Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH) sits just five miles from Denmark’s capital and serves as one of Scandinavia’s major international hubs. I’ve flown through numerous times over the last few years, and it’s become one of my favorite European airports for its minimalist Scandinavian design, easy navigation with low foot traffic, and direct train access to the city. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re traveling through.
Getting to Copenhagen Airport
Few airports can rival CPH’s easy accessibility to the city’s downtown core. You’ll definitely want to take the train, as it’s not only the most affordable way to get between the airport and Copenhagen, but it’s usually the fastest.
There are two types of trains that go to CPH: the metro and the regional train, and there are some differences between the two.
First, there’s the regional train that runs from Copenhagen Central Station and takes about 13 minutes. Trains run every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak times.
This is my preferred method to get to the airport because not only is there more comfortable seating, but in the summer, there’s air conditioning (which isn’t the case for the metro).
The Copenhagen Metro is another solid choice, departing every four to six minutes during the day and every 15 to 20 minutes at night. It makes a few more convenient stops in central Copenhagen (like Christianshavn and Kongens Nytorv), but the journey takes around 15 minutes from Nørreport.
You could take a taxi, but it’ll cost you a lot more. Plus, the train drops you right inside Terminal 3, just a short walk from check-in and baggage claim. It’s so convenient you’ll wonder why every airport isn’t set up this way.
The airport layout and design
As Scandinavia’s main international airport, CPH handles nearly 30 million visitors annually, including many nonstops from major hubs in the U.S. Even on the busiest travel days, the foot traffic peaks at around 103,000 people, making Copenhagen Kastrup a very manageable airport despite its importance in the region.
CPH has two connected terminals, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, with a central security area in between. Make sure to check which terminal your airline uses before you arrive. One of the best things about CPH is its compact size, meaning you won’t be running a marathon to get to your gate. Most are a five to 15-minute walk from security.
If you’re connecting flights, just follow the signs for “Transfer.” Thanks to the straightforward layout, it’s an excellent airport for a layover with generally efficient connection times.
Airport amenities
I always appreciate an airport that has good options before security, and CPH delivers. It’s helpful if you’re waiting for friends to land or if you arrive before your check-in desk opens. You can find everything from a casual Joe & the Juice to the more upscale Caviar House & Prunier.
Copenhagen is a hub for Scandinavian design, after all, so expect a light, airy and gorgeously appointed airport.
Besides the typical food and drink offerings, CPH boasts an extensive duty-free shopping area in both terminals, where you can find Scandinavian brands and regional products. (I may have picked up a Danish souvenir or two the last time I was connecting through the airport.)
You’ll also find fast, free Wi-Fi throughout the airport and even with spaces to work if you need to be productive. For families traveling with children, the airport offers dedicated areas to help kids burn off some energy before the flight. It’s a genuinely forward-thinking airport.
Airport lounges
Since Copenhagen is a hub for SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), the best lounges are geared toward its passengers. To be frank, CPH isn’t really known for its mind-blowing lounges. That’s okay, though, because the public terminal spaces are so pleasant you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
The SAS Business Lounge and SAS Gold Lounge are both located in Terminal 3, spanning roughly 32,000 square feet.
The lounges offer a buffet of hot and cold foods, beverages, comfortable seating and shower facilities. I wouldn’t say they’re particularly luxurious, but they are the best you’ll find in the airport.
There are three other lounges open to Priority Pass members or for a one-time fee: the Aspire Lounge, Eventyr Lounge, and Carlsberg Aviator Lounge. I’ve visited all three, and while they’re fairly basic, they offer a quiet spot to relax during a long layover or delay.
Wellness and sleeping at the airport
Here’s my best insider tip: if you have a long layover, head to the Ni’mat Spa at the Clarion Hotel, right next to Terminal 3. It has an aroma steam bath, a heated saltwater pool and treatment rooms for massages or facials. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a long flight (or treat yourself before one).
The Clarion Hotel is directly connected to Terminal 3, though there’s also a Comfort Hotel just a stone’s throw from the terminal if you need additional accommodation options.
Besides the spa, the hotel has a gym, bar and restaurant as well as meeting spaces. It’s a solid airport hotel but don’t expect anything too fancy.
Schengen area vs. non-schengen area
If you have some time to kill, you’ll want to hang out in the Schengen area for as long as possible. It has more amenities and a better selection of food and drinks. Once you go through passport control to the non-Schengen gates, the options are more limited, though there are public rest zones designed for folks on longer journeys.
Accessibility
CPH offers a special assistance service for travelers with reduced mobility, which you can book in advance with your airline. Thanks to its compact size, the airport is relatively easy to navigate. You’ll find plenty of elevators, ramps and accessible restrooms throughout the terminals.
VAT refunds
One of the perks of shopping in Europe is getting a refund on the value-added tax (VAT). At CPH, Global Blue and Planet handle this and have desks both before and after security. My advice? If you’re planning to get a refund, give yourself plenty of extra time. The lines can get long, and you don’t want to be rushing for your flight.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
