The Öresund Bridge connects Sweden and Denmark across one of Northern Europe’s most distinctive stretches of water. Linking Malmö with Copenhagen, this impressive transport route combines a bridge, an artificial island and an underwater tunnel. Whether you are planning a day trip, travelling between airports or simply interested in Scandinavian engineering, the Öresund Bridge offers a memorable way to cross between two countries.
What is the Öresund Bridge?
The Öresund Bridge is a combined road and railway connection between southern Sweden and eastern Denmark. It crosses the Öresund, the strait separating the two countries, and forms part of the E20 motorway and the railway between Malmö and Copenhagen.
The entire fixed link is approximately 15.9 kilometres long. It includes the main bridge, the artificial island of Peberholm and the Drogden Tunnel. The bridge section stretches for about 7.8 kilometres from the Swedish coast to Peberholm. The tunnel then carries traffic beneath the remaining section of the strait before reaching the Danish island of Amager, close to Copenhagen Airport.
Although many people call it the Malmö Copenhagen bridge, the name Öresund Bridge is more accurate. In Swedish, the strait and the crossing are written Öresund. In Danish, the spelling is Øresund, and the bridge is commonly called Øresundsbroen.
When was the Öresund Bridge built?
The Öresund Bridge opened on 1 July 2000. Its construction created a direct permanent connection between the Swedish and Danish road and rail networks, making travel between Malmö and Copenhagen much easier.
Before the bridge opened, travellers crossing the Öresund mainly used ferries. Ferries remain available on some routes, but the fixed link transformed everyday travel, commuting and tourism in the region. Today, thousands of people cross the bridge by train and car each day, and the two cities form part of a closely connected metropolitan area often known as the Öresund Region.
The project was technically demanding because the crossing had to accommodate road traffic, international trains, shipping and the nearby Copenhagen Airport. Engineers also needed to protect the strait’s shipping lanes and maintain water flow between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
How the Malmö Copenhagen bridge works
The bridge section
The main bridge is a cable stayed bridge with a central span of 490 metres. Its two towers rise approximately 204 metres above the water, creating a striking profile that can be seen from parts of Malmö and from passing ships.
Road traffic travels on the upper deck, while trains run below. This arrangement allows cars, buses and heavy vehicles to use the same crossing as international and regional railway services. The road has two lanes in each direction, while the railway consists of two tracks.
Peberholm island
At the eastern end of the bridge, traffic reaches Peberholm, a man made island created specifically for the project. The island is about four kilometres long and provides the transition between the bridge and tunnel.
Peberholm is not an ordinary tourist island. It is a protected nature area and public access is generally not permitted. Over time, plants, insects and birds have established themselves there without extensive landscaping. Researchers have monitored the island as an example of how nature develops in a newly created environment.
The Drogden Tunnel
After crossing Peberholm, the motorway and railway enter the Drogden Tunnel. The tunnel is approximately four kilometres long and passes beneath the seabed before emerging on Amager in Denmark.
Using a tunnel for this section helped preserve a clear route for ships and reduced the visual and aviation impact near Copenhagen Airport. A bridge continuing all the way to Amager would have created greater restrictions for aircraft and maritime traffic, so the combination of bridge and tunnel was an important part of the design.
Travelling across the Öresund Bridge by train
For many visitors, the train is the easiest way to experience the Öresund Bridge. Trains connect Malmö Central Station with Copenhagen Central Station, Copenhagen Airport and several other stations in the region. The crossing between Malmö and Copenhagen usually takes less than an hour, although the exact journey time depends on the departure station and service.
The train route offers a particularly convenient option for visitors staying in either city. Malmö Central is in the heart of Malmö, close to attractions such as Lilla Torg, Malmöhus Castle and the waterfront. Copenhagen Central is also centrally located, within easy reach of Tivoli Gardens, the Strøget shopping streets and the city’s historic centre.
Passengers normally buy tickets through the relevant national or regional transport operator. Fares and ticket rules can vary, so check current information before travelling. A valid ticket is required for the entire journey, and inspections can take place on cross border trains.
Travelling via Copenhagen Airport
The Öresund Bridge makes Copenhagen Airport a practical transport hub for people living in southern Sweden. Malmö is connected to the airport by direct trains, and the journey is often faster and simpler than travelling to a more distant Swedish airport.
Keep your passport or national identity card with you when travelling across the border. Sweden and Denmark are both part of the Schengen Area, but temporary border controls may be introduced, and carriers or authorities can request identification. Check the latest requirements if you are visiting from outside the European Union or travelling with children.
Driving across the Öresund Bridge
Driving gives you flexibility if you want to explore destinations beyond Malmö and Copenhagen. The bridge forms part of the E20 route, and road signs are clear on both sides of the border. The journey between the city centres can be short, but allow additional time for traffic, parking and possible border checks.
Crossing the Öresund Bridge by car requires payment of a toll. The price depends on the vehicle type, the payment method and any available agreement or discount scheme. Motorcycles, cars, vans, buses and larger vehicles are charged according to different categories.
Check the official bridge operator’s website for current prices and payment options before setting off. Some drivers pay at a toll station, while frequent users may be able to register for an agreement that makes regular crossings more convenient. Rental car rules can differ, so ask the rental company whether bridge tolls are included or charged separately.
Driving tips
- Check the current toll price before your journey.
- Make sure your rental car is permitted to cross the international border.
- Carry your passport or national identity card.
- Allow extra time during commuter periods and summer holidays.
- Follow local speed limits and use headlights as required.
- Check parking arrangements in Malmö or Copenhagen before arriving.
There are no general pedestrian walkways on the Öresund Bridge, so walking across is not permitted. Cycling directly across the bridge is also generally not allowed. If you want to travel between the two cities without a car, take the train instead.
Best places to see the Öresund Bridge
Ribersborg beach in Malmö
Ribersborg beach, often called Ribban by locals, is one of the best places in Malmö for a distant view of the bridge. On a clear day, you can see the structure extending across the water towards Denmark. The long shoreline is pleasant for a walk, and the historic Ribersborg open air bath adds character to the setting.
Scaniaparken and the Western Harbour
The Western Harbour offers modern waterfront architecture and broad views across the Öresund. Scaniaparken and the area around Västra Hamnen are good choices for photography, especially when the light changes over the water. The Turning Torso skyscraper is another notable landmark nearby.
Viewing points in Copenhagen
On the Danish side, the bridge can be seen from parts of Amager and the coastline around Copenhagen Airport. Views depend heavily on weather and visibility. The crossing is several kilometres from central Copenhagen, so it is not always prominent from the city’s most famous streets.
Malmö’s waterfront and city centre
Several locations around Malmö provide glimpses of the bridge, including the harbour areas and streets near the waterfront. Malmöhus Castle and the parks around it are convenient stops during a city visit, although the bridge is more distant from this part of town than from Ribersborg or Västra Hamnen.
What to do on each side of the bridge
A trip across the Öresund Bridge works well as part of a combined Malmö and Copenhagen itinerary. Malmö has a compact centre with historic squares, canals, galleries, museums and a relaxed food scene. Highlights include Stortorget, Lilla Torg, Malmöhus Castle and the modern architecture of the Western Harbour.
Copenhagen offers a much larger selection of attractions, including Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle and the National Museum of Denmark. You can also explore neighbourhoods such as Nørrebro, Vesterbro and Christianshavn for cafés, restaurants and local design.
Many travellers choose to stay in one city and visit the other for the day. The direct railway connection makes this straightforward, although accommodation prices, events and seasonal demand can affect the best base for your trip.
The Öresund Bridge in films and popular culture
The bridge became internationally recognisable through the Scandinavian crime drama The Bridge, known as Bron in Swedish and Broen in Danish. The series begins with a crime discovered on the bridge and uses the crossing as a symbol of the relationship between Sweden and Denmark.
The drama also introduced international audiences to the distinctive borderland between Malmö and Copenhagen. While the story is fictional, its setting reflects the real importance of the crossing as a place where languages, transport systems and national identities meet.
Weather and photography tips
The Öresund is exposed to wind, and conditions can change quickly. Clear weather gives the best views of the bridge, while mist and low cloud can create a dramatic atmosphere. If you are planning photographs, early morning and late afternoon often provide softer light and fewer people at popular waterfront locations.
- Bring an extra layer when visiting the coast, even in summer.
- Use a wide angle lens for views from the shoreline.
- Check visibility forecasts if the bridge is your main photographic subject.
- Keep a safe distance from the water and respect restricted areas.
- Do not attempt to access Peberholm, which is closed to ordinary visitors.
Is the Öresund Bridge worth visiting?
The Öresund Bridge is both a practical transport link and an attraction in its own right. You cannot stop on the bridge for sightseeing, but crossing it by train or car gives you a genuine sense of its scale. Viewing it from Malmö’s coastline adds the architectural and natural setting that is missing when you simply pass over the water.
For visitors to southern Sweden, the bridge also makes Copenhagen feel close enough for a day trip. For travellers arriving in Denmark, it opens an easy route to Malmö and the wider Swedish region. Its combination of engineering, scenery and cross border travel makes the Öresund Bridge one of the defining landmarks of the region.