How to Find Cheap Hotels in Copenhagen, Denmark

As the capital and largest city in Denmark, Copenhagen once guarded the entrance to the Baltic. Canals, narrow streets, old houses and pedestrian-only areas are just part of the city's charm.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer for making Internet reservations

Prepare for Copenhagen

1. Know that Copenhagen is a center for international design, which is visible throughout the thoroughly contemporary city.
2. Plan to visit Denmark between Easter and October to stroll through Tivoli. With four distinct seasons, the warmest weather is from May to August.
3. To book accommodations, contact The Danish Tourist Board at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).

Organize Your Transportation

4. Fly into Copenhagen International Airport, which is home to over 60 international airlines.
5. Catch a train into downtown Copenhagen, where most accommodations are located. It is a 12-minute train ride to the Central Station, with trains running every 10 minutes during the day.
6. Ride the metro between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. on weekdays, and all night on weekends. The new metro is the most efficient way to get around the city.

Look for a Cheap Place to Stay

7. Consider finding accommodations in the old red light district, Helgolandsgade and Colbjornsensgade. The area has been cleaned up and offers some of the best deals in Copenhagen.
8. Look into sharing a bathroom. To get a cheap rate, ask the hotel for a room without a private bathroom.
9. Try camping just outside the city if you can't find a cheap room. Absalon Camping is open all year, while most other camping sites are open during the summer season.
10. Consider staying near the airport. Hotels in this area are just a short bus ride from downtown and offer budget accommodations.

Be Familiar with Copenhagen

11. Walk around the city. The city center is designed for wandering by foot, as seen on Stroget, the longest and oldest pedestrian-only street in Europe.
12. Buy ice cream or pastries from a cart in Tivoli Gardens. These cheap desserts will make up for the expensive restaurants in Tivoli, where prices are higher than the rest of Copenhagen.
13. Stay out late. On summer weekends, Stroget fills with people for outdoor parties that last until the wee hours. Find accommodations nearby, so the walk home is short.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick up some Krones, the official currency of Denmark.
• Metro stations are clearly marked with a red M.
• Purchase a CPHCARD online at least ten days before arriving to Copenhagen. The card allows unlimited travel by train, bus and metro, free entry to over 60 museums, and discounts on car rentals.
• After peak season, make sure to ask about winter discounts to find a cheap room.
• Peak season in Denmark is May to September and accommodations fill up fast, so reserve early.