Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital, an interesting city well known for its nightlife, culture and shopping. It is a geographical and cultural link between Scandinavia and Europe and an interesting stop when exploring other Scandinavian countries, too.
Berlin is the capital of Germany, a city well known for its history and nightlife. There are plenty of things to do while here , including sampling the beer.
Summary
The cheapest option for traveling between Copenhagen and Berlin is the bus. Fares start at €39 but not all companies offer daily connections (so pay attention when you choose). A good alternative is the train. If you book the ticket in advance , you can get tickets starting at €59 one way.
Flights from Copenhagen to Berlin
Copenhagen is served by Kastrup Airport (CPH) , which is the main international airport serving the city. It is located 8 km from the city center and is hub for the following airlines Blue1, Jettime, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Novair, Primera Air, Scandinavian Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, TUIfly Nordic, Copenhagen Air Taxi and Star Air. Some low cost carriers fly here: EasyJet, AirBerlin, Norwegian and Cimber Sterling. You can get to the airport from the city by train or metro.
Berlin is served by two airports, both handling flights to/from Copenhagen:
- Tegel International Airport (TXL): is the main international airport in Berlin , located 8 km from the city center. It is hub for: Air Berlin, Germania and GermanWings. Buses are the only cheap way to get to /from the airport. Flights to/from Copenhagen are operated by Air Berlin and Scandinavian Airlines.
- Schönefeld Airport (SXF): is another international airport serving Berlin, located 18 km from the city center. It is hub for EasyJet and Germanwings. The airport is served by the regional trains and the local trains. Flights to/from Copenhagen are operated by EasyJet and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
In March 2013, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is scheduled to open and replace Schönefeld. Pay attention that online booking sites already list flights to/from the new airport even if you search for an earlier period.
In mid-August 2012, expect to pay from €38 on EasyJet (fligh to Schönefeld). Flights to Tegel start at €53 and are operated by SAS. A return flight during the same period costs from €58 on EasyJet. In mid-October 2012, expect to pay the same fares on EasyJet.
>>book a cheap flight to Berlin
Trains from Copenhagen to Berlin
Bahn.de lists a direct train between Copenhagen and Berlin, departing daily from Copenhagen at 6:10 p.m. The travel time is 10 h 15 min and the single fare starts at €79 (savings fare, if booked in advance). The standard single fare is €170.60.
There’s also a train which arrives a bit faster (9 h 35 min) but connects through Odense. It leaves Copenhagen daily at 6:50 p.m. and the fares are the same as in the case of the direct train.
On the way back, catch the direct train in Berlin daily at 00:32 a.m. and the other at 5:15 a.m. The return ticket is cheaper (€59 , savings fare , if booked in advance, for the direct train), but more expensive fro the indirect one (€89 , savings fare, if booked in advance).
Buses from Copenhagen to Berlin
The following companies operate direct buses between Copenhagen and Berlin:
- Eurolines : offers up to 3 connections per day (but not every day), at 6:30 a.m., 4:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. from Copenhagen. The travel time is between 7 h and 7 ½ h and the single fare is DKK 599 / €80.60. There’s at least one connection per day, leaving Copenhagen at 6:30 a.m. On the way back, there are also up to 3 connections per day: 7:30 a.m., 3:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. (the earliest leaves daily). The same fare applies on the way back, too.
- Berolina : offers a connection per day and the single fare is €40. Buses depart from central Berlin (ZOB). You can reserve the tickets here https://www.berolina-berlin.com/ticketsystem.aspx?id=GB
- Bohemian Lines : offers a connection per two times a week, leaving Berlin at 9:50 p.m. (Mon, Fri) and , on the way back, leaving Copenhagen at 9 p.m. (Tue, Sun). The flex fare is €39 one way. The travel time is about 8 h.
Driving from Copenhagen to Berlin
It’s certainly possible to rent a car in Copenhagen and drive the 435 km to Berlin. Both countries are in the European Union and part of the Schengen area so you won’t be paying any surcharges. However, do ask the rental company if you are allowed to take the rental car across the borders.
The travel time is about 6 ½ -7 h but it does depend on the traffic. Please note that the route includes a ferry crossing.