A day trip to Copenhagen for Introverts
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Northern Germany has a lot to offer; one of these things is the proximity to Denmark’s border, and that means Road Trip! Or at least a day trip to Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital.
Denmark is on the list of the best countries for introverts, and after a wonderful day trip there, I can only confirm it again.
This post will give you an overview of what a day trip to Copenhagen can look like, especially when you’re in Northern Germany and want to visit a new, introvert-friendly country.
A Day trip to Copenhagen – The Preparation
If you want to visit Copenhagen from Northern Germany, there are several routes, both literal and non-literal, that you can take.
I chose the probably unusual route for an introvert: a bus tour. The bus tour started in my home village, so I only had to walk a little bit. I was on the bus and on my way to Copenhagen.
This had two major benefits, I didn’t have to plan anything and all the bookings were already done, and it was a lot cheaper than travelling alone by car.
That is why I recommend a bus tour if you are in a village that offers pick-up or near pick-up.
You can also choose to drive yourself. You can either take the ferry from Puttgarden to Rødby, which only takes 45 minutes and leaves very frequently in the high season, or drive on land, which is 200 km (125 miles) and over an hour longer. This makes a day trip a bit less desirable.
So, I would always recommend that route if you’re OK with going on ferries.
The ferry ticket prices aren’t very cheap, and they start at 40 Euros, one way or another. You can look them up here.
Neither Puttgarden nor Rødby are really worth visiting on their own – sorry, guys.
If you want to go via the land route, then be prepared to pay some tolls, but other than that, it should be a fairly easy drive.
The preparations for going to Denmark are very limited, especially if you take a bus tour.
Denmark doesn’t use Euro, but they’re all for card payments, so don’t worry about changing money. just use your card, and you’ll be good to go.
A Day trip to Copenhagen – Itinerary
My day started at 4 AM – but only because my big boy cat, Swift, decided to lay on my chest at 4 AM, and he is way too heavy to be ignored.
The itinerary actually started at 6 AM. There were several pick-up places along Lubeck Bay, so all the tourists who wanted to spend one day in Copenhagen could do so.
Once I sat down in my seat, I put on my headphones, and the bus was dead to me.
The bus stopped thrice, and then we were on our way to Denmark, well, first Puttgarden.
As mentioned before, the ferry ride only takes 45 minutes, which is enough time to eat a sandwich or drink a coffee if you’re inclined. This will also prepare you for Danish prices, which are a bit higher than German.
The ferry is relatively small, and in the high season, they rotate four. I passed two on my way to Denmark.
They have plenty of seating inside and their board shops, but I kept to the outside decks – oh, how I love sea travel.
You can just take a chair and sit anywhere, so you don’t have to worry about people talking to you. I was very successful in only saying ‘excuse me’ and ‘thank you’ to people on the whole trip.
Once you’re in Denmark, it takes another 1.5 hours to get to Copenhagen.
The other benefit of the bus tour is that it is a guided city tour, which is included in the price. An elderly woman came on board and made me chuckle so often. She was hilarious.
If you like a bit of sarcasm, then Copenhagen is the place for you.
We drove to the Little Mermaid and the famous fountain and saw the incredible church tower where you can walk up the OUTSIDE of the building and enjoy the view – my personal nightmare.
The tour took about 1.5 hours and gave a great introduction to the city.
They mentioned the pedestrian zone in the city centre and that there are several boat tours available.
I love a boat tour to see destinations from another viewpoint, so I chose to walk where the boats were moored.
The pedestrian zone is 1.3 km long, so it takes a little while to get through there especially if you’re open to looking into the many stores that are located there.
My guilty pleasure is toy stores. I was able to say no to a giant Togepi plush animal, but only because I already have the smaller version.
There are many canals in Copenhagen. It is truly a beautiful city.
If you also fancy a boat tour, I recommend Netto boat tours. The 60-minute tour costs 60 Danish Krones (less than 10 Euro) – an absolute bargain.
A boat leaves every 15 minutes, so even if the first one is full, you won’t have to wait long to get onto the next one.
You’ll learn some more interesting facts and see the palace, the Royal Theatre, and many more.
And if you’re worried about the huge number of people there, don’t be. There are so many different nationalities and all are looking around instead of talking to you. Even though I was seated next to Germans, they didn’t speak to me the entire journey.
The guides on the boats usually do the tour at least in English but also in German and Danish if there are enough people.
The one drawback of the bus tour is that you “only” have 4 hours in Copenhagen – otherwise, it would be difficult to do it as a day trip.
You can walk around a bit more, see Rosenborg Castle, eat a hot dog from one of the many street food carts around the city, or visit one of the free museums for a quick look.
The meeting point for the buses is usually near the town hall square.
Right next to the square is an amusement park called Tivoli. It’s strange to see an amusement park in the middle of a large city.
It’s not a huge park, but it has a few rides and some scary-looking high-rise attractions.
The ticket system is a bit unusual. Probably due to the location and to minimise people just coming in, you have to pay an entrance fee, which starts at 160 DKK (around 22 Euro). Additionally, you have to pay for a ride pass, which starts at 189 DKK (around 27 Euro).
That makes it quite expensive if you don’t want to spend all day there.
Tickets can be booked here.
And you should book a ticket in advance as the queues were quite long.
At 4 PM, the bus took us back home, and I arrived home at 8.30 PM. Not too exhausted since I didn’t have to drive.
I really enjoyed my day in Copenhagen, though. And it gave me an excellent first impression on whether I’d like to go back there.
I could even imagine living there if it wasn’t so flat. Denmark is one of the flattest countries in the world.
If you’re not into boat tours and or have more time, then here are a few other things that you can do in Copenhagen.
Things to do in Copenhagen
- Visit Amalienborg, the Queen’s Palace, plus the changing of the guard that happens every day at noon.
- Visit the Round Tower. It’s Europe’s oldest functioning observatory.
- Eat Smørrebrød. It’s dark bread that can have many different toppings – there is something for everyone.
- Visit the Royal Theatre
- Go skiing on a waste treatment plant – yep, you read that right. You can ski or sledge on CopenHill. You also have one of the best views of Copenhagen from here, and access is free.
- Rent a bike and explore the city on two wheels. Copenhagen is one of the best cities for cyclists.
- Admire the Little Mermaid. Although the Huffington Post named it one of the most disappointing attractions, it’s still worth a visit.
- Go SUPing, hydro biking, swimming, or renting a boat in the canals. The water quality of the canals is excellent, even with all the tourist boats cruising there. The weirdest sight was definitely the hydro bikes.
There are plenty of things to do in this beautiful city, so you won’t get bored.
Get Around the City
As mentioned before, bikes are an important mode of transportation to get around Copenhagen, but if you’re not into that, there are also buses and the metro.
It is very easy to get from A to B.
A Day trip to Copenhagen – Recap
Copenhagen is definitely worth a visit for a day or more. Start with a short visit to find out if the city is for you and come back if you need more of it.
You can enjoy the beautiful sights, the wonderful canals, and the people who won’t talk to you unless you approach them.
I hope you like the day in Copenhagen itinerary. You have the option to adjust based on your preferences, but I can say that I truly enjoyed my day there and can recommend it.
Day Trip to Copenhagen – FAQ
Is Copenhagen worth visiting for a day?
Absolutely. It’s a beautiful city with many things to see.
Is the Copenhagen Card Worth Buying for a Day Trip?
The Copenhagen Card grants you access to multiple attractions, free public transport, and discounts on restaurants. If you plan to visit several sites in one day, the card can be cost-effective and convenient. However, I don’t recommend it if you only spend 4 hours in Copenhagen.
How Can I Get Around Copenhagen in One Day?
To maximize your time, use public transportation or rent a bike to explore Copenhagen efficiently. The city is bicycle-friendly, making it easy to navigate between attractions in a short period.
Which Are the Top Attractions to See in Copenhagen in One Day?
Key attractions to visit during a day trip include the iconic Canal, the historical Rosenborg Castle, the picturesque Little Mermaid statue, and the lively atmosphere of Tivoli Gardens.
Where Should I Stay for a Day Trip to Copenhagen?
For a day trip, it’s recommended to choose accommodation in the center of Copenhagen that is close to major attractions. Options near the Copenhagen Airport can also be convenient for quick access.
How much money do I need per day in Copenhagen?
This depends. For a day trip where you’re not staying overnight, you can get by with less than 30 euros, including a meal. I even spent less than 20 euros and 8 euros were for the boat tour.
However, I don’t like to spend much on food, so I might not be the best benchmark.
Are Euros accepted in Copenhagen?
Yes, Euros are accepted in Copenhagen. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have your card and only Euros on you, you can pay with them. But they overcharge you then, so I would always recommend using your card if possible.
Is Copenhagen very expensive?
It certainly isn’t cheap compared to Northern German cities. However, it’s not much more expensive than Denmark in general. You can have a nice meal for around 25 Euros.
Alcohol is very expensive, though, due to the luxury tax. So, if you can, you might want to hold off on beer and wine and stick to soft drinks.