Denmark on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Denmark is never cheap, but it is manageable with hostels, supermarket food and bikes. A realistic daily minimum is about DKK 900 (roughly €120) per person when sharing a room.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | DKK400 | DKK800 | DKK1,700 |
| Food & drink | DKK300 | DKK550 | DKK1,000 |
| Sights & tickets | DKK100 | DKK200 | DKK350 |
| Local transport | DKK100 | DKK180 | DKK300 |
| Per person, per day | DKK900 | DKK1,730 | DKK3,350 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Denmark day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Christiansborg Palace tower view over Copenhagen
- Swimming at the Islands Brygge harbour bath in summer
- Walking Nyhavn, the Kastellet fortress and the Little Mermaid
- Watching the changing of the guard at Amalienborg at 12:00
- Exploring Christiania (no photos on Pusher Street)
- Walking the roof route of CopenHill
Cheap eats
- Hot dog (pølse) from a pølsevogn stand, roughly DKK 35-50
- Smørrebrød from a bakery or takeaway, roughly DKK 40-70 a piece
- Street food at Reffen, roughly DKK 100-150 a dish
- Danish pastries (wienerbrød) from a bakery, roughly DKK 20-35
- Supermarket picnic with bread, cheese and fruit, about DKK 60-80
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in design hostels in Vesterbro near Copenhagen Central Station or in Aarhus centre, where private doubles cost about DKK 600-900 and dorm beds less.
Getting around cheaply
Walk and cycle in the cities; city bikes and rentals are widely available. The M2 metro reaches Copenhagen Airport in 15 minutes for about DKK 30. DSB trains link Copenhagen, Odense and Aarhus; book early for cheaper Orange fares.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Nyhavn, Amalienborg guard change and the Little Mermaid on foot (free)
- Lunch: smørrebrød at Torvehallerne, about DKK 120
- Afternoon: Christiansborg tower (free) and Christiania, harbour bath in summer
- Evening: Reffen street food and a drink, about DKK 200, bike or metro home
- Total: about DKK 900 including a shared hostel room
More ways to save
- Carry a refillable bottle: Danish tap water is excellent.
- Use the DOT app for city tickets rather than single paper tickets.
- Plan a museum day on the Copenhagen Card rather than buying single entries.
- Eat a big lunch and a light dinner from the supermarket.
- Avoid alcohol in bars; it is one of the biggest costs.
- Stay in Odense or Aarhus for part of the trip; rooms are cheaper than in Copenhagen.
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Common questions
Can you visit Denmark on a budget?
Yes, with hostels, supermarket meals, bikes and free sights, about DKK 900 per person a day is realistic.
What is free in Copenhagen?
The Christiansborg tower, harbour baths, Nyhavn, Kastellet, the Little Mermaid, the Amalienborg guard change and Christiania.
What is the cheapest way from Copenhagen Airport to the city?
The M2 metro, about 15 minutes for a single ticket of roughly DKK 30.