Copenhagen to Malmö: Train, Car, Bus or Ferry

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From Copenhagen Central Station (København H) to Malmö Central (Malmö C), the Øresund train takes 41 minutes according to the 2026 Øresundståg timetable, including a stop of about six minutes at Hyllie, where Swedish police check ID. On weekdays in the daytime there is typically a train every 15 minutes, and it also stops at Copenhagen Airport. For most visitors, the train across the Øresund Bridge is the easiest choice. A car makes sense if you are a group, have a lot of luggage or are touring Skåne, while the bus and the ferry via Helsingør are alternatives with their own advantages. Below, the four options side by side: journey time, departures, tickets, children and the Swedish ID check.

Overview: train, car, bus or ferry

Journey times are approximate, based on the operators’ own information, and depend on traffic and departure. Prices change, so we link to the official price page rather than quoting an amount.

Sources: Øresundståg (timetable 14.12.2025–12.12.2026), DSB, Skånetrafiken, Øresundsbron, FlixBus, ØRESUNDSLINJEN and VisitCopenhagen. Checked October 2026. Always check the current timetable in Rejseplanen or with the operator before you travel.

The train from Copenhagen to Malmö

The Øresund trains run from Copenhagen Central via Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) and over the Øresund Bridge to Hyllie, Triangeln and Malmö C. Skånetrafiken has operated the Øresund services since 11 December 2022. According to the 2026 timetable, the trip from Copenhagen Central takes 28 minutes to Hyllie, 37 minutes to Triangeln and 41 minutes to Malmö C, including the six-minute ID stop at Hyllie. On weekday daytimes there is typically a train every 15 minutes. Engineering works can change the times, so check your departure in Rejseplanen or with Øresundståg.

Landing at Copenhagen Airport and heading straight to Malmö? Take the same train from the airport station under Terminal 3; it saves you going into Copenhagen first.

Get off at Triangeln, the stop before Malmö C, for the southern part of the centre and the shopping centre above the station. For the old town and Västra Hamnen, Malmö C is usually the most practical stop.

Where to buy a ticket

• Øresund ticket from DSB: sold at DSB ticket machines, DSB ticket offices and 7-Eleven in the Copenhagen area. It is also valid on S-trains, the metro and buses in Copenhagen, but not on SJ trains.
• Skånetrafiken app: sells tickets between Skåne and Denmark. You register your mobile number, the ticket only works on the phone you bought it on, and a pre-bought ticket must be activated before boarding. A single ticket between Skåne and Denmark is valid for 2–5 hours depending on the journey.
• Rejsekort: if you live in Denmark and have a Rejsekort card or the app, you can use it to Malmö C, Hyllie and Triangeln. According to DSB, the fare is the same as an Øresund ticket. It does not cover other Swedish stations.

Children on the train

One adult with a paid ticket can bring up to two children under 7 free between Denmark and Skåne. Children from 7 up to and including 15 need a child ticket, as do children under 7 travelling alone. Under Skånetrafiken’s conditions, children under 6 may only travel with someone older than 6.

By car over the Øresund Bridge

From central Copenhagen to central Malmö takes about 45–60 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The bridge toll is paid at the toll plaza at Lernacken, just outside Malmö on the Swedish side. You can also buy an online ticket in advance and drive straight through; it is valid for 30 days. Check the current price and terms at Øresundsbron.

Øresundsbron announces periods of roadworks with only one lane open in each direction, so check the traffic information on the bridge’s website before you drive. A car makes it easy to combine Malmö with Lund, Kullaberg or Ales Stenar in Skåne.

By bus from Copenhagen to Malmö

FlixBus runs at least 14 times a day between Copenhagen and Malmö, and the trip takes from about 50 minutes. In Copenhagen, buses leave from the coach terminal in Carsten Niebuhrs Gade or from Ingerslevsgade by Copenhagen Central; in Malmö they stop at Malmö Central Station and at Hyllie. Times and stops vary from day to day, so check your ticket. The bus can be worth it if you find a low fare or want a guaranteed seat, but the train runs more often.

The alternative: the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry

The northern crossing is longer if Malmö is your only goal, but it is a good choice if you also want to see Helsingør (Elsinore, home of Kronborg Castle) or Helsingborg. The train from Copenhagen to Helsingør takes about 40 minutes and runs four times an hour. ØRESUNDSLINJEN ferries sail every 20 minutes around the clock, and the crossing takes about 20 minutes. Foot passengers can bring a bike at no extra charge. From Helsingborg, drive or take the train south to Malmö. Check prices and departures at ØRESUNDSLINJEN.

The route also works as a round trip: over the bridge one way and by ferry the other.

ID checks at the Swedish border

Sweden has temporary border controls on entry. They are extended in six-month periods, and the latest decision runs until 11 November 2026, so check the status before you travel. Swedish police decide where and when to check; for train passengers, the check happens at Hyllie. Checks are random, so not everyone is stopped, but you must be able to show valid ID if asked. This applies on the train, by car, by bus and on the ferry.

• EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: passport or national ID card.
• Other nationalities: passport, plus a visa or residence permit if you need one to be in the Schengen area.
• Nordic citizens: a Nordic driving licence is accepted, but a passport is the safest option.
• Children: Nordic children travelling with a parent or guardian can enter without their own ID; bring documentation of the relationship. Children travelling alone need their own passport or ID card. Non-Nordic children should carry their own passport or ID card.
• On the way back: Danish police can carry out spot checks on entry to Denmark, for example on the train at Copenhagen Airport or on Peberholm. Bank cards and DSB cards are not accepted as ID.

See the current rules at the public information service Øresunddirekt before you travel.

Which should you choose?

• Day trip, few people, no car: the train. It runs often and you do not need to plan far ahead.
• Family with children under 7: the train is usually simplest, as up to two children under 7 travel free with a paying adult. Remember the ID rules for children above.
• Several adults, luggage or touring Skåne: the car. Compare the bridge toll and parking in Malmö with train tickets for the whole group.
• Guaranteed seat and price as the main factor: the bus. Compare with the train fare on the same day.
• Helsingør and Helsingborg on the same trip: the ferry, ideally combined with the bridge as a round trip.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the train from Copenhagen to Malmö take?

41 minutes from Copenhagen Central to Malmö C according to the 2026 timetable, including the six-minute ID stop at Hyllie. To Triangeln it is 37 minutes. On weekday daytimes there is typically a train every 15 minutes, and it also stops at Copenhagen Airport.

Can I go from Copenhagen Airport to Malmö directly?

Yes. The Øresund trains stop at the airport station under Terminal 3, and Malmö C is under half an hour away. Check the exact time in Rejseplanen.

Do I need a passport to go to Malmö?

You must be able to show valid ID, because Sweden carries out spot checks on entry. EU/EEA citizens can use a passport or national ID card; other nationalities need a passport.

Do children travel free on the train to Malmö?

One adult with a paid ticket can bring up to two children under 7 free between Denmark and Skåne. Children from 7 to 15 need a child ticket.

How much does it cost to drive across the Øresund Bridge?

It depends on the vehicle and whether you have a discount agreement. You pay at the Lernacken toll plaza or buy an online ticket. Check the current price on Øresundsbron’s price page.

Is there also a check when I return to Denmark?

Danish police can carry out spot checks on entry from Sweden, for example on the train at Copenhagen Airport or on Peberholm. Carry ID in both directions.