🚆 Denmark Public Transport 2026: Rejsekort is closing — how to choose the right ticket, app and City Pass

Public transport in Denmark is clean, efficient and usually easy to use. But in 2026, the ticket system can feel confusing for visitors — especially if you arrive in Copenhagen and simply want to get to your hotel, the city centre or another Danish city.

The physical Rejsekort is being discontinued, and travellers now need to choose between Rejsekort app, Rejsebillet, DSB app Check in, City Pass, ticket machines and Basiskort.

For locals, this is a major but manageable transition. For tourists, it can become an expensive mistake. If you buy a ticket too late, choose the wrong zones, forget to check in or cannot show your ticket during inspection, a short metro or bus ride can turn into a penalty fare.

This guide explains which ticket to choose in Denmark in 2026, how Rejsebillet differs from Rejsekort app, when City Pass is worth it, how to travel from Copenhagen Airport to the city centre and how to avoid the most common ticket mistakes.

⚡ Quick answer: what should tourists use?

For one or two short trips, buy a single ticket in the Rejsebillet app or from a ticket machine.

For a busy sightseeing day in Copenhagen, choose City Pass Small.

For Copenhagen plus Roskilde, Helsingør, Hillerød or other Greater Copenhagen destinations, choose City Pass Large or buy a specific ticket for your journey.

For train trips between Danish cities, use the DSB app and always check for DSB Orange tickets.

For flexible pay-as-you-go travel without manually calculating zones, use Rejsekort app or DSB app Check in.

If you travel without a smartphone, plan ahead and look for ticket machines, DSB 7-Eleven or Basiskort.

🧭 Quick overview: the best ticket for your trip

📌 The key 2026 change: the physical Rejsekort is closing

The physical Rejsekort is being phased out. The last day you can travel with the physical Rejsekort is 28 May 2026. You can check in with the physical card until 11:59 p.m. that day. After that, the physical cards and the old blue Rejsekort validators will close.

For tourists, this matters because the old advice “just get a Rejsekort” is no longer enough. In 2026, the better question is: which ticket or app fits your trip?

For some travellers, the answer will be Rejsekort app. For others, Rejsebillet is easier. For train journeys, DSB app is often best. For visitors in Copenhagen, City Pass can be the most relaxed option.

💡 Important for visitors: If you are reading older travel guides that recommend a physical Rejsekort, be careful. The system is changing in 2026.

📱 Rejsebillet app: the easiest option for many tourists

Rejsebillet is an app for buying tickets and commuter passes for public transport in Denmark. It brings together planning and ticket purchase for buses, trains, metro and light rail.

The key point is simple: Rejsebillet is for buying your ticket before travelling.

That makes it especially useful for tourists. You can choose your trip, pay and have the ticket ready on your phone before boarding.

Rejsebillet is especially good for:

✅ single tickets
✅ tickets from Copenhagen Airport
✅ City Pass
✅ trips where you want to know the price before travelling
✅ tourists who do not want to use check-in/check-out
✅ short city trips by bus, metro or train

The most important rule is that your ticket must be ready before you enter the bus, train or metro. If you buy the ticket after your journey has already started, it can cause problems during ticket inspection.

🚨 Tourist trap: Having the app installed is not the same as having a valid ticket. You must actually buy the ticket, and it must be active before your journey starts.

📲 Rejsekort app: check in and check out with your phone

Rejsekort app is the digital continuation of the old Rejsekort logic. Instead of using a physical card and a blue validator, you use your phone.

You check in before travelling, use public transport and check out when your journey ends.

The benefit is flexibility. You do not always need to know how many zones you will travel through in advance. The drawback is that you must remember to start and end your trip correctly.

Rejsekort app is a good option for travellers who want flexibility and do not want to buy a new single ticket for every trip.

⚠️ Remember: Rejsekort app and Rejsebillet are not the same. Rejsebillet is a ticket you buy in advance. Rejsekort app is check-in/check-out.

📲 Rejsebillet vs Rejsekort app: what is the difference?

🚄 DSB app: best for train journeys between Danish cities

If you travel by train between Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, Esbjerg, Roskilde or other Danish cities, the DSB app is often the best option.

In the app, you can buy standard train tickets, DSB Orange, Orange Free, seat reservations and use Check in.

A useful money-saving tip is to always check DSB Orange before buying a standard train ticket. Orange tickets are often cheaper, especially when booked early and outside the busiest travel times.

💡 Example: If you travel from Copenhagen to Aarhus or Odense, the difference between a standard ticket and an Orange ticket can be significant. Search early, especially if you travel on Fridays, Sundays or during holidays.

✅ DSB app Check in: smart, but use it correctly

Check in in the DSB app works as a flexible digital ticket. Once you have checked in, you can travel without choosing your final destination or zones in advance. You pay after the journey ends.

It is practical, but it must be used correctly.

You should:

✅ check in before boarding
✅ be physically near the station or stop
✅ choose the correct mode of transport
✅ register transfers between transport types
✅ check out when the journey ends
✅ buy another ticket if check-in does not work

🚨 Important: For your ticket to be valid, check-in must be completed before boarding. If the app does not work, you should buy another ticket before starting your journey.

🏙️ City Pass: when is it worth it?

City Pass gives you unlimited travel in a selected area for a selected period. It is especially useful in Copenhagen if you plan to use metro, buses and trains several times in one day.

City Pass is not always cheaper than single tickets, but it is often more convenient. You do not need to buy a new ticket every time, and you can move freely within the zones your pass covers.

City Pass Small is usually enough if you are travelling around Copenhagen and to or from the airport. It covers the city centre, the metro, many tourist areas and Copenhagen Airport.

City Pass Large is better if you also want to visit Roskilde, Helsingør or Hillerød.

City Pass X-Large gives even more freedom across Zealand, Lolland, Falster and Møn, but for regular city visitors, Small or Large is usually more relevant.

🚨 Common mistake: Many tourists buy City Pass Small and assume it covers all of Zealand. It does not.

✈️ Copenhagen Airport to the city centre

From Copenhagen Airport, you can travel to the city centre by metro or train. The metro is convenient for Kongens Nytorv, Nørreport, Christianshavn, Frederiksberg and other metro stations. The train is useful if you are going to Copenhagen Central Station or continuing with DSB.

💡 Tip: If you land in Copenhagen and plan to use the metro several times on the same day, City Pass Small can be more convenient than a single airport ticket.

👨‍👩‍👧 Children, bikes and animals

Two children under 12 can travel free of charge when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. Children travelling alone pay a child fare until the age of 16.

Bicycles may be brought free of charge on S-trains, buses and harbour buses in the Copenhagen City Area, but a bicycle ticket is required on the metro and regional trains. There may also be restrictions for bikes on the metro during rush hours.

Small dogs or other animals carried in a bag are usually treated as hand luggage and can travel free of charge. Larger dogs or pets typically require a child ticket.

🚲 Bike trap: Your own ticket does not automatically mean your bike is covered.

👶 Family tip: Before buying tickets for every child, check the age rules. Many families pay too much because they automatically buy tickets for everyone.

💸 Fines: the expensive tourist mistake

In Denmark, you must have a valid ticket before entering the bus, train or metro. If you travel without a valid ticket, you may receive a penalty fare.

The most common mistake is buying the ticket too late. It is not enough to open the app when the inspector arrives. Your ticket must be valid before your journey starts.

🚨 Remember: A ticket bought after boarding may be too late.

🚨 The most common mistakes

1. Buying the ticket after boarding.
2. Choosing too few zones.
3. Forgetting to check in.
4. Forgetting to check out.
5. Thinking Rejsebillet and Rejsekort app are the same thing.
6. Letting your phone run out of battery during ticket inspection.
7. Forgetting a ticket for a bike or extra passenger.
8. Using City Pass Small for a destination outside its zones.
9. Forgetting to check DSB Orange before buying a train ticket.
10. Relying on old travel guides about the physical Rejsekort.

✅ Before boarding: quick checklist

Have you bought a ticket or checked in?

Is the ticket valid now?

Does it cover the right zones?

Can you show it during inspection?

Does your phone have enough battery?

Does your bike need a ticket?

Do you need to check out after the trip?

Have you chosen the right app: Rejsebillet, Rejsekort app or DSB app?

🎯 Conclusion: how to use public transport in Denmark without stress

In 2026, public transport in Denmark is still one of the easiest ways to explore the country. But the ticket system requires a little more attention than before.

The physical Rejsekort is closing, and most travellers now need to choose between Rejsebillet, Rejsekort app, DSB app, City Pass or physical alternatives such as Basiskort.

For tourists, Rejsebillet is often the easiest choice for single tickets and City Pass. For longer train journeys, DSB app is usually best. For flexible travel without manually calculating zones, Rejsekort app or DSB app Check in can be useful.

The golden rule is simple: you must have a valid ticket or active check-in before your journey starts.

With the right ticket, public transport in Denmark is not a stress factor. It is one of the most comfortable ways to see the country.

🔗 Official sources