Copenhagen Kastrup Airport, the home of SAS, served 29 Mio. passengers in 2017 and is always worth a visit. You get some interesting airlines, which you won’t get this easy at any other airports in Europe like Air Greenland A330, Widerøe Dash or Atlantic Airways. Also Norwegian, DAT – Danish Air Transport, Jettime are regular visitors in CPH, with Norwegian operating a large hub and the 2nd most flights after SAS. easyJet also has a strong presence and Ryanair has just started to start several routes from here. Other interesting carriers operating to CPH are Iraqi Airways or PIA for example and the black ATR from Alsie Express.

It’s a little bit tricky to get to the spots because they are far apart from each other and a car can be very helpful here. Sadly parking is very difficult at some locations and public transport (or walking by foot from the terminal) is also a possibility. And keep in mind, Denmark is not the cheapest country to live and everything is pretty expensive.

Written by Julian Mittnacht, Marlin Lehmann, Marcus, Severin Hackenberger and Jan Seba (Last visit June 2018).

Rating	Movements		Visitor Rating How was your spotting trip? Rate this airport now. (12 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading...
	Airline Variety
	Photo Locations
	Weather
Airport Informations	Runways	04L/22R	04R/22L	12/30
		3.600 m (11.811 ft)	3.300 m (10.827 ft)	2.800 m (9.186 ft)
	Terminals	Terminal 1	Terminal 2	Terminal 3
		Domestic flights Norwegian & SAS	International Flights all carriers	International Flights SAS and Star Alliance carriers
Spotting Informations	Ladder	Only necessary at a few locations.
	Car	Recommended as locations are far apart and switching RWY will take very long otherwise.
	Restrooms	Gas stations and restaurants around the airport (see map)
	Drinks/Food	McDonalds/Gas station (see map) and the Flyvergrillen
	Hotels	All around the airport.
	Season	Best time is between May and September with more sunny days. Also due to the RWY direction summer is a favorable season, as there are great locations for the early morning and late evening.
Runway Usage	04L/22R	With 04 in use, this is the main landing RWY and with 22 in use it is the main departure RWY.
	04R/22L	With 22 in use, this is the main landing RWY and with 04 in use it is the main departure RWY.
	12/30	Not often in use. Mostly it is used for landings on 30 with strong NE winds and also if ships are blocking the 22 approach sector.

	Spot #1 – Parking Lots – 22L Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located on the north side of the airport and is next to the Long Term Parking Lots P17 (morning – afternoon) and P15 (evening). Its easy to find as there are signs showing you the way if you use the car. If you don’t have a car just use the shuttle bus to get to these spots. If you wanna walk (15 Minutes), exit Terminal 3 and follow the signs to Parking P12. Pass these until you will reach a roundabout. On the left hand side is a Statoil gas station and a McDonalds. Follow the ‘Kystevjen’ road along the SAS hangars to the right until you will reach the Parking Lot P15 first. You will see the planes on the left passing the ocean. Follow the road until you will see the signs for Lot P17. Cross the road and find a place along this unamend, dead end road.
WHAT	You will get 22L arrivals only. The location is pretty close to the threshold, so you don’t need a long length. There are many light poles, so you have to struggle with these a little bit. You can stay at the mainroad as well but IMO you are too close to the aircraft and you will get more belly like shots.
TIME	The parking lot is perfect for spotting in the morning until noon.
MISC.	There are no restrooms, benches, shops at this location. So please visit the facilities at the Statoil Station before you go to this location. You can use the shuttle bus to get there and return to the terminal if you need a restroom.
FOCAL LENGTH	130mm for an A320 and 85mm for an A343.

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	Spot #2 – Parking Lots – 22L Arrivals
WHERE	Later the day, when the sun has turned, go back to parking Lot P15, which you passed before. Alternatively you can also spot directly from the street (2b) in the evening or the grasshill above (2a).
WHAT	You will get 22L arrivals only. The location is pretty close to the threshold, so you don’t need a long focal length. There are many light poles, so you have to struggle with these a little bit. The sample pictures below were taken from the pathway next to the street.
TIME	The location is perfect in the evening from around 5 PM.
MISC.	There are no restrooms, benches, shops at this location. So please visit the facilities at the Statoil Station before you go to this location. You can use the shuttle bus to get there and return to the terminal if you need a restroom.
FOCAL LENGTH	130mm for a B738 and 90mm for an A343 from the walkway next to the street, but you can also move closer or a bit further away.

Pictures taken from 2a:

Pictures taken from 2b:

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	Spot #3 – Flyvergrillen – 22R Departures, 04L Arrivals
WHERE	This is the most famous spot in Copenhagen. The Flyvergrillen is a small restaurant, with some benches and tables outside. Its a popular place for the locals and you will find not only plane spotters there. If you don’t have a car use Bus 35 from the airport. If you have a car, use this address for your GPS: Amager Landevej 290, 2770, Kastrup Parking is available directly at the Flyvergrillen.
WHAT	Sadly this spotting location is only good in the afternoon but you will get enough action here as 04L/22R is one of the main runways in use. Either you get the planes taking off on 22R, or you see them passing by on the taxiway if 04L is in use for arrivals. The spot is pretty close to the Taxiway, so its a little bit tricky to catch the big birds while they are rolling by. Then a ladder can be helpful as the bushes are pretty high, otherwise you can see them on your pictures. You can also get the 22L arrivals at this place as the planes exit the runway usually exactly opposite of the grill. But a long lense is needed and you have to struggle with heat distortion and this ist probably only good for the heavies. With 04 in use you can also shoot the departures on the taxiway very late in the evening when the heat haze is gone.
TIME	Only okay in the afternoon (depends on the time of the year)
MISC.	You get everything you need at the Flyvergrillen!
FOCAL LENGTH	20-300 mm, 140mm for the B738 on the RWY. 300mm for an A320 on the taxiway between the runways and 240mm for the B773 on the RWY 04R on takeoff. 250mm for the GRN A330 turning after landing on 22L.

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	Spot #4 – Tømmerupvej – 04L Arrivals
WHERE	This one is placed next to the approach lighting system of 04L. If you start at the Flyvergrillen, make a left turn into the ‘Tømmerupvej’ and stay on this road for 4,5 km until you have reached the end of the runway, so follow it until you see an empty area on the left (check the map). Do not park your car in the area, as this is private property and will cause problems with the police. There is a small grass strip in front of one of the ‘Parking prohibited’ signs, on which it is still allowed to park. There is space for about 3-4 cars here. For shooting you can move along the road, but stay close to it and do not go onto private property. For those who know the location from the past: The overhead power lines are gone! You can get to the location by bus, but the bus only comes every 1-2 hours.
WHAT	Only good for Arrivals of 04L.
TIME	Light is good in the morning until noon.
MISC.	Its in the middle of nowhere so you will get nothing here. Try to use the facilities at the Flyvergrillen before you get here or visit one of the supermarket or gas stations which you have passed before. Behave and smile to others who live there that spotting remains tolerated at this point. Danish always say ‘hej’ by courtesy and in deference to you – greet them back.
FOCAL LENGTH	180mm for an A320 and 85mm for a B773.

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	Spot #5 – Tømmerupvej – 04L Arrivals
WHERE	The location is found along the Tømmerupvej right next to (or behind) a bus stop. It is prohibited to park anywhere along the street, so turn into the side road Nøragersmindevej and park on the left side of the road between the road and walkway. Alternatively you can also go a bit further and park in the Tillburg Alle. From there just walk to the bus stop and you can spot from here. The bus only comes every 1-2 hours, so you won’t disturb anyone here. This also means that this it is difficult to get to and from this location with public transport and you would need to plan your journey in advance.
WHAT	Only good for Arrivals of 04L.
TIME	Good photo location in the evening from around 5:30 PM.
MISC.	Its in the middle of nowhere so you will get nothing here. Try to use the facilities at the Flyvergrillen before you get here or visit one of the supermarket or gas stations which you have passed before. Behave and smile to others who live there that spotting remains tolerated at this point. Danish always say ‘hej’ by courtesy and in deference to you – greet them back.
FOCAL LENGTH	180mm for an A320 and 110mm for an A343.

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	Spot #6 – Cargo Area – 04R Departures
WHERE	Its located pretty close to Spot 1 and Parking Lot P17. Just follow the road until you will see an big, empty parking area. Turn right here and park in the middle of the place. Stay next to your car as its private parking.
WHAT	If you don’t have a ladder and want to get the 04R departures, this is the place to be. Smaller aircraft are already a little bit too high at this spot, but its okay for the heavies. You will see the aircraft very late as the cargo building is on your left side and obstructs a view of the runway. So be always ready to make your picture and listen to the aircraft sound.
TIME	Best in in the morning hours until noon (depends on the time of the year).
MISC.	There are no restrooms, benches, shops at this location. So please visit the facilities at the Statoil Station before you go to this location.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-400 mm

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	Spot #7 – Dortheasmindevej – 22R Departures
WHERE	If you come from any direction, go the same way as set out at Spot 3 just follow the street course for about 600m and turn left into Dortheasmindevej. Follow the street for about 300m and a horse ranch will appear on your left. Choose a suitable and comfortable place for you.
WHAT	Heavy departures from runway 22R are visible from here, we can recommend this spot for the Air Greenland A330 departures which is at 09.00am every day. Air Greenland is usually on time so do not bid for delay if you are late. The runway is visible as well in the distance making it possible to prepare for it.
TIME	From sunrise until noon.
MISC.	There is nothing to mention at this spot. Behave and smile to others who live there that spotting remains tolerated at this point. Danish always say ‘hej’ by courtesy and in deference to you – greet them back.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300 mm – Airbus A330: 280mm; Boeing 737-800: 310mm

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	Spot #8 – Magleby – Line-up 04R
WHERE	To get here, you have to drive into the town Magleby and turn left at the big crossing (if you are coming through the tunnel). Follow the road almost until the end and turn left before the road turns to the right. Park your car next to the airport fence here or on the small grass area on the left side. Do not drive straight through to the spot, as driving there is prohibited. Instead take your ladder (3 steps should suffice to shoot through the wires, 4 steps to shoot over) along the paved path until you reach a convexity in the fence.Take up location here. When the sun goes around more, you can also go further along the fence to have better light on lineup.
WHAT	You will get the line-ups using the last taxiway onto RWY 04R. These are mostly heavy aircraft or those flying a long distance (for example to the Canaries). Sometimes also smaller aircraft flying short distance come here in (arriving on runway 04R as the SAS ATR example shot), but that’s a rare occasion. Sadly sometimes even heavies like Qatar can take a taxiway earlier onto the RWY, but this is rare as well.
TIME	Best light is from around 11 AM to 5 PM.
MISC.	There is nothing here. Ladder needed with 1-2 steps. You might face strong heat haze at this location, especially in summer around noon and if the winds are too calm.
FOCAL LENGTH	150mm for a B738 and 75mm for a B773 from the marked spot.

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	Spot #9 – Fence – 04L Arrivals + 22R Departures
WHERE	This spot is located right along/at the airport fence. It can easily be reached from “Englodsvej”, where you can park your car by the roadside. Then just follow the dirtpath into “tunnel-direction” for about 100 meters before turning right into another dirtpath. This one will lead you to the fence, where you can search your favourite spot. The marked position just by the paths end was the best one, because the dirt behind the fence was only here high enough to get over the main fence with a little hocker (~30cm). The example shot shows the hocker and if you are 1,80m high (as marked on the picture, too) this should be okay to get through fence and barbed wire.
WHAT	You have a view of the runway 04L arrivals and 22R departures.
TIME	From sunrise until 1pm in the summer.
MISC.	Ladder needed with 1-2 steps. No snack posibilities nearby, therefore visit Dragor or similar villages. Behave normal and keep a low profile – you are right at the fence! Heat haze might be a problem on warmer/hotter days!
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300 mm

	Spot #10 – Field – Touchdown 04L
WHERE	The spot is in the corner of the airport fence along the Tømmerupvej, a dirt road in the fields. Unfortunately it is strictly forbidden to enter the dirt road with your car. Police passes by regularly, so it might be clever to park your car in the village of Store Magleby at the Strøbyvej and walk to the spot. As you need to take your ladder with you and it’s a 1 km walk, use a light ladder or take a handcart to carry it. Don’t park at the riding club as your car might be towed.
WHAT	You can get all touch downs on 04L. Nothing else.
TIME	From early morning until noon.
MISC.	There is absolutely nothing here, so bring whatever you need. Sometimes police will approach you. So carry your ID and smile..
FOCAL LENGTH	80 mm for A330 and 150 mm for A320

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