Copenhagen: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Optional Boat Tour

Three Routes, Your Own Pace: Copenhagen's Bus Tour Lets You Stop When It Matters

You board at any of the 14 stops on the Classic Route and ride the open-top bus to The Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, and the Opera House at your own pace; add the optional canal cruise to see royal palaces and contemporary architecture from the water; audio guide in six languages is included; your pass works for 24, 48 or 72 hours and stays valid for up to a year, so you can use it whenever your schedule allows.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Copenhagen by bus and boat

• Start at Ved Stranden / Stroget
• Visit Nyhavn
• See Amalienborg Palace and Ofelia Plads
• Stop at Gefion Fountain
• View The Little Mermaid statue
• Enjoy Langelinie area (May - Sep)
• Visit Rosenborg Castle and SMK
• Explore Gammel Torv
• Stop at City Hall Square and National Museum
• Visit Tivoli and Radisson Collection Royal Hotel
• Optionally take canal and harbour boat tour

The Experience

You land in Copenhagen with a free afternoon, or maybe you've got two full days and no idea where to start. The bus tour solves that problem differently than most: instead of being herded through a fixed itinerary, you pick a 24, 48 or 72-hour pass and ride the three routes as many times as you want. The Classic Copenhagen Route runs every 35 minutes from 9:30am, hitting The Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, City Hall Square and the Opera House. The Colourful Copenhagen Route branches off toward Freetown Christiania and Islands Brygge, while the Home of Carlsberg Route heads west to the zoo and planetarium. You're not locked into a schedule — you get off when something catches your eye, spend as long as you need, and catch the next bus.

The double-decker buses have open-top decks, which means you'll actually see the city instead of staring at the back of someone's head. Audio commentary comes through in six languages on free headphones, so you're not guessing what you're looking at. The boat tour upgrade is worth considering if you want to see Copenhagen from the water — it's a one-hour cruise departing from Ved Stranden or Nyhavn, running every 30 minutes during summer and less frequently in winter. You'll pass the royal palaces and the waterfront landmarks that make the city's mix of old and new architecture actually make sense when you see them from the canal.

The voucher stays valid for up to 12 months from your travel date, so if you book it now and plans shift, you're not locked in. You can redeem at any stop along the route with either a mobile or paper voucher. One thing to know: Stops 11 and 15 are currently closed, so check the route map before you plan your day. The bus frequencies drop in winter — the Classic Route still runs every 35 minutes, but the other two only depart three times a day — so if you're visiting November through March, you'll want to plan your stops more deliberately.

What’s included

• 24, 48 or 72-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass.
• access to 3 city routes (Classic Copenhagen, Colourful Copenhagen, and Home of Carlsberg).
• audio guide commentary in 6 languages with free headphones.
• free WiFi and route map.
• optional 1-hour canal and harbour boat tour with audio commentary (if ticket is upgraded).

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - Europe

Is this one for you?Best for visitors who want to see Copenhagen's main sights — The Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, the Opera House, Rosenborg Castle — without booking a guided tour or arranging transport between stops. The flexible pass means you set the pace instead of following a fixed schedule.

Traveler reviews

3.30★★★★★★★★★★

840 verified traveler reviews

5 ★235

4 ★215

3 ★122

2 ★107

1 ★161

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How often do the buses run?

The Classic Copenhagen Route departs every 35 minutes from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The Colourful Copenhagen Route runs at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. The Home of Carlsberg Route departs at 11:15am, 1:15pm and 3:15pm. Frequency may be lower in winter months.

Can I use the pass on multiple days?

Yes. A 24-hour pass covers one calendar day, a 48-hour pass covers two consecutive days, and a 72-hour pass covers three consecutive days. Once activated, you can hop on and off as many times as you want within that window.

What's included in the boat tour upgrade?

A one-hour canal and harbour cruise departing from Ved Stranden or Nyhavn, with audio commentary on board. Boats are open-air in summer and covered and heated in winter. You must redeem your ticket at the ticket house before boarding.

How long is each route?

The Classic Copenhagen Route takes 90 minutes for a full loop. The Colourful Copenhagen Route is 55 minutes. The Home of Carlsberg Route is 45 minutes. Since you can hop off and on, you control how long you spend.

Do I need to book in advance?

No. You can redeem your voucher at any stop along the route with a mobile or paper voucher. However, booking ahead guarantees your preferred pass duration and travel date.

Is the audio guide really in six languages?

Yes. Free headphones are included, and commentary is available in six languages so you can follow along regardless of which language you speak.

What happens if I don't use my pass on the date I book?

Your voucher is valid for up to 12 months from the travel date you select at checkout, so you can use it on a different date if plans change.

Are there any stops that are currently closed?

Yes. Stops 11 and 15 are closed until further notice. Check the route map before planning which stops you want to visit.