Copenhagen card
If you are planning a trip to Denmark, there is one logistical aspect to consider right away: in Copenhagen, unlike other European capitals, the main state museums are not free.
Between admission to Tivoli Gardens, the royal residences, and transportation (which is expensive, especially if you leave the city center), the daily budget needed to explore the city tends to add up quickly.
The ideal solution for optimizing these expenses is the Copenhagen Card.
The tourism board offers two distinct options: the classic Discover (all-inclusive with regional transportation) and the Hop (focused on the tourist bus and city center only).
Both are excellent solutions, although they work differently to suit different approaches to visiting the city (how much you want to see and where).
In this guide— updated to 2026 —we will analyze in detail the prices, differences, and convenience of each card to help you choose the right one for your itinerary.
INDEX
- How much does it cost to visit Copenhagen? (Single ticket prices)
- What is the Copenhagen Card? The two official versions
- Copenhagen Card Discover (The Complete Pass)
- Copenhagen Card Hop (The "Relax" version)
- Which pass should you choose? Comparison
- Validity, Activation, and Refunds
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Complete your visit to Copenhagen: other attractions and tours
How much does it cost to visit Copenhagen? (Single ticket prices)
To assess the usefulness of a pass, you first need to know the actual prices of Danish tourist attractions and services.
Copenhagen is expensive and, unlike other capitals, almost all places of cultural interest charge an admission fee.
If you are planning a classic 2- or 3-day itinerary, here are the costs you would incur if you purchased tickets individually at the ticket office (approximate prices for adults in 2026):
Attractions in the city center:
- Tivoli Gardens (entrance only): approx. €21.00 (155 DKK)
- Rosenborg Castle (Crown Jewels): approx. €19.00 (140 DKK)
- Amalienborg Palace: approx. €13.00 (95 DKK)
- Canal tour (classic boat): approx. €15.00 (109 DKK)
- Round Tower (Rundetårn): approx. €6.00 (40 DKK)
- National Museum: approximately €17.00 (125 DKK)
Attractions outside the city (region):
- Kronborg Castle (Hamlet's castle): approx. €20.00 (145 DKK)
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: approx. €20.00 (145 DKK)
Transportation:
- City Pass Transportation (Small – 24 hours): approximately €11.00 (80 DKK)
- City Pass Transportation (Large – for leaving the city): approximately €22.00 (160 DKK)
As you can see, just four or five of these unmissable experiences will quickly push your ticket budget over €100 per person.
This is where the Copenhagen Card comes in. It was created to combine all these items (including transportation) into a single digital pass at a fixed price to save you money.
What is the Copenhagen Card? The two official versions
The Copenhagen Card is the official tourist pass for the Danish capital.
Both types are prepaid digital packages that combine admission to museums, attractions, and (depending on the version chosen) use of transportation in a single QR code.
As we saw above, individual ticket prices in Copenhagen are relatively high.
These passes were created as a way to "create a system": you pay a fixed initial fee and then you are free to visit everything you want without having to reach for your wallet again.
The golden rule when using these cards is: the more you visit, the more you save.
Currently, the tourism board offers two different versions of the card. The choice between the two will fundamentally change the nature of your trip:
- Copenhagen Card DISCOVER (The Classic): This is the "all-inclusive" pass. It includes 80+ attractions and all public transportation (metro, trains, buses) throughout the region.
- Copenhagen Card HOP (The "Convenient" One): Includes 40+ attractions (in the city center only) and Hop-on Hop-off tourist buses, but does NOT include public transportation.
In the following paragraphs, we will analyze both in detail to understand which one is right for you.
Today, the only official passes for attractions are the two Copenhagen Cards (Discover and Hop) mentioned in this guide. There is a "City Pass" (sold by the DOT), but it is only valid for transportation and does not include any museums.
Copenhagen Card Discover (The Complete Pass)
It has the classic all-inclusive format, which includes admission to over 80 attractions and, importantly, unlimited use of all public transport throughout the region (not just in the city center). This is a significant advantage (in terms of savings) when you want to visit castles and attractions outside the city center without incurring additional transport costs.
See Discover Card pricesHow does it work?
The Copenhagen Card Discover is very easy to use.
It is available in five time periods: 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours, which you can select according to your needs, so you can use it for vacations of different lengths and/or for parts of it.
During the card's validity period, you can visit all the attractions included and use public transportation without limitation.
Once purchased, the Copenhagen Card Discover must be downloaded to your cell phone viathe dedicated app, so you can conveniently carry the pass with you at all times.
The pass appears as a QR code, which must be scanned at the entrance to each attraction or shown on public transport in case of inspection.
When you are ready to use it, the pass must be activated by pressing the appropriate button on the screen.
After being activated, the pass remains active until it expires, based on the duration you choose.
What's included: Top attractions
This pass covers practically everything a tourist would want to visit in Copenhagen.
Among the more than 80 experiences included, here are the "top" ones that alone are worth the trip:
- Tivoli Gardens (Park entrance): the oldest amusement park in the world.
- Rosenborg Castle (the Crown Jewels): a Renaissance palace that houses the Danish crown jewels.
- Amalienborg Palace (Royal Museum): the official residence of the Danish royal family.
- Canal Tour (Boat cruise departing from Ved Stranden or Nyhavn).
- Kronborg Castle (Hamlet's castle in Helsingør).
- National Museum (Nationalmuseet): dedicated to the history and culture of Denmark.
- Round Tower (Rundetårn): one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings, formerly used as an astronomical observatory.
- Copenhagen Zoo.
In addition to these, it includes gems such as the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (a must, even if it's outside the city), Christiansborg Palace, and the Design Museum.
The pass catalog offers a range of exclusive tours of the capital and surrounding areas, from classic sightseeing tours to guided boat tours.
The Copenhagen canal tour and the Furesø lake cruise are particularly popular examples.
On the official Copenhagen Card website you will find a complete list of all the attractions and tours included in the pass.
Click on the individual attractions to find a brief description of what they are about along with other information, such as times, tour details and benefits.
⚠️ Note on rules of use: You can visit each attraction only once per pass. It is not possible to return to the same museum twice (for example, two consecutive days at Tivoli).
Buy Copenhagen Card DiscoverThe big advantage: Regional Transportation Included
This is the real competitive advantage of the Discover version over the Hop version.
The pass includes unlimited travel on Trains (S-tog and Regional), Metro, Buses, and Harbor Buses.
But the important thing is the geographical coverage: the pass covers Zones 1-99, i.e. the entire Capital Region.
What does this mean in practice?
- ✅ Airport included: You can use the pass to travel to and from the airport (by Metro or Train) without paying extra.
- ✅ Day trips included: Covering zones 1-99, you can take the regional train to reach distant destinations such as Roskilde (Viking Ship Museum), Helsingør (Hamlet's Castle), Hillerød (Frederiksborg Castle), or the Louisiana Museum at no extra cost.
Considering that a round-trip train ticket to Helsingør costs around €25-30, the savings here are enormous.
Here is the official link for the transport company, where you can find further logistical information.
Booking attractions
Most attractions included in the Discover Card cannot be booked in advance.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, and Our Saviour's Church, for which you can book access via their official website.
However, the Copenhagen Card does not normally guarantee a place at the attraction you are interested in, nor does it allow you to skip the line.
To be sure that the attraction you are interested in does not require a reservation you must consult the official website of each before going there.
Copenhagen Card Discover prices (2026)
Official prices are set in Danish kroner (DKK). Here we provide an estimate in euros based on the exchange rate in January 2026.
Note: The final figures in euros may vary slightly (by a few cents or euros) depending on the exchange rate applied by your bank at the time of purchase.
Note 2: Children aged 0-11 are free (max. 2 per paying adult).
| Duration | Adult (16 years and older) | Boy (12-15 years old) | Child (0-11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | approximately €79 | approximately €53 | Free |
| 48 hours | approximately €115 | approximately €68 | Free |
| 72 hours | approximately €139 | approximately €79 | Free |
| 96 hours | approximately €163 | approximately €94 | Free |
| 120 hours | approximately €190 | approximately €106 | Free |
Where to buy it (and why)
You can purchase it on the official website or through authorized retailers. My recommendation is to purchase it on GetYourGuide (link below).
Why? The price is in line with the official price, but GetYourGuide offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
This guarantees total flexibility: if your flight is canceled or you change your plans, you can request a full refund with a simple click from the app, without having to send emails or wait for Danish customer service to respond.
It also allows you to pay with PayPal (with PayPal's standard purchase protection of up to €500), Google Pay, and Apple Pay, as well as a wide range of credit cards.
Purchase Discover Card (Cancelable)When is Discover a good choice?
- ✅ ABSOLUTELY YES: If you are staying for two or more days and want to see lots of things, visit castles, enjoy freedom of movement, take a canal tour, and maybe even a trip outside the city (Kronborg/Louisiana). The savings are obvious.
- ❌ NO: If you just want to walk around without going into museums, or if you are staying for less than 24 hours and/or are only staying in the city center.
Copenhagen Card Hop (The "Relax" version)
Designed for those who want to take a quick trip, or who prefer not to take part in guided tours or visit lots of museums.
This option is designed for a more "relaxed" type of tourism. It includes fewer attractions (about 40, concentrated in the historic center) and replaces public transportation with Strömma's Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Buses.
These tourist buses are ideal for those who want to sit comfortably, listen to the audio guide, and be taken from one place to another while enjoying the view, without having to figure out how the subway works or walk too much.
See Hop Card pricesWhat has changed compared to the Discover?
The differences are substantial.
Here's what you need to know before buying:
Attractions included (40+): The HOP includes all the "big" attractions in the city center (Tivoli, Rosenborg, Amalienborg, Little Mermaid statue, Round Tower), but excludes museums outside the city or smaller ones.
You can find the complete list here by clicking on the "Copenhagen Card Hop" button. For each attraction, museum, or tour, you will also find more detailed information about the visit to help you understand what it is all about.
Transportation (The critical point):
✅ INCLUDES: Unlimited access to Strömma's Hop-on Hop-off tourist buses for the duration of the pass.
The pass includes all available lines (usually the Classic Red, Urban Green, and Colorful Copenhagen), allowing you to cover different areas of the city center. You can hop on and off as you please for the duration of your card's validity.
❌ NOT INCLUDED: Subway, trains, public buses, and Harbor Bus.
❌ NOT INCLUDED: Transfer to/from the airport (you will have to pay for this separately).
How does it work?
It works in the same way as the Discover Card: once you have purchased the card, download the app, use it to activate the pass, and scan it at the entrance to the attraction, museum, or tour you wish to visit.
As with Discover most attractions cannot be booked and each can only be visited once.
Buy Copenhagen Hop PassCopenhagen Card HOP prices (2026)
Official prices are in Danish kroner (DKK). Here we provide an estimate ("approximately") in euros based on the exchange rate in January 2026.
Note: The final figures in euros may fluctuate slightly (by a few cents or euros) depending on the exchange rate applied at the time of purchase.
Paradoxically, this card often costs slightly more than or the same as the Discover version, because tourist bus tickets have a high market value.
| Duration | Adult (16 years and older) | Boy (12-15 years old) | Child (0-11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | approximately €80 | approximately €55 | Free |
| 48 hours | approximately €117 | approximately €70 | Free |
| 72 hours | approximately €141 | approximately €80 | Free |
All Copenhagen Card Hop formats are free for children under 12 years of age.
As with the Discover Card, each adult can bring a maximum of two children with them at the child rate. From the third child onwards, the youth rate must be paid regardless of age, except for infants (0-2 years).
Where to buy the Copenhagen Card Hop
Similar to Discover, you can also purchase the Card Hop via the official website.
However, I recommend purchasing it on GetYourGuide (link below) to take advantage of free cancellation within 24 hours of using the card.
Added to this is the convenience of paying in euros, possibly with PayPal.
Which pass should you choose? Comparison
The choice depends on your travel style. Here is a summary table to help you decide at a glance:
| Feature | DISCOVER Card | HOP Card |
|---|---|---|
| No. Attractions | 80+ (Entire region) | 40+ (Downtown only) |
| Transportation | ✅ Trains, Metro, Public buses | ✅ Tourist Bus Only (Strömma) |
| Airport | ✅ Included | ❌ Excluded |
| Out of Town | ✅ Included (Kronborg, Roskilde) | ❌ Unreachable |
| Who is it for? | For those who want to see everything and move around freely. | For those who want comfort and "few" central attractions. |
My advice? In 90% of tourist cases, the Copenhagen DISCOVER Card is the best choice.
Copenhagen has an excellent metro system (operating 24/7), so using public transport is much faster and more efficient than the tourist bus, which can get stuck in traffic.
Only choose HOP if you are traveling with elderly people, with small children who love double-decker buses, or if you plan to get around mainly on foot and without leaving the city center.
Validity, Activation, and Refunds
Pass management is identical for both versions.
Validity by the hour: The pass is consumed in actual hours, not calendar days. Example: I activate the 24-hour pass on Tuesday at 4:00 PM → It expires on Wednesday at 4:00 PM.
Children Free: Each adult can bring 2 children (0-11 years old) free of charge.
⚠️ Please note: even if they do not pay, children must be added to the cart at the time of purchase (by selecting the Child Card at $0). This will give them their own personal QR Code in the app, which is essential for opening the subway turnstiles and for scanning at museum entrances.
Cancellation: If you purchase through GetYourGuide (recommended), you are entitled to a full refund up to 24 hours before the start of the activity. This is essential to avoid losing money if the trip is canceled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please note, however, that rides are never included and must be paid for separately with a Ride Pass or individual tickets inside the park.
Complete your visit to Copenhagen: other attractions and tours
The pass is almost always the most cost-effective solution for visiting the main attractions. Should your itinerary require an addition, or if you have opted for a different approach, here are the most requested single tickets for the unmissable destinations in Copenhagen.
See tickets for all major attractions in Copenhagen
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