The Denmark-to-Sweden crossing via the Øresund Bridge is one of Europe's most dramatic driving experiences. The 16 km bridge-tunnel combination, opened in 2000, connects Copenhagen and Malmö across the Øresund strait, creating a seamless link between Scandinavia's two most cosmopolitan regions. Made famous by the TV series The Bridge (Broen/Bron), this crossing transforms an international border into a daily commute for thousands.
The bridge toll is SEK 575 (about €52) per car, paid at the toll plaza on the Danish side (Lernacken). You can pay by credit card, and the process takes just a few minutes. Frequent travelers can get a BroPas transponder that reduces the toll to about SEK 310. The crossing itself takes about 10 minutes on the bridge, followed by the 4 km Drogden Tunnel under the shipping channel, and then a short run across the artificial island of Peberholm. It's an engineering marvel that doesn't get old, even for regular commuters.
Many drivers zip through Malmö en route to Gothenburg or Stockholm, but the city deserves more attention. The Turning Torso skyscraper dominates the skyline, and the Västra Hamnen (Western Harbour) district is a showcase of sustainable urban design. Lilla Torg square has excellent restaurants, and Malmö's multicultural food scene rivals Stockholm's at a fraction of the price. The city is also remarkably bikeable — consider parking and renting bikes for local exploration.
The alcohol limit drops sharply when crossing from Denmark (0.5 g/L) to Sweden (0.2 g/L). This near-zero-tolerance approach is central to Sweden's road safety culture, and penalties are severe: fines proportional to income, license revocation, and even imprisonment for higher levels. Swedish police conduct regular checkpoints, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings and on the roads leading from the Øresund Bridge.
Stockholm and Gothenburg both have congestion charge systems that automatically photograph your license plate and bill you. In Stockholm, charges apply Monday-Friday during daytime hours, ranging from SEK 9 to SEK 45 per passage depending on time and location. Foreign rental cars are included — the rental company will pass the charges to your credit card, often with an admin fee. Check the Transportstyrelsen website for current rates and times.
If you're continuing beyond Malmö, the E6 to Gothenburg is a pleasant 3-hour drive along the Swedish west coast. The full Copenhagen-to-Stockholm drive takes about 6.5 hours via the E4. Consider breaking the journey at Jönköping on the southern shore of Lake Vättern, Sweden's second-largest lake — the views are magnificent and there are good hotels and restaurants. Stockholm itself, spread across 14 islands, is one of Europe's most beautiful capitals and well worth the drive.
Not all rental companies allow you to drive from Denmark to Sweden. Here's what the major companies say:
| Company | Allowed? | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | ✅ Yes | Free | Sweden is a standard Scandinavian destination from Danish locations. No restrictions. |
| Sixt | ✅ Yes | Free | Cross-border to Sweden included in all Danish rental agreements. |
| Europcar | ✅ Yes | Free for round trips, €50 one-way | One-way returns available at Malmö, Gothenburg, and Stockholm. |
| Enterprise | ✅ Yes | Free | Sweden travel permitted. Øresund Bridge toll not included in rental — pay separately at bridge. |
Always notify your rental company before crossing into Sweden — unauthorized cross-border driving can void your insurance and result in hefty fines.
Make sure to select a rental that allows cross-border driving to Sweden.
The iconic 16 km Øresund Bridge-tunnel — an engineering marvel. Malmö's Turning Torso, Västra Hamnen, and Lilla Torg square.
Øresund Bridge, Malmö, Helsingborg, Halmstad, Gothenburg — Sweden's friendliest city with Liseberg and seafood restaurants.
Øresund Bridge, Malmö, Jönköping by Lake Vättern, Linköping, Norrköping, Stockholm's old town Gamla Stan.
Things that change when you cross the border from Denmark to Sweden:
| Topic | Denmark | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Speed limit (motorway) | 130 km/h | 110-120 km/h. Sweden generally has lower motorway limits than Denmark. |
| Tolls | No general tolls (Great Belt Bridge separate) | Congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg (SEK 9-45 per passage). No motorway tolls. |
| Øresund Bridge | Toll paid on Danish side | SEK 575 (€52) per car crossing. BroPas subscription reduces to SEK 310 for frequent travelers. |
| Headlights | Dipped headlights mandatory at all times | Dipped headlights mandatory at all times (same requirement) |
| Alcohol limit | 0.5 g/L | 0.2 g/L — significantly stricter. Sweden is among Europe's toughest on drink driving. |
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