How to Pay for Things in Copenhagen: A Simple Guide
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Are you coming to Copenhagen? That’s great news, because I can’t wait for you to fall in love with this place. Before all else, however, let’s talk about money. Because it would be quite embarrassing if you handed a dollar over the counter, wouldn’t it?
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Here’s a guide to paying for things in Copenhagen.
What’s the Currency in Copenhagen?
Although Denmark is part of the European Union, it isn’t in the Eurozone and uses the Danish Kroner (DKK) instead of the Euro. 1 US Dollar equals 6-7 DKK (it fluctuates quite a lot), while 1 GBP is around 8.50 DKK at the time of writing.
Some places accept payments in Euros and will also showcase the price of items in both Danish Kroner and this currency. However, it’s quite rare outside of the tourist areas—so it’s better to just use DKK instead.
Do You Need Cash in Copenhagen?
The vast majority of shops, restaurants, and bars in Copenhagen accept VISA and MasterCard, and you probably won’t need to withdraw cash during your stay in the Danish capital. I can honestly count the number of times I’ve needed to use cash during my four years of living here on one hand.
You also don’t need physical cash to rent official city bikes or pay for public transport. Tickets for trains, buses, Harbor Bus, and the Metro can be bought via the Rejsebillet app; alternatively, you can check in and out at the start and end of your journey with the DSB app for the bus, train, and Metro.
Some smaller businesses and vendors will only accept MobilePay, which isn’t available outside the Nordic region. If you visit an establishment that only accepts MobilePay, ask if you can pay via another means (e.g. cash) before ordering.
Should I Use My Domestic Bank Account to Pay for Things in Copenhagen?
You probably can use a card associated with your domestic bank to pay for things in Copenhagen, but you need to remember that you might get a lower exchange rate. Moreover, you’re often subjected to fees.
For those reasons, I recommend using a mobile-only banking solution (and you should do that for all of your trips abroad). Wise is a great choice, as are Revolut, Monzo, and N26.
Day Trips to Sweden: Things to Know
If you choose to visit Malmö or anywhere else in Sweden, please note that many places in this country only accept card payments. The currency is also different—you’ll be using the Swedish Krona (SEK) instead.
The Swedish Krona can fluctuate, so it’s worth using Xe to get the most recent exchange rate. If you’re thinking about visiting Malmö and Copenhagen in one weekend, check out this itinerary.
Some places in Sweden only accept Swish (which is only available to Swedish residents), but you might be able to pay in cash at those places. Again, it’s a good idea to ask if the vendor accepts an alternative to Swish before buying or ordering—unless you have the app.
