Can you travel Denmark on $84 a day? The real breakdown

Denmark isn't cheap, but it's manageable if you plan around transit and food: budget travelers spend around $84 USD (535 DKK) per day, covering basic accommodation, transport, and meals. Mid-range travel runs about $198/day, and luxury around $464/day — so where you land depends mostly on how you handle transport and dining choices.
How much should I budget per day?
Budget-style travel in Denmark costs roughly $84 USD (535 DKK) per day. This aligns closely with the amount Danish border control expects budget travelers to show proof of — 350-500 DKK per day — so your travel budget and your entry funds requirement are roughly the same ballpark. Mid-range travelers spend about $198/day, and luxury travelers about $464/day, giving you a clear sense of what upgrading comfort levels actually costs.
How do I keep transport costs down?
City transit tickets cost around $3.80 (24 DKK) one-way, which adds up fast if you're moving around daily. Taxis are pricier at about $2.40 (15 DKK) per kilometer plus a $7.90 (50 DKK) starting fee — fine for occasional use, not for daily commuting. In Copenhagen, using the city bike scheme instead of taxis can save $20-40 per day, making it one of the most effective budget moves available.
For the airport-to-center run on the Copenhagen Metro, a standard fare is $4.91, but it drops to $2.45 with a Rejsekort card, which gives 50% off all public transit — worth getting if you're staying more than a day or two.
What about traveling between cities?
Budget intercity buses like FlixBus are the cheapest way to cover longer distances — around 70 DKK (~$10) for Copenhagen to Aarhus (4 hours) or Copenhagen to Odense (2 hours). If you prefer trains, non-European travelers can use the Eurail Denmark Pass, or the Europe-wide Eurail Pass if Denmark is part of a bigger trip.
How can I save on connectivity?
Free wireless internet is widely available in Denmark — hotels, cafés, libraries, trains, and some buses all offer it, so short-stay travelers can often get by without buying data. For trips under a week, a 7-day tourist data plan (50-150 DKK depending on volume) is simple and predictable. If you're staying longer than a week, a local Danish SIM from a provider like 3 or Lebara typically gives more data per krone than international roaming plans.
FAQ
Do I need to show proof of funds to enter Denmark? Yes — budget travelers should be prepared to show they have 350-500 DKK per day for their stay, a requirement noted in Canadian government travel advice reflecting current Schengen entry rules.
What's the single best money-saving move in Copenhagen? Swap taxis for the city bike scheme — it can save $20-40 per day compared to taxi fares.
Is it worth getting a Rejsekort card? Yes if you're using public transit more than once — it cuts fares by 50%, turning a $4.91 airport-to-center metro trip into $2.45.
Sources
- https://www.exiap.com/guides/spending-money-how-much-for-denmark
- Travel advice and advisories for Denmark
- https://hikersbay.com/travel-cost/denmark?lang=en
- https://thingstodoindenmark.com/budget/backpacker/
- Denmark Travel Budget Guide: Daily Costs and Money Tips
- https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/plan-your-trip/plan-your-trip-faq
- https://thingstodoindenmark.com/connectivity/
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