before we get on. The best views come in the minutes on the Great Belt Bridge, so try to sit on a window seat.
If you want more room, DSB 1' is the first-class option: newspapers, water, coffee and tea are included, breakfast is served until 10:00, and on weekdays you can use the DSB 1' lounges at København H and Aarhus H.
Tickets and fares
- Orange tickets are DSB's cheap fares, from DKK 119 (about US$18 / £13) on this route. They go on sale about two months before travel, are valid only on the train you book, and cannot be changed or refunded. The earlier you book, the better your chance of the lowest price.
- Standard tickets cost more but let you take any train on the day the ticket is valid, which is handy if your plans may shift.
- Seat tickets cost DKK 30 per journey. Seats are not included in the fare, and trains on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings fill up.
- Children: one adult can bring up to two children under 12 free on a Standard ticket. Children aged 12 to 15 get a discounted child ticket.
Buy on dsb.dk or in the DSB app. Both take international cards.
By car
The drive is about 305 km on the E20 and E45 and takes around 3 hours 25 minutes without stops. You pay to cross the Great Belt Bridge each way: DKK 235 (about US$35 / £26) for an ordinary car by card or cash in 2026. Add fuel and parking in central Aarhus, and the train usually comes out cheaper and quicker for one or two people.
The alternative is to drive about 1½ hours to Sjællands Odde and take Molslinjen's fast ferry across the Kattegat to Aarhus, which sails in about 80 to 90 minutes. It is a pleasant change from the motorway rather than a saving. Our driving in Denmark guide has the tolls, speed limits and parking rules.
A car does make sense if Aarhus is the start of a road trip, for example north to Skagen or west to LEGOLAND in Billund. In that case it is often easier to take the train to Aarhus and pick up a hire car there.
Where to stay in Aarhus
Aarhus is compact, so stay within walking distance of Aarhus H. The streets between the station, ARoS and the Latin Quarter put you close to most things, and Aarhus Ø on the harbour is newer and quieter. Our 48 hours in Aarhus plan shows how to fill two days.
Find a stay in central Aarhus →
Visiting in winter? ARoS is closed on Mondays from October to May, apart from a few holiday dates, while Den Gamle By is open every day of the year, so plan your Monday around the old town.
Quick answers
How long is the train from Copenhagen to Aarhus?
About 2 hours 48 minutes on DSB's InterCityLyn and a little over 3 hours on an ordinary InterCity train, from Copenhagen Central Station (København H) to Aarhus Central Station (Aarhus H). Both stations are in the middle of their cities.
How much is the train from Copenhagen to Aarhus?
On 27 October 2026 DSB advertised Orange fares from DKK 119 (about US$18 / £13) one way in Standard. Orange tickets go on sale about two months ahead, are valid only on the departure you pick, cannot be changed or refunded, and the cheap ones sell out first. A seat ticket is DKK 30 extra.
How many trains a day run from Copenhagen to Aarhus?
More than 30 a day, according to DSB, so in practice there is a train at least once an hour through the day.
Do children travel free on Danish trains?
Yes. One adult can take up to two children under 12 free on a Standard ticket. Children aged 12 to 15 get a discounted child ticket. Book seat tickets if you want to be sure of sitting together.
Is it better to drive or take the train from Copenhagen to Aarhus?
For most visitors the train. The drive is about 305 km and 3 hours 25 minutes without stops, and a car pays DKK 235 (about US$35) each way to cross the Great Belt Bridge by card, plus fuel and parking in Aarhus. Drive only if you want the car afterwards for places like Skagen, Mols Bjerge or LEGOLAND.
Is there a ferry from Copenhagen to Aarhus?
Not directly from Copenhagen. Molslinjen's fast ferries sail from Sjællands Odde, about 1½ hours' drive from Copenhagen, to Aarhus in about 80 to 90 minutes. It is an option if you are driving, not a cheaper way to get there.
Plan the trip
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See our where to stay in Copenhagen guide to pick an area.
ARoS, walking tours and Den Gamle By.
For the days before you head west.
Sources, checked 27 October 2026: DSB, Copenhagen–Aarhus · Storebælt prices · Molslinjen.