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So you’re planning a trip to Copenhagen and you want to rent a car. I frequently visit Copenhagen from the United States and have lots of tips for renting a car!
There are some important things to know right off the bat about renting a car in Copenhagen. Denmark has some of the most expensive gasoline in Europe, so be sure to factor that into your budget. The good news is that once you leave the city of Copenhagen, gas prices drop significantly.
Also, for all my American friends, keep in mind that a lot of car rentals in the EU have a manual transmission. And if you are like me, and not comfortable driving a stick shift, start looking for rental cars well before your trip.
Most Copenhagen car rentals do have a limited number of automatic transmission cars. So be sure to get your car rental booked early and request an automatic transmission when you make your reservation.
Best Rental Car Company For Copenhagen
Discover Cars has the best rates in Copenhagen! They cross-search all the international car rental companies against the local car rental companies so that you get the best deal!
Get Unlimited milage + included airport surchage, road tax, and more!
Best Tips for Renting A Car in Copenhagen
How to Get the Best Car Rental Prices
The earlier you do your research and reserve your rental car, the better the price! It is pretty much that simple.
If you visit Copenhagen in the summer months you will pay more for your car than if you are visiting in the winter, but this is true almost everywhere.
I always get the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. It is one of the best car rental agencies that do all the price comparing for you.
Every hire car and car rental in Copenhagen has its own rates, and Discover cars will find you the cheapest rental cars among them all.
Knowing what kind of car best suits your needs (sedan, SUV, etc.) helps narrow down the best rental companies to check for availability and pricing. Get quotes for a small car, a five-person station wagon, or even a large seven-passenger van!
It’s also important to factor in the amenities included, such as any extra full insurance coverage or add-ons that may cost more but better fit your desired travel experience.
Choose a reputable rental company that has good reviews
For the best car rental experience I rely on reading the reviews when booking a car in Copenhagen. Discover Cars are the perfect option for finding a reputable rental company with excellent reviews.
When you search for your rental car, you will find a list of options sortable by price, price/rating, and reviews. Then you are able to view what each of these car rental companies scored.
Every detail is taken into account to guarantee a smooth and satisfactory experience – from their amazing customer service to the best prices available.
Discover Cars goes beyond expectations by offering additional features like GPS tracking of vehicles, emergency contact information, and free roadside assistance. With Discover Cars at your service, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best rental available!
Make sure to get insurance for your rental car
It’s always a good idea to check the small print of your rental contract before you rent out a car and ensure that you have insurance coverage, as it could save you a great deal of money if something goes wrong.
Whether you’re going on a vacation across the country, or just taking a short trip to pick up groceries, car rental insurance can provide protection from all sorts of costs associated with an accident.
There are different levels of rental car insurance available with Discover Cars, including comprehensive coverage and liability, so choosing the one that best meets your needs and budget is essential.
Don’t take the risk of renting out a car without adequate protective measures in place; get yourself insurance for your rental car for peace of mind.
What you need in order to rent a car in Copenhagen
I find it fairly easy to rent a car in Copenhagen. Just be sure to read below the requirements all car rental agencies in Denmark have in order to get a rental car.
- Car rental companies in Denmark have an age minimum of 21 years old.
- Some car rental companies will charge a young driver surcharge up to the age of 30 years old. This surcharge and age policy may only be applicable to certain rental cars.
- Certain car types and superior car rentals, such as Full Size or Premium/Luxury cars may have a mandatory surcharge. For reference, plan on between EUR 5 – EUR 35 per day. It’s not included in the car rental price and is paid in local currency at Copenhagen car rental agencies.
- A valid driver’s license. Luckily you don’t need an International driving permit for a Copenhagen car rental. Your license must not be explained and written in the Latin alphabet.
- Many EU countries do require an International driving permit, if you are renting cars in other countries like Italy, you will need one.
- Valid credit card with the same name as the person driving license.
- Insurance – The car rental center will require you to show this before picking you the car.
Learn the road rules in Denmark
When driving in Denmark, one must familiarize oneself with the speed limits and traffic rules. Depending on the type of road, the speed limit in Denmark can be up to 80 km/h (50 mph) or even as low as 30 km/h (18.5 mph).
Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts at all times. Children under 135cm in height and over three years old must be in a child seat. Children under three also must be in a child car seat.
Additionally, drivers should take caution when turning as drivers on the right-hand side of the road have priority.
In Demark, you drive on the right side of the road, like in America and other EU nations. I found driving in Copenhagen very easy and low-stress.
Parking Your Copenhagen Rental Car
Learn all about the parking zones when renting a car in Copenhagen. Parking in Copenhagen’s city center can be tricky.
If you are only planning to do a day trip or two I would recommend you just rent your car in the city center, and not the Copenhagen airport. It is easy enough to get around Copenhagen without a car.
The parking fees in the city are per hour and are different depending on the parking zones you are in. The rates are as followed:
Red Zone Parking Rules
- Price (8 am to 6 pm): 41 kr. pr. hour
- Price (6 pm to 11 pm): 16 kr. pr. hour
- Price (11 pm to 8 am + Saturday from 0 am to 8 am): 5 kr. pr. hour
Green Zone Parking Rules
- Price (8 am to 6 pm): 24 kr. pr. hour
- Price (6 pm to 11 pm): 16 kr. pr. hour
- Price (11 pm to 8 am + Saturday from 0 am to 8 am): 5 kr. pr. hour
Blue Zone Parking Rules
- Price (8 am to 6 pm): 15 kr. pr. hour
- Price (6 pm to 11 pm): 16 kr. pr. hour
- Price (11 pm to 8 am + Saturday from 0 am to 8 am): 5 kr. pr. hour
Yellow Zone Parking Rules
- Price (8 am to 6 pm): 12 kr. pr. hour
- Price (6 pm to 11 pm): 12 kr. pr. hour
- Price (11 pm to 8 am + Saturday from 0 am to 8 am): 3 kr. pr. hour
With parking restrictions based on street signs, looking ahead and avoiding rush hour traffic is even more critical when parking in Copenhagen.
How to pay for parking in Copenhagen
Paying for parking is easy in Copenhagen. You have a couple of choices:
- Pay by card at street pay stations, just have your license plate and credit card available
- Pay by App at this site
How to pay for parking tickets in Copenhagen
If you do end up getting a parking ticket while in possession of your car rental, be sure to pay it ASAP.
You can pay for the parking ticket here.
Best Copenhagen hotels with parking for your rental car
If you are picking up your rental car straight from the Copenhagen airport or an alternative car rental center, book a hotel with included parking.
Here are the best hotels in Copenhagen that have parking.
- Central Penthouse Apartment with rooftop terrace. This place is perfect if you rent a car! Located in the city center, this apartment has all the amenities you want such as a kitchen, terrace, city views, and parking. Click here for rates and availability!
- Cute Pug Guesthouse is the perfect little getaway apartment that has parking for your rental car! Located just a little outside the city center, but very affordable and perfect if you rent a car. Click here for rates and availability!
- Woodah Boutique Hostel is a pod-style boutique hostel. This is an affordable option to stay in the center with your rental car. Click here for rates and availability!
- Coco Hotel is a great choice of hotel to be located in the city center that has parking. The Vesterbro neighborhood is my favorite in Copenhagen! I would highly recommend staying at Coco Hotel, especially if you rent a car. Click here for rates and availability!
Where to pick up your Copenhagen Rental Car
If you are looking for the best place to pick up your rental car in Copenhagen, you can find the largest selection of cars at a trusted and reputable location near Copenhagen Airport (CPH). Discover Cars has locations throughout the city that make it a quick and easy pickup.
Depending on the car rental center, Discover Cars typically offers convenient shuttle bus services from the airport to their rental locations.
It is a great feature so you don’t have to worry about finding a ride. With its large selection of cars and great customer service, Discover Cars is the best choice for your Copenhagen car rental needs.
Once you’ve picked out a nice car, don’t forget about any additional features that might make your trip even more enjoyable. Having a rental car makes planning your Copenhagen itinerary so much easier!
One-Way Car rental and Drop off locations
If you are planning to pick up your rental car at Copenhagen Airport and return it at another car rental location in another city, there is usually a surcharge for this.
Unfortunately, this fee is usually unavoidable for car rentals in most countries.
Where to drive your rental car outside of Copenhagen
To visit some different cities of Demark a rental car is necessary. Although the public transportation is great in Denmark, I have visited a number of areas around Copenhagen that were easier to visit by having a rental car.
One of the best places to take your rental car is on a road trip up north to Aarhus! It is a wonderful place to visit in the summer if you are looking to visit the beach. The rest of the year you can enjoy the incredible architecture and food in Aarhus.
Aarhus is great for an overnight! If you are planning on using rental cars for quick day trips check out the castles in Hillord and Helsingor!
Here you can tour castles, visit museums, explore yacht marinas and beaches, or even take part in sailing trips along the coast.
Unfortunately crossing the international border in rental cars is usually not allowed. Check with your car if you can travel to nearby Sweden via the Øresund Bridge.
Luckily the rest of Denmark has so much to offer, you don’t need to visit a different country.
Final Thoughts on car rentals in Copenhagen
If you are planning any sort of long journey in Copenhagen, finding a cheap car rental is really the best way to go.
Copenhagen is the perfect place to base yourself and take trips to the other major cities in Denmark. Discover cars have lots of options for drop-off locations that make renting a car so much easier!
I hope you enjoyed these tips for renting a car in Copenhagen, happy traveling!
