How many hours before departure should you be at the airport?
It’s always a good idea to arrive at the airport well in advance. If you’re traveling within the Schengen Area, 1.5 hours before your flight is usually fine, but it’s best to arrive 2.5 hours early to be on the safe side.
If you are traveling outside the Schengen Area, it is recommended that you arrive at least 3 hours before departure.
Transportation to the Airport
Public Transportation
The cheapest—and perhaps also the easiest—way to get to the airport is by public transportation. You can take a bus, train, or subway directly to the airport.
Bus routes 5C, 35, and 36 go to Copenhagen Airport; you'll find the bus stops right outsideTerminal 3.
The train station is located inTerminal 3, where trains run between the airport and downtown Copenhagen, as well as between Malmö, Sweden, and the airport.
The metro station is located right next toTerminal 3. From the metro, you can go directly to security if you don’t need to check your luggage; you’ll also find self-service check-in kiosks at the station. Tickets for both trains and the metro can be purchased at the DSB ticket office inTerminal 3; you can also use a Rejsekort.
Cars and Parking
If you're driving, there are plenty of parking options available during your trip. If you reserve your parking spot online, you can save up to 20% on the parking fee. You can find moreinformation about prices, parking garages, and other options onthe airport's website.
Drop-off and Pickup
If you're lucky enough to get a ride to the airport, drop-off and pick-up are completely free for the first 15 minutes. If you need a little more time to say goodbye, you can use short-term parking for 65 kr. per hour. You can read more aboutshort-term parking and where to park here.
Transportation from the Airport – When You're Moving On
When you arrive at Copenhagen Airport, there are several options for getting into the city. If you’re heading to Copenhagen Central Station—for example, if you’re staying at Go Hotel Ansgar or Go Hotel Sagar,the fastest way is to take the regional train, which will get you to the station in 15 minutes.
Are you staying at Go Hotel City,the fastest way is to take the metro to Øresund St. You’ll find the metro inTerminal 3, and it takes you almost right to the hotel’s door in just 13 minutes.
Although public transportation in Copenhagen is fast and easy to use, you also have the option of taking a taxi to your destination. You’ll find taxisoutsideTerminal 3. You can take either a Danish taxi or a Swedish taxi if you’re continuing on to Sweden.
Parking at Go Hotel
At the airport hotelGo Hotel Copenhagen,just 5 minutes from the airport, you can park your car at a great price. Read more about parking without a stay at Go Hotel Copenhagen here.
Remember that you can park your car for free during your stay at Go-hotel.
Check in
At Copenhagen Airport, you have three options for checking in.
- Online check-in:The easiest thing you can do is check in online. Most airlines let you check in via their app or website as early as 2–3 days before departure. That way, you can skip the line at the airport and go straight to baggage drop-off.
- Self-service check-in kiosks at the airport: InTerminals 2 and 3, you can check in at the self-service kiosks. It’s easy, fast, and there are often staff members available to help.
- Check-in at the counter: Youcan choose to check in at your airline’s counter, where the staff will assist you. Be sure to arrive early, as there may be lines at the counters.
Check in your luggage
If you have checked in online, you can use the self-service baggage tag machines and then drop off your suitcase or bag at a self-service counter for your airline. If you haven't checked in online or would like to use a staffed baggage counter, you'll find them inTerminals 2 and 3.
Get through security quickly
To get through security quickly, you can do a little preparation in advance:
- Be sure to have your boarding pass and passport ready.
- Remove any loose items from your pockets.
- Make sure you know what to pack in your carry-on luggage.
Liquids, electronics, food, medication, and lighters must always be removed from your carry-on luggage and placed in a tray. If you are unsure, ask a staff member for help.
Once you have placed your items and carry-on luggage on the conveyor belt, walk through the metal detector. It is therefore important that you have placed all metal objects in the tray.
What are you not allowed to bring in your carry-on luggage?
Prepare in advance at home by making sure you do not pack the following items in your carry-on luggage:
- Liquids in containers larger than 100 ml – (Liquids in containers smaller than 100 ml must fit into a single resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter, which must be removed from your carry-on luggage during the security check.)
- Weapons
- Pointed or sharp objects (e.g., knives)
- Flammable and explosive items
- Chemical Substances
Family Trail
If you are traveling with children under 6 years of age, you can use the family lane at security. You can recognize it by the family icon on the floor.
Fast track
If you’re traveling in Business or First Class, or if you’re taking a domestic flight, you can use “CPH Express” for fast-track security screening. You’ll find CPH Express betweenTerminals 2 and 3, at either end of the security checkpoint. Ask a staff member for help if you can’t find it—you can save a lot of time here.
Find Your Gate
Once you’ve passed through security, it’s always a good idea to find out which gate your flight is departing from. You can find this information on the airport’s information boards and in the airport’s app. If you’re traveling a long distance, you’ll typically have to walk a bit to get to your gate. The screens show how long it takes to walk to the gate. You can view amap of the gates here.
Dining and Shopping
At the airport, you can shop tax-free or find both Danish and international brand-name products. Among the shops, you’ll also find a wide variety of delicious and exciting dining options. You can read more aboutwhere to eat at the airport in our blog post here. Orget inspiration onwhere to shop at the airport here.
Accommodations
If you're looking for a place to stay near the airport, you'll find Go Hotel CopenhagenonGemmas Allé in Kastrup.Our airport hotel offers free parking and is located just 6 km from downtown Copenhagen.
With the airport just 5 minutes away, late check-out available, and a breakfast buffet starting at 5:00 a.m., Go Hotel Copenhagen is the perfect choice for anyone looking for an affordable, high-quality hotel near Copenhagen Airport.
Make your trip from Copenhagen Airport easy with a base nearby
When traveling from Copenhagen Airport, it’s all about being well-prepared: arrive early, choose the transportation that suits you best, and take care of check-in and security to avoid stress. Go Hotels makes it easy to find affordable and convenient accommodations near the airport, so you can start your trip on a calm note—whether you’re flying early, landing late, or just want everything to go smoothly.