Copenhagen Card 24 Hours

The shortest duration — but does it pay off? Here’s exactly which attractions to hit in 24 hours to get well above the $91 (€79) card price.

Price and what you get

24hr Discover Card
$91 (€79)
Adult price — youth $62, child $16
80+ museums & attractions
Unlimited public transport — metro, trains, buses
Airport metro included — saves €14 return
Day trips possible — Kronborg, Louisiana, Roskilde
24hr Hop Card
$93 (€80)
Adult price — youth $63, child $16
40+ city-centre attractions
Unlimited hop-on hop-off bus — 3 city routes
No metro or public transport
No airport transfer
No day trips possible

Both cards cost roughly the same for 24 hours. The Discover card includes transport and airport transfer — essential for most visitors. The Hop card only makes sense if you want to stay on the sightseeing bus all day.

Is it worth it?

Break-even requires 4–5 attractions. Here’s the math: Tivoli Gardens €20 + Canal Tours €18 + Rosenborg Castle €16 + airport metro return €14 = €68. Add one more attraction — the Glyptoteket at €16 — and you hit €84, saving €14 on the €78.82 card price.

The 24-hour card only pays off if you pack the day. Plan to visit 4–5 attractions and use transport heavily. If you only want to see 1–2 attractions, buy individual tickets instead.

Monday warning

Roughly half the card’s venues close on Mondays. If visiting on a Monday, check opening hours carefully — you may struggle to hit enough attractions to break even.

Full worth-it breakdown for all durations →

Suggested 24-hour itinerary

A tight route through central Copenhagen — all attractions within walking distance or a short metro ride.

Start here · 2–3 hours

Tivoli Gardens

Gardens entry included — rides cost extra. Opens at 11am most days. Start here to avoid afternoon crowds.

Crown Jewels · 1–2 hours

Rosenborg Castle

10-minute walk from Tivoli. Home to the Crown Jewels and 400 years of royal treasures.

Art museum · 1–2 hours

Glyptoteket

Classical sculptures and Impressionist paintings. 5-minute walk from Tivoli — perfect for the afternoon.

Canal tour · 1 hour

Canal Tours

Classic Copenhagen from the water. Board at Gammel Strand or Nyhavn — runs every 30 minutes.

Royal castle · 1 hour

Christiansborg Royal Reception Rooms

State rooms and throne hall. Final stop — 5-minute walk from the canal tour departure point.

Total saved: €86 vs €79 card price = €7 ahead. Add airport metro (€14 saved) and you’re €21 ahead.

Travelling with children?

Swap the Glyptoteket for Experimentarium (interactive science, €22) or Copenhagen Zoo (4,000 animals, €26). Both are on the metro and easily reached.

Common questions

Is 24 hours enough time?

For 4–5 attractions, yes — but it requires planning. Start early, stay central, and don’t linger. The card includes transport so you can move quickly between venues. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider the 48-hour option.

What if I arrive on a Monday?

Plan carefully — many museums close on Mondays. Tivoli Gardens, Canal Tours, and Rosenborg Castle stay open. Christiansborg Royal Reception Rooms also close Mondays. Check the full attraction list for Monday alternatives.

Should I upgrade to 48 hours?

If you want to visit 6–8 attractions over two days, yes. The 48-hour card costs $133 (€115) — only €36 more than 24 hours. That’s good value for an extra day. See our duration comparison to decide.

Buy the 24-hour Copenhagen Card

Activate when you’re ready to start — codes are valid for 24 months from purchase.

Buy the Copenhagen Card →