Train service
Eurostar
Eurostar is an international high-speed rail operator connecting the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
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Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s national railway company, operating long-distance, regional, and international train services across Europe.
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London to Copenhagen by train is a four-country journey with no direct service. You will need to connect through Brussels and Hamburg. Plan for around three changes on most bookable itineraries.
London to Copenhagen by train at a glance
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Direct train | No |
| Typical changes | Around three on most itineraries |
| Main route | London St Pancras to Brussels-Midi/Zuid by Eurostar, then by train through Germany to Hamburg, then Hamburg to Copenhagen |
| Hamburg to Copenhagen leg | Overland via Padborg and Kolding, around 4 hours 40 minutes |
| Fastest published time | Around 14 hours on the best same-day connection, treat as orientation not a promise |
| More realistic plan | A full day, or two days with an overnight stop |
| Practical overnight stops | Brussels, Cologne, or Hamburg |
| Operators | Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn, DSB |
| Rail passes | An Interrail or Eurail Global Pass can work, but every leg requires a paid reservation |
| Fehmarnbelt Tunnel | Under construction, not yet open |
The main planning mistake on this route is treating it like a domestic trip. You are crossing the UK, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark. A single missed connection can turn a manageable day into a very long one. Build in more transfer time than the booking engine’s minimum.
The best route from London to Copenhagen
Start at London St Pancras International. Eurostar runs direct to Brussels-Midi/Zuid in around 1 hour 53 minutes. From Brussels, trains head northeast through Germany. Hamburg Hbf is the key gateway for the final leg to Denmark.
The Hamburg to Copenhagen train runs entirely overland. It crosses into Denmark at Flensburg and Padborg, then continues through Kolding to Copenhagen Central (Kobenhavn H). The typical journey is around 4 hours 40 minutes. No ferry is involved. The Vogelfluglinie ferry crossing between Puttgarden and Rodby ended on 15 December 2019, and the route has been entirely overland since.
The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel between Germany and Denmark is under construction. When it opens, it will shorten the Hamburg to Copenhagen leg noticeably. Right now, the tunnel is not in service.
Kobenhavn H is the arrival station for most travellers. It is central, connected to the metro, and the right station for onward Danish rail connections. Always check your exact arrival station when booking, since DSB warns that track work can occasionally affect services.
Same-day travel versus an overnight stop
Same-day travel is possible, but it is a long and fragile plan.
The fastest published same-day itinerary is around 14 hours, but the average across bookable itineraries runs close to 22 hours. That spread tells you everything: the best case requires a good date and smooth connections. For most travellers, that is not worth the risk.
Brussels is the natural overnight stop. Right at the Eurostar arrival point, it lets you leave London in the afternoon or evening and start the continental leg fresh. Hamburg works well if you want to get deeper into the route on day one. From Hamburg the next morning, Copenhagen is a single train of around 4 hours 40 minutes.
If you do want same-day travel, choose generous connections. Do not build the whole journey around the minimum transfer time in the booking engine.
Tickets, fares, and where to book
There is no single London to Copenhagen fare. The total cost comes from booking each leg separately.
For the Eurostar leg from London to Brussels, advance Standard fares typically start from around £35 to £50 one way. Book directly on Eurostar’s website for GBP pricing. Cheaper seats go quickly, and pricing varies significantly by date and demand.
For Hamburg to Copenhagen, Deutsche Bahn’s Super Saver fares can start from around €28.99. Tickets open up to six months ahead. Super Saver fares are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, so confirm the exact timings before you pay. DSB also sells tickets on the Danish portion of this leg; for most travellers, booking through Deutsche Bahn covers both the German and Danish segments together.
Rail Europe, Omio, and Trainline can help you compare itineraries across multiple legs in one place. Before booking through a reseller, check their booking fees, refund handling, and what happens if one train is delayed and you miss the next.
The total fare depends on date, class, booking window, and operator. Compare each leg before committing.
Interrail, Eurail, and seat reservations
A Global Pass can work for this route. A single-country pass will not.
The key issue for pass holders is Eurostar. The pass covers travel, but you still need a separate paid reservation. The passholder fare is €35 for a Standard seat and €40 for Plus, with a small booking fee added per booking. Eurostar’s passholder allocation is limited. Check Eurostar reservation availability before you plan anything else around it. If passholder seats are sold out on your preferred date, you will need to buy a separate Eurostar ticket or choose a different day.
On German ICE trains, reservations are usually optional for pass holders, but on some cross-border routes, including Brussels to Germany, Deutsche Bahn makes reservations compulsory during the peak summer weeks. The exact dates vary by year and route, so check the requirement for your specific train before you travel. DSB confirms that the Interrail pass alone is not a seat reservation on Danish trains either.
Check reservation requirements for every train before you travel. Each operator runs a different system.
Stations, luggage, bikes, and connection buffers
London: St Pancras International
Eurostar departs from St Pancras International. Arrive in good time for security and border checks, and remember the gates close 30 minutes before departure for Standard and Plus. As a practical buffer, allow at least 60 to 90 minutes so you are not rushing the formalities.
Eurostar Standard and Plus include two pieces of checked luggage plus one hand item. Each piece can be up to 85 cm on the longest side. No airline-style liquid restrictions, but you carry and store your own bags.
Fully assembled bikes are accepted on the London to Brussels Eurostar route. For the German and Danish legs, check each operator separately before booking if the bike matters.
Brussels: Midi/Zuid
Eurostar arrives at Brussels-Midi/Zuid. Onward trains to Germany depart from the same station. One of Brussels’ three main stations, it is well-connected and an easy starting point for the next leg.
Hamburg: Hamburg Hbf
Hamburg Hbf is the practical transfer point for the Copenhagen leg. If you stay overnight, a hotel near the station saves you a cross-city transfer on departure morning.
Copenhagen: Kobenhavn H
Kobenhavn H is the main arrival station. It is central, connected to the metro, and the right station for onward Danish rail connections.
Train, flight, bus, or ferry
Flying is faster on pure journey time. The train makes sense if you want to travel without flying, prefer city-centre arrivals at every stop, or want to use Brussels, Cologne, or Hamburg as genuine stopovers.
Coaches can be cheaper, but they are far slower and much less comfortable over this distance.
You do not need a ferry. Eurostar uses the Channel Tunnel, and the Hamburg to Copenhagen leg is entirely overland. If you want to sail across the North Sea from the UK, that is a different and slower option, not the main rail route.
Best choice by traveller type
| Traveller type | Best plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wants the simplest journey | Overnight in Hamburg | One manageable train to Copenhagen the next morning |
| Leaving London after work | Evening Eurostar, overnight in Brussels | Start the continental leg fresh |
| Trying same-day travel | Book early, keep connections generous | Possible, but depends heavily on the date |
| Using an Interrail or Eurail pass | Confirm Eurostar passholder reservation first | €35 Standard / €40 Plus, limited allocation |
| Looking for lowest fares | Book each leg early and compare separately | Eurostar and DB/DSB fares change independently |
| Travelling with a bike | Check each operator before paying | Rules differ by train and route |
If the same-day itinerary looks solid and the fare is right, take it. If the connections look tight or the fares are high, make Hamburg part of the journey. It is the calmer way to arrive in Copenhagen.
Frequently asked questions
Can you travel from London to Copenhagen by train?
Yes. Take Eurostar from London to Brussels, then trains through Germany to Hamburg, then Hamburg to Copenhagen. No direct service exists. Most itineraries involve around three changes.
Is there a direct train from London to Copenhagen?
No direct train runs between London and Copenhagen. Most bookable itineraries involve around three changes, depending on the date and connection pattern.
How long does London to Copenhagen by train take?
The fastest published same-day itinerary is around 14 hours, but the average is closer to 22. Most travellers find an overnight stop in Brussels or Hamburg makes the journey much more manageable.
How much does London to Copenhagen by train cost?
There is no single fare. The Eurostar leg from London to Brussels typically starts from around £35 to £50 in advance. Hamburg to Copenhagen has Super Saver fares from around €28.99 through Deutsche Bahn. The total depends on date, class, and how early you book.
Can I use Interrail or Eurail from London to Copenhagen?
Yes, but use a Global Pass. A single-country pass will not cover this route. You still need paid reservations for every leg. The Eurostar passholder reservation fare is €35 for Standard and €40 for Plus, plus a small booking fee. Check Eurostar passholder availability first before planning the rest of the itinerary around it.
Should I stop overnight between London and Copenhagen?
For most travellers, yes. Brussels is the easiest first stop, right at the Eurostar arrival station. Hamburg works well as a second overnight, with Copenhagen just one train away the next morning. If you want same-day travel, keep connections generous.
