Copenhagen has three cruise quays, all run by Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP). Ocean Quay (Oceankaj) in Nordhavn handles most big turnaround ships and is about 20 km (25–30 min) from the airport. Langelinie, by the Little Mermaid, is about 17 km (15–20 min). Nordre Toldbod, close to Nyhavn and Amalienborg, takes smaller ships and is about 11 km away. Your cruise documents tell you which one you’re using.
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Copenhagen is one of northern Europe’s busiest cruise ports and a major turnaround port for Baltic and Norwegian fjord itineraries. That means thousands of passengers arriving at the airport and heading to a ship, or leaving a ship and heading to the airport, often on the same morning. Knowing which terminal you are at, and how long it really takes to get there, makes embarkation day far calmer.
The three terminals compared
| Ocean Quay (Oceankaj) | Langelinie | Nordre Toldbod | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Nordhavn, north of the city | Langelinie pier, by the Little Mermaid | Near Nyhavn and Amalienborg |
| Ships | Large ships, mostly turnarounds | Medium and large, calls and turnarounds | Smaller and luxury ships |
| Distance to CPH airport | ~20.6 km | ~16.7 km | ~10.6 km |
| Drive to CPH | 25–30 min | 15–20 min | 15–20 min |
| Walk to city sights | No, too far | Yes, to the Little Mermaid and Kastellet | Yes, to Nyhavn and Amalienborg |
Distances from VisitCopenhagen; terminal information from Copenhagen Malmö Port. Terminal allocation can change close to sailing. Check your final cruise documents.
Ocean Quay (Oceankaj)
Ocean Quay is Copenhagen’s modern cruise terminal area in Nordhavn, with several terminal buildings along the quay. It is where most large ships embark and disembark. It is not within walking distance of the city. Options are the cruise line’s own shuttle, public bus and metro connections, taxis, or a pre-booked private transfer. On busy turnaround days (often Saturdays in summer), taxis at Oceankaj can have long queues, and traffic backs up on the approach roads.
Langelinie
Langelinie is the classic pier, in a beautiful location beside Kastellet and the Little Mermaid. Many passengers on port calls simply walk into town along the waterfront, about 30 minutes to Nyhavn. For turnarounds with luggage, a car to or from the airport takes 15–20 minutes.
Nordre Toldbod
Nordre Toldbod is the smallest quay and the most central, used by smaller expedition and luxury ships. Nyhavn, Amalienborg and the Marble Church are a few minutes’ walk away.
Getting from Copenhagen Airport to your ship
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line transfer | Coordinated with embarkation | Per-person pricing adds up for families; you wait for the coach to fill |
| Taxi | Available at the rank | Metered; large luggage may need a maxi taxi |
| Metro / train + bus | Cheapest | Changes with heavy luggage; not practical for most cruise passengers |
| Private transfer | Meet & greet, luggage handled, fixed price per car, direct to the terminal door | Costs more than public transport for solo travellers |
For a family of four with cruise luggage, a private 7-seat V-Class from CPH to Ocean Quay is often cheaper than the cruise line’s per-person transfer. See cruise port transfers for prices.
Disembarkation day: from ship to airport
- Timing. Most ships clear passengers between 07:00 and 10:00. Don’t book a flight before about 11:30–12:00. Allow for disembarkation, the drive and the recommended check-in time.
- Self-assist disembarkation (carrying your own bags off early) gets you off first, but you’ll need to manage all your luggage.
- Late flight? Don’t spend the day at the airport. A chauffeur can combine the transfer with a 3–4 hour city tour while your luggage stays in the car. See private sightseeing tours.
Our dedicated page, cruise port to Copenhagen Airport transfers, covers pickup points at each terminal.
Pre-cruise hotels
Arriving a day early is sensible. Delayed flights and missed ships are an expensive combination. Good choices are hotels near Nyhavn or Kongens Nytorv (close to Langelinie and Nordre Toldbod) or in Østerbro and Nordhavn (close to Ocean Quay). See our best luxury hotels in Copenhagen guide.
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Related reading: luggage transfers
Frequently asked questions
How many cruise terminals are there in Copenhagen?
Three cruise quays: Ocean Quay (Oceankaj) in Nordhavn, Langelinie by the Little Mermaid, and Nordre Toldbod near Nyhavn, all operated by Copenhagen Malmö Port.
How far is the Copenhagen cruise port from the airport?
Ocean Quay is about 20.6 km (25–30 minutes by car), Langelinie about 16.7 km (15–20 minutes) and Nordre Toldbod about 10.6 km from Copenhagen Airport.
Can I walk from the cruise terminal to Copenhagen city centre?
From Langelinie and Nordre Toldbod, yes. From Ocean Quay, no; take a shuttle, bus, taxi or private transfer.
What time should I book my flight after disembarking in Copenhagen?
Allow for disembarkation (usually 07:00–10:00), the drive and airline check-in. Flights after about 12:00 are generally safer.
How do I know which Copenhagen cruise terminal my ship uses?
Your cruise line’s final documents state the terminal. Allocations can change, so check again a few days before sailing.
Header photo: Cruise ship at Langelinie, Copenhagen. Photo: Harvey Barrison / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped
Photo: Cruise ship in port, Copenhagen. Photo: Maciek Godlewski / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
