From Copenhagen to Malmö, the Øresund train from Copenhagen Central Station takes about 35–40 minutes (about 20 from Copenhagen Airport). By car it takes 35–45 minutes over the Øresund Bridge, with a toll of DKK 470 per car at the booth in 2026. A private chauffeur is door to door, with the toll included. Carry a passport or ID card, because Sweden may run border checks.
Book your chauffeur
Enter your pickup, destination and time. We reply fast with a fixed price and confirm your chauffeur.
Malmö is so close to Copenhagen that thousands of people commute between them every day, and a day trip to Sweden is one of the easiest “extra countries” you can add to a Danish holiday. The two cities are joined by the Øresund Bridge and the Drogden tunnel, a 16 km fixed link that opened in 2000. Here’s everything you need to know to cross it smoothly.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Time (centre to centre) | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Øresund train | 35–40 min | Standard single ticket (check Skånetrafiken / DSB) | Solo travellers, light luggage |
| Own or rental car | 35–45 min | DKK 470 bridge toll + fuel + Malmö parking | Road trips in Skåne |
| Taxi | 35–45 min | Expensive: meter plus bridge toll | Rarely the best value |
| Private chauffeur | 35–45 min, door to door | Fixed price per car including toll | Families, groups, business, luggage |
The Øresund Bridge
The fixed link starts near Copenhagen Airport with the Drogden tunnel under the shipping lane, surfaces on the artificial island of Peberholm, then becomes the 8 km cable-stayed bridge to Sweden. The toll plaza is at Lernacken on the Swedish side. In 2026, a single trip for a car costs DKK 470 at the booth or DKK 420 online, according to Øresundsbron. Regular commuters use the ØresundGO discount agreement.
Border checks and ID
Both countries are in the Schengen area, but Sweden has run identity and border checks on traffic from Denmark in recent years, and the rules can change quickly. Travel requirements are published by the Swedish Police. In practice:
- carry a passport or national ID card for everyone, including children;
- on trains, checks can happen at Hyllie or on board;
- by car, checks take place at or near Lernacken and usually take minutes, occasionally longer at peak times.
Train details
Øresund trains run frequently between Copenhagen Central Station (København H), Copenhagen Airport, Hyllie, Triangeln and Malmö C, and continue to Lund, Helsingborg and Gothenburg. Buy tickets in the Skånetrafiken or DSB apps. The line is busy with commuters and can be disrupted, so check the status before an important trip.
A Malmö day trip
- 09:30: leave Copenhagen; cross the bridge (ask your driver to slow down for photos where it’s safe).
- 10:15: Västra Hamnen: the Turning Torso and the seaside promenade at Ribersborg.
- 11:30: Malmö Castle (Malmöhus) and the Kungsparken gardens.
- 12:30: lunch at Lilla Torg, Malmö’s cobbled square of restaurants.
- 14:00: optional: Lund’s cathedral and university town, 20 minutes north.
- 16:30: back to Copenhagen.
With a chauffeur by the hour, this is a 7-hour day, about €840 in a Mercedes EQS or €875 in a V-Class plus the bridge toll. See hourly hire and private tours.
Flying in and staying in Malmö?
Copenhagen Airport is Malmö’s main international airport, just 20–35 minutes from most Malmö addresses. See Copenhagen Airport to Malmö private transfer, and for flights at Sturup, Malmö Airport to Copenhagen.
“Our train got stopped in Slagelse about 1.5 hrs outside of Copenhagen. We needed to make a ferry and Usman was very nice, calm, and helpful during this stressful situation. Our driver was Shoaib and he was very nice and professional. The vehicle was clean.”
Google review, 5 stars
Cross the bridge the easy way
Book a fixed-price chauffeur to Malmö or Lund, door to door with the bridge toll included.
Book or get a quoteWhatsApp us
Phone: +45 92 90 92 10 · Email: [email protected] · Available 24/7
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Copenhagen to Malmö?
About 35–40 minutes by train from Copenhagen Central Station, and 35–45 minutes by car over the Øresund Bridge.
How much is the Øresund Bridge toll?
In 2026, a single crossing for a passenger car costs DKK 470 at the toll booth or DKK 420 online.
Do I need a passport to go from Copenhagen to Malmö?
Carry a passport or national ID card. Sweden may carry out ID and border checks on travellers from Denmark.
Is it worth doing a day trip from Copenhagen to Malmö?
Yes. Malmö’s old town, Lilla Torg, the Turning Torso and nearby Lund make a relaxed and easy day trip.
Can a taxi take me from Copenhagen to Malmö?
Yes, but the meter plus the bridge toll makes it expensive. A fixed-price chauffeur or the train is usually better value.
Header photo: Øresund coast at dusk. Photo: Arild Vågen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Photo: Street in Malmö. Photo: Matti Blume / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
