A day trip to Sweden from Copenhagen (Day 4)
Tourists are always interested in what they can see nearby. And in this particular case we suggest you visit the area around Copenhagen. To the north there are some beautiful castles, and across the bay you will find yourself in Sweden. So why not organize a round trip like this (see itinerary on the map)?
As you can see, the route passes first through the towns of Hillerød and Helsingør and from there you will reach Sweden where you can visit Helsingborg, Lund and Malmö.
Page last updated: December, 2024.
When you cross the Swedish border, you will be asked to present your documents so don't forget to take them!
Description of the day
You can do this trip on a Monday, when the museums in Copenhagen are closed. The Copenhagen Card will be useful for this excursion because you can travel free of charge on the trains of the northern region, visit two castles, take a boat trip close to Hillerød castle and even receive a discount for the ferry to Sweden!
The itinerary is not short, so you need to depart about 8 am. The first castle opens at 10 am, but it will take about an hour to get there (+ time to have breakfast). The route is marked on the map. Open this link from your mobile phone so you have the map of the trip at your fingertips. It is very useful because Google knows the schedules for all trains and ferries and that will simplify the journey for you.
The town of Hillerød and the castle of Frederiksborg
Hillerød is located in the north of the region. Take the train “A - Hillerod” from Copenhagen central station and you'll be there in 40 minutes. The train leaves every 8-12 minutes. The main monument of the town is the castle of Frederiksborg, and it stands right opposite the lagoon area.
The walk through the walls of the palace is fascinating for anyone! Do not miss the opportunity to take a look at the park-garden of Frederiksborg and see the fountain of Neptune in the courtyard. We also suggest you take a boat trip on the lake: the view of Frederiksborg from the lake is simply irresistible!
Price: the train to the town, entry to the castle and the boat tour on the lake are included in the Copenhagen Card.
Opening times: from 10 am to 5 pm (all year round) but it closes at 3 pm in winter.
Duration of the visit: 1-2 hours.
Elsinore (Helsingør) and the castle of Kronborg
A direct train from Hillerød to Helsingør leaves every half hour and takes approximately 30 minutes. This port city has become famous all over the world thanks to Shakespeare. The writer chose the castle as the setting for his famous play Hamlet, the Danish prince.
Whether or not Hamlet actually existed is not known, but the castle of Kronborg, whose history is lost in the distant 1420, lives on at Helsingør still today. The castle is huge! And while you walk in the quiet underground royal casemates, actors interpret the tragedy of “Hamlet” right there in the rooms of Kronborg. Between its imposing marble walls, any legend can become reality.
Price: train and visit to the castle are included in the Copenhagen Card.
Opening times: from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
Duration of the visit: from 40 minutes without the show, up to 2 hours if you see everything.
By ferry to Sweden: Elsinore - Helsingborg
There is a Scandlines terminal at the Copenhagen station, where you can purchase a one-way ticket and present your documents before boarding. You will find supermarket shopping and bars on the ferry. This will surprise you, but the prices are lower here than on the mainland!
Price: with the Copenhagen card about 3 euros, without the card approximately 5 euro.
Duration of the trip: 20 minutes, departure every 15 minutes.
Helsingborg and the promenade in the center
When you get off the ferry head towards the town hall (Rådhuset) and then to the Kärnan tower where you can see the whole city from the top. Along the street, stop to taste the Swedish sweets at “Fahlmans Konditori”, for example. Prices in Sweden are almost half what they are in Denmark. All tourist places are shown on the map.
Trains in Sweden are not included in the Copenhagen Card, so before departure buy your tickets at the automatic vending machines. Use your credit card or change some cash in the station.
The ticket is valid for a couple of hours after purchase. Trains run often and are faster, so you will move around more quickly in Sweden.
Lund
In Sweden the city of Lund is called “the ancient pearl”. It is a small residential center, but worthy of note and very green. In Lund take a stroll in the center and the park near the University, and visit the Cathedral, immersed in the atmosphere of the Romanesque style. It is open till 6 pm, but it is very beautiful here even if you don't go inside the cathedral.
Price: the train ticket will cost less than 100 SEK / €10 / $11.
Duration of the trip: about 30 minutes, departures every 7-10 minutes.
Malmö
You can breathe the charm of this historic town on the sea of Malmö especially in the old quarter. By following our itinerary, you will arrive in this town in the evening, so take a walk to the center of Malmö. The monuments here are located on what is known as the “small square”. It is surrounded by restaurants and prices are lower here, compared to Denmark. This is a nice place to unwind and try the local dishes. There is always time to return to Copenhagen because trains run 24h/day.
Price: about 50 SEK / €5.10 / $5.50.
Duration of the trip: less than 10 minutes, leaving every 5 minutes.
Returning to Copenhagen
To return to Copenhagen from Malmö buy a ticket to Copenhagen Lufthavn (Airport) at the ticket machine. The rest of the trip is included in the Copenhagen Card. When you cross the Bay, you will travel on one of the most famous and complex bridge constructions in the world, the Øresund Bridge. This is a bridge cum tunnel which is unique in its genre: one part passes above the water and the other part beneath the water. A phenomenal work of engineering!
Price: about 110 SEK / €11 / $12.
Duration of the trip: 35 minutes, departure every 10-15 minutes; every hour between 1 am and 3 am.
