What to know about the Copenhagen cruise port before you sail

Copenhagen is both a starting point and a port of call for cruises exploring Northern Europe, which means Denmark’s capital is at the center of many Baltic and Nordic itineraries. If your voyage brings you here, there are all kinds of things to do in Copenhagen before or after your trip. This guide covers what to know about the Copenhagen cruise port, including where Princess® ships dock, how to reach the city center and what to expect at the terminal before you sail.

For most Princess guests, Ocean Quay — known locally as Oceankaj — is where the journey begins. Located in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district, the modern terminal complex has three cruise terminals designed to handle both port calls and cruises beginning or ending in the city.

For getting to the Copenhagen cruise terminal, The Oceankaj cruise terminal sits about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from central Copenhagen. By car or shuttle, the trip typically takes about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. That puts landmarks such as Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace and Tivoli Gardens within easy reach once you leave the terminal.

Ocean Quay is the primary Copenhagen cruise port location used by Princess, but it isn’t the city’s only cruise berth. Ships may also use Langelinie or Nordre Toldbod depending on the sailing. Because terminal assignments can vary, check the details for your specific voyage before heading to the port.

Getting from the port to the city center

Once you arrive at Ocean Quay, central Copenhagen is easy to reach. Choose based on how independently you want to navigate:

• Taxi: Taxis are available at the terminal. The drive to central Copenhagen typically takes about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Bus + Metro: Take bus 25 or 164 from Oceankaj to Orientkaj station, then transfer to the M4 Metro toward the city center. Kongens Nytorv, near Nyhavn, can be reached in about 20 minutes while Copenhagen Central Station takes about 30 minutes.
• Shuttle: Shuttle service may be offered depending on the port call. Check the information provided on board for availability and details.

For guests who would rather leave the logistics to someone else, a Princess shore excursion with transportation offers a simple alternative: step off the ship, meet your guide and let the day’s itinerary take it from there.

Copenhagen as an embarkation port and a port of call

If Copenhagen is your embarkation or disembarkation port, select Princess excursions combine sightseeing with an airport transfer. This way, you have a comfortable way to experience more of the city while traveling between the ship and Copenhagen Airport. For a full day in port, the lineup of Copenhagen excursions includes guided sightseeing as well as options designed with families in mind.

Whichever role Copenhagen plays in your voyage, booking an excursion through Princess can simplify the planning required. Transportation and sightseeing are arranged together, leaving you more time to focus on lovely Copenhagen itself.

Terminal amenities and practical information

A few practical details can make arriving at the Copenhagen cruise terminal even easier.

• Currency: Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK), not the euro. Major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, stores, cafés and restaurants throughout Copenhagen, though it’s useful to carry a payment card with a PIN.
• Terminal services: Ocean Quay is equipped to handle cruise arrivals and departures, including guest and baggage processing. Services can vary depending on whether your ship is making a port call or beginning or ending its voyage in Copenhagen.
• Accessibility: Guests with mobility or accessibility needs should review their transportation and terminal arrangements before sailing. Princess recommends providing accessibility information in advance when assistance is required.
• Weather: Copenhagen weather can shift throughout the year, so layers earn their place in your suitcase. A light outer layer is useful even in summer, while cooler seasons call for warmer layers and weather-ready footwear.

A few Copenhagen highlights near the port

Copenhagen packs centuries of history into a city that’s remarkably easy to explore. Start along Nyhavn, where colorful historic townhouses, wooden ships and waterfront cafés line the canal. Hans Christian Andersen even called several Nyhavn addresses home during his years in Copenhagen.

Closer to the harbor, the Little Mermaid has been sitting on her rock at Langelinie since 1913. Sculpted by Edvard Eriksen and inspired by Andersen’s famous fairy tale, the bronze figure has become one of the city’s best-known landmarks.

Royal history takes center stage at Amalienborg Palace, a complex of four matching palaces surrounding an octagonal square. Time your visit for noon, and you may see the daily changing of the Royal Guard.

Then there's Tivoli Gardens. Opened in 1843, it's the world's second-oldest amusement park still in operation — right behind Bakken, also just outside Copenhagen. You can enjoy rides and live entertainment with gardens and historic architecture, just steps from Copenhagen Central Station.

Consider these a preview — Copenhagen has plenty more waiting beyond the waterfront. And with Princess, your time in Denmark can be part of a much larger European itinerary. Start here, stay for the palaces and canals, then set your sights on the next port on your itinerary.

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