Visiting Copenhagen on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide

I won’t lie to you and say that Copenhagen isn’t expensive, because it is. However, I don’t think you need as much money as people make out to have a good time here. Nobody knows how to visit Copenhagen on a budget better than me, which is why I’m here to help you do the same today. 

Before moving here in 2020, I visited 7 times. And when I say that I was broke back then, I was broke. Nonetheless, I didn’t starve and could put a roof over my head each time. When I first moved here, I also earned nowhere near enough to sustain a comfortable life in Copenhagen. 

Based on my comprehensive past experience as an elite-level penny-pincher, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to help you enjoy a budget trip to Copenhagen.

Things to Do in Copenhagen on a Budget 

1. Free Attractions in Copenhagen

You can see most of Copenhagen’s coolest sights without spending money, and I recommend starting with the free attractions. Nyhavn is a logical starting point; you could spend a full weekend photographing its colorful houses.

Amalienborg Palace’s exterior is also free to walk around. You can watch the changing of the guard daily here at 12:00, which also doesn’t cost any money. 

The Lakes are another great free attraction in Copenhagen. They separate the city center from some of its other neighborhoods, and I love walking or running around them. Many Copenhageners enjoy summer evenings here with a beer in hand, especially along Dronning Louises Bro. 

Christiansborg Palace has a free tower to enjoy a fantastic view of Copenhagen from all angles. The grounds outside are also free to roam around. Be sure to check out Bibliotekshaven, a hidden garden many tourists don’t know about.

I’ve seen lots of people mention the Little Mermaid as a place to visit. But I’ll just be totally honest with you right now: I think it’s one of the most overrated attractions in Europe. You won’t miss much if you skip it, in my opinion. 

2. Joining a Free Walking Tour

This walking tour was one of my favorite things to do in Copenhagen when I visited on a budget. You can pay what you want as a tip, but you don’t need to buy an upfront ticket. 

I recommend the Grand Tour, which will take you to many of Copenhagen’s must-see sites. It’s also a fantastic way to get your bearings if you’re new in the city. Tours are available in English and Spanish. 

3. Free Days at Museums

Many Copenhagen museums occasionally offer free entry. For example, you can visit Nikolaj Kunsthal for free every Wednesday from 11:00 to 18:00. You also get free admission to the Museum of Copenhagen each Wednesday. Both of these are worth visiting, from personal experience—especially the Museum of Copenhagen.

I also recommend visiting Thorsvaldsens Museum, which—like the two abovementioned institutions—is free every Wednesday. 

The David Collection (Davids Samling) is always free to enter. It is located next to Kongens Have and is open every day except Monday.

4. The Copenhagen Light Festival (February Only)

The Copenhagen Light Festival takes place in late January and February. It’s my favorite event of the year. Numerous light exhibitions, which change annually, are dotted throughout the city.

All of the exhibitions are completely free, and each one comes with its own unique story. Many of the light installations are in downtown Copenhagen, making them easy to visit. The festival takes place from 17:00 to 22:00. 

How to Save Money on Attractions in Copenhagen

Although some attractions offer free admission on certain days, I think many are worth paying for if you can’t visit on a Wednesday. Moreover, I rate other paid attractions—like Tivoli and Vor Frelsers Kirke—very highly. 

You can save money by purchasing the Copenhagen Card if you plan to visit multiple attractions. You’ll get access to 80+ attractions and unlimited public transport in the city. If you want to learn more before making a decision, I’ve written a full Copenhagen Card review.

I also recommend bringing your student card if you have one. Many museums and other attractions offer student discounts. You can also get cheaper food and drinks in some places with your student card in some places. 

How to Find Cheap Travel to Copenhagen

Getting to Copenhagen on a budget is very easy. Several budget airlines fly to the Danish capital, and you can also get affordable train and bus fares. I’ll cover each of them in separate sections below. 

1. Finding Cheap Flights to Copenhagen

Several budget airlines fly to Copenhagen. In my opinion, Norwegian is by far the best, and EasyJet is also fine. I personally would rather swim or walk to Copenhagen than fly with RyanAir, but I guess they’re also an option if you find reasonable deals. 

Copenhagen only has one airport, so don’t worry about landing in some obscure outpost 100 kilometers from town (*cough* Stockholm Skavsta *cough*).  

I always compare flight prices on Skyscanner, and I recommend that you do the same. You can use the website’s sliders to adjust your pricing range. I also used to change the times to get the best time-to-price ratio (because 6 a.m. flights from Stansted Airport are not fun).

2. Budget Train and Bus Travel to Copenhagen 

I’ve traveled between Copenhagen and Hamburg multiple times by train, and you can often get really good deals. For example, in January 2025, I paid around $50 for a single ticket between the two cities (in first class!). 

I found my tickets via Omio. You can compare bus and train prices via the same website; Flixbus operates between Hamburg and Copenhagen (plus many other European cities). 

You can also find affordable long-distance trains and buses when traveling from Sweden. Consider taking the bus from Gothenburg to Copenhagen, for example; it takes roughly the same time, and they’ll both take you to the city center. 

3. Visit Copenhagen Outside the Peak Tourist Season to Save Money

I happily disagree with anyone who doesn’t think that autumn in Copenhagen is the best time to visit. Besides the beautiful foliage, it’s also much quieter than summer. Hotel and flight prices are also typically less expensive, making it the perfect time to visit on a budget. 

Despite the limited daylight hours and colder temperatures, Copenhagen is also worth visiting in the winter. Visiting after Christmas, especially in January, will result in better hotel rates (and, again, fewer crowds). 

If you prefer (slightly) warmer weather, I recommend visiting Copenhagen in April or early May. Spring is one of the loveliest times to be in the city, and accommodation costs less than during the summer. 

Finding a Cheap Place to Stay in Copenhagen

Despite being pricey, Copenhagen has a good range of accommodation options for all budgets. 

This Is the Best Place to Stay in Copenhagen on a Budget…

When I was broke and in my early twenties, I stayed in Copenhagen Downtown Hostel most of the time. The beds were incredibly comfortable. I stayed in plenty of hostels across Europe during my partying phase; these were some of the nicest. 

I also like that the storage at Copenhagen Downtown Hostel is reasonably sized. You don’t have to break your suitcase to fit it under the bed. It’s an ideal place if you don’t mind sharing a room with others.

Above all else, Copenhagen Downtown Hostel is a fantastic place if you’re young and looking to be social. It’s the top place to stay as a solo traveler, in my opinion. The bar downstairs has affordable beers (especially during happy hour), and locals also visit. I remember meeting a group of Danes and going out elsewhere in February 2019, for example. 

Breakfast is available at the hostel as an add-on. You’re right in the center of town, meaning you can walk everywhere (though bike rentals are also available). My only criticism was that the showers were very small. 

Other Places to Stay in Copenhagen on a Budget

Consider also checking out these budget places in Copenhagen when you’re ready to book your accommodation:

• Scandic: I stayed in Sydhavn in 2016, but you’ll also find Scandic hotels in Frederiksberg, Kødbyen, and close to The Lakes. These are typically less expensive than Radisson Blu and other chains, but the quality is still high. 
• Generator Copenhagen: This hostel is close to Kongens Nytorv and is an excellent alternative to the Copenhagen Downtown Hostel. I’ve stayed at Generator in Hamburg and Stockholm, and I like how you can be social on your own terms. They’re a good mix of chilled and outgoing. 
• WakeUp Copenhagen (Borgergade): This is another budget chain; the hotel is quite close to Nyhavn, Rosenborg Castle, and other attractions in the city. There are a handful of other WakeUp hotels in other parts of Copenhagen, but in my opinion, the one on Borgergade has the best location.

Tips for Finding a Place to Stay in Copenhagen on a Budget 

Copenhagen has excellent public transport, and you don’t need to stay in the city center. Looking elsewhere can help you reduce your expenses when visiting Copenhagen. 

I’d recommend looking at Ørestad and Sydhavn as starting points if you want to visit Copenhagen on a budget more effectively. Ørestad doesn’t have a huge amount to do, but you’ll be close to both the airport and the city. 

Sydhavn also has a couple of hotels; in addition to Scandic, you’ll find a Moxy hotel. Vesterbro has accommodations for all budgets, too, and is closer to the city center. So, I’d also recommend taking a look here. 

You can browse all of your options via the map below and filter based on your ideal price range. For context, I’d say that anything below $100 per night represents a “budget” hotel in Copenhagen.

Affordable Places to Eat in Copenhagen

Assuming that you’re not like the younger version of myself who happily lived off 7-Eleven sandwiches for 3 days when visiting Copenhagen, here are some cheap places to eat in Copenhagen (all actually tried and tested by me)…

1. Rosetta, Østerbro

Rosetta is a cozy Italian eatery in Østerbro; I’ve been here twice, and it’s one of my favorite places to grab some food in Copenhagen. You can buy pizza sandwiches for around 100 DKK, many of which are cheaper. 

You’ll also find pizza slices, focaccia bread, and more. The music here has been good both times I’ve visited, and the staff were also friendly. You don’t need a reservation, but it can get busy. Browse the menu here (in Danish). 

Address: Nordre Frihavnsgade 18B, 2100 København Ø

Website: https://rosetta.dk/

2. Absalon

Absalon is one of Copenhagen’s coolest communal spaces. I love the vibe here, and it’s a great place to meet new people. I went here with my friend in January 2025 and paid just 60 DKK for the communal dinner. 

Though the food is prepared for you, you’ll need to bring it to the table. Then, you share it with everyone and take the empty dishes to the counter afterward. 

You need a ticket to attend the communal dinner. Book at least a few weeks in advance because this place is incredibly popular; you can do that here. 

3. Comé RICE Kitchen

After returning from a trip to Japan, it’s safe to say that I was missing onigiri. Thankfully, I found Comé RICE Kitchen in Kødbyen. Besides tasting great, it’s pretty affordable; you can get one onigiri for 35 DKK and two for 65 DKK. I recommend getting one for a snack and two if you want some lunch.

In addition to onigiri, you can get a number of other things at Comé. There is a queue, but it tends to move pretty fast.

Address: Flæsketorvet 44, 1711 København K

Website: https://www.comefood.dk

4. DØP 

If you need a simple snack, consider visiting the green DØP hot dog trucks. Here, you can try organic hot dogs for a decent price. 

The menu is relatively basic, and I recommend starting with the standard roasted hot dog. You can also get a French hot dog, which involves putting a hot dog in a baguette with some sauce. This is very popular in Denmark. 

The main hot dog stand is just outside the Round Tower. 

5. GRØD

GRØD is a nice place to get excellent porridge, and I really like the “All In” option, which includes all of the main ingredients. Besides sweet dishes, you’ll also find savory options like risotto. 

The savory dishes at GRØD can be ordered after 11:00. The sweet ones, meanwhile, are available until 17:00. 

Come to GRØD for acai bowls, great juice, and much more alongside porridge. You’ll find various places throughout the city, including Vesterbro, Christianshavn, and Frederiksberg. 

Website: https://www.groed.com/en 

6. Reffen (Summer)

Having street food at Reffen is one of the best things to do in Copenhagen during the summer. This is a great place to find cuisines from all around the world, and the general vibe here is just really pleasant. 

Reffen is a bit out of the way; you can get the 2A bus here from the city center, but I think it’s easier to rent a bike instead. While you’re here, be sure to explore the Refshaleøen and Holmen neighborhoods. 

Address: Refshalevej 167, 1432 København K

Website: https://reffen.dk/en/

6. Take & Eat Shawarma

Take & Eat Shawarma is a nice little kebab shop in Nørrebro, and I particularly like how fresh the food feels. It’s very affordable and a great stop for a quick dinner. 

You’ll find some seating space here. Though it’s small, I’ve never struggled to get a table. You can always take your food with you if needed, though. 

Address: Nørrebrogade 30, 2200 København N

Drinking in Copenhagen on a Budget

My younger self, who went out every weekend, didn’t realize that he was simultaneously researching this article, but here we are. Based on my comprehensive “research”, here are my top recommendations for drinking in Copenhagen on a budget. 

1. Buy Your Beer From a Grocery Store

Unlike the other Nordic countries, you don’t need to visit a liquor store to buy beer in Denmark. You’re also allowed to drink on the streets, as long as you aren’t being a nuisance. 

If you’re visiting Copenhagen on a sunny day, my top recommendation is to buy some beer from a grocery store and find a nice spot to enjoy your drinks. Dronning Louises Bro is very popular, but Nyhavn is also great for people-watching. 

Any park will also be nice, with Fælledparken and Kongens Have being my top two recommendations. You can also go for a walk around The Lakes or find a bench to sit on its shores.

2. Léanowski Bar

Léanowski Bar is a pleasant bar in Nørrebro and has plenty of seating, though it can still get crowded on a Friday or Saturday night. You can get pretty good deals on Tuborg and other drinks, and the people here are also nice. 

Events take place each week, including a beer pong tournament every Thursday. You can also play other games and watch sports here. 

Address: Fælledvej 21, 2200 København N

Website: https://www.leanowskibar.dk/

3. Eiffel Bar

Consider Eiffel Bar if you want a Copenhagen-style bodega and can tolerate smoking indoors. The beer here is very well-priced, and you’re in the heart of Christianshavn. 

The pub is one of Copenhagen’s oldest establishments, dating back to 1737. 

Address: Wildersgade 58, 1408 København K

Saving Money on Public Transport in Copenhagen

You can walk pretty much everywhere in Copenhagen; it’s compact and pleasant in equal measure. It’s also worth asking your hotel if they have bicycle rentals, as many do, though this could cost extra. Make sure that you know the rules for cycling in Copenhagen before doing so.

If you plan to take public transport, sign up for an account using the DSB app (iOS and Android). You can check in and out at the start and finish of your journey.

There are a couple of ways to save money in the Rejsebillet app, too. For example, you can buy 12-hour and one-day tickets for a fixed price. These are good value for money if you know that you will use public transport multiple times.

You can also get unlimited public transport with the Copenhagen Card. So, if you plan to visit multiple attractions, this is a good way to cut your costs. But if you aren’t, it makes more sense to pay for public transport.

My Other Useful Tips for Saving Money on Your Copenhagen Trip

Before I show you my Copenhagen budget weekend itinerary, consider using these tips to make your money go further.

• Sign up for a digital bank. You can pay for almost everything in Copenhagen by card. To avoid hefty exchange fees and get a fair rate, I suggest signing up for a Wise bank account. I’ve been using them for 4+ years, and they’re a lifesaver when I travel. You can open accounts in multiple currencies.
• Look for yellow discount stickers in grocery stores. If you want some quick food or to have a picnic, look out for the yellow discount stickers. These are normally added to household items and food ingredients that you need to cook, but it’s still worth checking. 
• Use your hotel breakfast. Many Copenhagen hotels offer free breakfast (but not all). You can save money on 1-2 meals by eating breakfast at your hotel. 
• Cut out the alcohol completely. Though cheaper than in other Nordic countries, alcohol will still add to your bill. So, if you’re on a particularly tight budget, I recommend leaving it out of your itinerary. 
• Consider visiting for Kulturnatten in October. You get access to many museums, buildings, etc., for just 130 DKK altogether. The schedule changes yearly. 

How I’d Spend a Budget Weekend in Copenhagen 

I’ve written a 3-day Copenhagen itinerary with what I think are the best things to do altogether. However, if you’re on a budget, you might want to follow the one below instead. 

Day 1

Start your day with a free walking tour and get your bearings with Copenhagen. It’s a fantastic way to see many of the city’s top sights while also learning about the Danish capital’s lengthy history. You’ll see a lot of the Indre By district this way.

Then, get the postcard shot at Nyhavn. Admire the colorful houses and maritime atmosphere while also getting some ice cream at Elis if you feel like it.

From Nyhavn, it’s an easy walk to Kastellet. This fortress is free to explore and has a small museum inside. It’s a lovely place to wander.  

Consider also stopping at Davids Samling to marvel at art, before continuing to Kongens Have. If the sun is out, consider spending a bit of time enjoying a picnic here. You can also check out Copenhagen’s other central parks, such as Ørstedparken. 

Finish your day with dinner at District Tonkin. 

Day 2

After having some breakfast at your hotel, head out and explore Slotsholmen. The tower at Christiansborg Palace opens at 11:00; get here early to minimize the risk of being in a queue. 

Once you’ve marveled at the excellent view over Copenhagen, get back to ground level. Explore the canals of Christianshavn and wander around its beautiful cobbled streets. Consider visiting GRØD while you’re here for some lunch. 

Spend some more time exploring Christianshavn before heading back into town. Go to the Black Diamond to marvel at this library’s architecture, and head to the top floor for a really cool view. 

Finish your day at The Lakes for a sunset beer and perhaps some dinner at Take & Eat in Nørrebro. If you feel like it, you can then go on a night out in Nørrebro. 

Day 3

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy Copenhagen from the water with Nettobådene. Tours depart Nyhavn from 10:00 onwards daily and cost just 60 DKK. Alternatively, you can buy a public transport ticket and enjoy the city via the Harbor Bus. 

I then recommend going to Rosetta in Østerbro for some lunch before walking around Fælledparken if you haven’t by this point. It’s a pleasant place to spend some quiet time, and you can also photograph pretty Olufsvej nearby. 

Spend the rest of your day aimlessly exploring Copenhagen before catching your flight, train, or bus home. 

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