Copenhagen Card vs. paying as you go: Which is cheaper?
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it? Compare the costs of the card with paying separately for attractions and public transport, and find out which option makes the most sense for your trip.
Last updated October 2026
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it, or are you better off paying as you go? The answer depends on what you want to see and do during your stay. In this guide, we compare the costs of the Copenhagen Card with paying separately for attractions and public transport, helping you figure out which option makes the most sense for your trip.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it?
Whether the Copenhagen Card is worth it depends on how you plan to spend your time in Copenhagen. If your itinerary includes two to three paid attractions a day as well as public transport, the card will often be the better-value option. If you prefer a slower pace and mostly free experiences, paying as you go may make more sense.
Two types of Copenhagen Card
Copenhagen Card – DISCOVER
With the DISCOVER Card, you can visit more than 80 attractions in and outside Copenhagen. Furthermore, you can enjoy free transportation from zones 1-99, including transportation to and from Copenhagen Airport.
Copenhagen Card – HOP
With the HOP Card, you can experience more than 40 attractions in central Copenhagen. You also get unlimited rides on the Stromma Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing buses.
How much does the Copenhagen Card cost?
The Copenhagen Card is available for different durations, so you can choose the option that best fits the length of your stay.
If you travel with children, make sure to add the kids cards to the same order as your adult cards. It is not possible to add kids card later.
Copenhagen Card – DISCOVER
Please note: Copenhagen Card prices may change. For the latest prices, always check the official Copenhagen Card website.
Hours | Adult: 16+ years old | Junior: 12-15 years old | Kids: 3-11 years old |
24 | DKK 589 | DKK 399 | DKK 100 |
48 | DKK 859 | DKK 509 | DKK 140 |
72 | DKK 1.039 | DKK 589 | DKK 180 |
96 | DKK 1.219 | DKK 699 | DKK 220 |
120 | DKK 1.419 | DKK 789 | DKK 260 |
Copenhagen Card – HOP
Please note: Copenhagen Card prices may change. For the latest prices, always check the official Copenhagen Card website.
Hours | Adult: 16+ years old | Junior: 12-15 years old | Kids: 3-11 years old |
24 | DKK 600 | DKK 410 | DKK 100 |
48 | DKK 875 | DKK 525 | DKK 140 |
72 | DKK 1.050 | DKK 600 | DKK 180 |
How much does Copenhagen cost without the card?
It can be difficult to say exactly how much it costs to explore Copenhagen without the Copenhagen Card, as it depends on the attractions you want to visit. To find out which option makes the most sense for your trip, make a list of the attractions you are interested in, add up the admission prices, and compare the total with the price of the Copenhagen Card.
To compare prices, you can use the Copenhagen Card calculator.
Copenhagen Card vs paying separately: A 3-day example
To give you an idea of how the costs compare, we’ve put together an example of a three-day stay in Copenhagen. The itinerary and prices below are only an example, and admission and transport prices may change. Always check the official websites of the attractions, public transportation, and Copenhagen Card for the latest prices when planning your trip.
Day 1: Classic Copenhagen
Start with some of Copenhagen's best-known sights in the city centre.
Rosenborg Castle: 150 DKK per person / Included with Copenhagen Card
Christiansborg Castle: 225 DKK per person / Included with Copenhagen Card
Canal tour: 209 DKK per person / Included with Copenhagen Card
Pay as you go: 584 DKK per person
Copenhagen Card: Included in the card price
Note: Public transport is not included in the pay-as-you-go total, as the cost will depend on where you are staying and how much you use public transport. Public transport is included with the Copenhagen Card.
Day 1 highlights
Day 2: Culture and Tivoli Gardens
Spend your second day exploring some of Copenhagen's cultural attractions before visiting Tivoli Gardens.
Glyptoteket: 135 DKK per person / Included with Copenhagen Card
The National Museum: 150 DKK per person / Included with Copenhagen Card
Tivoli Gardens: from 200 DKK per person / Included with Copenhagen Card*
*Note: Entrance is included with the Copenhagen Card. If you want to buy a ride pass, you must buy this separately. When you have a Copenhagen Card, you can buy ride passes with a discount here.
Pay as you go: from 485 DKK per person
Copenhagen Card: Included in the card price
Note: Public transport is not included in the pay-as-you-go total, as the cost will depend on where you are staying and how much you use public transport. Public transport is included with the Copenhagen Card.
Day 2 highlights
Day 3: A day trip from Copenhagen
Use the final day to explore beyond the city centre.
Kronborg Castle: 150 DKK per person / Included with Copenhagen Card
M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark: 145 DKK per person / Included with Copenhagen Card
Pay as you go: from 295 DKK per person
Copenhagen Card: Included in the card price
Note: Public transport is not included in the pay-as-you-go total, as the cost will depend on where you are staying and how much you use public transport. Public transport is included with the Copenhagen Card.
Day 3 highlights
3-day trip | Pay as you go | Copenhagen Card – 72-hour DISCOVER Card |
Entrance price in total | 1.364 DKK | 1.039 DKK |
Difference | 325 DKK* | |
*Note: Public transport is not included in this comparison. If you use public transport during your stay, the difference will be greater.
Be sure to check the attractions' official websites as prices may change.
When is the Copenhagen Card NOT worth it?
If you prefer a slower trip
If you prefer taking your time and experiencing Copenhagen at a slower pace, the Copenhagen Card may not always be the cheapest option. Exploring neighbourhoods, parks and harbour areas can easily fill a day without spending much on admission. Copenhagen also offers plenty of free things to see and do, so if these make up a large part of your itinerary, paying as you go may make more sense.
If you're only visiting a few attractions
The fewer paid attractions you plan to visit, the less you are likely to save with the Copenhagen Card. If you only have one or two paid attractions on your itinerary, compare their individual admission prices with the price of the card before deciding. Remember to also consider how much you expect to use public transport, as this is included with the Copenhagen Card.
Relevant guides for a slower or budget-friendly trip
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Is the Copenhagen Card worth buying?
Yes, the Copenhagen Card is usually worth buying if you plan to visit two to three or more paid attractions a day.
How many attractions do you need to visit for the Copenhagen Card to pay off?
As a rule of thumb, you’ll usually need to visit two to three paid attractions a day for the Copenhagen Card to pay off. However, this depends on which attractions you choose. To compare the costs based on your own plans, try the Copenhagen Card calculator. Simply select the attractions you would like to visit, and the calculator will show you whether the Copenhagen Card or paying as you go offers better value. Find the Copenhagen Card calculator here.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it for three days?
It can be, particularly if you plan to visit several paid attractions and use public transport regularly. The 72-hour Copenhagen Card DISCOVER includes more than 80 attractions and public transport throughout the Capital Region. Use the Copenhagen Card calculator to compare your planned visits with the current card price.
When is the Copenhagen Card not worth it?
The Copenhagen Card may not be worth it if you only plan to visit one or two paid attractions, prefer exploring free sights, or mostly get around by walking or cycling. In these cases, paying as you go may be the cheaper option. Check out whether the Copenhagen Card is worth buying for your Copenhagen trip by using the Copenhagen Card calculator. Simply select the attractions you would like to visit, and the calculator will show you whether the Copenhagen Card or paying as you go offers better value. Find the Copenhagen Card calculator here.
Does the Copenhagen Card include transport to the airport?
The Copenhagen Card DISCOVER includes all types of public transportation in the Capital Region. That means that you can travel to and from Copenhagen Airport with the DISCOVER CARD. Read more about what's included in the different Copenhagen Cards here.
