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Is Copenhagen expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Yes: Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, in the same range as Oslo, Zurich and London. A budget day costs about DKK 1,030 (about €140) per person, mid-range about DKK 2,100 (about €280) and comfort about DKK 4,100 (about €550). Restaurants, alcohol and hotels are where it hurts; public transport, bikes and many sights are reasonable.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | DKK500 | DKK1,000 | DKK2,000 |
| Food & drink | DKK300 | DKK600 | DKK1,200 |
| Sights & tickets | DKK150 | DKK350 | DKK600 |
| Local transport | DKK80 | DKK150 | DKK300 |
| Per person, per day | DKK1,030 | DKK2,100 | DKK4,100 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Copenhagen day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | about DKK 40–55 |
| Cinnamon swirl or Danish pastry | DKK 30–45 |
| Danish hot dog from a stand | DKK 40–60 |
| Smørrebrød (one open sandwich) in a restaurant | DKK 60–150 |
| Draught beer in a bar | roughly DKK 60–80 |
| Metro/bus ticket (central zones) | about DKK 30 |
| Tivoli Gardens entry | about DKK 165–200 (rides extra) |
| Canal tour (1 hour) | about DKK 120–150 |
| 3★ double room, high season | roughly DKK 1,300–2,200 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Beds take about half the budget: about DKK 500 per person sharing on a budget, DKK 1,000 mid-range and DKK 2,000 at the comfortable end, with summer and big-event weekends the most expensive. Food is the second big item, about DKK 300 a day on bakeries, hot dogs and street food, and DKK 600 or more with a sit-down lunch and a dinner with a drink; alcohol is heavily taxed. Sights cost about DKK 150–350 a day (Rosenborg about DKK 145, Tivoli about DKK 165–200), and transport is DKK 80–150 by metro or rental bike.
When it is cheaper
Hotel prices are lowest from January to March and in November, often 20–40% below the summer peak. December is busy and pricier because of Tivoli's Christmas season and the markets.
How to spend less
- Make lunch the main meal: many restaurants offer smørrebrød or a set lunch for much less than dinner.
- Buy drinks and snacks in supermarkets (Netto, Rema 1000, Lidl) and sit on the Nyhavn quay or by the harbour, which is allowed.
- Compare the Copenhagen Card with a City Pass plus individual tickets: the card pays off only if you visit several paid sights a day.
- Rent a bike or use a city bike instead of taxis, which are expensive.
- Pay in Danish kroner on card terminals and refuse conversion into your home currency, and expect a small surcharge on some foreign cards.
- Visit the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek on Tuesday, when entry is free.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Copenhagen cost?
About DKK 1,030 (about €140) per person on a budget sharing a room, about DKK 2,100 (about €280) mid-range and about DKK 4,100 (about €550) at the comfortable end.
Why is Copenhagen so expensive?
High wages, high taxes (25% VAT and heavy taxes on alcohol) and strong demand for hotels. Restaurants and drinks are the biggest shock; public transport and bikes are fairly priced.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it?
Only if you visit several paid sights a day. For a mostly walking trip, a City Pass for transport plus a few individual tickets is usually cheaper.