Is Copenhagen Card Worth Buying in 2024?

The No.1 doubt a traveler has while planning a trip to Copenhagen or after landing at the airport is whether they should buy the Copenhagen card, whether it gives value for money, and whether it is worth buying.

I live in Copenhagen and I’m here to answer it for you. Having explored Copenhagen’s top sights with and without the card, I know exactly what this pass offers and how to get the most out of it.

Let’s break down what’s included with the Copenhagen Card, the types of cards available, and who it’s best for.

By the end, you’ll know if this tourist card is the right choice for your Copenhagen trip!

What is Copenhagen Card?

First introduced in 1984, the Copenhagen Card is a 100% digital city card used to explore the attractions in the capital city of Copenhagen and other attractions in Denmark.

The Copenhagen Card is a convenient way to experience Copenhagen. It includes unlimited free public transportation and free admission to many tourist attractions.

Copenhagen Card Validity

The Copenhagen Card expires two years from the date of purchase. Once purchased, the card’s validity cannot be extended.

If you haven’t used the Copenhagen Card within six months from the date of purchase, then a full refund can be availed. If you’re past the refund period, you can exchange it once, for a new one within a year from the purchase date.

The Copenhagen Card works on a 24-hour cycle which means that it is valid until the same time the next day. For example, if you activate the card at 8 AM in the morning, it is valid until 8 AM the next day.

Types of Copenhagen Card

There are two types of Copenhagen cards.

1. Discover Card
2. Hop Card

Copenhagen Card: Discover Vs Hop

Confused should you buy a Discover Card or a Hop Card? Here are the key differences for the Discover and Hop Copenhagen Cards.

Copenhagen Card Price

So, how much is the Copenhagen Card? The cost of the Copenhagen Card Discover starts from 499 DKK for adults while the Copenhagen Card Hop price starts from 279 DKK for adults.

The Copenhagen card is free for kids under 12 years of age. The kid’s card cannot be bought separately. You need to buy the free kids card while purchasing an adult ticket.

Discover Copenhagen Card Price

Hop Copenhagen Card Price

Copenhagen Card Calculator: Is it Worth the Price?

It totally depends on the number of attractions you are planning to visit.

Add the attractions you’re planning to visit in this Copenhagen Card Calculator. It will tell you if it is worth buying the Copenhagen Card.

The FREE Copenhagen Card Savings Calculator comes in handy to plan and calculate how much you save. Although the Copenhagen Card might seem expensive, this calculator shows accurately if it will benefit you.

Which Copenhagen Card Should You Buy? Discover or Hop?

The Discover Card covers all attractions included in the Hop Card and is ideal for longer stays (4-5 days). Opt for the Discover Card if you want comprehensive access across the city.

The Hop Card offers the convenience of exploring the city on comfortable double-decker Hop-On-Hop-Off (HOHO) buses. Choose the Hop Card if you prioritize comfort and flexibility, but keep in mind that airport transport is not included in the Hop Card, and you’ll need to pay extra for that.

Copenhagen Card Discounts

Copenhagen Card or CPH Card used to offer discounts on cafes and restaurants, but not anymore. Ever since the new plan was revised in 2024, the discounts on cafes and restaurants for the Copenhagen Cards are not applicable.

Copenhagen Travel Card Tips: How to maximize your Savings?

• Use the Copenhagen Card savings calculator to see if it is worth buying for the attractions you’re planning to visit.
• Prepare a rough itinerary, including the transportation. Additionally, list down the priorities so you don’t miss anything you want to visit.
• Activate the Copenhagen Card only when you are ready to use it as the Discover card includes airport transfer.
• If you are staying for 4-5 days, you will get more value because there are tons of places to visit in Copenhagen, Denmark.

What is Included in the Copenhagen Card?

1. Free Entrance To Tourist Attractions & Museums

The Discover Card includes more than 80 major city attractions, while the Hop Card includes over 40 attractions. 

Check the attraction’s website for opening hours, as they are subject to change according to the season. Several attractions are also closed on Mondays and public holidays, and some may require pre-booking.

Be aware that you are entitled to “one visit per attraction”. You cannot revisit the attractions with the Copenhagen Card.

2. Free Transportation Services

With the Copenhagen Card Discover, you get unlimited free public transportation in Copenhagen and access to all the attractions included in the card.

You can ride the metro, commuter S-trains, regional and local trains, public buses, and harbor buses as many times as you want in the entire Zealand area between zones 1 and 99 for absolutely free of cost. The free public transportation does not cover the entire Denmark.

The free transportation for the Discover card includes travel to towns outside Copenhagen including Roskilde, Lejre, Hillerød, Helsingør (Elsinore), Ishøj, Humlebæk, Rungsted, Køge, and Frederikssund.

With the Copenhagen Card Hop, you get unlimited rides on the Stromma’s Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) buses. Additionally, the HOHO buses include an audioguide in 12 different languages so you can learn about the sights and areas as you pass on the way. No free public transportation with the Hop Card.

Does the Copenhagen Card Cover only Copenhagen?

No, besides exploring the attractions in Copenhagen city, you can visit the attractions in other areas of Denmark as well.

Of which Aarhus, Odense, Ribe, Roskilde, and Helsingør have multiple attractions listed while other areas have only one or two attractions listed on their official website or app.

Where to Buy Copenhagen Card?

Copenhagen Card can be bought online from their official website or from their mobile applications – App Store and Play Store. Copenhagen Cards are 100% digital and are not sold physically in the stores.

The easier way is to purchase it from Get Your Guide – Discover and Hop card. It is a popular choice among travelers.

How to Activate the Copenhagen Card?

The Copenhagen Card can be activated only by installing their mobile app. It cannot be activated on their official website.

Install the mobile app –  App Store and Play Store. Enter the activation code you received in the email (not visible on the mobile app) to activate the pass. It is very simple and easy. Also, you can keep more than one card in one mobile app.

If you have trouble activating the card, visit the Copenhagen tourist center. They’ll help you with the activation.

Copenhagen Card – What You Need to Know Before Buying?

• You can’t visit all 80+ attractions and 40+ attractions in the given time as advertised.
• The Copenhagen Card must be used on consecutive days. Once activated, the countdown starts, and it expires at the specified duration of the card.
• Attraction timings change with the season. Check for the opening hours before planning.
• The Copenhagen Card does not provide fast-track entry. Popular attractions like Rosenborg Castle and Christiansborg Palace can be crowded during peak season, often with long queues.
• You cannot revisit the attractions including the Tivoli Gardens. Only one visit per attraction is allowed.
• Many attractions are closed on Mondays and public holidays. During the Christmas and New Year holiday season, several attractions may also remain closed. So plan accordingly.
• Prebooking is needed for the places mentioned below.
  • Home of Carlsberg & Church of Our Saviour both require pre-booking. 
  • Rosenborg Castle requires you to book a time slot in advance or go there and get a same-day ticket.
  • It is advised to pre-book the Copenhagen Canal tours as there is always a long queue.

Pros of Buying a Copenhagen Card

• Skip the long queues to buy tickets on a busy day.
• You don’t need to buy individual tickets for each attraction. With the Copenhagen Card, you pay once and gain access to all included attractions.
• The validity of the Copenhagen Card is calculated in 24-hour increments, not by the end of the calendar day.
• With the Copenhagen Cards, you don’t have to worry about figuring out the transportation. The Discover Card covers all public transport while the Hop Card covers HOHO buses.
• The Copenhagen Card is of great value if you want to cover multiple sites.

Cons of Buying a Copenhagen Card

• You can only visit a limited number of attractions at a given time. You cannot visit all 80+ attractions with Discover or 40+ attractions with Hop as advertised.
• Only one entry is allowed per attraction. No revisits are allowed with the Copenhagen Card.
• You might feel pressured to visit more attractions each day to make the pass worthwhile.
• Most attractions in Copenhagen offer free entry for children under 18 (ages 0-17). However, a Copenhagen Card is charged for children aged 12-15. With the Copenhagen Card, anyone above 16 is considered an adult.
• If you are a student with a valid ID, a youth below 28 years, or a pensioner of Denmark above 67, you get special discounts in some attractions. No such things exist for Copenhagen Cards. Apply the discounts in the Copenhagen Card savings calculator to get accurate results.

Should You Buy a Copenhagen Card?

YES, the CPH Card would be worth it if…

• You’re on a short trip and want to cover several attractions. The more attractions you visit, the more you save!
• Your main area of travel includes Copenhagen where most of the attractions are included.
• You are a DIY traveler or would like to preplan to get the most value.
• You appreciate using public transport for transit and cannot walk around longer.
• You need more freedom to explore the city without worrying about transportation costs.

In these cases, the Copenhagen Card might be the best solution for you. The best price is available on Klook.

The Copenhagen tourist card might not be worth it if…

• You have more time to explore Denmark (5+ days)
• You want to explore the places more thoroughly by spending more time in each attraction.
• You can walk between the places. Most attractions are located within walking distance.
• You prefer a laid-back, hassle-free relaxed vacation without a strict schedule and aren’t too concerned about the budget.
• You need rest and cannot explore on consecutive days.

Should you buy a City Pass Instead?

If the Copenhagen Card Calculator suggests visiting attractions directly, without buying the Copenhagen Card, consider getting a City Pass instead. You may also want a City Pass if you fall under the “Copenhagen Card is not for you” category.

Copenhagen Card Vs City Pass

The Copenhagen Card provides free access to attractions and unlimited transportation (for Discover Card) and HOHO buses (for Hop Card), while the Copenhagen City Pass includes only unlimited transportation options and does not offer free entry to tourist spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Is the Copenhagen Card Worth the Cost?

Now, you have the answer to the most frequently asked question by the tourists visiting COpenhagen!

With free access to major attractions and unlimited public transportation, the Copenhagen Card is extremely valuable if you plan to visit many attractions in a short time.

I have personally recommended the Copenhagen Card to my friends and family when they visited the city last year.

If you’re a first-time visitor aiming to explore Copenhagen’s top sights, the Copenhagen Card offers both convenience and savings making it a worthwhile investment.