Affordable accommodations in Denmark within driving distance of Copenhagen

As you have already seen, Scandinavia is expensive to travel in. If you wanted to stay outside Copenhagen, there are probably lots of good options, but two come to mind: Malmo and Roskilde. Both are about 25-35 minutes from Copenhagen and cost about US$18 each way. When you look for a hotel in either of these cities, factor in the cost to go back and forth each day and add that to your total hotel cost. If it ends up being more than a hotel in Copenhagen, then it would just make more sense to stay in Copenhagen instead. If you are using a car to get to and from, I know there will be place to park but Im not sure how much they will cost or how difficult it will be to drive in Copenhagen.

Need a little more info, if you don't mind: Where are you picking up and dropping off the car? Must you have a car, or are you open to taking public transportation?

Since cost is one of your considerations, be aware of the high cost these days of car rentals (especially the insurance) and fuel. And, of course, the problem of finding places to park and the cost to do so. If you're driving into Denmark, the Oresund toll bridge will cost you about $60. The car ferry from Helsingborg will be about $75.

We are picking up a new Volvo in Goteburg and are able to drive it for a while before they ship it back to the States. So no renting expenses just the gas!

I'd suggest Hotel Hillerød in the small town of Hillerød. If you don't want to drive into Copenhagen, the town is at the far end of the S-train system and trains head to Copenhagen about every 30 minutes. There is a pretty lake on the north side of town which is also the site of Frederiksborg Castle (my favorite in Denmark). The hotel is more like a U.S. motel, has free parking and rooms are in the $200 - 225 range.

I'm not sure what you consider affordable? My comfort range is up to about 100 euro per night for a double - above that I consider on the expensive side. I was able to find doubles for 125 euros per night, including breakfast (which isn't normally included in Denmark), at two hotels near the north end of the Stroget (Hotel Opera and Hotel Strand). I booked both for a few days. The Strand was overbooked when we arrived so they sent us to the Phoenix, a little nicer, more expensive hotel but honored our booking.

If you stay outside of Copenhagen, it may be worth getting a Copenhagen card for admissions/transportation. Whether you're in Roskilde or Helsingor, you can use the card to ride the train and metro into and around Copenhagen each day. Free or reduced admissions make it a pretty good deal.

Coming from Sweden, consider ferrying to Helsingor from Helsingborg (I think the ferry takes cars) rather than the bridge into Copenhagen, it may be the better deal. I think the bridge toll is something like 40 euro - too expensive for me.

Check out www.zleephotels.com. They have some hotels in and around Copenhagen in the 100 USD range :-)

We enjoyed staying at the Radisson BLU Royal Hotel, Copenhagen. It is directly across the street from Tivoli. We had a great view of the fireworks at Tivoli, every night. The room was quiet and very comfortable. The restaurant is kind of expensive for breakfast though. We did enjoy eating there though and watching all the comings and goings, out the windows.