What Is The Harbour Bus, Copenhagen?
Don’t let the name confuse you. The harbour bus is really a boat that sails on Copenhagen’s harbour waters, ferrying passengers along its scenic route.
Whilst the canal boat tours are excellent, the harbour bus is a different way to see Copenhagen from the water.
The Copenhagen harbour buses are not primarily tourist transport, but they’re a great, cheap way to see the city from the water. For the price of a bus ticket, you can sail the harbour waters end to end for almost an hour or jump off along the way.
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Everything You Need To Know About The Copenhagen Harbour Bus
The great thing about the harbour bus is you’re not restricted to staying inside or sitting in your seat. It’s bright and airy, having windows on the roof and three sides, so you have great views. And, because of the automatic sliding doors, it’s cosy and warm inside, even on a cold day.
But best of all, there’s standing room outside, at the front of the boat, perfect for taking photos of Copenhagen’s many waterside attractions.
And you can even take your bicycle on board.
Unless the boat is busy and passengers are waiting to sail, you do not need to get off at each end of the trip. You can stay on as long or as little as your ticket allows.
But the harbour bus isn’t a hop-on, hop-off boat. If you get off, you have to buy another ticket to make another journey.
The harbour bus is a public bus service; it’s not a water taxi. So whilst you can hire boats for self sail or a private tour, there are no Copenhagen water taxi services.
Under each seat, you will find a life jacket.
You also need to be aware there are no toilets on the harbour buses.
How Much Is A Harbour Bus Ticket?
A harbour bus ticket costs 24kr per person (half price for children under 15) and lasts for one hour and fifteen minutes. You do not need a bicycle ticket to take your bike on the harbour bus.
It’s possible to buy your ticket on board the harbour bus; however, you can only pay in cash and no bills larger than 100 kr.
Download the DOT app for timetable and ticketing information.
If you have a Copenhagen Card- Discover or a City Pass, the price is included in the card/pass. The harbour bus is not included on the Copenhagen Card Hop ticket.
For more ticketing options, visit DOT.
Accessibility On The Harbour Buses
All harbour buses are wheelchair accessible. The landing stages are flat, as is the ramp access to the boat. However, there’s limited space on board for wheelchairs, bicycles and strollers.
Copenhagen’s Carbon-Neutral Harbour Buses
The Danish government is working towards Copenhagen becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral capital city by 2025. To that end, the fleet of harbour buses is fully CO2-neutral, powered by electricity.
Copenhagen’s Harbour Bus Stops
There are currently eleven stops along the harbour bus route.
The Holmen Nord harbour bus stop between Nordre Toldbod and the Opera has not been operational since 2020 due to increased shipping in the area.
I have not included Holmen Nord in the current list of harbour bus stops, as the date for reopening has been moved back several times. But if Holmen Nord should reopen, it’s the stop for the Michelin Star restaurant Noma and the Holmen Naval Base and Museum.
The next boat arrival time is shown at each stop, or find your journey times using the DOT journey planner.
Orientkaj
There is a lot of building work around Orientkaj, so it’s not the prettiest place to visit, but the harbour bus stop is next to Orienkaj Metro. And it’s just a 10-minute walk from Restaurant Silo, with amazing views from the 17th floor and Konditaget Lüders, a playground, a sports training area, and a great viewpoint eight floors up.
Check out 17 Of The Best Rooftop Views in Copenhagen for more great views around the city.
Orientkaj Harbour Bus Stop Address
Refshaleøen
Refshaleøen harbour bus stop is a 5-minute walk away from Reffen with its delicious summertime street food and entertainment and Copenhagen Contemporary, an inspirational art gallery with ever-changing exhibitions.
Refshaeløen Harbour Bus Stop Address
Refshalevej 151, 1432 Copenhagen
Nordre Toldbod
Nordre Toldbod is the stop for The Little Mermaid, a 10-minute walk away. The boat stops next to the Royal Pavilions, where the Royal family transfers to the Royal Yacht, Dannebrog and greets visiting dignitaries.
The Nordre Toldbold stop is close to the picturesque St Alban’s church, the Gefion statue and The Museum of Danish Resistance.
Nordre Toldbod Harbour Bus Stop Address
Nordre Toldbod Ferry Terminal Larsens Pl. 1259 Copenhagen
Operaen
Operaen (The Opera in Danish) stops next to the Opera House. Jump off at Operaen if you want to visit Bridge Street Kitchen for delicious street food during the summer or try outdoor ice skating in the winter.
Operaen Harbour Bus Stop Address
Operaen, Orlogsværftvej, Copenhagen
Nyhavn
The harbour bus stops at the bottom of Nyhavn Canal, home to many restaurants, bars, cafes, and the Copenhagen photo everyone wants to take.
It’s also where you’ll find Kunsthal Charlottenborg, one of several free museums in Copenhagen. For more information about Kunsthal Charlottenborg and other free museums, take a look at 17 Copenhagen Museums With Free Entry in 2024.
Nyhavn Harbour Bus Stop Address
Knippelsbro
Knippelsbro (Knippels Bridge) is the stop for Our Saviour’s Church and Christiania, two of Copenhagen’s most visited attractions. The church is a 7-minute walk from the harbour bus stop, and Christiania is just around the corner from the church.
Our Saviour’s Church is famous for the winding, climbable staircase around the outside of the tower leading to the top. To learn more about Our Saviours Church and book tickets to climb the tower take a look at 12 Best Churches in Copenhagen Even If You’re Not Religious.
Knippelsbro Harbour Bus Stop
Det Kongelige Bibliotek
The Royal Library, also known as the Black Diamond, is a 3-minute walk from Det Kongelige Bibliotek harbour bus stop. You can see how the Black Diamond got its name when you see the sun twinkling on the building as it reflects off the water.
This stop is alongside the Danish Architecture Centre and The Lapidarium of Kings.
Det Kongelige Bibliotek is also the closest harbour bus stop to the National Museum of Denmark and Christiansborg Palace.
The Royal Library Harbour Bus Stop Address
Søren Kierkegaards Plads 4, Copenhagen
Bryggebroen
Get off at Bryggebroen if you want to visit Islands Brygge and Fisketorvet shopping mall, a 10-minute walk across the bridge. After Bryggebroen, the boat doesn’t pass tourist sights, but you’ll see new apartments springing up and glimpse how some Copenhageners live.
Bryggebroen Harbour Bus Stop Address
Islands Brygge 30C, Copenhagen
Islands Brygge Syd
Islands Brygge Syd is the stop for Havnevigen Badezone, a harbour beach and swimming area. The Havnevigen bathing zone is 200 metres (219 yards) from the harbour bus stop.
Copenhagen has several purpose-built harbour baths, bathing zones, and some of Denmark’s finest beaches. So I have written a separate article, Where To Go Outdoor Swimming in Copenhagen, which covers the best swimming spots in more detail.
Amagerfælled, a peaceful, relaxing nature area (great for bird watching), is just 600 metres (656 yards) from the Islands Brygge Syd harbour bus stop.
Islands Brygge Syd Harbour Bus Stop Address
Enghave Brygge
The stop for Enghave Brygge is just 600 metres (656 yards) from Diesel House, one of several museums in Copenhagen with free entry. Take a look at 17 Copenhagen Museums With Free Entry in 2024 for more information about Diesel House and other free museums around the city.
Enghave Brygge Harbour Bus Stop Address
Christian Langes Pl. 16, 2450 Copenhagen
Teglholmen
Teglholmen in Amager is the last stop for the harbour bus. You can stay on the boat if you want to go back the way you came, or jump off and try one of the cafes in the area.
Teglholmen Harbour Bus Stop Address
Teglholmens Østkaj, Alliancevej 8A, Copenhagen
A Short Video Of The Copenhagen Harbour Bus
Copenhagen Harbour Bus Schedule
Screens inside the harbour bus show the direction of travel, the next stop and how many minutes until the next stop.
991 Harbour Bus Schedule From Orientkaj Towards Teglholmen
An earlier harbour bus departs from Refshaleøen at 6.50 am Monday to Friday towards Teglholmen. However, the first weekday harbour bus from Orientkaj departs at 7 am, as shown in the table below.
| Days | First & Last Sailing From Orientkaj |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 7 am – 8 pm |
| Saturday, Sunday and public holidays | 10.17 am – 8.02 pm |
You can find the timetable for all stops using the 991 DOT route plan.
992 Harbour Bus Schedule From Teglholmen Towards Orientkaj
The last weekday departure from Teglholmen is at 9.32 pm. However, the last stop on this journey is Refshaleøen; this last harbour bus does not continue past Refshaeløen to Orientkaj.
The last weekday harbour bus that completes the journey from Teglholmen to Orientkaj departs at 8.32 pm
| Days | First & Last Sailing From Teglholmen |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 7.02 am – 9.32 pm |
| Saturday, Sunday and public holidays | 10.15 am – 8 pm |
You can find the timetable for all stops using the 992 DOT route plan.
993 Harbour Bus Schedule To The Opera
The 993 harbour bus only operates during evening performances at The Opera. The boats sail every 10 minutes between the Nyhavn and Opera stops, but as performance times constantly change, it’s always a good idea to check the 993 harbour bus timetable. You can find this week’s sailings using the 993 DOT route plan.
Harbour Bus or Canal Boat Tour – Which Is Best?
| Harbour Bus – Pros & Cons | Canal Boat Tour – Pros & Cons |
|---|---|
| You’ll get a chance to see outside the tourist areas. | Sails both the harbour and canals. |
| There’s plenty of space to move around. | You must remain seated throughout the journey. |
| If there’s space, you have the opportunity to take good photos from the front of the harbour bus. | Because everyone is seated, you may struggle to take photos without the hands and heads of other passengers in your shot. |
| Whilst the harbour bus isn’t a Hop On Hop Off boat, you can get off at any stop. | Onboard commentary in several languages. |
| Costing 24 kr the harbour bus is cheaper than a canal boat tour. | Costing between 50 kr – 109 kr, the canal boat tour is more expensive than the harbour bus. |
| The harbour bus takes just over an hour from Orientkaj to Teglholmen. | The canal boat tour lasts one hour and returns to where you started your trip. |
The Best Time To Take Photos From The Harbour Bus
The deck at the front of the harbour bus is a great spot to stand, enjoy the view and take photos. However, to get better photos of the tourist sites, your best option is to take one of the morning boats.
While there are exciting things to see on both sides of the water, it’s best to take a boat before noon if you want the sun behind you to light up your shots.
The harbour bus is a great way to see the city if you have time. Get on at any stop and travel either way or the whole route. And don’t forget your camera!
How Can I Help?
Having lived in Copenhagen for over ten years, I share valuable insights to help you make the most of your visit and provide information on the city’s unique attractions and culture.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need recommendations on places to see or things to do.
