Copenhagen is Northern Europe’s premier aviation hub. Most travelers entering Denmark arrive via Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup (CPH), the largest airport in Scandinavia. Located just 8 kilometers south of the city center, it handles nearly all international traffic and serves as a major gateway for both legacy carriers and low-cost airlines. While some regional flights utilize Roskilde Airport (RSR), it is primarily for general aviation. If you are booking flights to Copenhagen, you will almost certainly land at CPH. The airport is exceptionally well-integrated into the city’s transit grid, making the transition from the gate to your hotel seamless.
Which airport should you fly into?
When searching for flights to Copenhagen, you have one primary option for commercial travel.
- Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup (CPH): This is the main international hub. It is located 8 km (5 miles) from central Copenhagen. Transit time to the city center is roughly 13–15 minutes by train or metro.
- Roskilde Airport (RSR): Located 30 km (19 miles) from Copenhagen. This airport serves private jets, air taxis, and flight schools. You will not find scheduled commercial airline tickets for this destination.
- Malmö Airport (MMX): Located in Sweden, about 60 km (37 miles) from Copenhagen. Some budget travelers use MMX as an alternative, then take a cross-border bus or train over the Øresund Bridge. Use this option only if the price difference is significant enough to offset the 1-hour transit time.
Best time to book flights to Copenhagen
Timing your purchase is critical to securing the lowest fares. Data suggests that for European short-haul flights, booking 5 to 8 weeks in advance yields the best prices. For long-haul travelers coming from North America or Asia, the ideal booking window is 4 to 6 months before departure.
Avoid booking last minute. Prices for flights to Copenhagen tend to spike sharply 21 days before departure as airlines capitalize on business travelers. If you are traveling during the peak summer months (June through August), add an extra 4 weeks to these lead times to beat the seasonal demand.
Cheapest months to fly to Copenhagen
The cheapest flights to Copenhagen are consistently found in the winter off-season. Specifically, January and February offer the lowest airfares. During these months, demand drops significantly after the holiday rush, and airlines frequently run sales to fill seats.
November is another budget-friendly window. While the weather is cool and damp, you avoid the high prices of the December Christmas markets. Conversely, July is the most expensive month to fly. If you must visit in summer, late August often sees a price dip as European schools return to session.
Direct flights vs connecting flights
The choice between direct and connecting flights depends on your origin and your budget.
- Direct Flights: Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and several major international carriers offer non-stop service to CPH from major global hubs. Direct flights save you roughly 3 to 6 hours of travel time and eliminate the risk of lost luggage during transfers.
- Connecting Flights: If you are looking for the cheapest flights to Copenhagen from outside Europe, a layover in a hub like London (LHR), Amsterdam (AMS), or Frankfurt (FRA) can often save you 20-30% on the ticket price. Budget carriers like Norwegian or easyJet often offer cheaper segments if you are willing to self-transfer between European cities.
Best airlines flying to Copenhagen
Several major airlines maintain a heavy presence at Copenhagen Airport.
- Scandinavian Airlines (SAS): The flag carrier of Denmark; uses CPH as its primary hub with the highest frequency of flights.
- Norwegian Air: A prominent low-cost carrier offering affordable regional and some long-haul connections.
- Lufthansa: Provides high-frequency connections to Copenhagen via its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.
- British Airways: Operates multiple daily flights between London Heathrow and Copenhagen.
- Ryanair: Offers high-volume, low-cost flights from various European secondary airports to CPH.
Getting from the airport to the city center
Copenhagen Airport is one of the most accessible in the world. You have four main ways to reach the city center.
- Train: The station is located under Terminal 3. Trains run every 10 minutes to Copenhagen Central Station (København H). The trip takes 13 minutes. Cost: 30–36 DKK.
- Metro: The M2 line departs from Terminal 3. It runs 24/7 and takes you to stations like Kongens Nytorv or Nørreport in about 15 minutes. Cost: 30–36 DKK.
- Taxi: Ranks are located outside Terminals 2 and 3. The drive takes about 20 minutes depending on traffic. Cost: 250–350 DKK.
- Rideshare: Apps like Uber do not operate in the same way in Denmark due to local regulations; use the Viggo or Dantaxi apps instead. Prices are comparable to standard taxis.
Flight duration from major cities
Estimated flight times to Copenhagen (CPH) from global hubs:
- London: 1 hour 50 minutes (Direct)
- New York (EWR/JFK): 7 hours 45 minutes (Direct)
- Los Angeles: 11 hours (Direct)
- Dubai: 6 hours 30 minutes (Direct)
- Singapore: 12 hours 30 minutes (Direct)
- Berlin: 1 hour (Direct)
Tips for finding cheap flights to Copenhagen
Use these strategies to drive down the cost of your trip.
1. Use a flexible date search Copenhagen is a popular weekend break destination. Flights on Thursdays and Sundays are usually the most expensive. If you can fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you will almost always find lower fares.
2. Set price alerts The market for flights to Copenhagen is volatile. Use tools like Oerno or Google Flights to set alerts for your specific dates. Prices can fluctuate by $200+ within a single 24-hour period based on inventory changes.
3. Check low-cost carriers separately Some budget airlines do not list their best inventory on major global distribution systems. Check the Norwegian or Ryanair websites directly to see if they offer "hidden" deals that aggregators might miss.
4. Fly into Malmö (MMX) If flights directly into CPH are prohibitively expensive, check flights to Malmö, Sweden. You can take a Vy bus or the Øresundstag train across the bridge to Copenhagen. Even with the cost of the train ticket (approx. 120 DKK), you might save a significant amount on international airfare.
5. Book "Light" fares Most airlines flying into Denmark use a tiered pricing system. If you can travel with only a carry-on, you can save 400–700 DKK on a round-trip ticket by avoiding checked bag fees. Copenhagen is a walkable city; packing light is a practical advantage beyond just the flight cost.