The Copenhagen Card is Copenhagen’s official sightseeing pass. It comes in two versions: DISCOVER, which gives access to more than 80 attractions and to public transport across the whole capital region (zones 1 to 99, airport included), for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours; and HOP, which covers more than 40 attractions in the center and the Hop-On Hop-Off tourist buses, without public transport. It pays off if you pack several paid visits into each day; if you prefer to stroll, a transport ticket alone is enough.
This page summarizes the issuer’s official rules (copenhagencard.com), the method to work out whether the pass is worth it for your itinerary, and the alternatives. To plan the rest of your stay, see our Copenhagen guide.
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Copenhagen Card: key facts
- DISCOVER: 80+ attractions, unlimited public transport in zones 1-99 (metro, S-tog, buses, harbor buses, regional trains to Roskilde, Hillerød and Helsingør), airport trip included.
- HOP: 40+ attractions in the center and Stromma Hop-On Hop-Off buses, without public transport.
- Validity in hours from activation in the app; it cannot be paused.
- One visit per attraction; some require a booking.
- Refundable if unused, within six months of purchase.
DISCOVER or HOP: which version to choose?
| DISCOVER | HOP | |
|---|---|---|
| Attractions | More than 80 in the capital region | More than 40 in the center |
| Public transport | Unlimited, zones 1 to 99, airport included | Not included |
| Hop-On Hop-Off bus | No | Yes (Stromma, up to three lines depending on the season) |
| Durations | 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 hours | 24, 48, 72 hours |
DISCOVER suits almost every stay: it also covers the trip from the airport and train excursions to Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, Frederiksborg in Hillerød or Roskilde. HOP is aimed at those who want a commentated bus tour and stay in the center; you will then need to buy transport separately.
Official prices
Prices shown by the issuer, checked on 27 October 2026 on copenhagencard.com, which says they may change without notice:
| DISCOVER | Adult (16+) | Junior (12-15) | Child (3-11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 h | 589 DKK | 399 DKK | 100 DKK |
| 48 h | 859 DKK | 509 DKK | 140 DKK |
| 72 h | 1,039 DKK | 589 DKK | 180 DKK |
| 96 h | 1,219 DKK | 699 DKK | 220 DKK |
| 120 h | 1,419 DKK | 789 DKK | 260 DKK |
| HOP | Adult (16+) | Junior (12-15) | Child (3-11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 h | 600 DKK | 410 DKK | 100 DKK |
| 48 h | 875 DKK | 525 DKK | 140 DKK |
| 72 h | 1,050 DKK | 600 DKK | 180 DKK |
Children: the KIDS card (ages 3 to 11) is limited to two per adult and is bought with the adult card; beyond that, a child of this age takes a JUNIOR card. Children under 3 do not need a card.
Rules to know before you buy
- Activation: the card is 100% digital, in the official « Copenhagen Card City Guide » app. Validity runs in real hours from activation: a 24-hour card activated on a Tuesday at 10 a.m. expires on Wednesday at 9:59 a.m. The issuer advises activating only once you are there, with your phone set to Danish time.
- No pause: once activated, the card counts down without interruption.
- One visit per attraction: no second entry, no fast-track; the card is scanned at each entry.
- Bookings: Home of Carlsberg and the Church of Our Saviour require a booking; for Home of Carlsberg, the card number only appears after activation. At Rosenborg Castle you collect a timed ticket for the day on site. Canal Tours cruises are booked at the Ved Stranden ticket office, not online.
- Tivoli: the attraction’s listing says the card covers admission and gives access to a discounted rides pass; rides are therefore not included.
- Transport: the card must remain valid for the whole journey; you show it to the bus driver and to inspectors. Malmö is not covered. Screenshots are not accepted.
- Battery: the app works offline once the card is activated, but a flat phone gives no right to a refund or to the cancellation of a fine.
- Validity and refund: a card must be activated within 24 months of purchase; unused, it is refundable within six months.
- Closures: many attractions close on Mondays and public holidays, the general conditions remind you. Check opening hours before choosing your pass days.
Is the Copenhagen Card worth it? The 4-step method
- List the paid attractions you really want to see, day by day, allowing for Monday closures.
- Note their entry prices on their official websites, then add the cost of your transport (including the airport trip) for the same days.
- Compare this total with the price of the card for the matching duration, in real hours: a 48-hour pass activated at noon covers two afternoons and one full day, not two full days.
- Keep a margin: you rarely visit as much as planned. If the saving depends on one more visit, the card is not a good calculation.
In practice, the DISCOVER card becomes worthwhile when you string together several museums or castles a day and use public transport, especially for a train excursion to Helsingør, Hillerød or Roskilde. It is much less so for a stay centered on walks, Nyhavn, neighborhoods and free parks. Before buying, check that the museums you are interested in are on the official list of attractions.
Official alternatives
If you only aim for two or three attractions, a transport ticket and single admission tickets often cost less. According to DSB’s « Types of tickets for Copenhagen » page, the City Pass lets you travel by bus, train and metro for 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours in zones 1 to 4, including between the airport and the center; it can be bought at station ticket machines and in the « Rejsebillet » app, among others. The same page says two children up to age 11 inclusive travel free with an adult holding a valid ticket. For long excursions (Helsingør, Roskilde), a ticket covering all zones is needed: check the DSB and Din Offentlige Transport websites before you go.
Buying the Copenhagen Card
The card is sold on the official website and in the issuer’s app, and by resellers (agencies, activity platforms). With a reseller, check three points: that it is the official Copenhagen Card (DISCOVER or HOP), how you will receive the code to import into the app, and the refund terms, which may differ from the issuer’s.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Copenhagen Card include transport?
The DISCOVER version does: unlimited public transport in zones 1 to 99, including to and from the airport. The HOP version does not (only the Hop-On Hop-Off buses).
Is Tivoli included in the Copenhagen Card?
Admission is covered according to the attraction’s official listing, with a rides pass sold at a discount; rides are not included.
When should I activate the Copenhagen Card?
Once you are there, in the app. Validity runs in hours from activation and cannot be suspended.
Do children need a card?
Yes from age 3: KIDS card (3-11, two maximum per adult) or JUNIOR (12-15). Free under 3.
Can I get a refund on the Copenhagen Card?
Yes if it has not been used, within six months of purchase. An activated and used card is not refundable.
Does the card cover trips to Malmö?
No, Malmö is not covered.
Our sources
- Copenhagen Card (Wonderful Copenhagen), official website copenhagencard.com: home page, « FAQ », « Prices », « What’s included », « Conditions » and the list of attractions, checked 27 October 2026.
- DSB, « Types of tickets for Copenhagen » (undated page), checked 27 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026. Prices and terms may change: check them before you buy.
