Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. News

This European city rewards public transport and bike users with free coffee and museum discounts

If you're visiting Copenhagen this summer, you can get rewarded for traveling sustainably

By
Copenhagen
Daniel Rasmussen / Wonderful Copenhagen

Copenhagen is once again leading the charge for sustainable tourism with the return of its popular CopenPay initiative. After a successful debut last year, the program has been expanded significantly, offering even more ways for visitors to earn perks by making eco-friendly choices during their stay in the Danish capital.

“By integrating more responsible actions into the visitor experience, CopenPay is redefining how we in Copenhagen approach tourism. Rather than bringing more tourists to the city, the goal with CopenPay is to nudge our visitors and raise their awareness about traveling in a more sustainable way – exploring Copenhagen more responsibly while being rewarded with unique experiences,” says Søren Tegen Pedersen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen.

Recommended Videos

CopenPay encourages tourists to embrace green travel habits like biking, walking, or taking public transportation around the city. In exchange for these responsible actions, visitors can unlock a range of rewards. This year, the program has tripled in size, with 90 participating attractions offering everything from free cups of coffee at the Museum of Copenhagen to discounted tickets for the National Museum and free eco-conscious canal tours with Stromma Denmark. There’s even a chance to enjoy a rooftop game of pétanque with a 30% discount on rosé at Langelinieskuret.

All you need to do is snap a photo of your green action, whether it’s a bike ride or a metro ride, and show it at one of the participating venues to claim your reward.

Other ways to participate in CopenPay

Copenhagen
Daniel Rasmussen / Wonderful Copenhagen

CopenPay isn’t just about getting around sustainably, it’s about making eco-friendly choices throughout your trip to Copenhagen. In addition to using public transportation or biking, there are plenty of other ways to participate in the program and earn exciting rewards.

Travelers who arrive in Copenhagen by train or electric car can start earning perks right from the get-go. You can also gain rewards by taking part in environmental cleanups, choosing plant-based meals, donating or recycling, and even participating in community gardening projects. Those planning a longer stay can get rewarded for booking four or more nights in the city as well.

The rewards are just as diverse as the actions. Take a yoga session to unwind, rent a bike for free, join a guided tour, enjoy surplus food, or get discounted and free entry to top attractions around the city. 

The program runs from June 17 to August 17, 2025.

Amanda Teague
Amanda Teague
Contributor
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…
Topics
Inside The Londoner: The luxury hotel that’s worth splurging on in London
Why London's luxury super boutique hotel is worth the splurge
Accessories, Bag, Handbag

Luxury hotels promise a lot. Beautiful rooms, impeccable service, incredible restaurants, over-the-top amenities. Sometimes they live up to the hype. Other times, you leave wondering what exactly earned them five stars in the first place.

The Londoner had me convinced before I even made it to the check-in desk.

Read more
The Obelisks of Rome: A pointed walking tour  
Take a walk into history with these fascinating Roman landmarks
City, Architecture, Building

When you walk around Rome, no matter which way you turn, you are likely to see the sky pierced by an obelisk. It is a defining part of the Roman skyline. But they don’t really belong here. Rome is a city that has never been shy about borrowing greatness. Few monuments illustrate that better than its obelisks. While these towering stone needles feel quintessentially Roman today, they began life in ancient Egypt, most carved along the Nile. While there, they were associated with the sun god and served as symbols of divine favor and royal power. Today, Rome boasts thirteen ancient obelisks, more than anywhere else in the world, including Egypt itself. 

Their journey to Rome began after Augustus conquered Egypt following the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BCE. Bringing obelisks to the capital was more than an exercise in decorating the city; it was a statement of conquest. Egypt's sacred monuments had become Roman trophies, proclaiming that a new empire now enjoyed the favor of the gods. Later emperors continued importing obelisks, scattering them across circuses, temples, and public spaces. 

Read more
Oregon’s Tualatin Valley is a wine festival hub with idyllic views just outside Portland
This city escape is perfect for lively gatherings and self-guided tasting trails
Plant, Tree, Fir, Mt Hood Forest Grove

The Pacific Northwest's wine scene gained international acclaim with hotspots like the Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Gorge, praised for their well-crafted bottles. But fewer have heard of the Tualatin Valley, a destination brimming with over 40 estate wineries. Nestled along the northwestern edge of the Willamette Valley, it offers the quickest access to wine country from downtown Portland. 

Tualatin Valley’s wine-laden hills and tasting rooms start a mere 20 to 30 minute drive from the city, yet they feel hours away. In record time, you’ll find yourself luxuriating on a breezy hillside with a glass of Pinot Noir in hand. You can stretch your legs, admire Mt. Hood’s majestic peak, and chat with other lucky escape artists who also discovered this special place.

Read more