I was told Copenhagen was going to cost me a remortgage. And yes, it is notoriously expensive to visit, but there’s definitely ways to cut costs. If you’re willing to that is. So this is how I spent 3 days in Copenhagen on a strict budget including a handy map at the end.
I’m not claiming this post shows a completely budget way to travel. I always pay a little extra for comfort. AKA. I’m not a hostels person. Nope. But still, for flights, accommodation, sights and food, I only spent £220 – around £75 a day!?
How I only spent £220 on a budget break in Copenhagen
Travel
Check skyscanner daily, hourly or by the minute if possible. The prices change and you need an eagle eye. We booked a good four months in advance and got a bargain flight for £60 each.
Once at Copenhagen airport, we used the automated machines to purchase a single train ticket to the city for about £5. They depart from Terminal 3 and take 15 minutes to get into the centre.
TOTAL: £65
Accommodation
We stayed in the most wonderful AirBnb a short walk from the centre. It was super chic and modern, with underfloor heating. There were even two balconies on each side of the apartment.
For four of us it cost £70 each for two nights. That was considerably cheaper than any hotel. I could have shaved the price even more by staying in a hostel but that’s just not me. The listing is offline now but the street was called Weidekampsgade, and it’s an area I’d definitely recommend to stay.
TOTAL: £70
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Sights
Here are 7 places to visit that will help keep your break in Copenhagen to budget.
1. Church of our saviour | £5
This is one of Denmark’s most famous churches and for good reason. It’s really striking to look at and stands at 90m tall. Inside you clamber through wooden nooks and darkened stairways to reach the external spiral staircase, totalling 400 steps. This is where it gets terrifying. The whole thing looks like it is going to fall down at any moment. We made it to the top with wobbly legs to admire the colourful views. Get your tickets from the entrance.
2. The Tower, Christiansborg Palace | FREE
This is the highest tower in Copenhagen, which gives you a lovely view of the city. The Palace houses the Danish parliament but the tower view is not as good as the Church of our Saviour. Still worth a visit though. Expect a short queue to take the lift up to the top.
3. Round Tower | £4
This 17th century tower rests in the centre of the city and is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. Buy your tickets from the bottom and make your way up to the top using the windy slope. Half way up there’s a free exhibition with interesting contemporary artworks. The panoramic view is gorgeous and the tower itself is very charming.
4. The Danish Jewish Museum | £8
The Danish Jewish Museum is inside Danish Royal Library’s old Galley House. The outside is classic red brick but as soon as you step indoors it’s suddenly a super modern space. The architecture is so cool – angular and unusual. You will find Danish Jewish historical artifacts and art but not really any interactive pieces. Either way, it is fascinating to find out about 400 years of Jewish lifestyle in Denmark.
5. Christiana Walking Tour | TIPS
The best way to stay on a low budget in Copenhagen, or any city in fact, is a free walking tour. Christiana is a freetown made up of around 1000 residents that are governed by their own rules separate to Denmark. There are music venues, cafes and restaurants and all in all it’s just a cool, unusual place to visit. No pictures allowed hence no images to share. We pre-booked a walking tour for a more educational experience and tipped a small amount each.
6. Nyhaven | FREE
This is the place you will have likely seen in Copenhagen pictures. It’s an iconic district in the city. Colourful 17th century houses line the waterway, which is dotted with boats of all shapes and sizes. There’s pubs, restaurants and music to entertain your visit. Nyhaven is picture perfect.
7. Tivoli Gardens | £15
Another famous attraction in Copenhagen is Tivoli Gardens, located right outside the train station. I found it incredibly unusual to see an amusement park in the city! Rollercoasters, ferris wheels and merry go rounds light up the sky but if you’re not a thrill seeker, it also has lush gardens to explore. That’s exactly what we did. We bought tickets from the gates and as it was Christmas, there were thousands of twinkly lights to admire. Magical!
TOTAL: £40
Looking for more cheap city breaks? Don’t forget to check out my 2 days in Dublin and 2 days in Paris guides.
Eat
Finally, food. This is BY FAR the most expensive thing about Copenhagen. It’s scary how much places charge and how much people will pay. The grub isn’t that important to me, so this might not be your style… But, this is how we kept to a super cheap budget:
- Breakfast | Saturday & Sunday | Pastries | £5
- Lunch | Friday, Saturday & Sunday | Street food stalls | £25
- Dinner | Friday & Saturday | Dined in apartment | £15
If you’re interested, the two yummy pastry shops we visited were Skt. Peders Bageri and Andersen Bakery tagged in the map below. For the evenings, we shopped at a local supermarket and made veg stew with bread. Nom.
TOTAL: £45
So that’s how I enjoyed 3 days in Copenhagen for only £220!
A cheap trip to the happiest city on earth isn’t so unrealistic, as long as you’re willing to sacrifice a few things. Let me know if you’ve ever been or want to after reading my guide.
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It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful trip! I can’t believe how expensive the food was though. I hope to travel here once things have calmed down in the world, so will be keeping your tips in mind – thank you 🙂
Thanks for commenting 🙂 I can’t wait to return when things settle too. Food is definitely the biggest bank breaker so if you’re on a budget try to cook yourself or get cheap street food. Have a fantastic time when you do get to visit.