Denmark Rail Passes and Train Tips

By Rick Steves

Are rail passes a good value for Denmark?

Rail passes are usually a great value in Denmark, often saving money over otherwise-expensive tickets while allowing you to hop trains at your convenience (though some longer-distance trains do require reservations).


Use this map to add up approximate pay-as-you-go fares for your itinerary, and compare that cost to the price of a rail pass for the number of days you expect to spend on the train. Dotted lines show ferry routes, some of which are discounted if you have a rail pass. Dashed lines show bus connections, which aren't covered by rail passes. Also, follow the links below for:

What are my options for rail passes that cover Denmark?


Single-country Denmark Eurail Passkey details

Denmark–Germany Eurail Pass

Denmark–Sweden Eurail Pass

Scandinavia Eurail Passkey details

Eurail Select Pass read more about this pass

Eurail Global Passread more about this pass


Extra tip: The Scandinavia Eurail Pass covers all four countries in this region and is cheaper than a Eurail Select Pass for 3–4 countries.

Any advice for deciding between first and second class?

In Denmark, as in the rest of Scandinavia, second-class seating offers the same comfort as first-class seating on southern-European trains. And if you're getting a rail pass, the decision may be made for you: Scandinavia Eurail Passes are only available in second class, whereas with the Eurail Select and Eurail Global passes, travelers 26 or older can only use a first-class pass.

With other passes you've got a choice: Single-country Denmark passes, as well as two-country Denmark–Germany and Denmark–Sweden passes, offer both first and second-class options to any age of traveler (though youth discounts are only available on second-class passes). See our general advice for deciding between first and second class.

Do I need to make seat reservations on Danish trains?

Within Denmark, you can generally hop on any train with just your pass in hand. Reservations are required, though, on some international routes (such as overnight trains and Swedish-run high-speed trains serving Copenhagen), as indicated in online train schedules. Some reservations aren't available outside Europe, but they don't generally sell out terribly far in advance. Private and shared sleepers on night trains are both available with second-class rail passes.

What do rail passes cover in Denmark?

Nearly all trains within Denmark, except for the rare privately operated line (a pass does get you a 50 percent discount on the Hjørring–Hirtshals railroad, as well as the Frederikshavn–Skagen railroad; claiming this discount doesn't use up a travel day). On international ferries where the train actually goes on the ferry, e.g. to Germany or Sweden, a rail pass includes the trip as long as it covers both countries. The Copenhagen–Oslo overnight ferry operated by DFDS Seaways is no longer discounted with a rail pass, despite still being listed as such on some materials.

Any tips for buying point-to-point train tickets in Denmark?

If a rail pass doesn't pencil out for your trip, you may be able to shave off the cost of your train tickets with some local deals. For example, kids ages 49 travel free with ticket-buying adults (not with rail passes) on most Danish trains; otherwise kids generally ride for half the adult fare (and keep in mind that child-ticket deals vary across neighboring countries).

See our general tips for buying point-to-point tickets.

Denmark Rail Passes: Key Details

Single-country Denmark Eurail Pass: This pass offers either 3 or 7 days of train travel within a one-month window, whereas multi-country passes offer a two-month window of travel.

Scandinavia Eurail Pass: Covers nearly all trains in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Offers either 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10 days or train travel within a two-month window. Available only in (quite comfortable) second class.