From Fehmarn to Copenhagen

The route – ferry plus two hours through Denmark

Copenhagen is closer to Fehmarn than many people expect. The journey combines a 45-minute ferry crossing of the Belt with around 160 kilometres on the well-developed E47 through Lolland, Falster and Zealand. Allow 3.5 to 4 hours in each direction. With an early start, you can still have a full afternoon in the city on a day trip, though a weekend visit is more relaxed.

By car

1. Drive to the ferry: From Fehmarn, the B207 reaches Puttgarden terminal in a few minutes. Complete check-in no later than 15 minutes before departure, though 30 minutes is better. See the timetable for departures on your travel date.
2. Cross the Belt: Scandlines runs every 30 minutes during the day. Leave the vehicle deck, get a coffee and take a walk on the sun deck; 45 minutes later, you arrive in Denmark.
3. Continue from Rødby: On leaving the ferry, you join the E47 directly. The road passes through the Guldborgsund tunnel and across the Farø bridges, and cars can use the entire route without paying a toll. The drive to Copenhagen takes about two hours.
4. Parking in Copenhagen: City-centre car parks are expensive. For a day visit, park and ride from the outskirts using the Metro or S-train is the cheaper option. Copenhagen's public transport runs frequently and is easy to use.
5. Return journey: Follow the same route back. Ferries run into the night, and Standard or Flex tickets do not tie you to a specific departure. Check the last suitable sailing in the timetable that evening to keep a comfortable margin.

Without a car

There are two main ways to travel across the Belt without your own vehicle:

• Long-distance coach: Coaches travel on the ferry and run from northern Germany to Copenhagen without a change. From Puttgarden, the journey including the crossing takes around three and a half to four hours. Check connections and times with the operator for your travel date.
• Ferry as a foot passenger, then bus and train: Cross with a foot-passenger ticket, then take bus 720R to Maribo and continue by train via Nykøbing Falster to København H. The route works but involves changes, so check it in advance with the Danish journey planner Rejseplanen. See Travelling on foot or by bicycle for the terminal process.

Note that there is currently no through train on the Vogelfluglinie. The Deutschland-Ticket is valid only as far as Puttgarden, not on the ferry or in Denmark.

Planning tips

• Start early: For a day trip, an early morning departure gives you the most time in the city.
• Tickets: Book the ferry online in advance, as this is considerably cheaper than buying at the port. See Prices and fares for the ticket types. The day ticket covers outward and return crossings on the same day.
• Travel documents: Bring your identity card or passport; spot checks take place at the border.
• Currency: Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you will rarely need cash.
• In the city: Nyhavn, Amalienborg, Strøget and the Little Mermaid are close together in the centre and easy to explore on foot. For longer journeys, use the Metro, S-train or a hire bicycle.
• Continuing to Sweden? Malmö is just over half an hour from Copenhagen via the Øresund Bridge. The prices page lists the available combination tickets.