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Copenhagen has a reputation around the world for being an expensive city to visit.
But how true is this reputation? Is Copenhagen expensive to visit?
I wondered this too, and after taking a trip to the Danish Capital, I feel confident to provide an answer as to whether Copenhagen is expensive or not.
Is Copenhagen Expensive?
To summarise this post, yes, Copenhagen is expensive. You can expect to pay higher prices in Copenhagen than in other parts of Europe, especially Eastern Europe which is significantly cheaper than the west of the continent.
The prices in Copenhagen are pretty high compared to worldwide destinations but are similar to other cities in Scandinavia such as Stockholm or Reykjavik. Scandinavia is a pretty expensive part of the world to visit.
But don’t just take my word for it. The Economist Intelligence’s Worldwide Cost of Living Report in 2022 revealed Copenhagen as the joint 10th most expensive city in the whole world.
Of course, it is possible to save money and visit Copenhagen on a budget, but even on a tighter budget, you will still spend a fair amount of money. Even though it is expensive, Copenhagen is worth visiting without a doubt. Nonetheless, yes, Copenhagen is expensive.
How Expensive Is Copenhagen?
Copenhagen’s prices are some of the highest you will find. Everything is expensive in Copenhagen, even the smallest of things. During my 3 days in Copenhagen, I bought a bottle of water for 25 DKK (£2.95 / $3.65 / €3.36), normally I would pay less than a third of this price at home in the UK.
Naturally, judging how expensive Copenhagen is depends on where you are from and where you are comparing the prices with. The prices in Copenhagen compared to some cities in the US are probably pretty similar, but compare the prices in Copenhagen to Southeast Asia, and they are more than 10x more expensive.
That being said, I can say that Denmark is one of the most expensive capital cities in Europe. Having prices higher than the likes of Berlin, Rome, London and even Stockholm, which is also a pretty expensive place to visit. The only European capital ranked more expensive in the EIU’s 2022 Report is Paris. So when you are visiting Copenhagen, make sure you have enough money with you.
As for why Copenhagen is expensive, it’s a similar reason to why Switzerland is so expensive: because the quality of living is much better than in other countries. It’s a luxurious way of life.
How Much Is Accommodation In Copenhagen?
Accommodation in Copenhagen isn’t too out of line with prices elsewhere in Europe. You can expect a night in a good hotel to cost about 850 DKK which is roughly equivalent to £/$/€100.
The best part of Copenhagen to stay in is near Copenhagen Central Station (København H) as you are within walking distance of most of the main attractions. It’s a 5-minute walk from Tivoli Gardens, for example.
A great hotel choice is Zoku Copenhagen. It’s a highly rated but affordable hotel located in the heart of Copenhagen, in the area recommended near Copenhagen Central Station.
Alternatively, if you want a cheaper option to stay in Copenhagen, the city is home to lots of great hostel options. I personally recommend Next House Copenhagen. It’s definitely the fanciest hostel I have ever stayed in. You get a personal pod rather than just a bunk bed!
➡️ Best hotel in Copenhagen: Zoku Copenhagen
➡️ Best budget-friendly hostel in Copenhagen: Next House Copenhagen
How Much Are The Tourist Attractions In Copenhagen?
The tourist attractions in Copenhagen are relatively expensive. Entry into Rosenborg Castle costs 245 DKK which is just under £/$/€30 and Tivoli Gardens costs 155 DKK (just under £/$/€20 per person), for two examples. It’s pretty expensive when you start to add all of the attractions up.
Luckily, the Copenhagen Card exists, which grants you free entry into most of the main tourist attractions and also allows you to take advantage of free public transport. It’s a great way to save money while visiting Copenhagen. I got the 48-hour version and I got nearly double in value compared to what I paid!
Make sure to buy a Copenhagen Card during your trip to save money.
How Expensive Is Food In Copenhagen?
Food in Copenhagen is one of the main reasons I answer yes to “Is Copenhagen expensive?” Everything is so highly-priced. As I said in the introduction, a bottle of water was costing me around 25 DKK, which is ridiculously expensive.
A typical meal will cost around 170 DKK per person, which is equivalent to £20 / $25 / €23. I found even a burger and fries were this expensive.
The bakeries in Copenhagen are particularly expensive, with a pastry and a small hot drink costing about 70 DKK (£8 / $10 / €9.50). I was willing to pay this on multiple occasions though because they were delicious, Denmark is known for its Danish pastries, after all. I would recommend trying one of the Lagkagehuset bakeries.
How Much Is Public Transport In Copenhagen?
To be fair to Copenhagen, public transport prices are pretty standard for European prices. The average bus journey will cost the equivalent of about €3.
Another price example is the train from Copenhagen Airport to Copenhagen Central Station, which is the best way to get from Copenhagen Airport to the centre, which costs 36 DKK. This is about £4.25 / $5.26 / €4.84. It takes under 15 minutes, so that’s pretty expensive.
Luckily, public transport (including to and from the airport) is included in the Copenhagen Card. During the duration of your card, you have unlimited free access to public transport in Copenhagen including the bus, train, metro and even the harbour buses! As I said before, it’s a great way to save money during a trip to Copenhagen.
Is Copenhagen Expensive: FAQ
Below are some related questions to “Is Copenhagen expensive?” along with my answers.
How much does a meal in Copenhagen cost?
A standard meal in Copenhagen will cost about 170 DKK per person. This would be for a burger, fries and a drink, for example. 170 DKK is roughly equivalent to £20 / $25 / €23, so I would say it’s pretty expensive. It’s worth noting that tipping is not a tradition in Denmark, but you can of course choose to tip for exceptional service.
How much does a beer cost in Copenhagen?
Beers in Copenhagen are pretty expensive, especially considering Carlsberg originates from the city. A bottle of beer will cost around 30 DKK, which is roughly equivalent to £3.50 / $4.38 / €4.03.
How much money do you need per day in Copenhagen?
I would suggest bringing the equivalent of $70 per person per day during a trip to Copenhagen. The city is very expensive and you could easily spend a lot more than this. That being said, the Copenhagen Card is a great way to save money as it includes free access to the most popular tourist attractions and also includes free public transport.
Why is Copenhagen so expensive?
Copenhagen is so expensive because of how great the city is. The city is so efficient in how it is run, which costs a lot. But it has its perks. Copenhagen is one of the happiest cities in the world, and it is the safest city in the whole world. Salaries in Copenhagen are generally quite high too, in order to combat the high cost of loving. Locals also save money by cycling everywhere, as Copenhagen is also an extremely cycle-friendly city.
Is Copenhagen Expensive: Conclusion
To conclude, yes, Copenhagen is expensive. It’s very expensive to visit, but it is definitely worth doing. You can see everything in Copenhagen in 2 days, so you do not need to spend too long there.
The Copenhagen Card is a great way to make a trip to Copenhagen more affordable as it includes entry to the main attractions and also free public transport.
Even so, make sure to bring plenty of money to Copenhagen, and aside from all, have a great trip!
