How to get from the CPH Airport to DTU

how to get from the airport to dtu

So you've landed in Denmark, at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH), and you need to get to your new home away from home. I'm going to assume you've gotten a place at either Campus Village or Kampsax on campus. You have two options: taxi, or public transportation.

Option 1: Taxis

Basically, don't do this. For taxis from the airport to Lyngby (where DTU's campus is), you're going to pay upwards of 500 DKK, or about $100. The only way this is feasible is if you've coordinated with others in your group, and you can take a taxi together.

Further, this is best if you find a minivan taxi. I personally have yet to see one of those in Denmark, but maybe they're out there...somewhere. If you don't find one, you'll probably only fit 2-3 people inside a regular taxi. Either way, you'll be paying AT LEAST $25. More than likely, $50.

You can take the taxi to the DTU accomodation office in Building 101, get your papers together, then take it to campus village.

Option 2: Public Transportation

When you arrive at the airport, follow the signs for the Metro. You'll see some touch-screen kiosks with labels like DSB, Movia, M (metro). Here, you need to buy a 6-zone ticket. It should come to 72 DKK, or about $13. In Copenhagen in general, I haven't seen a machine with cash input, so be ready to pay with a credit card.

As far as I know, the airport is the end-of-line for the Metro, and the only one there should be the M2. Here are the steps to go to DTU.

1. Take the M2, and get off at Norreport station. This is one of the major hubs connecting the Metro, S-Tog, and Bus.
2. Since the Metro is deeper underground, follow the signs for the steps to the S-tog (suburban trains).
3. Take one of the following trains: B towards "Holte" or E towards "Helsingor".
- Be careful of the directions of the trains. Do NOT take the the B towards "Hoje Tastrup" or E towards "Koge". These go south, and you want to go north.
- The displays should say what the intermediate stops are, so look for "Lyngby".
- The E trains are only available on weekdays. If you're arriving on a weekend, just look for the B towards "Hellerup".
4. Get off at Lyngby station.
5. Walk down the convenient ramp, and when you reach the street, go to your left. There should be a bus stop, from where the 300S towards "Gl. Holte" departs. This is the one you want.
- Again, make sure of the direction. You do NOT want the 300S towards "Ishoj St." as that goes the opposite direction.
- You'll actually pass by Campus Village (Elektrovej stop) on your way to the DTU office. As tempting as it is to just get off here and drop your bags off, you need to go to the office first.
6. Get off at the DTU stop. You should see a huge gray 3-story building up ahead and to the left, with a big DTU sign. (This is the point where you realize you're not in Kansas anymore).
7. Walk towards that building, and take the first big entrance (should be entrance A). As soon as you walk in, you should see a sign for the Accomodation office.
- Have fun with this walk with all your baggage on cobblestone.

There are some alternative routes, using a different combination of trains and buses. This is the most common and will run the most frequently.

Conclusion

Now that you've signed your rental agreement and gotten your keys, you have to pick up a huge black duffel bag filled with linens. Take all your stuff and walk (or continue your taxi) to Campus Village. Go into your room and crash on your bed.

Side-note: the DTU accomodation office holds extra hours during the time international students are arriving. Make sure to look on their website for the exact times for the day you're arriving.

As with most things, you're paying for level of convenience. I personally felt that switching from the Metro, to the train, to the bus was a struggle, as I noted in an earlier post. But that's just me being picky.