We will be traveling to Madrid via Copenhagen in March. We have four hours between the time our flight lands in Copenhagen and our flight to Madrid departs. We had a similar experience 3 years ago with a 6 hour layover and took the train into the city for lunch and a brief tour. We know airport security has changed since then and are wondering if 4 hours is a reasonable time to actually leave the airport, go into the old town on the train, eat lunch and return. For example, last June because of heightened airport security it took 2 hours to board our plane from Amsterdam to Minneapolis. Any advice would be appreciated.

well - since they start boarding 30+ mins before the flight and security / check-in can take an hour or more you won't have time for a trip into the city and lunch. Just stay at the airport and have a nice lunch there.

Any flights going from or to the states take twice as long.<BR><BR>Intra-Europe flights take MUCH LESS time to board. We live in Switz. and generally we arrive 45 minutes before take off and we are fine (if travelling within Europe).<BR><BR>There is a train directly from the Copenhagen Airport into downtown Copenhagen that takes about 20 minutes. Modern, clean and (best of all) punctual.<BR><BR>Was in Copenhagen in May and found it quite efficient.<BR><BR> BTW, Tivoli Gardens located directly next to the Main Train station. <BR><BR>You should have no problem visiting the downtown area for an hour or two - especially if your luggage has been checked thru, and you have seats for the Copenhagen-Madrid portion. Copenhage airport is small and easy to navigate.<BR>Have fun!

I tend to agree with been there. Assuming that you don't have an EU passport, then from the time you land it could take 20 minutes or more to disembark and clear customs. Add 20 minutes each way for the train journeys and 45 minutes to check in for your Madrid flight makes it 1 hour 45 minutes and that's assuming that there just happens to be a train about to leave at the exact time you get to the platform (not to mention buying train tickets). So realistically, you will probably have somewhat less than 2 hours to find a restaurant, get seated, order, eat and pay for your meal, whilst worrying whether you're going to miss your next flight. Sorry, but that doesn't sound like my idea of a pleasant dining experience.

We flew in &amp; out of Copenhagen to USA pre-9/11. Thought the Copenhagen airport was quite nice -- has several places for lunch, wine, coffee. You can also take a taxi to the city, which would reduce the waiting time -- pay by credit card. If you opt for the train &amp; Tivoli Gardens, there's a wide variety of dining options in Tivoli from fast to leasurely including some great pastry. Also ATM or money booths there. The walk from Tivoli to Nyhaven (which is what I think you mean by 'old town') might be too much to do. For the effort involved, while we enjoyed Nyhaven, I personally think to take a taxi there &amp; then back to airport wouldn't be worth it.

Hi Marsha,<BR> Xenos and I look at the same data and come to opposite conclusions. <BR> You will have about two hours to visit Tivoli and have lunch.<BR> Enjoy.

Ira, I'm happy to differ - after all it takes all sorts! However, I assume (rightly or wrongly) that you're from the US. If you take a look at the thread about dining as an important part of travel, you might see why a European may have slightly different perspective on the subject.

You should be able to clear customs and be out of the airport in less than 30 minutes. It's about a 20 minute cab ride downtown -- Tivoli, Town Square. Cabs are fairly easy to come by near the train station which is very close to Tivoli. You should be back at the airport about 45 minutes before your flight.<BR><BR>So . . . I think I am agreeing with other posters about how much time you will spend with non-tourist arrival and departure activity. I wouldn't fuss with the train, I'd take a cab. I'd spend two hours in the city any time over two hours at the airport.<BR><BR>I think Copenhagen is an exception in this regard. I'd never try this in London or Paris or Frankfurt or Vienna . . . Oslo or Stockholm, maybe.