In short
Copenhagen: ships use one of three quays. From Langelinie it is about 15 minutes on foot to the Little Mermaid and 30–40 to Nyhavn; Oceankaj in Nordhavn is 7–8 km out — bus 25 or 164 plus metro M4, about 20–30 minutes. Four hours covers the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg and Nyhavn; a full day adds Kronborg.
Starting or ending your cruise here? Port guide: terminal, getting there, where to stay →
Where do cruise ships berth in Copenhagen, and how do you get into town?
At one of three quays, and that shapes your day. From Langelinie and Nordre Toldbod the city starts on foot; from Oceankaj in Nordhavn you go in by bus and metro, cruise-line shuttle or taxi.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where the ship berths | Oceankaj (Ocean Quay) in Nordhavn — for the largest ships and turnarounds; Langelinie by the Little Mermaid — often for ships calling on an itinerary; Nordre Toldbod by Amalienborg — for smaller ships. Your quay is in the daily programme and on the port's schedule at cmport.com. |
| From Langelinie | On foot along the water: the Little Mermaid in about 15 minutes, Nyhavn in 30–40. Østerport station is about 15 minutes away for the metro and trains; bus 27 runs from the Indiakaj stop. |
| From Nordre Toldbod | About 10 minutes on foot to Amalienborg, about 15 to Nyhavn and about 15 to Marmorkirken metro station. |
| From Oceankaj | 7–8 km from the centre — not a walk. Bus 25 or 164 to Orientkaj metro station, then M4 to Kongens Nytorv by Nyhavn, about 20 minutes; on ship days bus 25 runs every 10–20 minutes. A taxi takes about 25 minutes. |
| Typical call | Often 8–10 hours. Exact times are in the daily programme. |
| Money and language | Danish krone, not the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and many places are card-only. Danish; nearly everyone speaks English. |
| Documents | Denmark is in the EU and Schengen. If the ship comes from another Schengen port (Norway or Germany, for example), there is usually no separate check; if it comes from Britain or elsewhere outside Schengen, checks take place on board or at the port. Carry the document your cruise line asks for (what to check). |
| All aboard | Usually 30–60 minutes before departure. Allow at least 45 minutes from Nyhavn to Oceankaj, and 40 minutes on foot to Langelinie. |
What can you fit into a day in port in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen's highlights — the waterfront, the palaces and the canals — fit into 4 hours, especially if your ship is at Langelinie. A full day leaves room for museums, gardens or a trip north to Hamlet's castle.
Little Mermaid, Amalienborg and Nyhavn
Along the water from the Little Mermaid, past the Gefion Fountain and the ramparts of the Kastellet fortress, to Amalienborg royal palace — the guard changes daily at noon. Opposite the palace stands Frederik's Church, the Marble Church. Another 10 minutes and you are in Nyhavn, by the coloured houses on the old canal.
The canals by boat and the old town
Canal boats leave from Nyhavn for about an hour, past Christianshavn, the Opera and Christiansborg Palace. Afterwards, the pedestrian Strøget to City Hall Square, the Round Tower with its gentle spiral ramp, and Rosenborg Castle with the crown jewels.
Kronborg Castle in Helsingør — on a call of 8–9 hours or more
Trains from Copenhagen Central or Østerport take about 45 minutes, then it is a 10–15-minute walk from Helsingør station to the castle. Kronborg is Hamlet's castle on the Øresund strait, with Sweden across the water. Allow 4–5 hours including travel.
Christianshavn and Tivoli
Christianshavn: canals, boats and the Church of Our Saviour, whose spiral staircase winds around the outside of the spire (the climb closes in bad weather). If you sail late in the evening, try Tivoli Gardens by Central Station — it opens seasonally, so check the dates.
Places on the map
The places from this guide, ready for your phone. “Map” opens Google Maps; “Walk from the pier” shows the walking route from where ships usually dock.
- Cruise pierMap
- The Little MermaidMapWalk from the pier
- Kastellet fortressMapWalk from the pier
- Amalienborg PalaceMapWalk from the pier
- The Marble ChurchMapWalk from the pier
- NyhavnMapWalk from the pier
- Rosenborg CastleMap
- Tivoli GardensMap
- Kronborg Castle (Helsingør)Map
Which pier your ship uses depends on the day: check the daily programme.
Why does it matter which quay your ship uses in Copenhagen?
Because it is the difference between a stroll from the gangway and half an hour on public transport each way. You can find out in advance: the quay is in the daily programme and on the port's call schedule.
- Langelinie — the city on foot. The quay sits on a long promenade just north of the Little Mermaid. Start your day there before the tour groups arrive, then walk south along the water.
- Oceankaj — transport first. The newer cruise quay in Nordhavn is a long way from the historic centre. Many cruise lines run a shuttle into town; if not, take bus 25 or 164 to Orientkaj metro and the M4. Public transport tickets are easiest to buy in the app.
- Cycle lanes. Copenhagen has more bikes than cars. Do not stand or walk in the cycle lane — it is usually separated by a kerb or markings, and bikes come fast and quietly.
- The Little Mermaid is small. The statue is just over a metre tall, on a rock by the shore. In the morning and when ships arrive it draws a crowd — that is normal.
- Sweden is close. Malmö is about 40 minutes by train across the Øresund Bridge. It is another country: take your passport, as there can be ID checks at the border.
On your own or on a ship's excursion?
Copenhagen is easy to explore on your own: flat, compact, well signposted, and almost everyone speaks English. From Langelinie or Nordre Toldbod, a city tour is mainly a matter of comfort.
A ship's excursion makes more sense on a short call with your ship at Oceankaj, or if you want to see several North Zealand castles in one day — Kronborg and Frederiksborg — which are awkward to combine by public transport. The ship generally waits for its own excursions if they run late — it does not wait for independent passengers.
How do you make sure you are back on board in Copenhagen?
- Know where the shuttle goes from. If your ship is at Oceankaj, note where the cruise-line shuttle dropped you and until when it runs; the regular bus 25 runs until an hour before the last ship sails.
- Walking back takes longer than it seems. Nyhavn to Langelinie is 30–40 minutes, and on a sunny day the crowds at the Little Mermaid slow you down. Leave early.
- Kronborg — with a margin for the train. Trains to Helsingør are frequent but not every five minutes. If your ship is at Oceankaj, take a return train no later than 2 hours before all-aboard time.
- The weather turns. Even in summer the waterfront is windy and showers come through. A light jacket and umbrella are worth carrying.
- What to take. Your cruise card, the document your cruise line asked for, a bank card (you will hardly need kroner in cash) and a phone with the ship's emergency number.
Where do cruises calling at Copenhagen start?
Copenhagen is a classic stop on Baltic cruises and a frequent one on Norwegian fjord itineraries. Departure ports:
- Cruises from Kiel — week-long fjord sailings from here often call at Copenhagen.
- Cruises from Hamburg — Baltic and fjord itineraries.
- Cruises from Rotterdam — summer Baltic sailings without flying from the Netherlands.
- Cruises from Southampton — longer Baltic voyages from England.
- Baltic cruises — seasons and routes in full.
Common questions
Where do cruise ships dock in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen has three cruise quays: Oceankaj in the Nordhavn district for large ships, and Langelinie by the Little Mermaid and Nordre Toldbod by Amalienborg, closer to the centre. Your quay is in the daily programme and on the port's schedule at cmport.com.
Can you walk from the Copenhagen cruise port to Nyhavn?
From Langelinie, yes — about 30–40 minutes along the water past the Little Mermaid and Amalienborg; from Nordre Toldbod, about 15 minutes. From Oceankaj in Nordhavn it is too far: take bus 25 or 164 and metro M4 to Kongens Nytorv, about 20 minutes.
How do you get from Oceankaj to central Copenhagen?
Take bus 25 or 164 to Orientkaj metro station, then line M4 to Kongens Nytorv by Nyhavn — about 20 minutes, or about 30 to Central Station. Many cruise lines run their own shuttle; a taxi takes about 25 minutes.
What can I see in Copenhagen in 4 hours from a cruise ship?
In 4 hours in Copenhagen you can walk along the water from the Little Mermaid and the Kastellet fortress to Amalienborg Palace and the Marble Church, then on to Nyhavn. With an hour to spare, add a canal boat trip from Nyhavn.
Do I need Danish kroner in Copenhagen?
Hardly. Denmark has its own currency, the Danish krone, but bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, including public transport and kiosks, and many cafés are card-only. Cash is only useful for small purchases at markets.
Can I visit Kronborg Castle during a cruise stop in Copenhagen?
Yes, on a call of 8–9 hours or more. The train to Helsingør takes about 45 minutes and the castle is 10–15 minutes' walk from the station; with the visit, allow 4–5 hours. If your ship is at Oceankaj, add time to reach the station.
How the club fits in
Cruises calling at Copenhagen that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which itineraries calling at Copenhagen are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Practical port information is summarised from public sources as of October 2026: berths, call times, timetables, entry rules and visiting arrangements may change. Before you travel, check the ship's daily programme and the requirements for your passport. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.