Finding a rental car in Denmark is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of brands across Europe with no booking fees. Pick up at Copenhagen Airport, Billund, Aalborg or Aarhus, or book a city-centre car hire to avoid airport surcharges. One-way rentals within Denmark are often available, with compact cars, estates, SUVs and 7-seaters suited for trips to Møns Klint, Jutland and the Marguerite Route.
You can rent a car at several major airports in Denmark:
Location | 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
---|---|---|
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) | Largest rental selection; direct access to E20 motorway; good for starting journeys to Zealand | Airport surcharges; 10-minute walk or shuttle to Car Rental Centre; city traffic if heading into Copenhagen |
Billund Airport (BLL) | Convenient for Legoland visitors; centre for exploring Jutland; all major companies present | 5-minute walk to Car Rental Centre; rental desk lines during peak summer |
Aalborg Airport (AAL) | Compact terminal; counters just 30m from baggage claim; no shuttle needed | Limited selection compared to Copenhagen; fewer flight options |
Aarhus Airport (AAR) | Simple pickup process; rental desks immediately outside terminal | Located 40km from Aarhus city; smaller selection of vehicles |
Airport vs. City Centre Rentals
On average, car rentals in Denmark cost around 533 kr. per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from 294 kr. per day.
Compare pickup spots: Airports are easy but include surcharges. In Copenhagen, save by renting from a city-centre branch after your stay, then hit the road. Note city desks often close around 6 PM.
Time it right: For busy weeks in Denmark (July–August, school holidays), book 4–8 weeks ahead. In shoulder seasons (May–June, Sep–Oct), compare often as prices can be softer.
Choose the right size: A compact is cheaper to rent and park in Copenhagen’s zones, and Denmark’s distances are short. Only size up if you truly need the space.
Watch route costs: Bridges add up. Great Belt Bridge is about 230 DKK one-way, Øresund to Sweden about 460 DKK. Factor this into your compare-and-book math.
Trim extras: Extra driver 40–60 DKK/day, GPS ~100 DKK/day. Use your phone for navigation and keep drivers to a minimum. Return full to avoid refuelling fees.
Keep running costs low: Fill up at supermarket-linked stations (e.g., Q8 at Føtex/Bilka, Uno-X) for cheaper fuel. One-way rentals within Denmark often have low or no drop fees—compare round-trip vs one-way.
Car Spaces in Major Cities:
City | Parking System | Local Details |
---|---|---|
Copenhagen | Zone system (red, green, blue) | Red zone (centre): Hourly rates apply; payment via EasyPark app or machines |
Aarhus | Central zone plus peripheral areas | City centre most expensive; free zones available in outskirts |
Odense | Paid central zones | Most areas outside immediate centre are free |
Aalborg | Time-limited zones | Many free options available that have time restrictions |
Car Space Tips:
Local Driving Rules:
Toll Rates:
Bridge/Crossing | One-way Car Toll (Approx.) |
---|---|
Great Belt Bridge (Storebæltsbroen) | Varies. Check official site for current rates. |
Øresund Bridge (to Sweden) | Varies. Check official site for current rates. |
Crown Princess Mary's Bridge | Varies. Check official site for current rates. |
Rent a car to drive to:
Møns Klint – cliffs, Stevns Klint UNESCO site
Zealand Castle Route – Roskilde, Frederiksborg Castle, Kronborg Castle
Aarhus – E20, bridge toll
Skagen – Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, Jutland coast
Billund – Legoland, Vejle
Marguerite Route – villages, viewpoints
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Denmark? If your licence is written in English or from an EU/EEA country, you don't need an International Driving Permit. However, we recommend getting one if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet.
Are there congestion charges in Danish cities? No, Danish cities don't have congestion charges like Stockholm or London.
What happens if I get a speeding ticket? The police send the ticket to your rental company. The company then charges your credit card for the fine and an admin fee. Fines are quite high, around 3,000 DKK for going 20 km/h over the limit.
Can I take a rental car to Sweden or Germany? You can often drive to nearby countries like Sweden or Germany. You should always ask your rental company when you pick up the car, as their rules and fees can be different. You must tell them if you plan to take the car across the border. Remember that other countries have different rules, for example, Sweden has congestion charges in Stockholm.
Is winter driving difficult in Denmark? Danish winters are usually mild. Road crews clear and salt the main roads quickly after it snows. You don't legally need winter tyres, but we recommend using them from November to March.
How does the parking disc (P-skive) system work? When you park in a free spot that has a time limit, you set the disc to your arrival time. Then, you place it on the dashboard so it's easy to see. Most rental cars will have a parking disc inside.
What's the best way to navigate Danish roundabouts? You need to give way to traffic already on the roundabout, which will come from your left. You should signal right when you are leaving the roundabout and always give way to cyclists in their dedicated lanes.
Are electric vehicle rentals available? Yes, you can rent them, especially in Copenhagen. Denmark has a good network of charging stations in cities and on highways. To find a charging station, look for signs that say "ladestander" or show EV symbols.