Copenhagen in Denmark (Kopenhagen in Dutch, København in Danish) is a popular city destination for many travellers and lies some 630km north-east from Amsterdam.
Let’s look at the options for travel between Amsterdam and Copenhagen by train, air and bus.
1. Amsterdam-Copenhagen by Train
Travel by rail between Amsterdam and Copenhagen can be done during the daytime in 10-12 hours with changes of train at Osnabrück and Hamburg in Germany. It can be easily booked via the NS International site with prices starting from €57 one-way.
The Amsterdam-Copenhagen rail journey is made with the following 3 components:
1. Amsterdam-Osnabrück using the Intercity Berlin train which runs 5x daily between Amsterdam and Berlin. This takes around 3 hours.
2. Osnabrück-Hamburg by domestic German ICE train service running via Bremen which takes just under 2 hours.
For detailed info please refer to our Amsterdam-Hamburg travel page
3. Hamburg-Copenhagen using an Intercity service jointly run by DB German Railways and DSB (Danske Statsbaner) Danish Railways. This part of the trip takes about 4 hours 40 minutes.
The train runs a longer route via Padborg, Kolding, Odense and Ringsted. Previously it ran via the Rødby-Puttgarden ferry link which is being replaced by the under construction Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link tunnel – due for completion in 2029.
The Hamburg-Copenhagen train service uses older series DB Intercity train carriages similar to those in use on the Intercity Berlin. They are pulled by a Danish DSB electric locomotive. New trainsets are expected to be introduced on this route around 2024.
2nd class seats are mainly an open 2-2 configurations whilst 1st class are mostly 6 seat compartments.
The trains have free WiFi and power outlets available. There is no bistro carriage available – on the Danish side of the route an attendant walks through selling hot drinks and snacks.
Hamburg-Copenhagen journey highlights
The windows on this train are large and offer good views. The journey itself has some interesting sights along the way including:
- On the German side, the Rendsburg High Bridge and Loop offers some excellent elevated views over the Kiel canal and the surrounding countryside. You cross the bridge then loop around back to ground level passing under the bridge and then through Rendsburg station.
- In Denmark, just past Kolding station you briefly run alongside the Kolding Fjord (views on the right-hand side) and a bit further on cross The Little Belt bridge (Den Gamle Lillebæltsbro) which connects the Danish mainland (Jutland) with the island of Funen.
- Crossing the Great Belt which connects Funen and Zealand islands. The first part is a joint road and rail box-girder bridge; at the island of Sprogø it splits into a rail tunnel and a suspension bridge for road traffic.
Amsterdam-Copenhagen train times
To do Amsterdam-Copenhagen in a single day you could depart Amsterdam Central at 0700 on the Intercity Berlin train, arriving in Osnabrück at 1006. Go to the upstairs platforms and take the 1023 ICE train to Hamburg which arrives at 1214. From Hamburg the Intercity train leaves at 1253 arriving in Copenhagen at 1734.
You could also do the same trip leaving Amsterdam at 1100 which would get you into Copenhagen at 2134 – although we suggest taking the earlier journey in case of any delays or cancellations.
If travelling Copenhagen-Amsterdam, you could take the Intercity from Copenhagen at 0726, arriving in Hamburg at 1205. Then take the ICE train at 1246 which gets you to Osnabrück at 1435; the Amsterdam-bound Intercity Berlin train leaves at 1553 and arrives at 1900. Total travel time for this leg is 11 hours 34 mins.
Amsterdam-Copenhagen train ticket fares
The cheapest one-way ticket price for Amsterdam-Copenhagen in 2nd class for the trip is €57. This is the Supersparpreis Europa fare which is only valid on the particular departure time selected and is non-changeable/non-refundable. It can be easily found if booking 2-6 months in advance.
There are more flexible fares available. The Sparpreis Europa fare from €63 one-way is changeable/refundable for a fee. The fully-flexible Flexpreis fare is priced €212 one-way.
1st class Amsterdam-Copenhagen one-way fares start from €70 (the non-changeable Supersparpreis Europa 1st class), from €76 (Sparpreis Europa 1st class, changeable/refundable for a fee) and from €350 (Flexpreis full-flex fare).
Seat reservations are an extra €4.90 per person in 2nd class for the entire trip but are included for 1st class fares. Each seat has a small display showing whether or not the seat is reserved. We always recommend reserving your seats as these services are popular.
All 1st class passengers get access to the NS International lounge at Amsterdam Centraal or the DSB 1 lounge in Copenhagen. Only those with a fully-flex 1st class ticket can access the DB Lounge at Hamburg Hbf.
Amsterdam-Copenhagen tickets can be booked at the NS International site.
You could also purchase separate Amsterdam-Hamburg and Hamburg-Copenhagen tickets if you wish to add a stopover in Hamburg.
2. Amsterdam-Copenhagen by Air
Flights between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Copenhagen Airport (CPH) take only around 1 hour 20 mins flying time – certainly the quickest way to travel.
Skyteam’s KLM has up to 7 daily non-stop flights from Amsterdam to Copenhagen using Boeing 737 aircraft or Embraer 190 (Cityhopper service). Prices start from €160 return excluding checked luggage.
SAS Scandinavian (Star Alliance) has up to 5 daily non-stop flights between Amsterdam and Copenhagen – it uses a mix of Airbus A320neo plus some smaller aircraft as well.
Return fares are priced from around the same level as KLM.
Other airlines on the route include Easyjet (running 1-2x daily, priced cheaper than KLM though more inconvenient flight times) and Norwegian (up to once daily).
3. Amsterdam-Copenhagen by Coach
Flixbus runs a daily overnight service between Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Copenhagen Central Station which takes around 13 hours. Singles start from €40. Flixbus also offers some longer connecting services via a change of bus in Hamburg.
Amsterdam Resources
Looking for a convenient hotel near Amsterdam Central station? Check out the stylish Kimpton-De Witt which is a short walk from the station. For those on a budget the Ibis Amsterdam Centre is literally on top of the western edge of the station platforms.
The I Amsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam museums and attractions. It also includes a free public transport pass, a canal cruise and bike rental as well. You can order your I Amsterdam City Card online here
Copenhagen Resources
In Copenhagen you can book your hotel with Booking.com here.
The Copenhagen City Card (1-5 days) includes to free entrance to 80+ attractions, free public transportation and a canal cruise. You can order your Copenhagen City Card online here
This article was originally published in 2011 and has continuously been updated. Last update 18 September 2023.
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