Included with the Discover card — every day of the week, including all special exhibitions.
Frederiksborg Castle is one of the most rewarding day trips on the Copenhagen Card. It is open every day, covers all exhibitions at no extra cost, and the Discover card pays for the train both ways. Here is everything you need to know before you go.
The Discover card covers more than just the door ticket here — it includes the whole experience.
Included with Discover card
Not included — costs extra
The baroque gardens surrounding Frederiksborg Castle are free to enter without any card — a useful note if you are visiting with children who may not need a card for the museum either.
At most Copenhagen Card attractions, temporary and special exhibitions cost extra — even with the card. Frederiksborg is a clear exception: the card covers everything inside the building, including all current exhibitions.
In 2026, the headline exhibition is Tapestries of Frederiksborg, running 26 March–6 September 2026. It features the castle’s historic Gobelins tapestries — major works commissioned to document Danish royal history — displayed in context across the state rooms. Admission to this exhibition is fully included with the Discover card at no extra cost.
If you are visiting between those dates, the exhibition alone adds meaningful value over buying an individual ticket — and you have already paid for it through your card.
Frederiksborg Castle is a Discover card attraction only. The Hop card covers city-centre venues and the hop-on hop-off bus — it does not cover day trips or the S-train network. See pricing for both cards →
Roughly half the attractions on the Copenhagen Card are closed on Mondays. This is one of the most common complaints among visitors who did not check schedules before activating their card.
Frederiksborg is a reliable exception — it is open every day of the week, year-round. If your card happens to be active on a Monday and you need somewhere to go, Frederiksborg is one of the best options on the entire card: a 40-minute train journey (covered by the card), a full day of content, and a special exhibition at no extra cost.
For a full list of which venues are open on Mondays, see the complete attractions list →
A short ferry crossing that gives a completely different view of the castle — and costs nothing extra with your card.
A small passenger ferry that sails across the Castle Lake between the town and the castle, operating May to September. The crossing takes around 10 minutes and gives an uninterrupted view of the castle’s façade from the water — a different perspective to anything you get on foot.
Board the S-train on line A towards Hillerød from Copenhagen Central Station. The Discover card covers all S-trains across the Capital Region — tap your QR code at the validator before boarding. Trains run frequently throughout the day.
The ride to Hillerød takes between 35 and 45 minutes depending on the service. It is a comfortable journey through the northern suburbs — no changes required on the direct service.
From Hillerød Station, the castle is a 15-minute walk. The best route follows the edge of the Castle Lake — you will see the castle emerge across the water as you approach. Follow signs for Frederiksborg Slot from the station exit.
At the castle entrance, open the Copenhagen Card City Guide app and show your QR code. No queue at a ticket window, no payment — staff scan the code and you go straight in. The same QR code covers all permanent galleries and all special exhibitions.
Between May and September, the Frederiksborg Ferry runs across the Castle Lake. The crossing is also included with the Discover card — show your QR code again at the dock. It is a 10-minute trip and gives a view of the castle that no angle on foot can match.
Summer (June–August) is the most complete visit — the ferry runs across the lake, the baroque garden is in full colour, and the long northern evenings mean you can take your time. Arrive before 10am or after 3pm on summer weekends to avoid coach tour groups.
Spring (April–May) is excellent for the baroque garden, which begins to bloom from April. Fewer crowds than summer, and the 2026 Tapestries exhibition is already open from 26 March.
Winter (November–March) suits visitors who prefer fewer people and a more austere atmosphere. The castle interiors are the focus — the gardens are largely dormant, and the ferry does not run. The dramatic silhouette across a still winter lake is worth seeing on its own terms.
The castle is open every day of the year, so there is no bad season — only different ones.
Frederiksborg works best as a standalone day trip. For a 96hr or 120hr card, these are the most natural companions — on separate days.
The other great castle day trip on the Discover card — north along the coast to Helsingør, 40 minutes from Copenhagen Central. Two castles in one day is too much; plan each on a separate day with a 96hr or longer card.
Running May to September across the Castle Lake, the ferry is included with the Discover card and pairs naturally with the castle visit. Add it at the end of your afternoon before walking back to Hillerød Station.
The other unmissable Discover card day trip — south along the coast to Humlebæk, 40 minutes from Copenhagen Central. A completely different experience to Frederiksborg, and natural to combine on a 96hr or longer card on a separate day.
The individual ticket for Frederiksborg Castle is 125 DKK (approximately €17) per adult. Children aged 0–17 are free without any card.
On a 72-hour Discover card at $161 (€139), Frederiksborg alone covers €17 of that cost. The S-train return journey from Copenhagen adds roughly €7–8 per adult — bringing the saving for this single day trip to around €24–25 per adult.
Add the Tapestries of Frederiksborg special exhibition — which typically costs extra at other venues — and the value is even stronger. Most Copenhagen Card venues charge an additional fee for temporary exhibitions; Frederiksborg does not.
Combined with two or three other day trips (Kronborg, Louisiana, Roskilde), the card pays for itself comfortably. For families with children aged 0–17, the museum is free regardless — meaning the card value comes entirely from transport and the adult ticket.
For the full breakdown of both cards and every attraction, see the complete worth-it analysis →
No. Frederiksborg is a Discover card attraction only. The Hop card covers 40+ city-centre venues and the Stromma hop-on hop-off bus — it does not cover day trips outside the city, and it does not include the S-train or metro network. To visit Frederiksborg with the card, you need the Discover card. See all pricing options →
Yes — the Frederiksborg Ferry is included with the Discover card, and it runs from May to September across the Castle Lake. Show your QR code at the ferry dock, the same code you used at the castle entrance. It is a 10-minute crossing. Full ferry guide →
Yes — and this is unusual. Most Copenhagen Card attractions charge extra for temporary or special exhibitions even if the permanent collection is included. Frederiksborg covers everything inside the building with your card, including the 2026 exhibition Tapestries of Frederiksborg (26 March–6 September 2026). No additional payment required.
No. Frederiksborg does not require advance booking with the Copenhagen Card. Arrive at the ticket office, open the app, and show your QR code. Entry is immediate. There is no timed-slot system and no separate booking step required — unlike a small number of other attractions on the card where pre-booking is necessary.
Take S-train line A from Copenhagen Central towards Hillerød — the journey takes 35–45 minutes and is fully covered by the Discover card transport. From Hillerød Station, it is a 15-minute walk to the castle, following the edge of the Castle Lake. Full transport guide →
Not recommended. Both castles are full day trips in their own right — Frederiksborg is north-west of Copenhagen (line A towards Hillerød), and Kronborg is north-east (towards Helsingør). Combining them in a single day leaves too little time at each. On a 96hr or 120hr Discover card, plan each castle on a separate day. See which card duration fits your itinerary →
Frederiksborg Castle, the ferry, and the S-train both ways — all included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before use.
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