Crossing to Denmark
Practical routes for the crossing to Denmark and the connection to the Øresund Bridge, with the choice between a ferry to Denmark or driving all the way by car via the Great Belt Bridge.
Reaching the Øresund Bridge
Are you travelling by car to Sweden and want to know which route is the fastest and most logical to reach Denmark? On this page, you can read how to cross most easily from Germany to Denmark and then drive directly on to the Øresund Bridge towards Malmö. You get the main options, their benefits, and when to choose which route.
Why choose a crossing to Denmark?
The fastest way to reach Sweden is via Denmark. You can of course drive entirely overland via the German A7 and then the Danish Great Belt Bridge, but that costs many extra miles and toll. A ferry from Germany to Denmark is therefore often smarter, faster, and cheaper.
The most popular and fastest route is Puttgarden to Rødby. You drive directly into Denmark and are quickly on the E47 towards Copenhagen and the Øresund Bridge. An alternative option is Rostock to Gedser, ideal if you are travelling from Eastern Germany.
Map with possible routes to the Øresund Bridge
| Route from Hamburg to the Øresund Bridge | Characteristics | Total travel time | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fully via bridges (Great Belt Bridge) | Drive only, no waiting time, fixed route | approx. 4 hrs 40 mins | View toll and route |
| 2. Via Puttgarden - Rødby (ferry) | Short drive, fast ferry, popular | approx. 4 hrs 30 mins | View ferry tickets |
| 3. Via Rostock - Gedser (ferry) | Longer crossing, quieter route | approx. 6 hrs | View ferry tickets |
Via Puttgarden and Rødby is in practice often the fastest route towards the Øresund Bridge. This option is also regularly cheaper because you avoid the toll of the Great Belt Bridge with the ferry and thus save on total travel costs.
If you want to skip Denmark and the bridge entirely, there are also direct alternative routes to Sweden. Especially if you want to travel directly to Sweden, this is often a simpler and cheaper choice.
Puttgarden to Rødby: the fastest route
The route Puttgarden Rødby is the most famous and most used connection between Germany and Denmark. The ferry departs throughout the day and the crossing takes about 45 minutes. It is an ideal combination of convenience and speed.
Benefits of Puttgarden to Rødby
- You save a lot of driving time
- You avoid traffic around Hamburg (depending on your approach)
- You drive straight on to the Øresund Bridge via the E47
- High frequency, so hardly any waiting times
- Bookable as a combo ticket with the Øresund Bridge.
After arriving in Rødby you drive via the E47 towards Copenhagen. From there you reach the Øresund Bridge within an hour. This route is by far the most efficient choice for travellers who want to get to Sweden quickly.
💡 Tip: Copenhagen is an ideal stopover before you cross the Øresund Bridge. You can get there quickly from Rødby and it is a nice place to pause for a moment. View all sights of Copenhagen here.
Rostock to Gedser: the logical alternative
The connection Rostock Gedser is quieter and fits especially well if you are travelling from the east of Germany, Poland or the Czech Republic. The crossing takes longer than Puttgarden Rødby, but you still end up perfectly on the route to Copenhagen and the Øresund Bridge.
Benefits of the crossing from Rostock to Gedser
- Less crowded
- Convenient when travelling from Berlin or Dresden
- Comfortable crossing with more time on boar
- Bookable as a combo ticket with the Øresund Bridge.
After arriving in Gedser you drive via the E55 towards Copenhagen. The connection to the Øresund Bridge is clear and simple.
Travelling without a ferry via the Great Belt Bridge
You can also reach Denmark entirely overland. You drive via the German A7 to Jutland and then over the Storebælt Bridge (Great Belt Bridge) towards Copenhagen. It is not the fastest route, but a clear and predictable journey without being dependent on ferry services.
This option is ideal for travellers who suffer from seasickness or prefer to avoid the ferry. You have no waiting times, no waves and you drive in one smooth line to the Øresund Bridge. Do take into account extra miles and the toll you pay for the Great Belt Bridge.
Want to know more about the route and toll costs? View our page about the Great Belt Bridge.
Choose the right route
| Route from Hamburg to the Øresund Bridge | Characteristics | Total travel time | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fully via bridges (Great Belt Bridge) | Drive only, no waiting time, fixed route | approx. 4 hrs 40 mins | View toll and route |
| 2. Via Puttgarden - Rødby (ferry) | Short drive, fast ferry, popular | approx. 4 hrs 30 mins | View ferry tickets |
| 3. Via Rostock - Gedser (ferry) | Longer crossing, quieter route | approx. 6 hrs | View ferry tickets |
- Choose Puttgarden Rødby when you want to get to Denmark and the Øresund Bridge as quickly as possible.
- Choose Rostock Gedser if you are coming from Eastern Germany or want a quieter journey.
- Choose via the Great Belt Bridge when you do not want to be dependent on a ferry.
All three routes eventually connect to Copenhagen. From there you drive easily over the Øresund Bridge to Malmö or further into Sweden.
On this page
After you have made the crossing to Denmark, you will naturally want to continue to Sweden as quickly as possible. On MalmoBridge.com we show you exactly which routes are most convenient and how to get to the Copenhagen and Malmo bridge without detours. On the page about the crossing to Denmark, you can read step-by-step how to drive from the UK or Germany towards Copenhagen and then easily cross via the bridge towards Malmö and the rest of Sweden.
Destinations in Sweden
The Øresund Bridge is the starting point of a larger tour for many travellers. Popular destinations after the bridge include Stockholm, the island of Bornholm, the coastal city of Gothenburg and the Kalmar and Öland region.
From Malmö you can drive to these places in a single day, making the bridge the ideal gateway for your complete Swedish trip.
Discover Malmö
As soon as you cross the bridge you are almost immediately in Malmö. This city is perfect for a first stop in Sweden, with sights such as the Turning Torso, the historic centre around Lilla Torg and the promenade at Ribersborg beach. You can easily walk around here for a few hours or stay the night before driving further inland.
Copenhagen as a stopover
Before you drive onto the Malmo bridge, you pass Copenhagen. Many travellers choose to stay here for one or two days. You can visit Nyhavn, Tivoli, the Little Mermaid and the lively food markets while your car is parked in or near the city. Afterwards, you drive on to Sweden via the Øresund Bridge in no time.