Car hire in Copenhagen
Hiring a car in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of Europe’s edgiest cities, perfectly balancing centuries of royal history with chic bars, fashionable eateries and candlelit cafes. Visitors can flit between stunning streetscapes and fascinating museums, to cycling over the cobbles or eating in one of the city’s many Michelin-Star restaurants.
It is the capital of Denmark and is often described as the “world’s happiest place to live”, making it also one of the globe’s best places to visit as a tourist.
It takes around just 20 minutes to drive from the airport to the centre of Copenhagen and it’s as simple as getting on to the E20 København S and looking out for the 20-København C exit or taking exit 19-Ørestad towards Bella Center.
What you need to know
Hire cars in Copenhagen are available both from Copenhagen Airport (CPH), as well as from the train station, meaning however you enter the city you’ll be able to pick up your keys and drive away. Getting the most competitive price is easy if you use our booking tool, as this ensures you save money and find the best option for you. Arranging your car once you get to Copenhagen will likely be more costly and see you running between supplier desks trying to work out what will be cheaper for you. By using Holiday Autos, you’ll also be able to take advantage of our free cancellation policy and the 24/7 support, should you need it.
Where to pick up your car
Collecting your car from the airport couldn’t be easier. Once you have claimed your baggage, exit the customs area and take a sharp left into the corridor that takes you to Terminal 2 and 3. The car hire supplier desks are lined up in this corridor, so finding them is very simple. Here you will see well-known brands such as Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Thrifty and Budget - meaning you should be able to find the vehicle that suits your needs. If you have arranged your hire car before departing, you just need to sign the paperwork and collect your keys. If you’ve decided to wait until arriving at the airport, then you may need to hang around a little longer.
Some suppliers - such as Avis, Budget, Hertz and Sixt - also allow you to collect your car from a few metres away from Copenhagen Central Railways Station, if you’ve decided to opt for train over plane. This is very convenient if you’re travelling from somewhere else in Denmark or mainland Europe.
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Where to go
Copenhagen has over 1,000 years of royal history, meaning there are scores of beautiful castles and palaces to feast your eyes upon, including the Amalienborg Palace and the Frederiksborg Castle. The city is also home to a varied mix of attractions, such as awe-inspiring architecture, stunning art collections and a rich musical calendar, meaning there is something for everyone in the Danish capital.
You will also find a smorgasbord of fine eateries here, allowing you to sample some of the best Nordic dishes on offer in Scandinavia. The nightlife differs majorly to that found in other European cities, as it is a more refined affair found in wine and cocktail bars. There won’t be a hen or stag do in sight!
While hiring a car will open up the surrounding areas for you, the city centre itself is best explored on foot or on a bicycle, which can be hired from a plethora of shops across Copenhagen.
Nearby Copenhagen
The beauty of the city is that it is ideally situated for tourists eager to explore Denmark by car, as there is so much to do within an hour’s drive from Copenhagen.
Nature lovers will be taken aback by the beauty of The Deer Park (Dyrehaven), which is 25 minutes from the city centre via the E47/E55. Here visitors will find one thousand hectares of cultivated woodland that is roamed by many different types of grazing deer. It’s perfect for long walks, picnics and even horseback riding. In addition, the Bakken amusement park is located right in the middle of Dyrehaven.
If you venture a little further afield down Route 21 you’ll find the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, which is filled with exhibitions about ships, seafaring and boatbuilding culture in both modern and ancient times. If you jump on the Uplandsgade and Amager Strandvej, you can get to the Den Blå Planet in just 20 minutes. This is the largest aquarium in northern Europe and gives visitors the feeling of actually being underwater.
Longer drives
One of the best and most famous drives in Denmark is the Marguerite Route, which covers more than 3,000 kilometres of the country and offers spectacular views. The route - which is marked by road signs with daisies on them - passes through Copenhagen, so getting started is quite simple. From here, you drive to the provincial town of Næstved, where you can explore its Iron Age history, visit the local amusement park or paddle across the Susåen stream in a canoe.
After Næstved, the route will take you to Møn and Lolland-Falster, which is home to some of Denmark's most spectacular natural scenery. You will see stunning white-chalk cliffs, with a dramatic 100-metre drop into crashing waves, as well as open green landscapes, quaint villages and breathtaking beaches.
Next stop is the island of Funen and is situation between Zealand and mainland Denmark. It’s known as the ‘garden island’ to the locals because of rolling countryside, hedgerows and thatched-roof farmhouses. Finally, it’s back to Copenhagen and a return to a bustling city life.
Top attractions in Copenhagen
There is so much to do and see in and around Copenhagen, so it’s unlikely that one trip will be enough to tick everything off your to-do list. The city has much to offer no matter who you’re travelling with, whether that is with friends, children or your significant other. But here is a selection of the top attractions the city has to offer.
Eating and drinking
Copenhagen is brimming with eateries that suit different tastes and budgets. From Michelin restaurants to street food markets, the city is home to an abundance of culinary wonders. For those wanting to sample the nightlife, there are plenty of trendy cocktail and wine bars for you to try, as well a flourishing club scene that has a diverse mix of venues frequented by world-famous DJs and producers.
Things to do
The city has something for everyone and can be easily reached by foot or bicycle. Copenhagen’s history reaches back to 1043, meaning it is full of historical landmarks, fascinating museums and unique architecture. Surprisingly, the city is home to some exotic wildlife, including elephants, hippos, lions, monkeys and polar bears. A trip to the Copenhagen Zoo in Frederiksberg introduces you to more than 3,000 different animals in just one visit.
Sightseeing
Taking time out to visit the Tivoli Gardens is a must when coming to Copenhagen. This world-famous amusement park was founded in 1843 and has since become a national treasure. It has been drawing in crowds for centuries, including the likes of Walt Disney and Hans Christian Andersen.The exotic architecture and stunning gardens have a fairytale feel to them, particularly at night when thousands of coloured lights illuminate the park in a magical glow.
A trip to the Langelinie Pier will take you to one of Copenhagen’s most loved residents: the sculpture of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid. Crafted from bronze and granite in 1913, the statue was a gift to the city from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen, after he fell in love with the fairytale and ballet production.
Another must-see are the ruins underneath the beautiful Christiansborg Palace, which were revealed by accident by workers casting the foundations of the present palace in 1924. The remnants are believed to be from 1167 and have been painstakingly excavated by experts from the National Museum.