Denmark · Copenhagen harbour buses & Zealand island boats
Zealand ferry routes & schedules
On Zealand, Denmark's largest island and the home of Copenhagen, ferries run as city transport and local island links. The yellow harbour buses gliding along the Copenhagen waterfront are part of the public-transport system, alongside small crossings to the islands off the Zealand coast.
- 24
- Connections
- 2
- Operators
- 13
- Quays
- 7m
- Avg crossing
About
Ferry travel in Zealand
Copenhagen's harbour buses
Copenhagen's harbour buses (havnebus) are among the most enjoyable ways to see the city — electric passenger boats that run up and down the harbour from the Royal Library and Nyhavn out to Refshaleøen and Nordhavn, all on an ordinary public-transport ticket under Movia. They're a genuine commuter link that doubles as the best-value harbour cruise in the city. Most are foot-passenger services; our guide on foot-passenger versus car ferries is a quick primer.
Quays
Ferry quays in Zealand
13 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
- Bryggebroen (Islands Brygge)4
- Det Kongelige Bibliotek (Københavns Havn)4
- Enghave Brygge4
- Islands Brygge Syd (Islands Brygge)4
- Knippelsbro (Københavns Havn)4
- Nordre Toldbod (Københavns Havn)4
- Nyhavn (Københavns Havn)4
- Operaen (Københavns Havn)4
- Refshaleøen (Refshalevej)4
- Gedser2
- Orientkaj St. (Orientkaj)2
- Rødby (Lolland)2
- Teglholmen (Teglholmens Sydkaj)2
At a glance
Which Zealand crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operaen (Københavns Havn) → Nyhavn (Københavns Havn) | 5m | 63 / wk | 1 |
| Nyhavn (Københavns Havn) → Operaen (Københavns Havn) | 5m | 62 / wk | 1 |
| Refshaleøen (Refshalevej) → Nordre Toldbod (Københavns Havn) | 5m | 34 / wk | 1 |
| Nordre Toldbod (Københavns Havn) → Operaen (Københavns Havn) | 6m | 34 / wk | 1 |
| Enghave → Islands Brygge Syd (Islands Brygge) | 3m | 33 / wk | 1 |
| Det Kongelige Bibliotek (Københavns Havn) → Knippelsbro (Københavns Havn) | 4m | 33 / wk | 1 |
| Nordre Toldbod (Københavns Havn) → Refshaleøen (Refshalevej) | 5m | 33 / wk | 1 |
| Operaen (Københavns Havn) → Nordre Toldbod (Københavns Havn) | 6m | 33 / wk | 1 |
| Islands Brygge Syd (Islands Brygge) → Bryggebroen (Islands Brygge) | 7m | 33 / wk | 1 |
| Knippelsbro (Københavns Havn) → Nyhavn (Københavns Havn) | 7m | 33 / wk | 1 |
| Teglholmen (Teglholmens Sydkaj) → Enghave | 8m | 33 / wk | 1 |
| Bryggebroen (Islands Brygge) → Det Kongelige Bibliotek (Københavns Havn) | 11m | 33 / wk | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Zealand
22 routes departing Zealand.
Bryggebroen (Islands Brygge)2 routes
Det Kongelige Bibliotek (Københavns Havn)2 routes
Enghave Brygge2 routes
Islands Brygge Syd (Islands Brygge)2 routes
Knippelsbro (Københavns Havn)2 routes
Nordre Toldbod (Københavns Havn)2 routes
Nyhavn (Københavns Havn)2 routes
Operaen (Københavns Havn)2 routes
Refshaleøen (Refshalevej)2 routes
Gedser1 route
Orientkaj St. (Orientkaj)1 route
Rødby (Lolland)1 route
Teglholmen (Teglholmens Sydkaj)1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Zealand?
Guides
Planning ferry travel in Zealand
Practical guides to fares, booking and the crossings worth building a trip around.
- Danish Island Ferries: Ærø & the South Funen ArchipelagoThe South Funen Archipelago is Denmark's loveliest island-ferry landscape. Here's how to reach Ærø, ride the electric ferry Ellen and explore the tiny islands by boat and bike.
- Foot Passenger vs Taking the Car: Which Should You Choose?When it's worth bringing the car onto the ferry and when you're better off as a foot passenger — cost, convenience and what waits on the other side.
- How to Read a Ferry TimetableDeparture times, crossing duration, operating days and seasonal changes — how to decode a ferry schedule and never miss a sailing.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Are the Copenhagen harbour buses part of public transport?
Yes. Copenhagen's yellow harbour buses (havnebus) run under Movia and are used on ordinary public-transport tickets — the same as the city's metro and buses. They're electric, run frequently along the harbour, and are a favourite low-cost way to see the waterfront.
How many ferry routes are there in Zealand?
Zealand has 24 ferry and express-boat connections across 13 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Zealand?
Boat and ferry services in Zealand are run by 2 operators, including Movia and Scandlines. Most are part of Denmark's county public-transport network.
How long are ferry crossings in Zealand?
Across Zealand's active crossings the average sailing takes about 7m, while the longest runs roughly 17m. Each route page shows the exact duration.
Explore
Other ferry regions in Denmark
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated July 19, 2026.