Public Transport in Denmark Guide

Denmark's public transport network is genuinely good. It's not cheap by global standards, but it is reliable, clean, and well-integrated. Trains run on time. Buses connect the gaps. And for anywhere within Copenhagen proper, the metro is faster than a taxi at any hour of the day. Before all of that, though, you need a Rejsekort.

What Is the Rejsekort?

The Rejsekort (literally "travel card") is Denmark's national transit smartcard. It works on trains, buses, the Copenhagen Metro, and light rail (Letbane) across the country. You check in when you board and check out when you leave — the system calculates the fare and deducts it from your balance. Forget to check out and you get charged the maximum fare for the zone, so don't forget.

There are two main card types:

Card Type	What It Is	CPR Required?
Rejsekort Personligt	Registered to your name, cheapest fares, lost cards can be recovered	Yes
Rejsekort Anonym	Anonymous prepaid card, slightly higher fares, no registration	No

If you have a CPR number, always get the Personligt. The fares are 20–25% cheaper than buying single tickets, and if you lose the card, Rejsekort can transfer your balance to a new one.

How to Get One

• DSB ticket machines at train stations (Rejsekort Anonym only at machines — Personligt requires online or customer centre)
• 7-Eleven and Netto stores (Anonym only, costs DKK 80 for the card itself)
• Rejsekort.dk — order online with MitID, you get Personligt, card arrives by post in a few days
• DSB customer centres at major stations — you can get a Personligt in person with ID

The card requires a minimum deposit of DKK 70 (Anonym) or DKK 100 (Personligt). Top up at any machine, 7-Eleven, or through the Rejsekort app or website.

Loading Credit and Checking In

Load credit at ticket machines, at 7-Eleven, or via the Rejsekort app (auto top-up is the easiest option — it reloads automatically when your balance drops below a threshold you set). Always tap the yellow Rejsekort readers when you board — they're at every bus door, metro gate, and train platform entrance.

Tap again when you leave. The yellow readers at exits deduct your fare based on distance travelled. On buses, tap in on the front reader and out on the same reader when leaving. On trains and metro, there are readers at both entry and exit.

DSB Trains

DSB (Danske Statsbaner) runs the intercity train network. The S-tog is the suburban rail network in greater Copenhagen — it goes from the city centre out to suburbs like Hillerød, Køge, and Klampenborg. The IC and ICE trains connect Copenhagen to Aarhus (roughly 3 hours), Odense (1.5 hours), and Aalborg (4.5 hours).

The Rejsekort works on all of these. For longer journeys, you can sometimes get cheaper fares by booking seat reservations through DSB's app or website in advance (required on some routes, recommended on busy ones).

The Copenhagen Metro

The Metro runs 24/7, every day of the year. Lines M1 and M2 form a loop through the city centre, going through Vanløse, Frederiksberg, the city centre, and out to the airport. Line M3 (the Cityringen) is a circular line connecting Nørreport, Rådhuspladsen, Frederiksberg, Islands Brygge, and back — it opened in 2019 and significantly improved transport across the inner city.

Line M4 runs to Orientkaj and through Sydhavn, with more extensions planned. Fares use the zone system — most journeys within Copenhagen are 2 zones, which with Rejsekort Personligt costs around DKK 18–24.

Movia Buses (Greater Copenhagen Region)

Movia operates buses across Copenhagen and the surrounding region. Bus routes are frequent on main corridors but less so in outer areas. Night buses (N routes) run after the Metro and S-tog stop, roughly midnight to 5am on weekdays and all night on weekends. Night bus fares are slightly higher.

The Rejsekort works on all Movia routes. Remember to check out — it's easy to forget on short bus journeys.

Letbane (Light Rail)

Several Danish cities outside Copenhagen have Letbane light rail systems. The Aarhus Letbane opened in 2017 and connects the city centre to the suburbs. Odense's Letbane opened in 2022. These are fully integrated with the Rejsekort system and work exactly the same way.

Cycling: Often the Fastest Option

More than 62% of Danes in Copenhagen cycle to work every day, and for good reason. Cycling infrastructure in Copenhagen is world-class — separated lanes on almost every major road, traffic lights timed for cyclists (the "green wave" on Nørrebrogade gives you continuous green lights if you cycle at 20km/h), and an almost complete absence of the chaos that cycling involves in most cities.

For journeys under 5km in Copenhagen, cycling is almost always faster than public transport once you factor in walking to stations and waiting.

Renting a Bike

• Bycyklen — Copenhagen's smart e-bike sharing scheme. Unlock via the Bycyklen app, DKK 30 for the first 30 minutes then DKK 3/minute. Docking stations across the city centre. The e-assist makes hills and headwinds irrelevant.
• Donkey Republic — app-based bike rental, available in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Odense. DKK 25–35 per hour, or weekly passes around DKK 199. No docking stations — lock anywhere permitted.
• Traditional bike rental shops — around DKK 100–150/day for a basic city bike.

Cycling Rules

• You must have front and rear lights after dark (or in poor visibility) — police do issue on-the-spot fines
• Cycling on the pavement is illegal except where specifically marked
• Use hand signals when turning
• Give way to pedestrians at crossings
• Helmets are not legally required for adults but are strongly recommended — wear one

Winter Cycling

Danes cycle year-round. Copenhagen keeps cycle lanes clear of snow and ice as a priority. Get waterproof overtrousers, a good jacket, and mudguards. Studded tyres are available if you're cycling in icy conditions outside Copenhagen where roads may not be as well maintained. You'll see businesspeople in suits cycling through January rain as though it's nothing — you'll adapt faster than you think.

Practical Tips

• Download the Rejsekort app — it lets you check your balance, see journey history, and set up auto top-up
• Download the DSB app — for train times, buying supplementary tickets, and seat reservations
• Journey planner: Rejseplanen (rejseplanen.dk or the app) is the national journey planner covering all modes. It's excellent and available in English
• Airport to city: The Metro M2 runs directly to Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) from the city centre — roughly 14 minutes to Kongens Nytorv, DKK 36 with Rejsekort
• Monthly commuter passes: DSB Pendlerkort are monthly passes for specific routes — if you commute the same route daily, they can work out significantly cheaper than pay-as-you-go