How much spending money do I need for Denmark?
If you have a trip to Denmark coming up - as a tourist, to visit friends and family, for work or for any other reason - it’s important to know how much spending money is needed based on your plans. This guide looks at the prices in Denmark for tourists, including some budgeting tips and ideas, for luxury and budget travel alike.
How Much Money Should You Take to Denmark?
So - your question might well be: how much do I need in DKK (Danish Krone) for a week in Denmark?
We'll break down how much money you should take to Denmark by different spending types later - but first, an overview. Here are some handy estimates to give you a flavour, looking at the costs of accommodation, food, transport and sightseeing, so you can start to budget, and decide how much money to bring to Denmark, based on your spending for a day or for a week.
| Travel Style | Average Daily cost | One Week cost |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (Cheap) | $121 DKK 601 | $845 DKK 4,205 |
| Mid-range | $285 DKK 1,416 | $1,992 DKK 9,913 |
| High-end (Luxury) | $667 DKK 3,319 | $4,668 DKK 23,230 |
How Much Cash Should You Take to Denmark?
Let's kick off with some key points when it comes to deciding how much cash to take to Denmark.
While cash is still used in Denmark, many stores, restaurants and hotels would prefer card payments. Plus, taking a card to spend with instead of carrying lots of cash is more convenient and secure. You’ll still be able to use your card whenever you need to, to make ATM withdrawals - handy for when cash is easier, like for tipping or small purchases.
Bear in mind that some ATMs may charge extra fees for foreign cards - and your own card issuer might have fees including foreign transaction fees and out of network ATM costs. Using an international travel debit card from a provider like Wise can make overseas spending cheaper.
Wise travel card
Order a Wise travel card to buy, hold and exchange 40+ currencies. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in Denmark - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.
Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.
Is Denmark Expensive to Visit (in 2024)?
Ultimately, the cost of visiting Denmark varies depending on your plans, and how you like to enjoy yourself when you're abroad.
Overall, Denmark is rated as a "moderately priced" place to visit by BudgetYourTrip. Accommodation, food, and activities are all available to suit any budget - but you'll need to plan your time to make sure you're making the most of both your time and your money while you're away.
What Currency should I take to Denmark?
The official local currency used in Denmark is the Danish Krone-DKK. If you plan to take cash with you to spend while you're away, you'll need Danish Kroner.
The currency symbol is kr., which is what you'll see in stores and on restaurant menus.
| Danish Krone | |
|---|---|
| Currency name | Danish Krone |
| Currency symbol | kr. |
| Currency code | DKK |
| Exchange rate today | 1 CAD = 4.97655 DKK 1 DKK = 0.200942 CAD |
How to Save Money in Denmark - Traveller tips
No matter what you're planning on doing during your trip to Denmark, you want to make sure your money goes as far as possible.
Here are some top tips to save money in Denmark:
- Book your hotels or accommodation in advance to secure the best available deals
- Use public transport where possible, or approved taxi and ride hailing operators
- Use Google maps and reviews to find good restaurants. You'll often find better food and more reasonable prices away from the most touristy areas of town
- Look online for recommendations of free or low-cost attractions and activities in Denmark - blogs and travel magazines are a great place to start
- Use travel cards that offer fair exchange rates with transparent fees such as Wise, to keep down the costs of currency conversion and ATM use while you're away
Get a free multi-currency account and card to buy, hold, convert and send over 40 currencies. Fast, secure, easy and cheap transfers at the commercial exchange rate.
Costs and Prices in Denmark for Tourists
Let's move on to the typical prices in Denmark for tourists. Below we've got a handy overview of prices for accommodation, food and services for tourists in Denmark. Use this along with your own research to figure out the likely costs and prices you'll come across during your visit.
Accommodation Costs in Denmark
Accommodation is usually one of the biggest costs on any trip abroad - but what you pay in the end will depend a lot on the accommodation type you pick. Below is an example of accommodation costs in Denmark based on two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room.
| Types of accommodation | Prices per night |
|---|---|
| Budget | $53 DKK 265 |
| Mid-Range | $129 DKK 644 |
| Luxury | $296 DKK 1,473 |
Daily Food Costs in Denmark
Food is an important feature of a trip abroad for many of us - but what you spend can vary significantly depending on where you purchase your meals in Denmark. As you might expect, buying food from local markets and stores can be one of the cheapest options, or you could choose to eat at mid-range restaurants, or sample some high-end establishments.
Here's an example of how much a meal costs in Denmark based on different restaurant types.
| Types of Meal | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget | $33 DKK 165 |
| Mid-Range | $80 DKK 401 |
| Luxury | $187 DKK 930 |
Cost of Drink & Beverages
Let's move on to the cost of beer, wine, water and other beverages in Denmark:
| Drink & Beverages | Prices |
|---|---|
| Beer (bottle) | $3 DKK 17 |
| Wine (bottle) | $14 DKK 69 |
| Can of Coca-cola /Pepsi | $6 DKK 28 |
| Mineral water (1.5L bottle) | $4 DKK 21 |
| Coffee, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate | $9 DKK 43 |
Travel Costs in Denmark
Once you've arrived in Denmark you still need to figure out how to get around. The cost of travel can be different depending on your preferences - and how much of a hurry you're in. Using public transport is often our cheapest choice, but getting a taxi or hiring a car could be faster and more flexible, depending on your budget.
Some common ways to save money on transport in Denmark include:
- Where possible use airport shuttles on arrival to get to the city centre
- Use buses, metro, trams or other public transport where you can - Google Maps can help you navigate more easily
Plan activities to limit the travel needed by covering the popular sites in one area before exploring the next, to avoid excess travel time
Use known taxi operators and approved ride-hailing companies.
Tourist Attractions Costs in Denmark
Denmark has many tourist attractions and beautiful places to visit.
The average daily cost for visiting attractions and entertainment in Denmark is kr.322 Danish Kroner ($65).
| Top Tourist Attractions | Information |
|---|---|
| Tivoli Gardens | One of the oldest amusement parks in the world, located in Copenhagen, known for its beautiful gardens and rides. |
| The Little Mermaid | A famous statue based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, located at the Langelinie promenade. |
| Kronborg Castle | A UNESCO World Heritage site and the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet, located in Helsingør. |
Data Roaming, Internet, Local Sim Cards
Having easy access to your phone while you're away is important - not only to keep in touch with your friends and family, but also to navigate, look up good places to eat or visit, and to translate if needed. Make sure you don't get stuck without your phone - or with a big roaming bill - when you're in Denmark with these tips:
- Turn off your data roaming if you're concerned about running up excess fees, and only use your phone on secure wifi networks while you're away
- Check the roaming costs with your mobile operator - you may be able to add a roaming data package to your normal plan for a fairly low price
- Consider getting an international eSIM if your phone is compatible with eSIMs - these can be low hassle ways to keep access to your data, without needing to install a physical SIM card
- Check the SIM card price for tourists in Denmark, before travelling - you'll likely find people trying to sell you a local SIM in the airport when you arrive, so knowing the price you should pay can help you avoid scams
How Much Should You Tip in Denmark?
Tipping etiquette can vary a lot between countries, and naturally depends a lot on the type of establishment you're in, or service you've received. Generally, tipping around 10-15% of the bill when you are happy with the service is in line with expectations.
Bear in mind that in some places a service fee - which is a percentage of the amount you spend - is already added to the bill, and means you don't need to add an additional tip unless you really want to. Check your bill before you pay - or just ask if the tip has already been included or not.
Shopping and Souvenirs
Take away something to remember your trip to Denmark with - or as a gift to someone back home.
Royal Copenhagen Porcelain and Lego Products are the most popular souvenirs to buy from Denmark. While you can pick up these and many other souvenirs and gifts at the airport, you'll normally save money by buying them from local shops instead.
How to Get the Best Exchange Rate for Danish Kroner
Naturally you want to get the very best CAD to DKK exchange rate. However, bear in mind that you'll also need to pick a secure and reputable provider when you exchange money. Black market money changers may look like they're offering great rates but they're not safe or reliable. Look out for the CAD - DKK exchange rate online or at the currency exchange office.
Always seek out official exchange companies that offer fair rates and transparent fees. Or, consider getting a travel money card, such as Wise, to ensure your transactions are secure and convenient. Use your Wise card to pay where card transactions are supported, or to get cash from the ATM whenever you need it during your visit to Denmark.
The live exchange rate today is:
1 CAD = 4.97655 DKK
1 DKK = 0.200942 CAD
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