Day Trip to Malmö by Car from Copenhagen
You can easily drive from Copenhagen to Malmö via the Øresund Bridge. The route is short and clear, and within about 45 minutes you are in Sweden. On this page you can read how the crossing works, what costs you will encounter and what to look out for during a day trip by car.
Why Malmö is a perfect day trip
Malmö is located just 40 kilometres from Copenhagen, making it ideal for a day out in Sweden. The city centre is compact, atmospheric and easily accessible by car. You will find cafés, design shops, the historic centre and modern districts like Västra Hamnen.
Malmö is big enough to give you a full day’s itinerary, but small enough not to be overwhelming.
From Copenhagen to Malmö by Car
The car route runs via the E20 towards the Øresund Bridge. This route is simple, well-signposted and suitable for all vehicle types.
What you can expect on the way
- You first drive through the Drogden Tunnel
- Then you arrive on Peberholm, the artificial island
- Next you drive onto the Øresund Bridge
- At the Swedish side you pay toll at the toll booths
- After the toll booth you drive directly into Malmö
The total travel time depends on traffic around Copenhagen, but the crossing over the bridge itself takes just a few minutes.
Toll Costs and Parking in Malmö
With a car on a day trip there are two costs you need to take into account:
1. Øresund Bridge Toll
The toll for a car is around £ 54 (€ 62) for a single journey. The exact costs differ per vehicle and ticket type. Use the toll calculator on the prices page to see exactly what your crossing costs.
2. Parking in Malmö
Parking in Malmö is doable, but almost everywhere requires payment. Keep in mind:
- Car parks in the centre
- Paid zones around Malmö C
- Parking spaces at Västra Hamnen
Parking rates are lower than in Copenhagen, but add up at the most popular spots.
Pros and Cons of taking the car
A day trip by car gives a lot of freedom. You drive easily between different districts, stop where you want and it is handy if you plan to shop.
Toch is het niet de goedkoopste keuze. Je betaalt tol voor de brug, parkeerkosten in Malmö en extra brandstof. De retourtol komt al snel uit op ongeveer 124 euro.
However, it is not the cheapest choice. You pay toll for the bridge, parking costs in Malmö and extra fuel. The return toll quickly amounts to approximately £ 108 (€ 124).
💡Tip: The train between Copenhagen and Malmö is often faster and much cheaper. For about £ 10 you travel to the centre of Malmö in 35 minutes. Read more about the train from Copenhagen to Malmö here.
What can you do during your day trip in Malmö?
With a car you are completely flexible in Malmö. You can easily drive from district to district and combine multiple places in one day. These are some of the best places to visit:
1. Gamla Staden
Gamla Staden is the atmospheric old centre of Malmö, made up of winding streets, colourful facades and small squares. You will find many boutiques, local cafés and artisan shops here. The centrepiece is Lilla Torg, a lively square where you can have lunch, drink coffee or just enjoy the atmosphere. This part of the city is ideal for walking around and experiencing the real Malmö feeling.
2. Turning Torso
The Turning Torso is Malmö’s most famous building and a striking eye-catcher that you can see from afar. The skyscraper twists upwards as it were in a spiral of 190 metres, making it the tallest building in Scandinavia.
You cannot visit the inside of the building, but a short stop for photos or a view over the district is certainly worth it. From the centre you can get there in a few minutes by car.
3. Västra Hamnen
Västra Hamnen is a modern, sustainable district directly on the water. The area is known for its architecture, wide boardwalks and views over the Öresund. You can park easily here and take a short walk along the boulevard or towards the small beaches and jetties. Especially in good weather, this is a nice place to get a breath of fresh air.
4. Ribersborgs Beach
Ribersborgs beach, also called “Ribban” by locals, is a long and wide city beach with views of both the Øresund Bridge and the Malmö skyline.
The beach is close to the centre and offers plenty of space to walk, picnic or just take a break during your day trip. Parking is simple and free or cheap, depending on the season.
5. Emporia Shopping Center
Emporia is one of the largest and most modern shopping centres in Scandinavia. You will find hundreds of shops, cafés, restaurants and even a roof terrace with views over the surroundings.
It is an ideal stop for those who want to shop or grab a bite to eat. The shopping centre is located next to the motorway, so you can drive there quickly and there is ample parking.
6. Enjoy Swedish Fika
A visit to Sweden is not complete without a fika. This is the typical Swedish coffee break where you stop to enjoy coffee with something sweet.
In Malmö you will find plenty of cosy cafés where you can taste classic treats, such as kanelbullar (cinnamon buns) or kardemummabullar (cardamom buns). It is a perfect way to quietly interrupt your day trip and feel the local atmosphere.
Driving back to Copenhagen
The return journey follows the same route over the Øresund Bridge. Keep in mind that you pay toll for every crossing, so both towards Sweden and towards Denmark. During busy times the toll booths can fill up briefly, but the traffic flow is usually good.
You simply follow the E20 back towards Copenhagen and within about 45 minutes you are back in the Danish capital.
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.