Departure port · Port of Copenhagen · Denmark
Cruises from Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of Scandinavia’s busiest cruise ports and the leading starting point for Baltic Sea cruises, plus Norway’s fjords and longer Northern Europe voyages, from roughly May to September. Most turnaround ships use the Oceankaj terminals in Nordhavn, about 15 to 20 minutes by taxi from the center and around 30 minutes from Copenhagen Airport. It’s a compact, bike-friendly, walkable city that easily fills a day or two before you sail.
- Baltic Sea
- Norwegian fjords
- Northern Europe
- British Isles
- Iceland, Greenland & Arctic
Photo: Pudelek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Cruise port
- Port of Copenhagen
- Location
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Main destinations
- Baltic Sea, Norwegian fjords, Northern Europe
- Cruise lines
- 16 lines sail from here
Sailing from Copenhagen
Copenhagen sits at the gateway between the North Sea and the Baltic, so it’s the natural start for a Baltic cruise. Typical 7- to 12-night itineraries call at Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Warnemünde for Berlin, Gdańsk, Riga or Visby; Norway-focused sailings head up to Bergen, Geiranger, Flåm and Stavanger; and longer voyages continue to Iceland, the British Isles or across to North America. With St. Petersburg off itineraries in recent years, lines have leaned more on Scandinavia, Poland and the Baltic states.
For North Americans the logistics are excellent: Copenhagen Airport has nonstop flights from several US and Canadian cities, the metro reaches downtown in about 15 minutes, and nearly everyone speaks English. The city is safe, tidy and easy to navigate, with Nyhavn’s colorful harbor, royal palaces, Tivoli Gardens and great food all within walking distance of one another.
The trade-offs: Copenhagen is expensive, summer weather can be cool and showery even in July, and the main cruise quay is in a redeveloping port district rather than the old center, so you’ll need a taxi or bus to reach the sights.
Where cruises from Copenhagen go
Baltic Sea cruises
May to September; peak in June, July and August
Norwegian fjords cruises
May to September for fjord cruises; coastal voyages and northern lights sailings year-round
Northern Europe cruises
May to September for most lines; Norway’s coast year-round, with northern lights voyages in winter
British Isles cruises
May to September; a few sailings in April and October
Iceland, Greenland & Arctic cruises
Late May to September; Greenland and Svalbard mainly June to August
Cruise lines sailing from Copenhagen
Port of Copenhagen cruise terminals
Most turnaround ships berth at Oceankaj (Ocean Quay) in Nordhavn, north of the city center, where three purpose-built cruise terminals line the quay. A second area, Langelinie, near the Little Mermaid, is closer to the center and also handles cruise ships, and small vessels sometimes use Nordre Toldbod, within walking distance of Nyhavn. Check your documents for the quay, since they’re far enough apart to matter. At Oceankaj, taxis and transfers drop off at the terminal door, porters take bags and check-in follows your assigned arrival window. There’s little to do in the immediate area, so plan to arrive at your time rather than early.
Getting to the port
Flying in
Copenhagen Airport (CPH), in Kastrup, is about 9 miles (14 km) from Oceankaj, roughly 25 to 35 minutes by taxi. The metro (M2) runs from the airport to the city center in about 15 minutes, and trains connect with Copenhagen Central Station, but with luggage a taxi to the ship is simplest. SAS and several North American airlines fly nonstop from major US hubs and Toronto, with more service in summer.
Driving
From the airport and the south, the E20 motorway and coastal roads bring you north through the city to Nordhavn; from northern Zealand, the E47 and Helsingørmotorvejen lead into the port area. Follow signs for Nordhavn and the cruise terminals. Driving in the center is slow, with lots of cyclists and limited parking.
Parking
Paid parking is available near the Oceankaj terminals and is best reserved in advance for week-long stays. Most international visitors skip the car entirely, since taxis, the metro and buses cover everything.
Where to stay before a cruise from Copenhagen
The old center, Indre By, puts you near Nyhavn, Strøget (the pedestrian shopping street) and the royal palaces. Vesterbro, around Central Station and Tivoli, is convenient for trains from the airport and has the lively Meatpacking District for dinner. Østerbro is quieter and closer to the cruise quays, and Christianshavn offers canal-side character across the harbor. For any of them, the taxi ride to Oceankaj is short.
Things to do in Copenhagen before or after your cruise
- 1
Nyhavn and a canal tour
scenery
The 17th-century harbor of brightly painted townhouses and wooden sailing ships is Copenhagen’s postcard view; Hans Christian Andersen once lived here. Canal boats leave from Nyhavn for an hour-long loop past the Opera House, Christiansborg and the Little Mermaid, a relaxing way to spend your first jet-lagged afternoon.
- 2
Tivoli Gardens
family
Opened in 1843, this amusement park and garden next to Central Station mixes vintage rides, roller coasters, concert stages and restaurants under thousands of lights. It’s seasonal, open through the summer and again for Halloween and Christmas, and at its most magical after dark.
- 3
Rosenborg Castle and the Crown Jewels
history
Christian IV’s Renaissance castle sits in the King’s Garden and holds the Danish crown jewels and royal regalia in its vaulted cellar treasury. Nearby, Torvehallerne’s glass market halls are perfect for smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches) and Danish pastries.
- 4
Amalienborg, Kastellet and the Little Mermaid
culture
Watch the Royal Life Guards change at midday at Amalienborg Palace, then walk north past the marble Frederik’s Church to Kastellet, a star-shaped fortress with grassy ramparts. The small bronze Little Mermaid sits on the shore just beyond, near the Langelinie cruise quay. It’s smaller than many expect but worth the stroll.
- 5
Kronborg Castle in Helsingør
history
Shakespeare set Hamlet at this UNESCO-listed Renaissance castle guarding the narrow strait to Sweden, about 45 minutes north by train. Combine it with the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art at Humlebæk, on the same line, which pairs a superb collection with sculpture gardens overlooking the sea.
- 6
Bike the city
adventure
Copenhagen is one of the world’s great cycling cities, with wide, separated bike lanes everywhere. Rent a bike or join a guided ride to see Christianshavn, the harbor baths and the Opera House at local speed. Follow the hand signals and keep right so faster riders can pass.
When cruises sail from Copenhagen
The season runs from about late April to early October, peaking June through August. June brings nearly 18 hours of daylight and festive Midsummer celebrations, July and August are warmest but busiest, and May and September are cooler with fewer crowds and lower fares. Baltic itineraries dominate midsummer, while Norway sailings run through the whole season. Off-season departures are rare.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 384 | 394 | 436 | 5010 | 5915 | 6719 | 6921 | 7021 | 6518 | 5613 | 478 | 415 |
| Low °F (°C) | 331 | 331 | 351 | 394 | 478 | 5513 | 5815 | 5915 | 5513 | 489 | 415 | 362 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.768 | 2.462 | 3.385 | 1.846 | 1.334 | 2.255 | 2.667 | 2.769 | 2.255 | 2.871 | 2.462 | 2.563 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
Embarkation day tips
- Arrive at least one night before your cruise. Transatlantic flights land in the morning, and a day in Copenhagen is easy and enjoyable on foot or by bike.
- Denmark is nearly cashless; cards and phone payments work almost everywhere, even for small purchases. You rarely need Danish kroner in cash.
- Never walk in the bike lanes. They’re usually raised slightly or marked separately, and cyclists move fast and expect pedestrians to stay on the sidewalk.
- Pack layers and a rain jacket. Even in July, temperatures are often only in the 60s°F (around 18–20°C), and showers blow through quickly.
- On disembarkation day, the airport is only about half an hour away, so a late-morning flight is often realistic. With more time, store bags and spend the morning at Nyhavn or Rosenborg.
Cruises from Copenhagen: FAQs
Where do cruise ships dock in Copenhagen?
Mostly at Oceankaj in Nordhavn, north of the city center, which has three cruise terminals. Some ships use Langelinie near the Little Mermaid, which is closer to the center, and small ships occasionally use Nordre Toldbod near Nyhavn.
How far is Copenhagen airport from the cruise port?
About 25 to 35 minutes by taxi to Oceankaj. The airport is roughly 9 miles (14 km) from the terminals. Langelinie is a similar or slightly shorter drive.
Can you walk from the Copenhagen cruise terminal to the city center?
Not from Oceankaj; it’s several miles, so take a taxi or the shuttle bus your line may offer. From Langelinie it’s a pleasant 30- to 40-minute walk past the Little Mermaid and Kastellet to Nyhavn.
Is Copenhagen expensive to visit before a cruise?
Yes, it’s one of Europe’s pricier cities for hotels and restaurants. Save money with market-hall lunches, hot dogs from street stands, free sights such as Nyhavn and Kastellet, and a Copenhagen Card if you plan many museum visits.
What is the best month for a cruise from Copenhagen?
June. Days are extremely long, gardens are in bloom and the summer crowds haven’t peaked. July and August are slightly warmer but busier and pricier, while May and September offer good value.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.