Traveling between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmö, Sweden is easy, fast, and inexpensive. Similar to traveling between Stockholm and Copenhagen, or Copenhagen and Aarhus, there are a few ways to get there. The cities are connected by the Øresund Bridge (also called Öresund Bridge and Øresundsbroen), an 8 km cable-stayed bridge opened in 2000 that transitions into another 4 km of tunnel. Designed by engineering firm COWI and architect was George K.S. Rotne, the bridge is as beautiful as it is functional, offering a spectacular view of the Flinte Channel.
The short distance between the two cities (by road or train takes approximately 35 minutes) makes it easy to make a day or weekend trip to either; there’s plenty to do in both Copenhagen and Malmö for both travellers and locals. In fact, many people commute between the cities. So how do you travel between the two?
Here are the most beautiful, cheapest, and fastest routes to travel between Copenhagen and Malmö.
Fastest route
Once the Øresund Bridge was built, travel between Copenhagen and Malmö became fast and easy. Whether you’re taking the bus, train, or driving, it’s about 35 minutes one way. Because this is a commuter route, during peak hours (7:00 am – 10:00 am and 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm) traffic can be heavy. Therefore the most consistently fast method of travel is the train.
Train between Copenhagen and Malmö
The train between Copenhagen and Malmö is called the Øresundståg. The train trip costs about 77 DKK/110 SEK each way and goes all day between Copenhagen and Malmö central station. Trains leave approximately every 10 minutes. You can buy tickets at either station, but you can also book online to ensure you get the lowest possible price.
Book your train ticket here.
Cheapest route
Bus between Copenhagen and Malmö
The cheapest form of travel between Copenhagen and Malmö is the bus, which can be as low as 69 DKK/89 SEK one way. The Flixbus runs about 15 buses a day and the Nettbuss runs seven, so you won’t have much trouble getting over the bridge!
Book your bus ticket here.
Most beautiful route
Lucky for you, pretty much every method of crossing the Øresund Bridge is beautiful thanks to a gorgeous view overlooking the water and a bridge suspended 204 metres in the air. If you’re the one in the driver’s seat, it’s not really possible to take in the view. So we recommend the train or bus so you can sit back, relax, and drink it in.
Book your train ticket here or your bus ticket here.
Drive between Copenhagen and Malmö
This isn’t exactly the great Scandinavian road trip you’ve been dreaming about; the drive between Copenhagen and Malmö is 35 minutes with no traffic. There is a toll for crossing the bridge: approximately 360 DKK/515 SEK. Remember that if you’re renting a car, there may be a fee for crossing an international border, so be sure to check with your rental company ahead of time.
We are big fans of Rentalcars.com for finding the best rental car deals from Copenhagen. They offer a wide selection of options from major and minor car rental companies, allowing us to easily compare offers and find the best deal.
Compare rental cars here!
Can I fly between Copenhagen and Malmö?
Yes! It is possible to fly between Copenhagen and Malmö, however this is by far the least convenient option. The distance between the two cities is approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles), joined by the Øresund Bridge, a 30.1 billion Swedish kronor (SEK) project. Given how fast and inexpensive other forms of travel are, we do not recommend air travel (it’s also a large environmental burden for such a short distance).
If for some reason you need to take an airplane, Norwegian Airlines and SAS are both options. There are no direct flights, with most flights going through Oslo or Stockholm, so the trip can take up to 5.5 hours from airport to airport.
Once I’m in Copenhagen, how do I get to the airport?
Luckily, it’s very easy to get to Copenhagen airport from Copenhagen central train station; either the train or the metro will get you there within 30 minutes.
Do I need to bring a passport to travel between Copenhagen and Malmö?
In 2015, strict passport controls were instituted between Copenhagen and Malmö. Those controls ended in 2017, but it’s a good idea to have your passport on hand just in case of a check at either border. These do happen occasionally so it’s best to be prepared, and there’s always a chance that the controls will be reinstated.
Want more Scandinavian travel? Find out how to travel between Copenhagen and Oslo.
Illustration: Freya McOmish
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