Port Profiles | Portipedia

A few key points that you should keep in mind if you are cruising to or from Copenhagen:

• Most cruise passengers arrive in Copenhagen at one of three places: Copenhagen Airport (Copenhagen serves as the initial port of departure for many cruises); or for those arriving by sea, Langelinie Pier or Freeport Terminal.
• If your cruise is departing from Copenhagen, we suggest you arrive at least a day before your cruise so that you can take in the sights before setting sail. Ideally, arrive two days early to see more of what Copenhagen has to offer.
• If you spend an extra day or two in Copenhagen, make sure you see our section on the Copenhagen Card, a money-saving program that provides free or discounted admission to attractions and transportation within greater Copenhagen.
• PLEASE NOTE: Prices and exchange rates mentioned here are approximate. Rates may vary.
• Be sure to visit Ralph Grizzle’s Coming To Copenhagen

Where do I find my ship?
Ships usually dock at either the Langelinie Pier or the Freeport Terminal. Langelinie is about a 30-minute walk to the city center (or a short taxi, bus or train ride). Freeport is about a 60-minute walk to the city center.

How do I get from Copenhagen Airport to the city center?
Most cruise lines offer transfers, but if you want to transfer on your own, Copenhagen has the fastest and cheapest airport-to-city-center rail link of any European capital. The journey takes just 13 minutes and costs about US$5 per person. Trains leave every 20 minutes. Purchase tickets at the DSB (Danish State Railways) counter in the arrival hall. The train station is located beneath the airport arrival hall.

How do I get from Copenhagen Airport to Langelinie Pier?
There are three convenient ways to get from the airport to Langelinie Pier.

• Shuttle: Shuttle services are usually available from the airport to Langelinie Pier. Contact your cruise line directly for information.
• Taxi: A taxi from the airport to Langelinie will take approximately 25 minutes and cost about DKK 200-250 depending on traffic.
• Public transportation: From the airport arrival hall, DSB (Danish State Railways) trains leave every 20 minutes. It will take 12 minutes to reach Central Station. From there you can take a taxi to the pier. Or stay on the train another 3 minutes to reach Osterport Station. From outside Osterport Station, bus number 26 to Langelinie Pier departs every 20 minutes. The bus ride to Langelinie from the station is approximately 5 minutes. The total trip will cost about DKK 23.

How do I get from Copenhagen Airport to Freeport Terminal?
There are three ways to get from the airport to Freeport Terminal.

• Shuttle: Shuttle services are usually available from the airport to Freeport Terminal. Contact your cruise line directly for information.
• Taxi: Taxis are located right outside the airport. A taxi from the airport will take approximately 30 minutes and cost about DKK 250-300.
• Public transportation: It is not possible to take public transportation all the way, but you can take the train to Nordhavn Station, and then grab a taxi from there. From the airport arrival hall, DSB (Danish State Railways) trains leave every 20 minutes. It will take approximately 18 minutes to reach Nordhavn Station. The cost is about DKK 23. A taxi from the Nordhavn Station to Freeport Terminal will take approximately 10 minutes and cost DKK 50-70.

How to I get from Langelinie Pier to the city center?

• On foot: You can walk, in less than 30 minutes, to the city center from Langelinie Pier. Along the way, you’ll pass some of the city’s best-known attractions: the Little Mermaid, the symbol of Copenhagen in the form of a bronze statue of a character from a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale; Amalienborg Palace (the royal residence since 1751 where you can see the changing of the guard if you pass at noon), and the charming canal street known as Nyhavn, with its colorful old wooden schooners, outdoor restaurants and sailors’ bars lining the canal. At Nyhavn, you can even hop a 50-minute canal cruise for DKK 50 to see Copenhagen from the perspective of the water. Or walk across Kongens Nytorv square, at the end of the harbor, to reach Europe’s longest pedestrian street, Stroget.
• By bike: Copenhagen has 2,500 “City Bikes” that anyone can pedal away on simply by inserting a DKK 20 coin into the bike’s locking mechanism. Lock your bike upon return at any of 110 bike-parking stations to retrieve your coin. City bikes are hard to miss. They are bright blue or rousing red and carry “billboard” advertisements on the frame. Cruise passengers will find bikes available near the Langelinie Pier. To locate the bikes from Langelinie Pier, ask directions at the Cruise Copenhagen Information Center alongside the pier.
• By bus: Bus number 26 leaves every 20 minutes from the Langelinie Pier. It takes approximately 15 minutes to the city center and costs DKK 15 The ticket is good for one hour should you decide to transfer buses. Note: You can change small amounts of currency at the Cruise Information Center, located pierside.
• By waterbus: You can get to the city center by waterbus, which departs from the polar bear statue at the end of the pier. A one-day ticket costs DKK 40. You can hop on and off as much as you like.
• By taxi: Taxi will cost approximately DKK 70-90 and take approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on the traffic, to the city center.

How do I get from the Freeport Terminal to the city center?

• On foot: Walking from the Freeport to the city center takes about an hour, but it’s a pleasant walk.
• Shuttle: Shuttle buses are usually right outside the vessels. Contact your cruise line directly for information.
• Taxi: Taxis will cost approximately DKK 100-150. Depending on the traffic, the trip will take about 10-15 minutes.

Where do I find taxis?
There are taxi stands at Copenhagen Airport, Langelinie Pier and Freeport Terminal. In the city center you will find taxi stands everywhere, but it’s also easy to flag down taxis on the street. Tel. +45 35 35 35 35 (consult your long-distance phone carrier for instructions on dialing international.) You can also use this number if you want to request a taxi equipped for handicap accessories such as wheelchairs.

Where can I rent a car in Copenhagen?
Avis (Airport location)
Copenhagen Airport
2770 Kastrup
Tel. +45 32512099

Avis (City location)
Kapmannsgade 1
1604 Copenhagen V
Tel. +45 337340

Does Copenhagen have a central shopping district?
The main shopping areas are situated at and around Europe’s longest pedestrian street, called Stroget. The entrance to Stroget is approximately 30 minutes walk from the Langelinie Pier and one hour walk from the Freeport. Stroget runs from Kongens Nytorv square to Radhuspladsen (Town Hall Square), about one mile.

To get to Strøget. from the Langelinie Pier take local bus number 26, which departs every 20 minutes to Stroget.

You can also go by waterbus, which departs from the polar bear statue at the end of the pier. The waterbus will also take you to Fisketorvet, which is a large mall with all kinds of shops, restaurants, and movie theaters.

From the Freeport Terminal to Kongens Nytorv, where Stroget begins, shuttle buses are usually available. (See sections on how to get to the city center from Langelinie Pier and the Freeport.)

There is a nice shopping promenade at the Langelinie Pier with all kinds of outlets, shops, casual cafes and more. Scandinavia’s largest shopping mall, Field’s, is near the airport.

Can I spend U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies in Copenhagen?
Most tourist attractions will accept payment in foreign currencies. However, the local currency is Danish Kroner, DKK. You can change money at banks, or for competitive exchange rates and less hassle, change at ATM machines located throughout the city. Of course, major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Is there a package that provides admission to various attractions, all for one price?
Yes. If you’re in Copenhagen for the day only, pick up a Copenhagen Card, which gives you free entrance or considerable discounts to 60 of the most popular museums and attractions in Copenhagen. The cards are valid for either 24 or 72 hours. You may purchase cards at Copenhagen airport, at major train stations, at most hotels or online at www.copenhagencard.com.

How do I find information once in Copenhagen?
There is a Cruise Information Center located at Langelinie Pier. The main Tourist Information Office is located near the Central Station, just across from the main entrance to Tivoli Gardens, at Vesterbrogade 4A. The staff at both locations will be happy to help you with information on the city.

How do I find information on Copenhagen before or after my journey there?
Visit the official website for the Greater Copenhagen Convention and Visitors Bureau : www.visitcopenhagen.com and the official website of the Danish Tourist Board www.visitdenmark.com and www.cruisecopenhagen.com

Also, be sure to visit Ralph Grizzle’s Coming To Copenhagen as well as the official web site for Scandinavian Airline Systems, www.scandinavian.net, for help in planning your travel to the Baltic. The site features downloadable city and shopping guides in PDF format.

What language is spoken in Copenhagen?
Danish, but almost all Danes speak English.

Is there a place where I may stow my luggage?
You will find storage facilities at the Central Station - open Monday thru Saturday 5:30 am - 1:00 am and Sundays 6:00 am - 1:00 am Tel.: +45 33 69 21 15. Some cruise lines have local agents that offer storage to cruise guests. Please check with your cruise line.

Where can I find sightseeing buses?
Copenhagen and the surrounding area offer many sightseeing possibilities. Many are available as shore excursions from your cruise ship. This, of course, offers the greatest convenience, as you’ll transfer directly from the ship to your bus for a professionally guided tour.

Many cruise passengers opt for half-day tours of 16th-century castles north of the city, including Hamlet’s Castle at Helsingør. The former Danish capital Roskilde is another popular excursion. It’s home to a marvelous Viking Ship Museum. City tours of Copenhagen are also available. Please check with your cruise line, your travel agent or the shore excursions desk aboard your ship for options and prices.

If you prefer to book a tour once you get to Copenhagen, Open Top Tours leave from the Langelinie Pier approximately every 20 minutes. These are sightseeing buses you hop on and off as you please. The tour around the city takes approximately 80 minutes. Tickets can be bought from the bus driver. For more info, click on www.sightseeing.dk

You might also choose the waterbus, which departs from the polar bear statue at Langelinie and takes you to the city by the canals of Copenhagen. You can hop on and off as much as you like. The waterbus departs every hour during the day.

Where can I find canal tours?
Experience the beautiful harbor and the idyllic canals with a 60-minute guided canal tour in English and German. Departs from 10 am - 5 pm every hour from Nyhavn. For more information go to www.canaltours.com

Is it possible to rent a bicycle in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen has 2,500 “City Bikes” that anyone can pedal away on simply by inserting a DKK 20 coin into the bike’s locking mechanism. Lock your bike upon return at any of 110 bike-parking stations to retrieve your coin.

City bikes are hard to miss. They are bright blue or rousing red and carry “billboard” advertisements on the frame and wheels. Cruise passengers will find bikes available near the Langelinie Pier. To locate the bikes from Langelinie Pier, ask directions at the Cruise Copenhagen Information Center alongside the pier.

For DKK 100, pick up a Trek hybrid bicycle with 21 gears at Kobenhavns Cykler, located at the Copenhagen Central Rail Station (on the right side if you’re facing the station). These bikes are more comfortable for visitors who have a few days in Copenhagen. For more information, click on www.rentabike.dk

Where can I book a hotel?
Many cruise lines offer pre- and post-cruise packages that include transfers and accommodations. The beauty of these packages is that they provide seamless travel experiences. They also use centrally located hotels, such as the ones below.

If your cruise line doesn’t offer pre- and post-cruise packages, most travel agents can provide advice on pre- and post-trip options to combine with your cruise.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you can find a place to lay your head by logging on to Copenhagen’s official tourism site www.visitcopenhagen.com.