Kastrup Copenhagen Airport (CPH) Flights & Information

Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH) is a modern, compact and convenient airport – not just to Denmark’s capital city, but also to the rest of the country and even into southern Sweden. Light and airy in many places, and with simple connections using local airline SAS, it’s a great option for travelers both around Europe and for long-haul flights beyond.

Copenhagen Airport terminals

CPH, sometimes called Kastrup after the suburb where it’s located, is one large building split into two terminals – Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. There is no longer a Terminal 1.

Terminal 2 contains A and B gates, while Terminal 3 is home to the C, D, E and F gates. By and large, A and B gates are for flights within Europe’s Schengen Area, the 29-country borderless zone that doesn’t require passport checks.

C gates are found after the passport control checkpoint next to these gates and are generally for non-Schengen destinations. D gates serve mostly Schengen destinations, while E gates are generally for long-haul flights on SAS, and there’s a passport control area here too. F gates make up the low-cost carrier zone.

Arriving in Copenhagen

The arrivals process in Copenhagen depends whether you’re arriving from one of the Schengen Area countries or not, but in either case it’s pretty simple and the small size of the airport means that lines are generally short.

From a Schengen nation, the process is like any domestic flight within Europe – you simply walk off the plane, head to baggage claim and exit the terminal. If you’re arriving from a non-Schengen nation like the US, you’ll go through passport control before baggage claim.

I always try to avoid exchanging cash or withdrawing local kroner from the ATMs at the airport. You’re likely to get the best rate from an ATM in town. I’ve found that ATMs from Arbejdernes Landsbank, Danske Bank and Nykredit Bank tend to work well with international ATM cards.

Transiting at Copenhagen Airport

Copenhagen is one of my go-to airports for transferring between flights in Europe – it’s quick and simple, with all gates in the same building.

If you arrive from a non-Schengen country, you’ll need to go through passport control and security. If you arrive from a Schengen country, you don’t. Any duty-free goods you might have with you, especially including any liquids over 3.4 ounces, should be in a special security tamper-evident bag along with the receipt, in order to get through security.

If your connecting journey is booked on the same reservation, your checked bags will usually be sent through to your final destination, even if your two flights are on different airlines. Make sure you check the bag tag when you’re checking in or dropping off your bags at your original departure airport.

You’ll find a Clarion Hotel and a Comfort Hotel right outside the terminal, but since the airport is so close to the city, and the Metro is so convenient, I’ve never felt the need to stay at the airport.

Getting to and from CPH by public transit

Copenhagen Airport is well served by public transport, with a station for Copenhagen’s metro, local and regional trains, and even trains across the Oresund bridge to Malmo and much of Sweden. There are also local and intercity buses as well.

The Metro is the simplest and easiest way to get into Copenhagen, and the airport station between Terminals 2 and 3 is the last stop on the M2 (yellow) line. Trains run every 5 minutes or so during the day and every 15 to 20 minutes overnight.

It’s about 10 to 20 minutes into the center of Copenhagen, depending which station you’re heading for. Line M2 connects with the other 3 lines on the network.

Metro trains are spacious and you can bring luggage on board. All metro stations have elevator access. If you have a lot of luggage, though, you might find a taxi easier.

Buy metro tickets at the station or at the DSB (the national railway company) machines in Terminal 3. Staff are available to help in the DSB area – if it’s your first time, or if you have questions, you’ll be glad to know they speak English.

You can choose from single tickets, the City Pass day or multi-day tickets, and the Copenhagen Card day or multi-day program that also includes entry to a ton of local attractions.

Local and intercity buses also stop at the airport, running into Copenhagen and further afield in Denmark and Sweden. These can be a great budget way to get around.

Regional, intercity and international trains run from the underground airport station. Trains to Malmo and other cities in Sweden all depart from Track 1, which is reached by a separate moving walkway from the trains to Denmark. Buy tickets from the DSB machines in the terminal. You can get into central Copenhagen using the trains, but the metro is easier and offers more stops.

How to get to and from Copenhagen Airport by car

Uber doesn’t currently operate in Denmark, although it may be returning in the future. Local options for rideshare apps include GoMore and Talixo, but from the airport I find it easiest to just head for the taxi stand.

Follow the signs for the taxi pickup point outside Terminal 3 – there are separate lines for taxis for Denmark and taxis for Sweden. There’s also a separate Terminal 2 drop-off area if you’re heading for those check-in desks and bag drops, but the Terminal 3 drop-off is closest to security if you don’t have luggage to check in.

If you want to pay for your taxi by card, check whether the taxi driver has a working machine before you start loading your luggage in.

Security lines at CPH

Copenhagen Airport has one single security checkpoint between Terminals 2 and 3, with entry points on either side. The airport lists current wait times – it may be faster to pop around to the other terminal’s entry point.

There’s a family lane if you’re traveling with small kids, and fast track for domestic Danish flights, business class passengers, frequent flyers and anyone with a Norwegian Flex ticket.

Free Wi-Fi at Copenhagen Airport

The Copenhagen Airport Wi-Fi network is free and fast. Look for “CPH Airport Free WI-FI”. You’ll find power points scattered around the airport too, but they can be a bit hard to track down. There are more around the B gates than elsewhere, so if you have a long wait you’re probably best off heading there if you don’t have lounge access.

Lounges at CPH

Copenhagen Airport has lots of lounges, including two operated by hometown airline SAS. The rest are independently owned and operated.

The SAS lounge complex is near gate C10 in Terminal 3, close to the fast track security exit. Both sections are pretty average for a European business class or frequent flyer lounge.

The main SAS lounge is downstairs. It’s for passengers in SAS business class, SAS Plus, and business class passengers or certain frequent flyers on partner airlines, and is available for purchase by SAS economy passengers as well.

The SAS Gold Lounge is upstairs and is a slight upgrade to the main SAS lounge. Only SAS Diamond and Gold members or partner frequent flyers flying SAS or a partner airline are allowed in.

Independent lounges include three in Terminal 2 – the Aspire Lounge, Carlsberg Aviator Lounge and CPH Apartment Lounge. All are within the airport’s main Schengen Area zone, before passport control. For flights outside the Schengen Area, the Eventyr Lounge is found near gate C26.

Priority Pass cardholders can use the Aspire Lounge or Carlsberg Aviator Lounge in Terminal 2 or the Eventyr Lounge in Terminal 3. You can also buy your way into most of these, and in some cases book in advance.

The best souvenirs at Copenhagen Airport

You can buy the famous Danish butter cookies in the iconic blue tin at the tax-free shop or elsewhere in the airport. Or, pick up some local snacks and candy for your friends – the famous Lakrids by Bülow is a must-buy for licorice lovers. The design store Illums Bolighus also has a shop in the airport if you’re looking for something more lasting.