Copenhagen is a beautiful city with so much to offer – cosy living, beautiful design, and amazing pastries. I fell in love with the idea of visiting after reading ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ by Helen Russell (an absolute must-read for any travel-lover!). I’ve been to Denmark once since then and am looking forward to visiting again soon, as our Danish friend is moving back there!
One of the first things I always ask myself when visiting any city is: ‘is there Uber?!’
Uber makes getting around a new city simple. It’s an app that we’re all so familiar with and it provides us with a consistently reliable option to get from A to B. Like many other travellers, I often find myself using Uber when wanting to make my way from the airport to the city centre.
And thankfully, Uber is a service that’s available in countries across the world. But is there Uber in Copenhagen?
To find out more about whether there is Uber in Copenhagen, as well as alternative modes of transportation that I would recommend, read on.
Is there Uber in Copenhagen?
In short – no, there isn’t Uber in Copenhagen or anywhere across Denmark.
In fact, Uber has been illegal in Denmark since 2017, thanks to the national taxi laws created to protect local taxi firms. Whilst they did operate in the country previously, this is no longer the case.
As a result, you won’t find any Ubers in Copenhagen. To find out more about why this is the case, as well as the Danish alternatives to Uber, read on.
Why isn’t there Uber in Copenhagen?
Uber previously operated in Copenhagen and wider Denmark, between 2014 and 2017.
In 2017, however, the Danish Government introduced a new law that required all taxi cabs in Denmark to have a meter, video surveillance, and seat sensors. This law was created to improve safety for those using taxis.
Not all Uber cars had video surveillance and seat sensors. More importantly, however, the requirement for a fare meter went against Uber’s business model. When booking an Uber, you pay the fare in advance, so the fee isn’t calculated using a meter.
However, fear not, there are alternatives to Uber in Copenhagen.
Alternatives to Uber in Copenhagen
Copenhagen does have other taxi apps that work in a similar way to Uber.
Namely, these Danish versions of Uber are Viggo and Taxa 4×35.
Taxa 4×35
Taxa 4×35 is a long-standing taxi company in Copenhagen (probably the most popular, in fact). They now have an app that works in a very similar way to Uber. This would be my top recommendation and the option most popular among locals.
Simply download the app and input your pickup and drop off location as you would with Uber.
The app will then provide you with an expected wait time and you can follow your driver on their journey. You can also pay a fixed price before your journey or choose to pay meter rates.
Viggo
If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly option, you can use Viggo.
Viggo works in a similar way to Uber but uses only electric cars. You can download the app to book a ride with them.
Their prices can be found here with set prices per km.
Taxi EU
Taxi EU is a taxi app that has been created to work across Europe and operates in Copenhagen. I’ve struggled to find out much about it despite my research and so would recommend trying Taxa 4×35 or Viggo instead.
How to Get from Copenhagen Airport to the City Centre without Uber
So, if there’s no Uber in Copenhagen, what’s the best way to get from Copenhagen airport to the city centre? Well there are a few options available:
- Metro
- Train
- Bus
- Taxi
Metro
In my opinion, the best way to get from Copenhagen airport to the city centre is by using the Metro. This is the method of transportation I chose when visiting Copenhagen and I found it to be completely seamless.
The metro is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so will be available for use no matter what time your flight gets in. Trains depart every 3 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes during the night.
Simply take the M2 Line and get off at Kongens Nytorv or Nørreport, depending on whereabouts in the city you’re staying.
I recommend purchasing a Copenhagen Card for your stay. This will give you unlimited access to the Metro, trains, and buses during your stay. It can be purchased in advance online and accessed easily through an app on your phone.
Alternatively, you can purchase a single ticket, which will cost 36DKK (£4.20 GBP or $5.10 USD).
Train
The train is also an excellent way to get from Copenhagen airport to the city centre, particularly if you’re hotel is close to the train station.
Direct trains run from the airport to Copenhagen Central Station every 10-20 minutes and the journey time is about 13 minutes in total.
You can purchase tickets from the ticket machines at the airport.
Or you can purchase a Copenhagen Card in advance here, which will give you unlimited use of Copenhagen’s public transport system.
Bus
It is possible to get a bus from Copenhagen airport to the city centre, however it is not recommended.
The buses are much less frequent than the Metro or trains and the journey time is much longer.
Taxi
If you’re looking for door-to-door service or have a lot of luggage, you might wish to opt for a taxi.
Taxis are available from ranks outside the airport.
However, taxis are very expensive in Copenhagen, so you will be paying significantly more than if you were to get public transport. A taxi from Copenhagen airport to the city centre will cost you between 250-350 DKK (up to $50 USD or £41 GBP).
This is also the slowest method of transportation and can take up to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Unlimited Transport with the Copenhagen Card
If you want to make the most of your time in Copenhagen, I would highly recommend purchasing a Copenhagen Card.
This gives you unlimited use of the public transport system without having to worry about purchasing multiple tickets.
It also grants you free access to some of the most popular sites in the city, including:
- Tivoli Gardens
- Canal Tours
- Rosenborg Castle
- Amalienborg Castle
- The Viking Ship Museum
- The National Museum
- Christiansbord – The Royal Reception Rooms
- Copenhagen Zoo
- And more!
Copenhagen is quite an expensive city, so purchasing a Copenhagen Card in advance can save you a lot of money on attractions. You can get one here and start using it as soon as you arrive in the country.
How to Get Around Copenhagen
Bike
Bikes are the most popular method of transportation in Copenhagen. You will see cyclists everywhere you go.
I loved embracing the cycle culture when in Denmark and did a bike tour of the city. This was one of the best things I did when visiting and I would highly recommend it!
Walking
Copenhagen is a very walkable city as it is relatively small and pretty flat. Most of the main tourist attractions are within walking distance of one another.
As long as you’ve got Google Maps, you should be good to go!
Hop On Hop Off Bus
It might seem cheesy but the hop on hop off bus offers a very convenient way to get around the city. The route includes all the top sites that you’ll want to see during your visit and you can easily get on and off whenever you like.
You can book tickets for the bus in advance here.
Best Things to Do in Copenhagen
Uber in Copenhagen FAQs
No, Uber has not operated in Copenhagen or wider Denmark since 2017 when new Danish laws made Uber’s business model illegal.
Yes, there are taxi apps in Copenhagen. The most popular of these is Taxa 4×35 and Viggo. Taxa 3×45 is the most popular taxi company in Denmark, while Viggo offers only electric vehicles.
There is no Uber or Lyft in Denmark. The alternatives are Taxa 4×35 and Viggo. Both of these companies allow you to book a ride using their app.
Yes, Uber has been banned in Denmark since 2017. This was due to changes in Danish law that required all taxis to have a fare meter. Uber was not willing to change its model and so withdrew from operating in Denmark.
Yes, Uber Eats operates in Copenhagen. Despite traditional Uber taxis being banned in Denmark, the food delivery branch of the business is still allowed in the country. This works as it does elsewhere in the world, using the Uber Eats app.
A taxi from Copenhagen airport to the city centre will cost you between 250-350 DKK (up to $50 USD or £41 GBP).
Yes, Copenhagen is a very walkable city. It’s very flat and most of the main attractions are within walking distance from one another. If you stay centrally and are relatively active, you shouldn’t have any trouble walking around the city.
There is not a tipping culture in Denmark and taxi drivers in Copenhagen will not be expecting a tip. If you feel that you have received excellent service, you’re welcome to round up to the nearest 10 or 100 kroner. However, not tipping your taxi driver will not be considered rude as it is the norm.
Yes, getting a taxi in Copenhagen is easy. There are taxi ranks at the airport with taxis waiting to take you into the city.
No, there is no Lyft or Uber in Copenhagen. They do have alternative taxi apps, however, such as Taxa 4×35 or Viggo.
Yes, taxis are very expensive in Copenhagen, so you will be paying significantly more than if you were to get public transport. A taxi from Copenhagen airport to the city centre will cost you between 250-350 DKK (up to $50 USD or £41 GBP).
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