The Europe CruiseFor the American voyager

Your voyage begins in Copenhagen

From the airport to the gangway, every way there and back.

Photo: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Copenhagen is one of the easiest big cruise ports. The airport is close to the city, and the metro is fast. The cruise quays are north of the center, so a taxi is the simple last step.

I · Arrive by airCPHCopenhagen Airport (Kastrup)
II · Airport to shipClose to the city: the metro runs Nørreport to the airport in about 15 minutes (CPH).
III · Ways to travel3compared below
IV · BoardCopenhagencruise terminal
The timetable

Every way from the airport to the ship

Tap any way for step-by-step directions.

The wayFromTimeCost
TaxiCPHNot verified, usually under an hourApproximate: DKK 450-550 between Oceankaj and the airport, depending on time of day (Copenhagen Malmö Port)
Metro into the city, then taxiCPHAbout 15 minutes to Nørreport, then a short taxiNot verified, buy a ticket at the station or DSB office in Terminal 3
Cruise line transferCPHVariesSet by your line
On the chart

Where Copenhagen lies

Antique-style chart of The Baltic Capitals with ports markedCopenhagenHamburgKielOsloStockholmWarnemündeAarhusGdańskGothenburgHelsinkiKlaipėdaRigaSkagenTallinnVisby
Step by step

From Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) (CPH)

Close to the city: the metro runs Nørreport to the airport in about 15 minutes (CPH).

Taxi

Time Not verified, usually under an hourCost Approximate: DKK 450-550 between Oceankaj and the airport, depending on time of day (Copenhagen Malmö Port)
  1. Follow signs to the taxi rank. Taxis pick up at Terminal 3.
  2. Tell the driver your quay: Oceankaj, Langelinie or Nordre Toldbod.
  3. Pay by card (usually accepted). CPH says the fare includes the tip.

The simplest choice with luggage.

Metro into the city, then taxi

Time About 15 minutes to Nørreport, then a short taxiCost Not verified, buy a ticket at the station or DSB office in Terminal 3
  1. Walk from Terminal 3 to the metro station (it is connected).
  2. Buy a ticket. Machines take coins and cards, not paper money.
  3. Ride to the city center (trains every 4-6 minutes in the daytime).
  4. Take a taxi to your quay.

Good if you stay in town the night before.

Cruise line transfer

Time VariesCost Set by your line
  1. Book with your cruise line.
  2. Look for its representative after customs.

Easiest on boarding day.

Already in town

From the city or your hotel

Taxi from a city hotel

Time Not verifiedCost Approximate: DKK 200-250 between Oceankaj and Tivoli (Copenhagen Malmö Port)

CMP lists Amager-Øbro Taxi (+45 27 27 27 27), DAN Taxi (+45 70 25 25 25) and Taxi 4x35 (+45 35 35 35 35).

Public transport (metro, train, bus)

Time Plan with RejseplanenCost Not verified

CMP says all terminals can be reached by public transport and recommends rejseplanen.dk.

The night before

Where to stay

Arrive a day or two early. A delayed flight on sailing day is the most common way travelers miss the ship.

Central Copenhagen (Nyhavn, Indre By, near Tivoli)

Short taxi ride to all three quays and easy sightseeing.

All aboard

Sailing day

Terminals & docks

Three cruise areas: Oceankaj (Ocean Quay, berths 331-333, the farthest north and for the biggest ships), Langelinie (berths 192-198, near the Little Mermaid), and Nordre Toldbod (berth 177, small ships only, max 200 m long). Your cruise documents name the quay.

Check-in

  • Arrive in your assigned time slot.
  • Have the quay name written down for the taxi driver.

What trips people up

  • Oceankaj is well north of the center. It is not walkable with luggage.
  • Metro ticket machines do not take paper money.

Do this

  • A Copenhagen Card or City Pass covers airport-city trips (DSB).
  • Taxis at CPH: fare includes the tip.
Homeward bound

Leaving the ship: back to the airport

The same routes run in reverse. On the last morning everyone leaves at once, so lines for taxis and buses are at their longest. Book flights home for the afternoon or later, and arrange your ride in advance if you can.

The wayToTimeCost
TaxiCPHNot verified, usually under an hourApproximate: DKK 450-550 between Oceankaj and the airport, depending on time of day (Copenhagen Malmö Port)
Metro into the city, then taxiCPHAbout 15 minutes to Nørreport, then a short taxiNot verified, buy a ticket at the station or DSB office in Terminal 3
Cruise line transferCPHVariesSet by your line

Before you leave

  • A Copenhagen Card or City Pass covers airport-city trips (DSB).
  • Taxis at CPH: fare includes the tip.
  • Have the quay name written down for the taxi driver.
Linger a while

Before or after your cruise

Sources & what we could not confirm · 4 sources · checked 2026-11
Still being confirmed
  • Exact taxi time from the airport to each quay
  • Metro/train fare from the airport
  • Which quay a specific cruise line uses (check your documents)
  • Nearest metro stop to Oceankaj
  • US nonstop flights: not verified for this page; check airline sites