The simplest way to get to The Little Mermaid is to take the train from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Østerport Station, then follow a calm, mostly flat walk to the waterfront. This suits first-timers because it avoids complex transfers and the station area is easy to navigate. Best backup: take the metro to Marmorkirken Station and walk from there when train timings don’t line up.
Ash the Owl: If you’re unsure, pick the route that ends at one station and one steady walk—no “tiny-stop” gambling.
Nearest metro station to The Little Mermaid
The nearest metro station to The Little Mermaid is Marmorkirken Station (M3), followed by a straightforward 15–25 minute walk depending on pace and crossings.
- Why this is the “least confusing” metro finish
- You exit into a well-signed area with wide sidewalks.
- The walk is mostly “keep going in one direction” rather than a turn-by-turn puzzle.
- What to expect on the last leg
- A few major road crossings and a longer straight stretch near the water.
- Crowds near the statue at peak times—walk becomes slower but still simple.
Closest train station to The Little Mermaid
The closest train station to The Little Mermaid is Østerport Station, which usually gives the shortest and easiest walk for first-timers.
- Why Østerport is a great anchor
- Clear station exits and a predictable street grid right outside.
- You can bail out to buses or taxis easily if weather turns.
How to get to The Little Mermaid by metro
To get to The Little Mermaid by metro, ride to Marmorkirken Station (M3) and continue on foot for the final 15–25 minutes.
- Best for: travelers who like frequent departures and don’t mind a longer walk.
- Not ideal for: heavy luggage or icy/rainy conditions (the final stretch is exposed).
| Route | Time | Cost level | Transfers | Walking difficulty | Navigation ease | Rainy-day friendly | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPH → train to Østerport → walk | 35–55 min | Medium | 0–1 | Easy | Very easy | OK | First-timers, simplest finish |
| CPH → metro to Marmorkirken → walk | 40–65 min | Medium | 0–1 | Medium | Easy | Mixed | Frequent departures, light bags |
| City train to Østerport → walk | 15–35 min | Low–Medium | 0 | Easy | Very easy | OK | Staying near rail lines |
| By bus (to Østerport area) → walk | 25–60 min | Low | 0–1 | Easy | Medium | Mixed | Budget travelers, flexible time |
| Taxi/ride-hailing | 25–45 min | High | 0 | Very easy | Very easy | Good | Late arrivals, luggage, groups |
| Walk/bike (from Central Station / Nørreport) | 30–60 min | Free–Low | 0 | Medium | Medium | Poor–OK | Good weather, confident walkers |
From the airport
For first-timers, the easiest airport route is CPH → Østerport Station by train → walk to The Little Mermaid.
- Step-by-step (low-stress version)
- At Copenhagen Airport (CPH), follow signs to trains (not only “metro”).
- Buy a ticket before boarding and keep it accessible until you’re done traveling.
- Ride toward the city and get off at Østerport Station.
- Exit to street level, then walk steadily toward the water until you reach The Little Mermaid.
You’re on the right track when… your onboard display shows “Østerport,” you step into a major station concourse, and you can walk outside without hunting for a hidden exit.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Jumping on the metro because it’s “right there,” then ending with a longer walk.
Fix: If you want the easiest finish, prioritize the train to Østerport, then walk. - Mistake: Getting off one stop too early because the name sounds central.
Fix: Stay on until Østerport for the most beginner-proof walk. - Mistake: Exiting the station and immediately zigzagging.
Fix: Pick one main exit, walk straight for 3 minutes, then check your map once at a big intersection.
- Mistake: Jumping on the metro because it’s “right there,” then ending with a longer walk.
Ash the Owl: After a flight, your best “upgrade” is reducing decisions, not saving two minutes.
By metro
The best metro-based plan is metro to Marmorkirken Station (M3) → walk to The Little Mermaid.
- Step-by-step
- Enter the metro system and route yourself to Marmorkirken Station (M3).
- Once you exit, set your phone away and walk in one consistent direction toward the waterfront.
- Use big-road crossings as checkpoints rather than trying to “shortcut” through side streets.
You’re on the right track when… you leave Marmorkirken Station, your walking time starts steadily decreasing, and you are making fewer turns than you expected (it should feel mostly straight).
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Choosing a metro exit at random and losing orientation instantly.
Fix: Pause at the top of the escalator, face a main road, and start your route from a clear corner. - Mistake: Taking micro-shortcuts that add turns and confusion.
Fix: Stay on wider roads even if they look longer—fewer turns is faster in real life. - Mistake: Underestimating the final walk time.
Fix: Budget 20–25 minutes from Marmorkirken if you’re walking comfortably (more if crowded).
- Mistake: Choosing a metro exit at random and losing orientation instantly.
Ash the Owl: Metro is great—just don’t turn the last walk into a “maze challenge.”
By train
Train is the most forgiving option because it naturally funnels you toward Østerport Station, which is the closest rail stop for an easy walk to The Little Mermaid.
- Step-by-step
- Ride a train that stops at Østerport Station.
- Exit to street level and start walking toward the waterfront.
- Keep your pace steady; the route is easier than it feels on a small phone screen.
You’re on the right track when… you arrive at Østerport, the station signage is clear, and you can begin walking without needing to change lines again.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Boarding a train that skips your intended stop.
Fix: Before boarding, confirm Østerport is listed on the platform display or the train’s route screen. - Mistake: Leaving the station from a side exit that points you the “wrong” way.
Fix: If your ETA increases after two minutes of walking, turn back to the station frontage and restart. - Mistake: Trying to “perfectly optimize” the walk with many turns.
Fix: Choose a simple line: fewer turns, fewer errors, less stress.
- Mistake: Boarding a train that skips your intended stop.
Ash the Owl: When trains do the hard part, don’t reintroduce complexity on foot.
By bus
Bus is a good budget option, but it’s less predictable for first-timers because stops can look similar and traffic changes the timing.
- Step-by-step
- Take a bus that brings you close to Østerport Station (or the Østerport area).
- Get off, orient yourself, and walk the final section to The Little Mermaid.
- If you’re unsure mid-ride, stay on until you reach a major stop near Østerport.
You’re on the right track when… your bus stop announcement places you near Østerport, and you can see station signage or a clear main road for your walk.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Boarding from the wrong side of the road and going the opposite direction.
Fix: Check the bus’s front display for its destination and confirm the first two stops match your plan. - Mistake: Getting off early because the area “looks close enough.”
Fix: Ride until you’re clearly near Østerport—your final walk becomes much easier. - Mistake: Trying to combine two buses to avoid walking.
Fix: Do one bus + one walk. Multiple bus changes are where first-timers get derailed.
- Mistake: Boarding from the wrong side of the road and going the opposite direction.
Ash the Owl: Buses work best when you use them to reach a big anchor—Østerport—then walk.
By taxi/ride-hailing
Taxi/ride-hailing is the simplest when you have luggage, kids, mobility concerns, or you just want the least thinking.
- Step-by-step
- Use official taxi ranks or designated ride-hailing pickup zones.
- Set the destination as The Little Mermaid and confirm it’s in Copenhagen before you start moving.
- Expect a short final walk depending on road access and where the car can stop.
You’re on the right track when… your remaining distance becomes “a few minutes on foot,” and you can continue along a pedestrian-friendly route toward the waterfront.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Assuming the car can stop exactly at the statue.
Fix: Plan for a short walk at the end; that’s normal and usually faster than circling. - Mistake: Choosing the wrong pickup point and waiting in the cold.
Fix: Stand at the clearly marked pickup area and confirm your car’s plate before entering. - Mistake: Not checking the destination name and ending up at a similarly named pin.
Fix: Show “The Little Mermaid” on your phone screen and confirm the map preview matches the waterfront location.
- Mistake: Assuming the car can stop exactly at the statue.
Ash the Owl: The car is a comfort tool—use it when it replaces stress, not when it creates it.
Walk/bike
Walking or biking is best when the weather is decent and you’re starting from a major hub like Copenhagen Central Station or Nørreport Station.
- Walking approach (simple rule)
- Prefer wider roads and longer straight lines.
- Cross major roads at proper crossings; avoid weaving.
- Take one map check at the start, then one mid-way—don’t “micro-navigate.”
- Biking approach (first-timer caution)
- Ride defensively and slow down near busy pedestrian zones.
- If the area feels crowded, dismount and walk the bike for the last stretch.
You’re on the right track when… you’re moving steadily in one direction, your ETA drops consistently, and you’re not crossing back and forth between the same streets.
- Common mistakes + fixes
- Mistake: Starting the walk without a clear plan and turning every minute.
Fix: Set a simple waypoint first (Østerport Station works well), then continue from there. - Mistake: Overcommitting to a long walk in bad weather.
Fix: Switch to train or metro and keep the outdoor part short. - Mistake: Biking too fast on unfamiliar streets.
Fix: Reduce speed early and prioritize safety; arriving calm beats arriving rushed.
- Mistake: Starting the walk without a clear plan and turning every minute.
Ash the Owl: A “straight, boring” walk is exactly what you want in a new city.
If you get lost on the way to The Little Mermaid
- Stop walking and reset to Nørreport Station. Move to the side, take one slow breath, and open your map without moving. Your goal is to return to a major hub with clear signs and multiple options, not to solve everything on the spot.
- Get to Nørreport Station by the simplest method you can: metro or train. Once inside, choose one easy plan only: go to Østerport Station for the shortest walk, or go to Marmorkirken Station if metro timing is better.
- Restart with a “two-check rule.” Check your route only (a) when you enter the right line/platform and (b) when you exit at your chosen station. If your walking time increases after 3–4 minutes, turn back to a main road and re-aim toward your station anchor.
FAQ
What’s the easiest route from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to The Little Mermaid?
Train to Østerport Station, then walk—simple, reliable, and beginner-friendly.
Is The Little Mermaid close to a metro station?
Yes—Marmorkirken Station (M3) is the nearest metro, but the final walk is longer than from Østerport.
Which is easier: metro or train?
Train is usually easiest because Østerport is the closest train stop for a short walk; metro is great if you prefer frequent departures and don’t mind walking more.
Is it realistic to walk from Copenhagen Central Station?
Yes, but it’s a longer walk. First-timers often prefer train/metro + shorter outdoor time.
What’s best if it’s raining or very windy?
Take train/metro as far as possible and keep the final walk short—Østerport is usually the best anchor.
- Quick checklist
- Choose train to Østerport for the shortest, easiest walk
- Use metro to Marmorkirken only if you’re fine with a longer walk
- Keep the final route “few turns, wide roads” to avoid confusion
- In bad weather, prioritize the shortest outdoor finish
- If lost, reset at Nørreport Station and restart with a simple plan
Sources checked
VisitCopenhagen — https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) — https://www.cph.dk/en
DSB (Danish rail) — https://www.dsb.dk/en/
Copenhagen Metro — https://m.dk/en/
DOT Tickets — https://dinoffentligetransport.dk/
Rejseplanen (Journey Planner) — https://rejseplanen.dk/
Last updated: February 2026
