The Malmö-to-Copenhagen drive is one of Scandinavia’s most iconic crossings — not because of the distance (it’s barely 30 kilometres) but because of what you’re crossing: the Øresund Bridge, a combined rail-and-road bridge-tunnel that links Sweden and Denmark across open water. We’ve done it in summer light, in winter grey, and once in a fog so thick we couldn’t see past the bridge railing. Every time it’s felt like a proper crossing, even if the whole thing takes under an hour.

This post covers the Malmö Copenhagen drive in full — the route from Malmö city centre to Copenhagen, the bridge crossing itself, costs, parking on both sides, and the things that trip up first-timers. We’re approaching this from the Swedish side, starting in Malmö.

The route from Malmö to Copenhagen

Getting to the bridge from Malmö city centre

From Malmö city centre, follow signs for E20 / Copenhagen / Köpenhamn. The motorway approach to the bridge is well-signed and takes about 10 minutes from the centre. You’ll pick up the E20 heading west, pass through a short tunnel section under the Øresund approach, and then emerge onto the bridge itself. GPS works fine — just set Copenhagen as your destination and the route is straightforward.

If you’re coming from northern Sweden, you’ll likely arrive via the E6 southbound into Malmö and then join the E20 toward the bridge. The junction is clearly marked. Total driving time from Malmö to Copenhagen city centre, door-to-door with no traffic, is around 25 minutes. In peak summer traffic or rush hour, budget 45–60 minutes.

After the bridge: arriving in Copenhagen

You’ll emerge from the bridge into Amager, a district of Copenhagen immediately south of the city centre. From the Danish toll plaza, central Copenhagen (Nørreport, Strøget, the main hotel area) is another 10–15 minutes by car. The E20 continues into the city as Ring 2 and then connects to inner Copenhagen roads. If you’re heading for a specific address, plug it into your GPS before you cross — Danish road signage is good but the Copenhagen inner ring system can be confusing if you’re reading it cold.

One thing worth knowing: the bridge deposits you on Amager Island, which is technically part of Copenhagen municipality but not the historic centre. Kastrup Airport is right there (handy if you’re picking someone up), and the Copenhagen Metro Øresund station connects foot passengers and cyclists directly to the city from this side of the bridge.

The Øresund Bridge: what to expect

The tunnel section

The Øresund crossing is not just a bridge — it starts as a tunnel from the Swedish side. The 4-kilometre Drogden Tunnel runs underwater from the Swedish approach to an artificial island called Peberholm, where you emerge and continue across the bridge section proper. This means you won’t see the bridge from the car until you’re already several kilometres into the crossing. First-timers are sometimes surprised by this — you enter what looks like a normal motorway tunnel and then resurface in open water with bridge railing on both sides.

The tunnel section is well-lit and modern. It doesn’t feel claustrophobic. Speed limit in the tunnel is 90 km/h. Some people find the transition from underwater tunnel to open bridge slightly dramatic — the light change is abrupt and the view of the Øresund opens up quickly.

The bridge section

The main bridge span runs approximately 8 kilometres from Peberholm to the Danish toll plaza on Amager. At its highest point the bridge is 57 metres above sea level — high enough to give you clear views across the strait on a clear day. On a good weather day the crossing is genuinely one of Scandinavia’s great driving experiences: open water on both sides, the cities of both countries visible in the distance, and a sense of being suspended between two countries.

In poor weather — which in this part of Scandinavia is common — the crossing is still perfectly safe but the dramatic views disappear. We’ve done it in horizontal November rain where we couldn’t see 50 metres in any direction. The bridge infrastructure is solid and the drive itself is not affected by normal weather conditions. In strong winds, pay attention to gusts — the bridge is elevated and exposed. Speed limit on the bridge section is 110 km/h.

Bridge toll: costs and how to pay

How much does the Øresund Bridge toll cost?

In 2026, the standard toll for a passenger car crossing the Øresund Bridge from Sweden to Denmark (Malmö to Copenhagen direction) is approximately €65 one-way. This is among the most expensive single bridge crossings in Europe, which surprises most visitors seeing it for the first time. Larger vehicles — campervans, vehicles with trailers, buses — pay significantly more. Motorcycles are cheaper, around half the car rate.

The toll is collected on the Danish side at the Amager toll plaza. You pay after the crossing, not before. This is worth noting if you’re budget-tracking: the cost hits after you’re already across.

Payment methods

The toll plaza accepts cards (credit and debit, both Visa and Mastercard), BroBizz transponders for regular users, and some other transponders like AutoPASS. Cash is no longer accepted at the Øresund toll. Make sure you have a card to hand before approaching the plaza — there are staffed lanes and automatic lanes, but all require electronic payment.

If you cross frequently or are doing a multi-day Scandinavia road trip, a BroBizz transponder significantly reduces the toll cost — regular users can pay around 30–40% less. Available at convenience stores on both sides of the bridge. For a single crossing, a card payment at the plaza is the simplest option.

Quick reference — key details at a glance

• Total crossing distance: ~16 km (tunnel + island + bridge)
• Drive time, Malmö to Copenhagen city centre: 25–35 min no traffic, 45–60 min peak hours
• Speed limit in tunnel: 90 km/h
• Speed limit on bridge: 110 km/h
• Toll amount (standard car, 2026): ~€65 one-way, paid at Danish toll plaza on Amager
• Payment: card (Visa/Mastercard), BroBizz — no cash
• Toll direction: paid westbound (Sweden→Denmark). Eastbound (Denmark→Sweden) has no toll from Sweden, but there is a Danish toll charge on that side too — check current rates
• Train alternative: Øresund trains run every 20 minutes from Malmö Central to Copenhagen Central, 35 min, no toll, no parking needed
• Highest point on bridge: 57 m above sea level
• Weather sensitivity: open and windy in exposed conditions, no closures under normal weather

Traffic and timing tips

• Rush hour: The E20 approaching and leaving the bridge has real rush-hour congestion on weekday mornings (7–9 am) and evenings (4–7 pm). If you’re crossing on a workday, aim outside these windows.
• Summer weekends: Friday evenings in July and August are the worst crossing times of the year. Swedes crossing to Copenhagen for the weekend create significant queues. Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons are similarly busy.
• Best time to cross: Mid-morning (9–11 am) on weekdays, or early Sunday morning if you want almost no company on the bridge. Sunday before 8 am is particularly quiet.
• Real-time traffic: Swedish Trafikverket and Danish Vejdirektoratet both publish live bridge traffic data. Check before you leave Malmö if timing matters.
• Winter driving: The bridge remains open in all normal winter weather. In the rare event of extreme ice or storm conditions, it can be temporarily closed — check the Øresundsbron website or app if you’re crossing in January–February.

Parking in Copenhagen after the bridge

• Central Copenhagen parking is expensive: Budget €3–6 per hour in the city centre paid street parking zones (blue zones). Multi-storey car parks (Indre By, Nørreport area) run €20–35 per day.
• Park and ride: Copenhagen has official park-and-ride facilities near the Metro network. The most useful for bridge arrivals is at Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup), right off the bridge approach — park there and take the Metro into the city. Cheaper than city-centre parking and often faster on the return.
• Electric vehicle charging: Copenhagen has reasonable EV charging infrastructure. Use PlugShare or ChargeMap to locate chargers near your destination — don’t assume availability in central paid parking zones.
• Overnight parking for road trippers: If you’re staying overnight and continuing your Scandinavian road trip from Copenhagen, check whether your hotel has parking included. Many central hotels charge €20–30/night extra. The Frederiksberg and Amager areas have cheaper street parking further from the absolute centre.

Mistakes first-timers make on this crossing

• Expecting to pay before the bridge. The toll is collected on the Danish side. You don’t pay in Malmö. This surprises people who have their payment ready on the Swedish side — relax, you’ll pay when you arrive in Denmark.
• Underestimating the tunnel section. You’re underwater for 4 km before you see any bridge. If you have tunnel anxiety, know this going in — it’s short, well-lit, and modern, but the transition from motorway to tunnel to bridge to open water happens quickly.
• Not accounting for Copenhagen traffic after the bridge. The bridge itself is fast. Central Copenhagen is not. Add 15–25 minutes to your estimate for inner-city driving once you’re across, more in peak hours.
• Forgetting the BroBizz option. For multiple crossings in one trip (crossing to Copenhagen, day in the city, crossing back to Malmö), buy a BroBizz from a petrol station before your first crossing. Two crossings at reduced BroBizz rates can be cheaper than one return at standard card price.
• Assuming the train isn’t better. If you don’t need your car in Copenhagen, seriously consider leaving it in Malmö and taking the Øresund train. The train is €15–25 return, takes 35 minutes, deposits you at Central Station, and removes all parking stress. For a day trip to Copenhagen, train wins almost every time.
• Not checking toll payment for the return. Both the Danish and Swedish sides have tolls. On the return (Copenhagen to Malmö), you pay on the Swedish side at the Lernacken toll plaza. Same card rules, similar price. Don’t arrive at the Swedish end without payment method ready.

Frequently asked questions

A final word from Rovaniemi

We’ve driven across the Øresund Bridge in almost every weather condition Scandinavia can throw at it. The Malmö-to-Copenhagen drive is short, practical, and — on a clear day — genuinely one of the more satisfying road crossings in Europe. The toll stings a little, the Copenhagen parking will test your patience, but the bridge itself delivers every time.

If you’re on a Scandinavian road trip and passing through this corner of Sweden and Denmark, give yourself time on the crossing rather than just pushing through. Stop at one of the Malmö harbour viewpoints before you go, cross in daylight if you can, and don’t rush the approach. Some drives are worth slowing down for — this is one of them.