One day in Copenhagen from Budapest: Nyhavn, palaces and smørrebrød

One day in Copenhagen is a same-day trip from Budapest in which you fly out early, spend the day between Nyhavn, the royal palaces and the canals, and fly home the same evening. Few capitals are as well suited to it. The flight takes around two hours, there is no time difference, and the metro takes you from the airport terminal to the heart of the city in about a quarter of an hour. The centre is flat, compact and best explored on foot or by bike, so you waste very little of your day getting around.

How to get from Budapest to Copenhagen

Several airlines fly direct from Budapest to Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup): Wizz Air, Ryanair, Norwegian and SAS all operate the route, though frequencies differ by season. The flight takes about one hour and fifty minutes to two hours. For a day trip you need a typical early-morning departure and an evening return, so check the current schedule in the Daytrip app, which pairs the flights for you. Copenhagen is in the same time zone as Budapest.

Denmark is in the EU and the Schengen area, so your ID card is enough. Note that Denmark uses the Danish krone, not the euro, but cards are accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts.

From Copenhagen airport to the city centre

• Metro M2: the station is right at Terminal 3. Trains run every few minutes during the day and reach Kongens Nytorv, next to Nyhavn, in about 15 minutes.
• Regional train: trains from the airport station also run to Copenhagen Central Station, close to Tivoli and the City Hall Square.
• Taxi: quick, but expensive by Budapest standards, and the metro is just as fast.

A ticket for the airport zones is needed for the metro and trains. Buy it at the machines or in the official public transport app before you board.

Top 10 things to see in Copenhagen

• Nyhavn: the seventeenth-century harbour lined with coloured townhouses and wooden boats, Copenhagen’s postcard view.
• Amalienborg: the royal family’s residence, with the changing of the guard at noon every day.
• Frederik’s Church (the Marble Church): the great green dome right behind Amalienborg.
• The Little Mermaid: the famous small bronze statue on the waterfront, best combined with a walk through Kastellet.
• Rosenborg Castle and the King’s Garden: a Renaissance castle with the Danish crown jewels.
• Christiansborg Palace: the seat of the Danish parliament, with a free viewing tower.
• The Round Tower (Rundetårn): a seventeenth-century observatory with a spiral ramp instead of stairs.
• Strøget: one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets.
• Tivoli Gardens: the historic amusement park in the city centre. It opens in seasons, so check the dates.
• Christianshavn and Christiania: canals, houseboats and the alternative free town.

Copenhagen in one day: the hour-by-hour itinerary

This plan assumes a typical early flight landing in the morning and the M2 metro to Kongens Nytorv.

• Landing to 10:30 Metro to Kongens Nytorv, coffee and a cinnamon bun in Nyhavn
• 10:30 to 12:15 Frederik’s Church, then Amalienborg for the changing of the guard at noon
• 12:15 to 13:30 Kastellet and the Little Mermaid, then back towards the centre
• 13:30 to 14:30 Smørrebrød for lunch, for example at Torvehallerne market
• 14:30 to 16:30 Rosenborg Castle and the King’s Garden, then the Round Tower
• 16:30 to 18:00 Canal tour from Nyhavn, or a walk through Christianshavn
• 18:00 to 19:00 Strøget, Christiansborg or Tivoli if it is in season
• 19:00 Metro back to the airport

Morning: Nyhavn and the royal quarter

Nyhavn is quietest in the morning, which is the best time for photos. From there it is a short walk to Amalienborg, four identical palaces around an octagonal square. The Royal Life Guards march to the palace and change the guard at noon every day. The Marble Church faces the square, and its dome lines up perfectly with the opera house across the water.

Midday: Kastellet and the Little Mermaid

Walk north along the waterfront to Kastellet, a star-shaped fortress with grassy ramparts, and on to the Little Mermaid. The statue is smaller than many expect, so combine it with the fortress walk rather than making a special trip.

Afternoon: castles and towers

Rosenborg Castle holds the crown jewels and sits in the King’s Garden, the city’s oldest park. Nearby, the Round Tower has a wide spiral ramp leading to a viewing platform over the rooftops. Later, a canal tour from Nyhavn or Gammel Strand shows you the opera house, Christianshavn and the harbour in about an hour.

What to eat in Copenhagen

Smørrebrød, the Danish open sandwich on dark rye bread, is the classic lunch: try herring, roast beef with crispy onions or egg and shrimp. Torvehallerne, the covered food market near Nørreport, is a good place to sample it alongside coffee and pastries. For a snack, a hot dog from a pølsevogn (sausage stand) is a Danish institution. And do not leave without a kanelsnegl, the cinnamon swirl, or a proper Danish pastry, called wienerbrød locally. Nyhavn is scenic but pricey, while Nørrebro and Vesterbro have better value.

When to go to Copenhagen for a day

May to September is the best time: the days are very long, the harbour baths and waterfront terraces are full, and you can stay out until your evening flight in daylight. Autumn is quieter and still pleasant, and Tivoli usually opens for a Halloween season. In winter the days are short and cold, but the Christmas markets and Tivoli’s winter season make it cosy. Whatever the month, pack a light rain jacket.

How much does a day in Copenhagen cost?

Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, and it is best to be honest about that. Coffee, lunch and attractions all cost noticeably more than in Budapest. The day trip format helps, because you skip the hotel, which is the biggest expense here. Save money by walking, eating smørrebrød or street food instead of restaurant meals, and enjoying the free sights: Nyhavn, the changing of the guard, Kastellet and the Christiansborg tower.

Tips for a Copenhagen day trip

• Buy a metro ticket that covers the airport zones before you board.
• Be at Amalienborg just before noon for the changing of the guard.
• Watch out for cyclists: never stand or walk in the bike lanes.
• Bring a waterproof jacket, the weather can change quickly by the sea.
• Check whether Tivoli is open on your date, as it only opens in seasons.
• In Christiania, respect the local rules, including no photos where signs say so.

The Daytrip app gives you the flight pair and a ready-made Copenhagen itinerary with swappable options for every slot. Daytrip does not sell tickets: you book directly with the airline through the link in the app.

FAQ: one day in Copenhagen