Copenhagen Guide for Budget Travelers
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Copenhagen, a charming and cozy city, is packed with cafes, boutique shops and high-end restaurants. From the beautiful old town and royal Denmark buildings to the world-class architecture, Copenhagen is the best of both old and new. Grab a rental bike and cruise the streets toward the white sand beaches. Make your way to the unique community of Christiania for live bands, a vibrant hippy experience and a laid-back environment. Read on for activities on what to do, hostel recommendations, cheap restaurants and more.
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Price of Services in Copenhagen
Hostels - Hostels in Copenhagen aren't cheap. The starting price is 185DDK ($28USD or 25€). You'll get a 10-20 dorm room at this price. Anything under 10 beds will usually cost more. Expect to pay 219DDK ($33USD or 29€) or more for an 8 person dorm room. Private dorm rooms will start around 500DDK ($75USD or 66€).
Food Costs - Food in Copenhagen won't be friendly on the wallet. Expect to pay 30DDK ($5USD or 4€) for a budget breakfast, 50DDK ($8USD or 7€) for a budget lunch and 75DDK ($11USD or 10€) for a budget dinner. Upper scale restaurants will cost a pretty penny. Expect to pay 35DDK ($6USD or 5€) for a light beer (pint).
Transportation - Transportation in Copenhagen will cost a fortune if you aren't careful. A taxi from the main airport to the city center will cost around 350DDK ($52USD or 46€). The train from the airport to the city center will be a better option for budget travelers. Expect to pay 35DDK ($5USD or 4€). Avoid taxis as much as possible in Copenhagen due to its outrageous 75DDK ($11USD or 10€) for 3km (1.8 miles) of travel. Metro buses are also a good option at 25DDK ($4USD or 3€) for any stop in the city. I recommend renting a bike at 80DDK ($12USD or 11€) for the day.
Activities - Museums will cost upward of 70DDK ($10USD or 9€) for most exhibitions. Guided walking tours around the city are run on a tip base system. You pay what you feel like the guide deserves. For tours outside of the city, don't expect to find anything on the cheap end. Expect to pay 300DDK ($45 or 40€) for these.
Food Costs - Food in Copenhagen won't be friendly on the wallet. Expect to pay 30DDK ($5USD or 4€) for a budget breakfast, 50DDK ($8USD or 7€) for a budget lunch and 75DDK ($11USD or 10€) for a budget dinner. Upper scale restaurants will cost a pretty penny. Expect to pay 35DDK ($6USD or 5€) for a light beer (pint).
Transportation - Transportation in Copenhagen will cost a fortune if you aren't careful. A taxi from the main airport to the city center will cost around 350DDK ($52USD or 46€). The train from the airport to the city center will be a better option for budget travelers. Expect to pay 35DDK ($5USD or 4€). Avoid taxis as much as possible in Copenhagen due to its outrageous 75DDK ($11USD or 10€) for 3km (1.8 miles) of travel. Metro buses are also a good option at 25DDK ($4USD or 3€) for any stop in the city. I recommend renting a bike at 80DDK ($12USD or 11€) for the day.
Activities - Museums will cost upward of 70DDK ($10USD or 9€) for most exhibitions. Guided walking tours around the city are run on a tip base system. You pay what you feel like the guide deserves. For tours outside of the city, don't expect to find anything on the cheap end. Expect to pay 300DDK ($45 or 40€) for these.
Best Ways to Save Money
Book in Advance - To save some added dough, always book your transportation, hostels and tours in advance. Doing this can save upward of 40-50%.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 7DDK ($1USD or .93€) per bottle. Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 75DDK ($11USD or 10€) a day if you budget right.
Couchsurfing - Staying with a local instead of a hostel will save a ton of money. But, don't use this site solely to save money. It's a great way to make new friends who can show you the "local" spots that tourists don't know about. Couchsurfing hosts tend to ignore abusers of the system. Offer to cook a meal or two in exchange for their gratitude.
Get a Tourism Card - If guided tours, museums and sightseeing is your thing, grab a tourism card. This card has 100s of discounts for activities around the city. The best part about this card is the free transportation that's included.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 60-70% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 7DDK ($1USD or .93€) per bottle. Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 75DDK ($11USD or 10€) a day if you budget right.
Couchsurfing - Staying with a local instead of a hostel will save a ton of money. But, don't use this site solely to save money. It's a great way to make new friends who can show you the "local" spots that tourists don't know about. Couchsurfing hosts tend to ignore abusers of the system. Offer to cook a meal or two in exchange for their gratitude.
Get a Tourism Card - If guided tours, museums and sightseeing is your thing, grab a tourism card. This card has 100s of discounts for activities around the city. The best part about this card is the free transportation that's included.
Top 7 Things To Do in Copenhagen While on a Budget
#7 Rosenborg CastleRosenberg Castle is home to the Crown Jewels of Denmark. Take a tour of this majestic castle built in the early 17th century. Remember to bring your camera!
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#6 Canal Boat TourDuring a beautiful sunny day in Copenhagen a canal tour is a must. Take a canal boat through the entire city of Copenhagen. Ride through the famous Nyhavn district while locals wave hello. The tour will also get close enough to see The Little Mermaid.
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#5 The Little MermaidTake your rented bike to Langelinje Pier where you will find one of the city's most visited attractions, The Little Mermaid. The sculpture turned 100-years-old in 2013, making it one of the oldest public monuments in Copenhagen.
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#4 Rental Bike City TourRent a bike for the whole day at 75DDK. Make sure to cruise to every part of the city. Copenhagen is one of the friendliest bike cities in the world with wide designated lanes on every street. Book a bike tour with a guide for rich history lessons on Copenhagen.
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#3 NyhavnThis neighborhood is the most iconic area of Copenhagen. Take a night stroll down one of Nyhavn's canals for a beautiful view of the cozy homes along the water. Be sure to buy some beer at a local grocery store and witness the magnificent sunset.
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#2 Amager Beach ParkAmager Beach Park is the best way to spend a hot summer's day. Jump into the cool salt water to get away from the heat. The beach consists of a mile long artificial island forming a lagoon filled with sand dunes, picknick areas and volleyball nets.
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#1 Republic of ChristianiaFreetown Christiania is a environmentally conscious neighborhood in Copenhagen, best known for its hippy lifestyle and legal marijuana use. The community was established in 1971 by a group of free-loving people who overtook an abandoned military base. They proceeded to create a republic that developed their own set of society rules and a constitution. It is completely independent of the Danish government, but not without a lot of controversy. Take a stroll through the small walking streets of Christiania to witness the funky vibrant houses and military barracks. Restaurants, cafes and events are open to the public. This a must see when in Copenhagen.
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