Public Transport in Denmark 2026

⚠️ Update — June 2026: The physical Rejsekort is being phased out. Buses in Jutland and Funen stopped accepting the card from 28 May 2026. The card closes entirely on 29 June 2026. See the "What Replaces the Rejsekort" section below for your options.

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.

What Replaces the Rejsekort (From 29 June 2026)

The Rejsekort smartcard system — Denmark's national transit card for over a decade — is being replaced by a digital-first system. Here are your options as of mid-2026:

Option 1: Rejsebillet App (Easiest for Newcomers)

The Rejsebillet app lets you buy individual tickets on your phone before boarding. No check-in/out readers to tap — you just show the ticket if inspected. Available on iOS and Android. You pay by card in the app. Fares are slightly higher than the old Rejsekort discounted fares but comparable to single-ticket prices.

Best for: People who don't commute daily and want zero setup overhead.

Option 2: Rejsekort App (Closest to the Old System)

The Rejsekort app replicates the old physical card on your phone. You still check in and out at yellow readers — but you do it by tapping your phone screen on the reader rather than a physical card. There is no balance to load or top up — your journeys are charged automatically once a day to MobilePay, a payment card or Apple Pay, and your journey history is shown in the app.

Best for: Frequent commuters who want the cheapest per-journey fares (the discounted check-in/out pricing is preserved in the app).

Option 3: Basiskort (Physical Card for Non-Smartphone Users)

The Basiskort is a new physical card replacing the old Rejsekort Anonym — designed for people who don't have or want to use a smartphone. It works on most routes. Not as widely available as the old Rejsekort, so check rejsekort.dk for distribution points.

Best for: Older users, children, or anyone who prefers a physical card.

What about tapping a bank card?

None of the operators list tapping a contactless Visa or Mastercard at the readers as a ticket option: the Metro's own ticket page names only the Rejsekort app, the Rejsebillet app, the Basiskort and ticket machines, and Rejsekort & Rejseplan names the same three replacements. Use your bank card to pay inside the apps or at a machine instead.

The Zone System (Unchanged)

Regardless of which payment method you use, fares in Denmark are based on zones. The country is divided into fare zones and your ticket price depends on how many zones you cross.

In greater Copenhagen, most urban journeys are 2–3 zones. From the centre to the airport (Kastrup) is 3 zones. The further you travel, the more zones you cross and the more it costs. Zone maps are available in the Rejseplanen app and at all major stations.

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).

All new payment methods (Rejsekort app, Rejsebillet, Basiskort) work on DSB trains. For longer intercity journeys, seat reservations are sometimes required and can be booked through DSB's app or website.

The Copenhagen Metro

The Metro runs 24/7, every day of the year. Lines M1 and M2 share the stretch from Vanløse through Frederiksberg and the city centre, then split — M1 to Vestamager and M2 to the airport. Line M3 (the Cityringen) is a circular line with 17 stations connecting København H, the city centre, Østerbro, Nørrebro, Vesterbro and Frederiksberg. Line M4 runs to Orientkaj and through Sydhavn.

The Metro is the transport system that transitioned to digital payment earliest and most smoothly — the Rejsekort app, the Rejsebillet app and the Basiskort all work on all lines.

Airport to city: The Metro M2 runs directly to Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) from the city centre — roughly 14 minutes to Kongens Nytorv.

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.

Important: In Jutland and Funen, buses stopped accepting the physical Rejsekort from 28 May 2026. In Greater Copenhagen (Movia's Region H), the transition happened 29 June 2026. All buses now accept the Rejsebillet app, Rejsekort app and Basiskort.

Cycling: Often the Fastest Option

Around 45% of trips to work or education in Copenhagen were made by bike in 2023, 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 chaos.

For journeys under 5km in Copenhagen, cycling is almost always faster than public transport once you factor in walking to stations and waiting. It also costs nothing once you own a bike.

Renting a Bike

• Donkey Republic — app-based bike rental, available in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Odense. Prices vary by city and rental length — check the app. No docking stations — lock anywhere permitted.
• Traditional bike rental shops — around DKK 100–150/day for a basic city bike.

Cycling Rules

• Front and rear lights are required after dark — police 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 strongly recommended

Winter Cycling

Danes cycle year-round. Copenhagen prioritises clearing cycle lanes of snow. Get waterproof overtrousers, a good jacket, and mudguards. Studded tyres are available for icy conditions. You will adapt faster than you think.

Practical Tips for Newcomers

• Download Rejseplanen (rejseplanen.dk or the app) — the national journey planner covering all modes, available in English. It's excellent.
• Download the DSB app — for train times, tickets, and seat reservations on long-distance routes
• Download the Rejsekort app or Rejsebillet app — for your daily transit payments; the Rejsekort app charges your journeys automatically once a day, so there is no credit to top up
• Monthly commuter passes: DSB Pendlerkort are monthly passes for fixed commute routes — significantly cheaper than pay-as-you-go if you commute the same route daily. DSB's own Commuter Card is bought in the DSB app and a general Pendlerkort in the Rejsebillet app; the Rejsekort app and Basiskort instead offer Pendler Kombi, a fixed-price add-on for your chosen zones.
• Airport link: Metro M2 to Copenhagen Airport runs 24/7 — roughly 14 minutes to Kongens Nytorv