During our city trip to Copenhagen, we made full use of the Copenhagen Card. It’s a pass that gives you access to dozens of attractions and unlimited public transport. Super handy when traveling with kids, but also a great way to save money in a city that isn’t exactly cheap.
We often get the question whether the Copenhagen Card is worth buying. After spending two separate five-day trips in the city, our answer is pretty simple: yes, absolutely. But… it does depend a bit on what you plan to do.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly how the card works, what’s included, what we think of it, and when it is, or isn’t, worth it.
Mini Guide:
Copenhagen with Kids
Best Time To Visit
May to September for good weather or December for the holiday vibes
Where To Stay
– Tivoli Hotel: Family friendly hotel with a pool and playful details.
– Scandic Spectrum: Modern hotel with a great breakfast.
– Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade: Affordable option for families in a central location.
Before You Go
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What Is the Copenhagen Card?
The Copenhagen Card is a tourist pass that gives you free access to more than 80 museums and attractions in and around Copenhagen. It includes popular spots like:
- Tivoli Gardens: regular entrance €21.45 per person (ages 8 and up) and €10.75 per child (ages 3–7).
- Canal tour through Copenhagen: normally around €20 per adult and €10 per child (ages 6–15).
- Rosenborg: regular entrance €18.75 per adult. Children up to 18 years get in for free.
- Christiansborg: regular entrance €26.15 per adult. Children up to 18 years get in for free.
- Rundetaarn: regular entrance €5.35 per adult and €1.35 for children aged 5–15.
- Botanical Garden: regular entrance €9.40 per adult and €5.35 for children aged 3–17.
- Experimentarium: Regular entrance €30.20 per person for anyone over 12 years old and €18.80 for children aged 2–11.
On top of that, you get unlimited access to public transport, including buses, metro, and trains, even to and from the airport. Especially when traveling with kids, this makes a big difference. No hassle with tickets, no waiting in line, just hop on and go.
➜ Check all attractions included in the Copenhagen Card Discover here.
Our Experience With the Copenhagen Card (With Kids)
During our spring break, we used the card for five days. Not just to save money, but also because it made everything easier. Especially with two young kids, that makes a big difference.
We had actually used the Copenhagen Card before, back when we were traveling without kids, and even then we found it super convenient. With kids, it just became even more relaxed.
The Benefits of the Copenhagen Card (Our Experience)
- With the Copenhagen Card, you can hop on the metro or train anytime. Everything runs frequently, it’s clean, and you never have to think about tickets.
- You can easily explore areas outside the city center too, since all public transport is included. No second guessing whether it’s worth taking the metro.
- Traveling with young kids? It’s perfect. Plans change all the time, and with this card you don’t have to buy new tickets every time. Too crowded somewhere? Just move on and come back later.
- The card is linked to a simple app that works as your ticket. Scan and go, that’s.
- At popular attractions, you can walk straight in. No need to think about entrance fees or buying tickets on the spot.
- You’ll quickly get your money’s worth, especially at more expensive places like Tivoli, Experimentarium, Botanisk Have, and the canal tour.
- We also visited smaller spots without thinking twice, like the Botanical Garden. You don’t have to constantly decide if something is “worth the money”.
In short, the biggest advantage is how easy everything becomes. You hop on the metro, walk into attractions, and skip the hassle of separate tickets.
Want more ideas for traveling with kids in Copenhagen?
➜ Read our top 10 things to do in Copenhagen with kids.
What Does the Copenhagen Card Cost?
There are two options when buying the card:
- Copenhagen Card Discover:
The most popular option, with access to 80+ attractions and unlimited public transport. - Copenhagen Card Hop:
Gives access to a limited number of attractions plus hop-on hop-off buses. This option is more expensive and less interesting, so we wouldn’t recommend it.
You can choose between different durations: 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours. It depends on what fits your trip best. We stayed in Copenhagen for five full days and went for the 120-hour option.
These are the current prices of the Copenhagen Card Discover:
| Copenhagen Card Discover | Price |
|---|---|
| 24 hours – adult (16+) | €67,00 |
| 24 hours – junior (12–15 years) | €38,00 |
| 48 hours – adult (16+) | €100,00 |
| 48 hours – junior (12–15 years) | €54,00 |
| 72 hours – adult (16+) | €124,00 |
| 72 hours – junior (12–15 years) | €66,00 |
| 96 hours – adult (16+) | €144,00 |
| 96 hours – junior (12-15 years) | €78,00 |
| 120 hours – adult (16+) | €161,00 |
| 120 hours – junior (12-15 years) | €87,00 |
For each Copenhagen Card purchased, you can bring two children aged 3 to 11 for free. You do need to add them during the booking process, so they each get their own (free) card in the app. Children aged 0 to 2 are always free and don’t need their own Copenhagen Card.
If you’re traveling with one adult and three children aged 3 to 11, you’ll unfortunately need to purchase an additional junior card according to the rules.
How Does the Copenhagen Card Work?
It’s super simple. Follow the steps below and you’re good to go.
- Buy your card online
We recommend buying it via GetYourGuide. It’s an easy and reliable option. You get instant confirmation, your card is ready right away in the app, and you can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance. - Download the app
Install the Copenhagen Card City Guide app. This is where all your cards will be stored. - Add everyone in your group
Each adult and child gets their own digital card inside the app. - Activate your card
Activate it when you’re ready to start using it. From that moment, your selected time period (24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours) starts running. - Scan and go
Show your QR code at attractions and on public transport. You only need internet to activate the card, after that everything works offline.
When Is the Copenhagen Card Worth It?
- If you want to visit multiple attractions
- If you’re traveling with kids, since public transport is included and many attractions are free
- If you don’t want the hassle of separate tickets or a last-minute change of plans
- If you plan to use the metro or train frequently
- If you want to explore places outside the city center, like the Experimentarium or Copenhagen Zoo
When Is the Copenhagen Card Less Worth It?
- If you mainly want to do free activities
- If you plan to explore almost everything on foot
- If you’re not visiting any museums or attractions
- If you’re only staying in Copenhagen for one day, since the Copenhagen Card can feel relatively expensive.
Where to Stay in Copenhagen?
If you’re using the Copenhagen Card, it’s smart to stay somewhere central. From these hotels, you can easily hop on the metro and reach most places within minutes. Ideal if you plan to use public transport a lot:
Tivoli Hotel (city center)
⭑⭑⭑⭑ 8,4 on Booking.com
Price Range: €€€ (higher segment)
A great choice for families who like a hotel with a bit of extra character. The interior has subtle references to Tivoli, there’s an indoor pool kids will immediately love, and the family rooms are spacious. The location is perfect, you can walk to the city center or take the metro to explore the rest of Copenhagen.
➜ Check availability
Scandic Spectrum (centrum)
⭑⭑⭑⭑ 8,0 on Booking.com
Price Range: €€ (mid-range)
A modern hotel with lots of space and natural light, ideal when traveling with kids. The rooms are comfortable, the breakfast buffet is extensive, and the overall vibe is relaxed. Thanks to its location between the water and the city, you can easily go in any direction, whether you’re heading out for a walk or jumping on the metro.
➜ Check availability
Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade (centrum)
⭑⭑⭑⭑ 8,0 on Booking.com
Price Range: € (budget)
A solid budget option right in the city center. The rooms are compact but cleverly designed, so you have everything you need for a city trip. The location is a big plus: within walking distance of Nyhavn, playgrounds, and nice places to eat. Perfect if you want to stay central without spending too much.
➜ Check availability
Why the Copenhagen Card Is Totally Worth It
We would buy the card again without hesitation. Not just because of the savings, but mainly because of how easy it makes everything. You can hop on the metro without thinking, walk straight into a museum, or spontaneously jump on a canal tour. Especially with kids, that saves you a lot of hassle.
It simply made our days easier, exactly what you want during a city trip.
Plan Your Trip to Copenhagen
More Things to Do in Copenhagen With Kids
Looking for more inspiration for your city trip? We’ve created a full guide with our favorite things to do in Copenhagen. From playgrounds and kid-friendly museums to Tivoli Gardens, the iconic amusement park that really comes alive in the evening. And of course the Experimentarium, the interactive museum our kids didn’t want to leave. Read our top 10 things to do in Copenhagen with kids.
The Best Hotels and Accommodations in Copenhagen
Check out the most family-friendly stays on Booking.com.
Renting a Car in Copenhagen
Compare prices with DiscoverCars and Booking.com.
Tours and Activities in Copenhagen
Want to plan something fun for your city trip? GetYourGuide offers plenty of activities in and around Copenhagen, from boat tours to museum tickets..
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