--- title: "Copenhagen Canal Cruise: Price, Route & Included in the Card?" date: 2026-08-06 canonical: https://cardcopenhagen.com/tours/copenhagen-canal-cruise/ --- # Copenhagen Canal Cruise - Ticket price: From 21 EUR per person (Prices checked 2026-08-06, prices may vary) - Duration: About 1 hour - Best for: Classic canal sightseeing on a budget - Attractions - Check availability: https://www.getyourguide.com/en-us/copenhagen-l12/copenhagen-canal-boat-tour-from-gammel-strand-t37848/?partner_id=D7H7I6M&utm_medium=travel_agent&cmp=cardcopenhagen_com_agent_markdown (GetYourGuide · This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.) - ★ 1-hour guided canal cruise departing from Ved Stranden 26 - ★ Passes Christiansborg Palace, Amalienborg Palace and the old Stock Exchange - ★ Sails out to the Little Mermaid statue at Langelinie - ★ Poncho provided in case of rain, plus onboard WiFi - ★ Same route included free with both Copenhagen Card versions ## Our take Book this on its own only if you are not buying any version of the Copenhagen Card, since both card variants already include the identical cruise for free. On its own it is still a genuinely good hour, low cost and low commitment, so it works well for a short layover or a add-on to a museum-only day. The **Copenhagen Canal Cruise** is a 1-hour guided boat tour along the city's historic waterways, departing from Ved Stranden 26 near the city center. It is the same Classic Canal Tour that both versions of the Copenhagen Card include for free, so this standalone ticket only makes sense if a full city pass is not part of your plan. ## What will you see on the Copenhagen Canal Cruise? The route threads past Christiansborg Palace, home of the Danish Parliament, and Amalienborg Palace, the working residence of the Danish royal family, before passing the Central Bank and the ornate former Copenhagen Stock Exchange building, Borsen. The boat continues out to Langelinie to pass the Little Mermaid statue, one of Denmark's most photographed landmarks, before returning to Ved Stranden or Nyhavn depending on the day's schedule. ## Is the Copenhagen Canal Cruise included in the Copenhagen Card? Yes. Both the [Copenhagen Card Discover](https://cardcopenhagen.com/tours/copenhagen-card-discover/) and the [Copenhagen Card Hop](https://cardcopenhagen.com/tours/copenhagen-card-hop/) list this exact cruise as one of the 40 to 80-plus included attractions, and the [Copenhagen Bus and Boat Ticket](https://cardcopenhagen.com/tours/copenhagen-bus-boat-ticket/) bundles it with a hop-on hop-off bus pass. Buying it as a standalone ticket only saves money if you have already decided against every one of those bundles. ## Copenhagen Canal Cruise prices and departure points Tickets start from EUR 21 per person for the roughly one-hour route, with departures from Ved Stranden 26, close to Christiansborg Palace and a short walk from Norreport Station. A poncho is provided in case of rain and the boats offer WiFi, so this is a reasonably comfortable option even on a gray Copenhagen afternoon. Bring a light layer regardless of season, since the water adds a noticeable chill even in summer. ## Who should book the Copenhagen Canal Cruise separately? Anyone doing a short layover or cruise-ship day who wants one clean, low-commitment activity without buying an all-day pass. It also suits visitors who already own a Copenhagen Card from a previous trip and want to repeat the cruise, since the card only allows one visit per attraction. Skip the standalone ticket if you are still deciding on a card version, since both include this cruise at no extra cost. ## What to expect onboard A guide narrates the history behind each landmark as the boat passes, covering everything from the financial district's 17th-century origins to the royal family's daily use of Amalienborg today. Seating is open on most boats, so arrive a few minutes early for a spot along the rail rather than in the covered center section, especially if photography of the Little Mermaid statue is a priority. ## Insider tips Early morning departures are noticeably quieter and give better light for photographing the pastel facades near Nyhavn. If rain is forecast, take the offered poncho rather than an umbrella, since the boat's low bridges leave little headroom for anything taller than a raised hood. The route runs close to several free city sights, so pair it with a walk through Christianshavn afterward if your legs are still fresh. ## How it compares Against the [Copenhagen Hop-On Hop-Off Bus](https://cardcopenhagen.com/tours/copenhagen-hop-on-hop-off-bus/), this cruise covers the water view only, in about a third of the time, and at roughly half the price. Against either [Copenhagen Card](https://cardcopenhagen.com/tours/copenhagen-card-discover/) version, it is only the smarter buy if you are not visiting any other paid attraction on your trip. Compare every option side by side on the [Copenhagen Card homepage](https://cardcopenhagen.com/). ## What's included - ✓ Round-trip canal cruise, about 1 hour - ✓ Services of a guide - ✓ Poncho in the event of rain - ✓ Onboard WiFi - ✗ Food and drinks - ✗ Hotel pickup ## Route and itinerary 1. **Arrive at Ved Stranden**: Reach the departure point on foot from Norreport Station or Christiansborg Palace, about 10 minutes either way. Boarding usually opens 15 minutes before departure, and seats along the open rail fill first. 2. **Pass Christiansborg Palace**: The first stretch runs alongside the seat of the Danish Parliament, with the guide covering the palace's history through three separate fires and rebuilds since the 1730s. 3. **The financial district and Borsen**: Glide past the Central Bank and the ornately spired former Stock Exchange, one of Copenhagen's most distinctive skyline landmarks, easy to miss on foot but unmissable from the water. 4. **Amalienborg Palace**: The boat passes close enough to see the changing of the Royal Guard's route if timing lines up, and the guide explains how the royal family still uses the palace as a working residence today. 5. **The Little Mermaid at Langelinie**: The turning point of the route, and the best photo opportunity of the trip. The statue sits close to the water, so keep your camera ready as the boat slows near Langelinie. 6. **Return to Nyhavn or Ved Stranden**: The return leg passes the colorful facades of Nyhavn harbor, a good spot to disembark if you plan to eat lunch or continue on foot into the city center. ## FAQs ### Is the Copenhagen Canal Cruise included in the Copenhagen Card? Yes, both the Discover and Hop versions of the Copenhagen Card include this exact 1-hour Classic Canal Tour for free. Buy it separately only if a card is not part of your plan. ### How long is the Copenhagen Canal Cruise? About one hour round trip, departing from Ved Stranden 26 and typically returning to Ved Stranden or Nyhavn. ### Does the canal cruise pass the Little Mermaid? Yes, the route sails out to Langelinie specifically to pass the Little Mermaid statue before turning back. ### What happens if it rains? A poncho is provided onboard, and the boats also offer WiFi, so the cruise runs in most weather conditions. ### Where does the canal cruise depart from? Ved Stranden 26, close to Christiansborg Palace and a short walk from Norreport Station, with the return typically at Ved Stranden or Nyhavn.