Copenhagen

Copenhagen is the southern anchor of the Nordic road network: the airport most long-haul journeys land at, the start of the overnight DFDS sailing to Oslo, and the foot of the Øresund Bridge into Sweden. On a planner's map it is less a sight than a junction, and the decision made here (bridge, ferry or Jutland motorway) shapes the next three days.

The bridge is the cleanest number on this page. Øresundsbron lists a one-way car fare of DKK 420 bought online and DKK 470 paid at the toll station, valid from 14 September 2026; a subscription brings it to DKK 182 per crossing plus an annual fee, which only pays off for repeated trips. From the Swedish end Malmö, Gothenburg and the E6 north to Oslo are a day's drive.

The ferry alternative is DFDS Copenhagen–Oslo, an overnight sailing into the Oslofjord that removes a full day of motorway. DFDS's route page could not be opened today, so departure time, duration and the Frederikshavn call it has advertised are left for you to read on dfds.com before booking.

The third option is the E45/E39 up Jutland to Hirtshals for Norway, the Faroes and Iceland; count on a day from Copenhagen with the Storebælt bridge toll on the way.

Practicalities: the city is a bad place to keep a car, so pick it up at the airport on the way out rather than in town. Fuel is cheaper in Sweden and Germany than in Denmark. Quiet is early on a weekday; weekends fill the harbour quarter. What was not verified today: the DFDS timetable and the Storebælt toll.