Which Duration Should You Get?

24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours — getting this wrong costs you money. Here’s exactly which duration makes sense for your trip.

Start Here

Which card first — Hop or Discover?

The Hop card stops at 72 hours. Only the Discover card offers 96-hour and 120-hour durations.

Copenhagen Card
Hop Card
Max 72 hours
City centre only
40+ city-centre attractions
Hop-on hop-off bus only
No metro, no airport transfer
No day trips possible
Maximum 72 hours — no longer durations
Copenhagen Card
Discover Card
Up to 120 hours
All transport + day trips
80+ museums & attractions
All public transport including airport
Day trips covered — Kronborg, Louisiana, Roskilde
Up to 120 hours — all 5 durations available

Most visitors should choose Discover — it covers the airport, day trips, and all public transport. See the full comparison →

Per-Day Costs

The longer you go, the better the value

Per-day costs drop significantly at 72 hours. Based on Discover card pricing — June 2026.

Duration Total Price Per Day
24 hours $91 (€79) $91 (€79)
48 hours $133 (€115) $67 (€57)
72 hours $161 (€139) $54 (€46)
96 hours $189 (€163) $47 (€41)
120 hours $220 (€190) $44 (€38)
Decision Framework

Which duration for which trip?

Match your trip length to the right duration. These are firm recommendations based on typical itineraries.

One Day Only

Choose: 24 hours — $91 (€79)

  • Tivoli Gardens + 2-3 museums
  • Airport transfer included
  • All city transport covered

See 24-hour itinerary →

Weekend City Break

Choose: 48 hours — $133 (€115)

  • 5-6 major attractions
  • Rosenborg, Tivoli, canal tour
  • Two full days of transport

See 48-hour itinerary →

3 Days First Visit

Choose: 72 hours — $161 (€139)

  • Best value per day at this duration
  • 8-10 attractions easily possible
  • One day trip to Kronborg or Louisiana

See 72-hour itinerary →

4 Days with Day Trips

Choose: 96 hours — $189 (€163)

  • Two day trips easily covered
  • Kronborg + Louisiana + Frederiksborg
  • 12-15 attractions total

See 96-hour itinerary →

5 Days Museum Lover

Choose: 120 hours — $220 (€190)

  • 20+ attractions possible
  • Every major museum covered
  • Multiple day trips at leisure

See 120-hour itinerary →

Upgrade Arguments

When upgrading to a longer duration pays off

The math on when upgrading makes sense — and when it doesn’t.

48hr to 72hr

Upgrade cost: $28 more

  • One day trip to Kronborg (€18) pays for most of it
  • Gives you 24 more hours of transport
  • Room for 3-4 more attractions
  • Recommended — great value upgrade
72hr to 96hr

Upgrade cost: $28 more

  • Worth it if planning 2 day trips
  • Louisiana (€20) + Frederiksborg (€15) = €35
  • Extra day of transport included
  • Upgrade if day trips are priorities
96hr to 120hr

Upgrade cost: $31 more

  • Only worth it if 20+ attractions planned
  • Average attraction value €16
  • Need 2 more attractions to break even
  • Skip unless you’re a serious museum lover
Monday Warning

If your trip includes a Monday, go one duration longer

Roughly half the Copenhagen Card venues are closed on Mondays. Plan around this or buy a longer duration.

Monday closures affect most major museums

The National Museum, Glyptoteket, Design Museum Denmark, Rosenborg Castle, and Amalienborg Museum are all closed on Mondays. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen Zoo, and Canal Tours remain open. If Monday falls in the middle of your trip, consider going one duration longer to compensate for the reduced options.

Common Questions

Duration questions answered

Can I split durations across my group?

No. All cards on one order activate simultaneously and run for the same duration. If your group wants different durations, place separate orders. One person could buy a 72-hour card while another buys a 48-hour card, but they must be separate purchases.

What if I don’t use all my hours?

Unused hours have no value. The card expires exactly when the timer runs out — whether you use it or not. Buy the shortest duration that covers your planned activities. A 48-hour card that you use fully beats a 72-hour card that you only use for 36 hours.

Which card covers Copenhagen Airport?

Only the Discover card includes airport transfer via metro. The Hop card covers hop-on hop-off buses only — no metro, no airport transfer. Airport metro costs €7 each way (€14 return) if bought separately. See full airport guide →

Is 24 hours enough for first-time visitors?

Only if you’re arriving and leaving the same day. First-time visitors typically want Tivoli Gardens, a canal tour, Rosenborg Castle, and 2-3 museums — that’s easily 48 hours worth of activities. The 24-hour card works for day trips from Sweden or very short stopovers.

When does the 120-hour card make sense?

When you plan to visit 20+ attractions over 5 days. At €38 per day, you need to visit roughly 4 attractions per day to justify the cost. This duration suits museum lovers, repeat visitors, or anyone planning multiple day trips to Louisiana, Kronborg, Frederiksborg, and Roskilde.

Can I extend my card once activated?

No. Once activated, the duration is fixed and cannot be extended. If you realize you need more time, you would need to buy a completely new card. Choose carefully before activating — codes remain valid for 24 months from purchase.

See the full worth-it breakdown →

Ready to choose your duration?

All durations available for the Discover card. Hop card stops at 72 hours.

Buy the Copenhagen Card →