All arriving passengers at Copenhagen Airport (CPH) exit into the Terminal 3 arrivals hall. From a Schengen flight you walk straight to baggage reclaim, and you are usually out in 15–30 minutes. From a non-Schengen flight (UK, US, Middle East, Asia) you pass passport control first, including the EU Entry/Exit System for non-EU citizens. Allow 30–60 minutes, more at peak times. The metro, trains, taxi rank and chauffeur meeting point all start from the Terminal 3 arrivals area.
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Copenhagen Airport is compact and well signed in English, and it rarely feels overwhelming. But the time between landing and walking into the arrivals hall varies more than most travellers expect, and it depends almost entirely on where you flew from. Here is what to expect, step by step, and where to find your onward transport.
Step 1: landing and the walk from the gate
Gates at CPH are spread along several long piers, and walking distances can be significant. From the far end of a pier, allow 10–15 minutes at a normal pace to reach passport control or baggage reclaim. Moving walkways help. If you need assistance, Copenhagen Airport provides free help for passengers with reduced mobility when it is requested through your airline in advance. Details are on the official CPH website.
Step 2: Schengen or non-Schengen?
| You arrive from | What happens | Typical gate-to-arrivals time |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen countries (e.g. Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Spain) | No passport control; walk to baggage reclaim | 15–30 min |
| Non-Schengen, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Passport check at the e-gates or desks | 20–40 min |
| Non-Schengen, non-EU citizens (UK, US, Canada, Australia, Asia, Middle East) | Passport control plus EES biometric registration on first entry | 30–60+ min at peak |
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at all Schengen external borders since April 2026. Non-EU travellers now register fingerprints and a facial image the first time they enter, which lengthens queues at busy times, as the European Commission explains. ETIAS, the separate pre-travel authorisation, has not launched yet; the EU has said it will announce a date several months ahead. Always check the latest requirements before you fly.
Tip: if someone is collecting you, give them your flight number, not just the landing time, so they can see whether it is a Schengen or non-Schengen arrival. If you book a chauffeur with us, choose 60 minutes of free waiting for non-Schengen flights.
Step 3: baggage reclaim and customs
Bags usually start arriving 15–25 minutes after landing. Oversized items (skis, golf bags, pushchairs, bike boxes) come out at a separate oversize belt; ask staff if you can’t see it. After reclaim you pass through customs: green channel for nothing to declare, red channel if you are carrying goods over the allowances. Travelling with bulky kit? See our guide to flying into Copenhagen with skis, golf clubs or oversized luggage.
Step 4: the Terminal 3 arrivals hall
You exit customs into one open arrivals hall. What you’ll find there:
- Meeting point: drivers and friends wait at the barrier facing the exits. Chauffeurs with name boards stand here.
- Metro: the M2 station is at the end of Terminal 3; follow the red M signs.
- Trains: the railway station is beneath Terminal 3; follow the train signs for DSB and Øresund trains.
- Taxis: the rank is directly outside the arrivals hall.
- Services: currency exchange, ATMs, a convenience store, cafés and SIM cards.
Step 5: onward transport
| Option | Where to find it | To the city centre |
|---|---|---|
| Metro M2 | End of Terminal 3 | ~15 min, DKK 30 |
| Train | Beneath Terminal 3 | ~13 min to Central Station, DKK 30 |
| Taxi | Outside arrivals | 15–25 min, ~DKK 250–350 |
| Ride-hailing app | Designated pickup zone outside | 15–25 min, taxi-level prices |
| Pre-booked chauffeur | Inside the arrivals hall at the barrier | 15–25 min, from €125 per car |
The full comparison is in how to get from Copenhagen Airport to the city centre.
Meeting a chauffeur at CPH
If you’ve booked a private transfer, walk out of customs and look along the barrier for your name (or the code word you chose). Your chauffeur already knows your landing time from live flight tracking, and you’ll have their mobile number in your confirmation. The car is parked a short walk away in front of the terminal. See Copenhagen Airport meet and greet, or for a flagship car and extra discretion, our VIP airport service.
“Very professional and courteous driver. Easy to book, pay and contact. Would highly recommend!”
Google review, 5 stars
Connecting at CPH
Staying airside for a connection? Minimum connection times vary by airline and whether you change between Schengen and non-Schengen areas. Got a long layover and want to leave the airport? Read our Copenhagen layover guide first: it covers the passport rules and realistic time budgets.
Departing from CPH
Check-in and security are in Terminals 2 and 3, and security is centralised. Airlines generally recommend arriving two hours before European flights and three hours before long-haul, but always check your airline’s guidance and CPH’s live security-time information. For a stress-free departure, a chauffeur to the airport costs from €120 and drops you at the departures kerb.
Have someone waiting when you land
Book a meet & greet chauffeur at CPH. Flight tracking, a name board in arrivals and a fixed price from €125.
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Related reading: tips for travellers from India · how long the airport transfer really takes · Copenhagen Airport delays and strikes
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal do international arrivals use at Copenhagen Airport?
All arriving passengers exit into the Terminal 3 arrivals hall, where you’ll find the metro, trains, taxi rank and chauffeur meeting point.
How long does it take to get through Copenhagen Airport after landing?
Usually 15–30 minutes for Schengen flights and 30–60 minutes or more for non-Schengen flights, which include passport control.
Has the EU Entry/Exit System started at Copenhagen Airport?
Yes. EES has been fully operational at all Schengen external borders, including Copenhagen, since April 2026. Non-EU travellers register biometrics on their first entry.
Do I need ETIAS to visit Denmark?
Not yet. ETIAS has not launched; the EU will announce the start date several months in advance. Check official EU sources before travelling.
Where do drivers wait at Copenhagen Airport?
At the barrier in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall, facing the exit from customs.
Header photo: Copenhagen Airport arrivals area. Photo: Dornum72 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Photo: Aircraft lined up at Copenhagen Airport. Photo: G B_NZ / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
