DenmarkZealandChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Copenhagen Christmas Markets

Copenhagen at Christmas means Tivoli Gardens lit up after dark, stalls along Strøget and mulled wine (gløgg) by the canals. This guide covers direct flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, the quick metro or train into town, the overland rail route and the 2026 dates.

13 Nov – 3 JanChristmas in Tivoli 2026/27
Copenhagen (CPH)Direct from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted
~1h 50mFlight time from London

The short answer

Fly direct to Copenhagen in about 1h 50m: British Airways and SAS from Heathrow, Norwegian and easyJet from Gatwick, or Ryanair from Stansted. At the airport, take the train to Copenhagen Central (about 15 minutes), right opposite Tivoli, or the M2 metro to Kongens Nytorv for Nyhavn.

Market essentials

Tivoli Gardens is the headline act, with free markets around the old centre.

Dates

Christmas in Tivoli runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The market on Nytorv and Gammeltorv, just off Strøget, is listed for 6 November to 21 December 2026. Nyhavn's market usually runs from mid-November to just before Christmas. Check each market's site before you book.

Opening hours

Tivoli's hours vary by day, and it usually stays open late in the evening, so check tivoli.dk for your dates. It has closed on Christmas Eve in past seasons. The Nytorv market is listed as open from 11:00 to 19:00–21:00 depending on the day.

Where

Tivoli is directly opposite Copenhagen Central Station. Nytorv and Gammeltorv are on Strøget, the main shopping street, about 10 minutes' walk from Tivoli. Nyhavn's stalls line the canal near Kongens Nytorv metro station.

Good to know

Tivoli charges for entry, around DKK 210 (roughly £24) for adults, and rides cost extra. Buy tickets online in advance. The street markets are free. Denmark uses the krone (DKK), and cards are accepted almost everywhere. It gets dark before 16:00 in December, which is when the lights look best.

Every way to get there

From London to Copenhagen, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly from Heathrow or Gatwick, then the train to Central

Best for most
Door to door4–5h
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips, and staying near Tivoli
  1. London Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW) to Copenhagen (CPH)About 1h 50m–2h. British Airways and SAS fly from Heathrow several times a day. Norwegian and easyJet fly from Gatwick, with about four or five flights a day between them. Check current schedules.
  2. Train to Copenhagen Central (København H)About 15 minutes from the station under Terminal 3, with trains every 10 minutes for most of the day. A ticket costs about DKK 30–36 (around £4).
  3. Cross the road to TivoliTivoli's main entrance is directly opposite Central Station.
Find LHR–CPH flightsExpediaSkyscannerFind LGW–CPH flightsExpediaSkyscannerTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Copenhagen Airport → København H

Typical return fares are about £60–£200, highest on December weekends.

2

Fly Ryanair from Stansted, then the metro

Cheapest
Door to door4h 30m–5h 30m
£ Cost£
Best forTight budgets, staying near Nyhavn
  1. London Stansted (STN) to Copenhagen (CPH)About 1h 50m. Ryanair usually flies two to five times a day. Check current schedules.
  2. M2 metro to Kongens NytorvAbout 12–15 minutes from the metro station at Terminal 3. Trains run every few minutes in the day and all through the night. Nyhavn is a couple of minutes' walk from Kongens Nytorv.
Find STN–CPH flightsExpediaSkyscannerTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Copenhagen Airport → Kongens Nytorv

Return fares can be under £60 if you book early and travel midweek. Add a cabin bag if you plan to bring gifts home.

3

Eurostar to Brussels, then trains via Germany

Flight-free
Door to door14h–2 days
£ Cost£££
Best forAvoiding flying, and adding a German market stop
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to Brussels-MidiAbout 2 hours.
  2. Brussels to HamburgGerman ICE trains, changing in Cologne, take about 6–7 hours in total.
  3. Hamburg to CopenhagenAbout 4h 40m via Odense and the Great Belt bridge, with several trains a day. Brussels–Copenhagen fares start from about €40 if you book ahead on int.bahn.de.
Train tickets on KlookTrain times: London → BrusselsTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Brussels → CopenhagenTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Hamburg → Copenhagen

The fastest same-day connections take about 14 hours. Most people stop a night in Cologne or Hamburg, both of which have big Christmas markets.

Where to stay in Copenhagen

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Copenhagen Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 🚕 Airport transfer 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly from Heathrow or Gatwick, then the train to Central4–5h££Most trips, and staying near Tivoli
Fly Ryanair from Stansted, then the metro4h 30m–5h 30m£Tight budgets, staying near Nyhavn
Eurostar to Brussels, then trains via Germany14h–2 days£££Avoiding flying, and adding a German market stop

Where to stay and day trips

Stay central, then use the fast trains for a day in Sweden or at Hamlet's castle.

Your base

Copenhagen city centre

Stay in Indre By (the old centre) or near Central Station to walk to Tivoli, Strøget and Nyhavn. Vesterbro, just behind the station, is often cheaper and has lots of places to eat.

Hotels in Copenhagen Expedia
About 35–40 min by train

Malmö, Sweden

Trains from Copenhagen Central cross the Øresund Bridge to Malmö every 10–20 minutes in the day. Sweden checks ID on trains from Denmark, so take your passport even for a day trip.

Hotels in Malmö Expedia
About 45 min by train

Helsingør and Kronborg Castle

Coast Line trains run from Copenhagen Central to Helsingør, home of Kronborg, the castle from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Check winter opening days before you go.

Hotels in Helsingør Expedia

Local tip: It gets dark before 16:00 in December. If you arrive in the afternoon, head straight to Tivoli, which is at its best once the lights come on.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When does Tivoli open for Christmas in 2026?

Christmas in Tivoli runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Hours change from day to day, and it has closed on Christmas Eve in past years, so check tivoli.dk for your dates.

Which London airports fly direct to Copenhagen?

Heathrow (British Airways and SAS), Gatwick (Norwegian and easyJet) and Stansted (Ryanair). There are currently no direct flights from Luton.

How long is the flight from London to Copenhagen?

About 1h 50m to 2h direct.

How do I get from Copenhagen Airport to the city centre?

The train takes about 15 minutes to Copenhagen Central, opposite Tivoli. The M2 metro takes about 12–15 minutes to Kongens Nytorv, near Nyhavn, and runs through the night. A ticket costs about DKK 30–36.

Can I get the train from London to Copenhagen?

Yes, but it's a long trip. Take the Eurostar to Brussels, then German trains to Hamburg and a Danish train on to Copenhagen. The fastest connections take about 14 hours, so most people break the journey overnight in Cologne or Hamburg.

Is Tivoli free at Christmas?

No. Entry costs around DKK 210 for adults, and rides cost extra unless you buy a ride pass. The street markets on Nytorv, Gammeltorv and Nyhavn are free to wander.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.