How do I get to Copenhagen by train from France?

The easiest way is to travel to Hamburg (overnight on the European Sleeper or during the day on the TGV/ICE), then take a direct train to Copenhagen. You can also go through Berlin or Malmö, depending on your itinerary. More infos in our dedicated article.

How long does it take to get to Copenhagen by train?

From Paris, the trip usually takes between 15 and 17 hours, depending on connections and the route you choose. If you take the overnight train, you'll sleep through most of the journey.

How many days should you plan to spend visiting Copenhagen?

Two days are enough to see the main must-see attractions. But to visit several museums, explore the creative districts, and take one or two day trips around the capital, four to five days are ideal.

Is Copenhagen a good destination for a first trip to Scandinavia?

Yes. Easy to reach by train, compact, and a pleasure to explore, Copenhagen is a great starting point for discovering the Nordic countries. From there, you can easily continue your trip to Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm, or Oslo.

Is it easy to continue your trip from Copenhagen?

Yes. The capital is a major rail hub. Trains provide easy access to Malmö, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo, and the rest of Denmark. To learn more, you can also check out our guide "Traveling to Scandinavia by train from France".

Why is Copenhagen considered one of the most livable cities in the world?

Because it combines an excellent quality of life, a strong emphasis on sustainable transportation, public spaces designed with residents in mind, innovative architecture, and constant access to nature and water. This is also what makes it a particularly pleasant destination to explore on foot, by bike, or by public transportation.

Visit Copenhagen by train: our tips for a low-carbon stay

As the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is one of those cities where you quickly understand why so many travelers fall in love with it. A cyclist’s paradise, world-renowned contemporary architecture, revitalized waterfront neighborhoods, canals, swimming right in the heart of the city, cozy cafés, and culture at every turn: the Danish capital successfully blends Heritage, Nature, and Innovation like few other European cities. This philosophy is also reflected in original initiatives such as CopenPay, which rewards visitors who choose more sustainable modes of transportation!

Good news: she is now easily accessible by train from France. After spending the night on a night train to Germany, it takes just a few hours to reach Denmark and discover one of Europe's most inspiring cities—all without flying.

👉 To plan your trip in detail, check out our A Practical Guide to Copenhagen as well as our A tried-and-true 2-day itinerary.

Our photos & videos

How to reach Copenhagen by train?

From France, the easiest route today goes through Hamburg.

Starting in July 2026, you can travel to Hamburg aboard the European Sleeper Night Train departing from Paris, then continue on a direct train to Copenhagen with the German Railways (DB). Has approximately A 15- to 17-hour trip, depending on the correspondence.

Good to know: If the night train's schedule doesn't match your travel dates, you can also travel to Berlin (day or night), before continuing on to Copenhagen on one of the many daily trains connecting the two capitals.

Finally, here's another option if you realize A Travel Itinerary in Scandinavia : Travel to Malmö, Sweden, and then cross the spectacular Øresund Bridge by train.

👉 All detailed itineraries, travel times, airlines, and booking links can be found in our comprehensive guide:

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Copenhagen: Our Complete Guide to Exploring the Danish Capital by Train

What to do and discover in Copenhagen?

Watch "Ne pas surtout pas à Copenhague 😉" on YouTube

Ne pas surtout pas à Copenhague 😉

What stands out most in Copenhagen isn't just the beauty of its monuments—it's also the way the city is designed. In just a few minutes at on foot, by bike, or by water bus, you go from a historic canal to a former industrial wasteland that has been turned into a contemporary art museum, and then to a pier where locals come to swim after work.

Some of the must-sees include:

🎡 The Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world

🚲 The Danish Architecture Center, to understand why Copenhagen has become a global leader in urban planning

🎨 Refshaleøen, a former shipyard that has become one of the city's most creative neighborhoods, offering a mix of contemporary art, street food, and swimming

🌊 Nordhavn, a laboratory for sustainable cities where contemporary architecture, public spaces, and swimming pools coexist

🏛️ The many museums, palaces, and cultural venues that make the Danish capital so rich

But Copenhagen isn't just its city center. In less than an hour by train, you can also reach Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, the beaches of Bellevue, or Dyrehaven Park, famous for its thousands of free-roaming fallow deer.

👉 To discover all these places, our top picks, and our detailed itinerary, check out our A Complete Guide to Copenhagen or our 2-day microadventure.

Article

What to Do in Copenhagen in 2 Days During? Our Micro-Adventure in the Danish Capital

While summer naturally attracts many visitors, the capital also has a completely different atmosphere in winter, between hygge, seasonal pastries, the Festival of Lights, and much lower visitor numbers.

Deals and passes

CopenPay: Free activities and perks if you come by train!

What if traveling more responsibly could earn you rewards? With the initiative CopenPay, Wonderful Copenhagen rewards visitors who come by train, ride bicycles, use public transportation, or take part in certain environmental initiatives.

During our stay, several of the activities we tried were part of this initiative for more responsible tourism promoted by Copenhagen. More info in our featured article.

Depending on the partners and the time of year, traveling by train, bike, or public transportation may give you access to drinks, guided tours, activities, or other experiences offered by the program’s partners. Some rewards are available simply by presenting a train ticket.

Since the list of partners changes regularly, the easiest thing to do is to check the official CopenPay website before you leave, or download the (free) mobile app.

Copenhagen Card: A Card That Saves You Money

If you plan to visit several museums, Tivoli, or explore the area around the capital, the Copenhagen Card can quickly pay for itself.

It provides access to more than 80 attractions and also includes the public transportation (subway, bus, regional trains, and water buses). Available for periods of 24 to 120 hours, you can activate it directly from your phone. More info: https://copenhagencard.com.

Practical FAQ

To keep the trip going in Denmark

You can also explore other cities in Denmark:

Aarhus

Kolding

Odense