Copenhagen on a budget: 7 travel hacks to save on your trip
Heading to Copenhagen on a budget is easier than you might think. While the cost of living here is about $1,100 a month for a single person, you can avoid most of the costs that keep life expensive for residents by staying in a hotel outside the city center and by considering taking part in activities like a free walking tour. Many people also save money when they travel to Copenhagen by making their own food at the place where they are staying.
No matter what your other plans might be to save money while you are in this part of Northern Europe, you will want to make sure that your bags and your possessions are safe and secure. Let us take care of your bags and keep them safe while you enjoy the activities that you have picked to make the most of your time in Copenhagen. Having peace of mind can make any trip much more fun, and we can offer you reasonably priced storage for all of your items.
Visiting Copenhagen on a budget doesn't mean that you have to eat your own food every night, or just look at the outside of places like City Hall. Tivoli Gardens, the Round Tower, and the botanical gardens are all within reach. Plus, if you get a Copenhagen card, you can get into most of the museums, such as the National Museum in the city for free!
Cheap places to stay in Copenhagen
Your hotel will likely be one of your biggest expenses during your stay in Copenhagen on a budget. Make sure that you are being wise about the location of your home base during your time in this city. You can use our guide to the best neighborhoods in Copenhagen to help you to get an idea of where you might want to stay in the city. There are perks to staying in any of these locations, and you might not have realized that you could choose to be close to all the things that you want to see and do just by picking the right neighborhood.
Urban House
This really unique and fun hostel is in the trendy area of Vesterbro. You can stay here for only £25 a night. There is a workspace here if you are on the clock while you are traveling, a bar, and even a tattoo parlor! You are technically by the meatpacking district out here, but you can easily get on public transit at Copenhagen Central station and head to anywhere in the city that you wish. There is a lot to do in the neighborhood right around the hotel as well, so you can walk to cafes, bars, and other sites of interest with ease. The wi-fi is free here, and there is a communal kitchen if you want to make your own meals during your stay.
Wakeup Copenhagen
This newer hotel is located in central Copenhagen and offers you access to simple, clean, and modern rooms. The prices per night start at about $80, which is really affordable for those in Copenhagen on a budget. The views from this hotel are lovely, and this part of the city is a good choice for you if you want to walk or bike to various of the most common tourist attractions. You can walk to the Rosenborg Castle from this spot with ease, and there are cafes, places to eat, and more right around the hotel. The breakfast buffet is also free, and there are loaner bikes that the hotel can offer you to use during your day of traveling and seeing the city.
M18
This tiny hotel only has 12 simple rooms that are light and airy. This makes the place quiet, and it will feel like home to you. The free breakfast here is delicious, and the staff will welcome you in like family. The cost per night is about $80, and you will love that you are right in the heart of the city when you choose this great little spot. Enjoy free wi-fi during your stay, and you will be within walking distance of a lot of the best cafes and eateries in the city. This is also a good location if you were planning to get around the city using public transit since you will have ready access to a variety of transportation options nearby.
Cheap things to do In Copenhagen
Black Diamond Library
If you love historic buildings, you need to pop into the Black Diamond Library. This is the biggest library of the Nordics, and it is actually the royal library as well. You can wander around enjoying the smell of old books, and the only cost you will incur will be the price of your coffee or a snack at the café. This location is by the water as well, making for beautiful views out the windows. The name of the library was decided because the entire building sparkles like a diamond when the light reflects off the canal outside.
Rent a Bike
One of the best ways that you can spend money in Copenhagen is to rent a bike and travel around the city to see the sights. You can easily take in things like City Hall, the botanical gardens, and Tivoli Gardens when you have rented a bike to travel around. This is a better option than a walking tour since you will be able to see all the things that you want to see and you will have the freedom to wander anywhere in the city that you wish.
If you have the Copenhagen card, you will have free access to museums and various attractions, and you can head to as many of these locations as you wish on your bike. Bike rentals start at about $40-$50, but you might get more than one day of rental for this cost. Making the most of your Copenhagen Card is easy when you have a bike to get you where you want to go!
Round Tower
This 17th-century tower in the center of Copenhagen is a must-visit attraction during your stay. You will only need $4 to be able to climb to the top. This location was built to be an astronomical observatory, and the unique equestrian staircase will get you to the top with ease. The views are magnificent from the height of the tower, and you can get some amazing pictures and selfies from the top of the tower. If you have a Copenhagen Card, you will be able to visit this attraction and climb to the top for free!
Cheap places to eat in Copenhagen
DØP
Hot dog stands are all over Copenhagen, and they offer you a classic and filling meal that will not make your pocketbook cry. If you have headed to any of the major attractions in the city, there is likely a hot dog stand like DØP right outside of it. You can get a delicious and large meal at these stands for about $2-$5 per person. If you get a really plain dog, you might spend less than $1! Street food is always a really good bet to save money in Copenhagen, and our guide to the best street food in the city will help you to eat at all the best spots.
Dalle Valle
This is a chain of buffet dining locations that are scattered throughout Copenhagen. There are vegan options as well as meat-lovers platters on offer here, and the pricing is really good for an expensive place like Copenhagen. Plus, these buffets are all-you-can-eat, which makes them a really good choice for those who are traveling to Copenhagen on a budget. The menu is well-rounded, and there is something for everyone on offer at these restaurants. The buffet is $10, and there are sometimes specials that are offered for specific days of the week or times of the day.
Pizzeria La Fiorita
Pizza is a great choice for those who are traveling on a budget, and you can sit down here or get takeaway if you wish. The portions are really large, and the pizza is truly authentic and delicious. You can also get vegan and vegetarian pizza here. If you love pasta, they have fettuccine, tortellini, and some other affordable pasta dishes on offer as well. You can dine near the lake at this spot and the service is great. Meals will cost about $11-$15 a person here
Cheap bars in Copenhagen
Studenterhuset
While technically a student bar, this location is open to anyone who wants to enjoy a cheap beer or mixed drink and live music. You can even get things like apple pie or hot cocoa here. There is a common area above the bar/restaurant area as well, where you can sit and hang out. Expect to spend about $10-$15 on drinks here, which is awesome for those in Copenhagen on a budget.
Eiffel Bar
This is definitely a dive bar, but it's adorable, and it offers really cheap beer and mixed drinks. It can be smoky in here, so if you have an allergy to cigarette smoke, you might want to pick another place for drinks. This is a really popular local bar in the area, and you will be able to get beers and some mixed drinks on special during some hours of the day. Expect to spend about $5-$10 per drink at most here.
Heidi’s Bier Bar
This fun beer house was made to remind visitors of an apres-ski atmosphere, and you will love the Oktoberfest offerings as well as the really delightful local beers on tap here. This is a beer-lover's paradise, and you can expect to get beers for about $5 per pint at most. Happy hour can be really kind to your wallet as well and might be the perfect time to visit. They call these Apres-Ski hours, so be sure that you check out the menu for this part of the day if you want to save a little money.
Bonus Budget Tips for Copenhagen
Traveling around Copenhagen is really easy due to the Rejsekort ticket system. You can get a ticket that is based on the zones that you want to travel in, and then you will be able to use the same ticket or card to get on the bus or to head to places like Central Station to hop on a train. This is one of the easiest ways to save money and time when you are getting around Copenhagen, and your wallet will thank you. Getting in and out of the city center is a snap when you visit Copenhagen with the right travel tickets.
The water in Denmark is safe to drink, so bring a reusable water bottle with you. You will avoid spending money on bottled water or other drinks, and you can easily refill your water bottle all over the city. Some restaurants will even be willing to fill up your bottle for you before you head out to other adventures that are on your list of things to do and see.
Consider hostel stays one of your best bets for saving money in Copenhagen. If you join the Danhostel.dk network, you will have access to more than 60 hostels throughout the country. For those who are traveling all around this part of the world, this card will be a lifesaver, and you will get discounts on rooms, food, and other amenities at all of these locations while you are inside the network.
Conclusion
Visiting Copenhagen on a budget is a snap when you use this guide to plan your trip. If you want to fill up your days with more fun things to do that don’t cost a dime, you will need to check out our guide to the best free things to do in Copenhagen. This city is full of lovely things to see and do that can be accessed via free admission. This can make travel with kids much more affordable and help you to save money if you are traveling with a large group of people.
No matter what kinds of adventures you have planned for your time in Northern Europe, you can easily save money when you visit Copenhagen. Traveling smart will offer you the chance to save money so that you can splurge on some really exciting adventures or help you to stick to your budget if you are backpacking around this part of the world. This guide will help you to make the most of your time and save money while still loving your visit to Copenhagen.
