The first time I flew to Copenhagen, I wasn’t expecting much. Another European city, another quick weekend, but something about dropping into that clean Scandinavian light over the Øresund coastline made me sit up straighter in my seat.
Two hours and fifteen minutes after leaving Dublin, I was cycling past colored buildings along Nyhavn like I’d lived there for years.
I’ve taken this route four times now, twice with Ryanair’s bare-bones service and twice on SAS when I needed to bring back more than a backpack. Each time taught me something new about making this short hop work smoothly, and each time I understood a bit more why Copenhagen sits at the top of so many European travel lists.
Direct Dublin to Copenhagen flights take 2 hours 15 minutes and cost €150-250 return on average. Ryanair operates from Dublin Airport Terminal 1, while SAS uses Terminal 2. April and December offer the cheapest fares, while summer weekends see prices spike 40-60% higher. Copenhagen runs one hour ahead of Dublin (CET), so adjust your watch when you land.
Dublin to Copenhagen Flight Options: Which Airlines Actually Fly This Route
1. Ryanair Dublin to Copenhagen
Ryanair operates the cheapest Dublin to Copenhagen flights, with base fares starting around €40-60 one way during off-peak periods. Flights depart from Dublin Airport Terminal 1, usually at 5:45 AM or evening slots around 20:30.
What’s included: Small personal bag only (40 × 20 × 25 cm) fits under the seat. Priority & 2 Cabin Bags costs extra €6-12 and adds a 10kg cabin bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm). Checked bags run €25-50 depending on weight and booking timing.
Online check-in: Opens 24 hours before departure, closes 2 hours before departure. Airport check-in closes 40 minutes before departure. The boarding gate closes 20 minutes before departure.
I’ve flown Ryanair to Copenhagen twice. The 5:45 AM departure always feels brutal, but the flight itself works fine. Two hours and fifteen minutes goes by quickly, and if you travel light, you save €80-100 compared to SAS.
Last time the cabin was packed with Danish students heading home and Irish couples doing city breaks. Everyone looked equally tired at that hour. The flight attendants pushed snacks and scratch cards with their usual efficiency, and we landed exactly on time at Copenhagen Airport Kastrup.
2. SAS Dublin to Copenhagen Flights
SAS operates multiple daily flights between Dublin and Copenhagen during peak season, with frequency varying from approximately 10-14 weekly departures depending on the time of year. Full-service travel with checked baggage included. Flights depart from Dublin Airport Terminal 2 with better timing options, including 8:30 PM evening departures.
What’s included: One checked bag (23 kg), seat selection, onboard refreshments. SAS Plus upgrades available for extra legroom.
Check-in timing: Online check-in opens 22 hours before departure. Airport check-in closes 45 minutes before departure for European flights.
I took SAS once when I needed to bring back Christmas presents for half my family. The €40-80 price difference over Ryanair bought me checked bags included, seat selection free, and an 8:30 PM departure that let me work a full day before heading to the airport.
The cabin was quieter, legroom slightly better, and nobody was shoving bags into overhead bins at the last second. For longer stays or family trips to Copenhagen, SAS makes more sense than paying Ryanair’s baggage fees.
3. Norwegian Air: Check Current Availability
Norwegian operated seasonal flights on the Dublin to Copenhagen route historically, but their schedule has changed significantly post-2020. As of 2025, verify current availability directly with Norwegian or flight search engines, as this route may not operate consistently.
Worth checking for mid-range pricing between Ryanair and SAS if available, but don’t count on it being there when you need it.
How Long Is The Flight From Dublin To Copenhagen
Direct flight time: 2 hours 10-20 minutes airborne. Total travel time from leaving your house in Dublin to reaching central Copenhagen typically takes 5-6 hours including:
- Airport arrival (90-120 minutes before departure)
- Security and boarding (30-45 minutes)
- Flight time (2 hours 15 minutes)
- Copenhagen Airport to city center (15-20 minutes by metro)
This makes Dublin to Copenhagen perfect for weekend breaks. Leave Friday evening, arrive by 11 PM (remember the 1-hour time difference), full Saturday and Sunday exploring, return Monday morning.
One Stop Flight Routes Via Amsterdam, London, Berlin
When direct flights sell out or prices spike during Copenhagen Jazz Festival, these connection routes work:
- Via Amsterdam (KLM + Aer Lingus): 6 hours 10-20 minutes total. I did this once, returning from a work trip. Schiphol layover was civilized with good coffee, clean bathrooms, and reliable wifi. The total journey time felt manageable.
- Via London Heathrow (British Airways): 7 hours 20-40 minutes total. More time but frequent departures if you prefer BA’s service.
- Via Berlin or Prague: 6-8 hour,s depending on connection time. Less common but occasionally cheaper than direct routes.
These longer routes make sense when you want checked baggage on full-service airlines without paying Ryanair’s luggage fees. The time trade-off hurts less if you treat the connection airport as part of the journey rather than an obstacle.
Dublin to Copenhagen Flight Prices: When to Book Cheap Flights
Cheapest Month to Fly Dublin to Copenhagen
April consistently shows the lowest average fares, with return flights dropping to €120-180 on Ryanair and €180-240 on SAS. December also offers good value (€130-200 return) if you don’t mind Copenhagen’s early darkness and icy wind off the water.
Most expensive months: June-August, especially weekends. Return fares jump to €250-350 as travelers flood into Scandinavia during warmer weather.
Best Time to Book Dublin Copenhagen Flights
Book 6-8 weeks before departure for the best balance of price and availability. I’ve tried the “wait until last minute” strategy twice and paid for it both times, literally.
Price alert strategy: Set Google Flights or Skyscanner alerts for your dates. These fares move faster than Dublin to London. Ryanair promotional fares under €100 return vanish within hours. My sister caught one once and hasn’t stopped mentioning it since.
Avoid booking: Inside the last 7-10 days unless you accept premium pricing. Last-minute Dublin to Copenhagen flights often cost 60-80% more than advance bookings.
Copenhagen Airport to City Center: Getting Into Town Fast
Copenhagen Airport Kastrup sits approximately 8 kilometers southeast of central Copenhagen. The metro and train both reach the city center in 15 minutes, making this one of Europe’s easiest airport arrivals.
Metro From Copenhagen Airport
Line M2 runs from Copenhagen Airport station to Kongens Nytorv (city center).
- Journey time: 14 minutes.
- Frequency: Every 2-4 minutes during peak hours (weekday mornings and evenings), every 4-6 minutes during off-peak daytime hours, every 15-20 minutes late at night.
- Ticket cost: Single journey costs 36 DKK (approximately €4.80 at current rates) for Zone 4 to Zone 1-2 travel. Prices updated annually in January.
The first time I arrived, I fumbled with the ticket machine. A Danish woman in her sixties walked over, showed me which buttons to press, explained the zone system in about thirty seconds, then wished me a pleasant stay. That small moment set the tone for the entire city.
- Tip: Buy a 24-hour City Pass (80 DKK, approximately €10.70 at current rates) if you plan multiple metro trips your first day. Covers airport transfer plus unlimited city travel. Verify current pricing before travel as Copenhagen transport prices adjust annually.
Train to Copenhagen Central Station
DSB trains run every 10 minutes from Copenhagen Airport to København H (Central Station). Journey time: 13 minutes. Same ticket price as metro (36 DKK).
Choose the train if your hotel sits near Central Station. Otherwise, the metro stops at more central locations like Kongens Nytorv and Nørreport.
Taxi and Uber From Copenhagen Airport
Copenhagen Airport taxis use meters, not fixed fares. Typical metered fare to central Copenhagen runs 250-350 DKK (approximately €33-47 at current rates) depending on traffic, time of day, and exact destination.
Uber and Bolt operate but prices fluctuate with demand, typically similar to or slightly higher than metered taxis during peak times.
Only worth it with heavy luggage or groups of 3-4 people splitting the cost. Solo travelers save money on the metro or train.
Dublin to Copenhagen Without Flying: The Overland Route
I haven’t taken the full overland route myself (two hours in the air still beats twenty-eight hours on buses and ferries) but a friend did it last year and came back with stories.
Ferry and Train Via Holyhead, London, Brussels, Hamburg
Total journey time is about 24-30+ hours depending on connections.
Route breakdown:
- Dublin Port to Holyhead (Wales): 3 hours 15 minutes by ferry
- Holyhead to London Euston: 4 hours by train
- London to Brussels: 2 hours by Eurostar
- Brussels to Hamburg: 7-8 hours by train
- Hamburg to Copenhagen: 4-5 hours by train
My friend described it as exhausting but memorable, the kind of trip where you arrive feeling like you’ve earned the destination. You pass through Wales, England, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark in one continuous journey.
SailRail tickets can start around €150-200 if booked months ahead, but connecting trains add €100-150 more. Flying often costs less unless you catch promotional rail deals.
Bus Route Dublin to Copenhagen
Total journey time is about 28+ hours with transfers.
- Dublin to London: 8-10 hours (bus + ferry)
- London to Brussels: 6-8 hours (FlixBus)
- Brussels to Copenhagen: 13-14 hours (long-distance bus)
Budget travelers love this option for fares as low as €80-120 total, though you need to really enjoy bus seats and service station coffee to make it work.
Is There a Ferry From Dublin to Copenhagen?
No direct ferry exists between Dublin and Copenhagen. Ferry services to Copenhagen have changed significantly in recent years. Verify current ferry schedules before planning overland routes, as services from Oslo and other ports may vary seasonally.
All overland routes from Dublin to Copenhagen require passing through Britain first, then crossing to mainland Europe via ferry or Eurostar.
Planning Your Dublin Airport Departure Day
Arrive at Dublin Airport 2 hours before your Copenhagen flight. Short-haul European flights move fast through check-in and security, yet queues can grow during peak periods (early morning, Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons).
Ryanair Flights
Online check-in closes 2 hours before departure. Airport check-in closes 40 minutes before departure. Boarding gates close 20 minutes before departure. They enforce these times strictly. I’ve watched people miss flights by arriving 45 minutes early thinking that was enough.
SAS Flights
Airport check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. More relaxed boarding process but don’t push it.
Dublin Airport Security Rules 2025
Dublin Airport rolled out C3 scanners that let you keep liquids (up to 2 liters) and electronics inside your bag. This makes security faster than most European airports.
Even though Dublin allows 2 liters, pack with the stricter 100 ml rule if you’re bringing toiletries. Copenhagen Airport follows standard EU rules on your return, so you’ll need small bottles anyway.
Travel Documents for Dublin to Copenhagen
Irish and EU passport holders: Valid passport required for duration of stay. Ireland and Denmark are both EU members, making travel straightforward.
Non-EU visitors resident in Ireland: Check Schengen visa requirements and ensure adequate travel insurance coverage for Denmark.
Important: Copenhagen is 1 hour ahead of Dublin (Central European Time vs Irish Standard Time). Adjust your watch on arrival to avoid confusion with hotel check-ins, tour bookings, and return flight timing.
First Day in Copenhagen: What to Do After Landing
The metro drops you at Kongens Nytorv or Nørreport depending on where you’re staying. From there, Copenhagen unfolds on foot or bicycle.
First evening strategy: Drop bags at hotel, change into walking shoes, head to Nyhavn. The colored buildings photograph exactly like you’ve seen on Instagram, but walking along the canal in person adds something the photos never capture.
Day two: Rent a bike. Copenhagen’s cycle lanes make Dublin’s attempts look like a cruel joke. The city opens up differently when you’re moving at bicycle speed. You notice the architecture, the café culture, the way locals actually use these lanes instead of treating them as car parking.
Cards work everywhere in Denmark so you barely need cash. Most places don’t even accept cash anymore.
Why This Route Keeps Me Coming Back
Copenhagen sits 1,240 kilometers from Dublin, close enough that you’re landing before you finish the book you brought. The flight takes just over two hours, and the whole door-to-door experience rarely stretches past six hours even when things go wrong.
I’ve done the Dublin to Manchester and Dublin to Liverpool routes dozens of times, but Copenhagen feels different. Maybe it’s because you cross that invisible line into Scandinavia, or maybe it’s just because Danish efficiency starts the moment you land.
This route works because everything about it feels manageable. Short flight, easy airport, quick train into the city. No part of the journey asks too much from you, which means you reach Copenhagen with energy left to actually enjoy the place.
I’ll keep flying this route as long as those €150 returns stay available and as long as Copenhagen keeps being Copenhagen: clean, creative, expensive but worth it, and somehow always ready for another visit.
Now you’re already planning your next European escape? Our Dublin to Amsterdam guide covers another easy 2-hour route with even more daily flights. For Scandinavian adventures beyond Copenhagen, check our guides to Oslo, Stockholm, and Reykjavik.
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FAQ: Dublin to Copenhagen Flight Questions
How much does it cost to fly from Dublin to Copenhagen?
- Budget flights with Ryanair start around €80-120 return during off-peak months (April, December). Standard return fares range €150-250 depending on season. Summer weekends and holidays cost €250-350+ return.
What is the flight distance from Dublin to Copenhagen?
- Approximately 1,240 kilometers (770 miles) as the crow flies. Direct flight time averages 2 hours 15 minutes.
Can you do a day trip from Dublin to Copenhagen?
- Not recommended. While physically possible with early morning departure and late evening return, you’d spend 5-6 hours traveling for only 6-8 hours in Copenhagen. Minimum recommended stay: 2 nights (Friday-Sunday or similar).
Which terminal for Copenhagen flights at Dublin Airport?
Ryanair departs from Terminal 1. SAS departs from Terminal 2. Check your boarding pass and airline app before leaving home, as terminals are not connected airside.
Is Copenhagen expensive compared to Dublin?
- Yes. Restaurant meals cost 20-30% more than Dublin. Coffee averages €5-6. Beer in bars runs €7-9. Budget €80-100 per day for food and local transport, more if you’re eating out for every meal.