Overview
Crossing Copenhagen's harbour by water is one of those small journeys that reframes a city. The Havnebussen route linking Teglholmen and Refshaleøen is a working example: a short, direct hop across the water run by Movia, connecting two districts that have both been reshaped from industrial land into places people actually want to spend time.
This is not a long-haul ferry with cabins and duty-free. It is a harbour bus on water, built for people who want to get from one bank to the other without the long way round by road. That simplicity is its appeal, and also the thing to plan around.
Below is a practical guide to deciding whether to walk on as a foot passenger or bring a car, what to expect on board, and how to handle the parts of the journey that depend on the season, the weather, or the day's timetable — all of which you should confirm directly with Movia before you travel.
Key facts
| From | Teglholmen |
|---|---|
| To | Refshaleøen |
| Operator | Movia |
The crossing at a glance
The route connects Teglholmen and Refshaleøen, two harbourside districts on opposite sides of Copenhagen's inner waterway. It is operated by Movia, which runs the harbour bus network as part of the city's public transport system, meaning it is treated much like a bus line that happens to run on water rather than a separate ferry operator with its own booking system.
An exact crossing time is not something to guess at here — it will vary depending on conditions and the specific service pattern in operation. Treat it as a short urban crossing rather than a long sea voyage, and check current journey times with Movia when you plan your trip.
Frequency and seasonality
Sailings on this route are not fixed all year round. Like much of the harbour bus network, frequency tends to shift with the seasons, with a different pattern in summer compared with quieter months, and possible variation around public holidays.
Because Movia publishes and updates the live timetable directly, it is worth checking that rather than relying on assumptions. If your visit depends on a particular departure, build in some flexibility, especially outside peak season when gaps between sailings can be wider.
Fares and booking
As with the rest of Copenhagen's public transport, fares on this crossing generally work on a standard structure that separates foot passengers from those bringing a car, bike, or other vehicle, with the vehicle typically costing more to bring aboard than a person travelling alone. No specific prices are given here deliberately — fares change, and the only reliable source is Movia itself.
For popular sailings, particularly at peak times or in good weather when demand for outdoor and harbour destinations rises, booking or arriving early is sensible. Tickets and current fare information should be checked and purchased through Movia's official channels rather than assumed from past visits or guesswork.
Foot passenger or take the car
Foot passengers get the simplest version of this journey. You walk on, the crossing is brief, and you walk off directly into the streets of Refshaleøen or back onto Teglholmen, without needing to think about parking, loading, or vehicle lanes. For a short harbour hop between two increasingly walkable districts, this is usually the easier and less stressful choice.
Drivers face a different set of considerations. Space for vehicles on harbour bus services is generally limited compared with a car ferry proper, and loading takes longer than walking on. If your onward plans on either side genuinely need a car, that changes the calculation, but for most visitors heading to Refshaleøen for its waterfront, food halls, or cultural venues, arriving on foot or by bike is the more practical route.
Vehicles, bikes, dogs and accessibility
Bikes are generally well accommodated on harbour bus services, in keeping with Copenhagen's cycling culture, though space can still be limited at busy times, so check current guidance from Movia if you are travelling with one.
Dogs are typically welcome on board under normal public transport conditions, but it is worth confirming any specific rules with the operator, particularly around busy periods or larger animals.
Accessibility on harbour buses is usually reasonable given their design for regular urban use, but passengers with mobility needs, wheelchairs, or pushchairs should confirm boarding arrangements with Movia in advance, since gangways and pontoons can vary by stop and conditions.
Onboard experience
Given the short nature of this crossing, do not expect the onboard experience of a long ferry route. This is closer to a bus journey than a cruise: a place to stand or sit for a few minutes, watch the harbour go by, and disembark.
There is no need to plan around meals or extended time indoors. Any refreshments or seating on board should be treated as a bonus rather than a given, and passengers wanting food or drink are better off planning around arrival at either Teglholmen or Refshaleøen, both of which have their own options nearby.
Reliability and disruption
Harbour crossings, even short ones, can be affected by weather and operational conditions, particularly in exposed or busy stretches of water. While this route sits within a sheltered inner harbour rather than open coast, disruption is still possible and should be planned for.
If a sailing is delayed or cancelled, Movia is responsible for handling rebooking or advising alternative options. Always check live service status before setting out, especially if your visit depends on a specific crossing time or connection on the other side.
What you'll see from the deck
The view here is pure working-harbour Copenhagen: industrial silhouettes reworked into new uses, waterside apartments, old cranes and warehouses standing alongside newer cultural spaces. Teglholmen and Refshaleøen both carry that layered history, visible from the water in a way it is not from the street.
Expect glimpses of other harbour traffic, from small boats to other public ferries crossing the same stretch of water, and a skyline that mixes older industrial forms with newer waterfront development. It is a quietly rewarding view precisely because it is unpolished — a working harbour rather than a postcard one.
Route alternatives and onward connections
This is only one of several harbour bus crossings serving Copenhagen's waterfront districts, so if timings do not suit, it is worth checking whether a nearby route offers a useful alternative combination with walking or cycling.
From Refshaleøen, onward travel generally means connecting to the wider public transport network, whether by bus, bike, or a further walk into the district's venues and waterfront paths. As with the crossing itself, current onward connections are best confirmed with Movia or the local transport information at the point of arrival.
Common questions
- How long does the crossing between Teglholmen and Refshaleøen take?
- It is a short harbour crossing rather than a long sea journey, but an exact time is not fixed here — check current journey times with Movia before you travel.
- Do I need to book in advance?
- For quieter sailings this is usually a walk-on service, but at busy times or in peak season it is worth booking or arriving early. Fares and booking are handled directly by Movia.
- Is it better to walk on or bring a car?
- Foot passengers generally have the simpler experience on this short crossing. Drivers should check space and loading requirements with Movia in advance, since vehicle capacity is limited compared with dedicated car ferries.
- Can I bring a bike or a dog?
- Bikes are generally accommodated, and dogs are typically welcome under standard public transport rules, but confirm current guidance with Movia, especially at busy times.
- What happens if my sailing is cancelled due to weather?
- Weather can affect harbour crossings, and if this happens Movia handles rebooking and alternative arrangements. Always check live service status before setting out.
On the map
Sources & method
- OpenStreetMap route=ferry (ODbL) — route
See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.