Copenhagen in Denmark is a popular city stop for many travellers and lies some 630km north-east from Amsterdam.
Let’s look at the options for travel between these 2 cities by train, air and bus.
1. Amsterdam-Copenhagen by Train
Travel by rail between Amsterdam and Copenhagen can be done during the daytime in just over 10 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 €50 one-way.
The Amsterdam-Copenhagen rail journey is made as follows:
1. Amsterdam to Hamburg via Osnabrück: The Amsterdam-Hamburg trip is done by taking the Amsterdam-Berlin Intercity (IC) service (which runs 5-6x daily) to Osnabrück. Then connecting to the hourly IC or ICE train to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof which runs via Bremen.
2. Hamburg to Copenhagen: There are up to 3-5x daily ICE or Eurocity train services between Hamburg and Copenhagen. The train runs a longer route via Padborg, Kolding, Odense and Ringsted. Previously it ran via the Rødby-Puttgarden ferry link which is to be replaced by the under construction Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link tunnel.
The total Hamburg-Copenhagen journey takes 4 hours 40 minutes.
To do Amsterdam-Copenhagen in a single day you could depart Amsterdam Central at 0700 on the Berlin IC train, arriving in Osnabrück at 1006.
From there take the 1023 ICE train to Hamburg which arrives at 1214. From Hamburg the Eurocity train leaves at 1253 arriving in Copenhagen at 1736.
You could also do the same trip leaving Amsterdam at 1100 which would get you into Copenhagen at 2136.
If travelling Copenhagen-Amsterdam, you could take the Eurocity from Copenhagen at 0717, arriving in Hamburg at 1204. After a slightly longer lunch stop in Hamburg, take the ICE train at 1346 which gets you to Osnabrück at 1535; the Amsterdam-bound IC Berlin train leaves at 1553 and arrives at 1900. Total travel time for this leg is 11 hours 43 mins.
You can also depart Copenhagen later at 1117 and reach Amsterdam by 2300.
Amsterdam-Copenhagen tickets can be booked at the NS International site. Prices start from €49.90 (2nd class) and €63.90 (1st class). You can 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 around 1 1/2 hours flying time – certainly the quickest way to travel.
Skyteam’s KLM has up to 6 daily non-stop flights from Amsterdam to Copenhagen using Boeing 737 aircraft or Embraer 190 (Cityhopper service). Prices start from €130 return excluding checked luggage.
SAS Scandinavian (Star Alliance) has up to 4 daily non-stop flights between Amsterdam and Copenhagen – it currently uses smaller Embraer 190 and Canadair RJ900 aircraft.
Return fares are priced around the same level as KLM.
Other airlines on the route include Easyjet (running 1-3x daily, priced cheaper than KLM), Norwegian and Vueling which fly 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 €45. 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 Iamsterdam 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 Iamsterdam 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 89 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 16 June 2022.
