A Bridge Born of Political Will
The Øresund Bridge did not happen by accident. It was the product of decades of political negotiation, engineering study, and cross-border cooperation between Denmark and Sweden. The idea of a fixed link across the Øresund strait had been discussed since the 1930s, but it was not until 1991 that the two governments formally agreed to build it. Construction began in 1995, and the bridge opened on 1 July 2000 — ahead of schedule and under budget, a rare achievement for a project of this scale.
The bridge was inaugurated by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who met in the middle of the bridge in a ceremony that captured the imagination of both nations. It was more than a ribbon-cutting; it was the symbolic completion of a project that had seemed, for much of the 20th century, impossibly ambitious.
The Three Sections
The Drogden Tunnel
The crossing begins on the Danish side with a 4.05-kilometre immersed tunnel beneath the Drogden channel. The tunnel was chosen for this section rather than a bridge extension for three reasons: to preserve clear flight paths for Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup), to maintain an unobstructed shipping channel, and to prevent ice floes from blocking the strait in winter. The tunnel consists of 20 pre-fabricated concrete elements, each weighing up to 55,000 tonnes, lowered into a trench on the seabed.
Peberholm Island
Between the tunnel and the bridge lies Peberholm — a 4-kilometre artificial island created from material excavated during the tunnel construction. The island serves as the transition point between the two crossing methods. Since its creation, Peberholm has evolved into an accidental nature reserve, with over 450 plant species and numerous animal species colonising the island naturally. Human access is restricted to protect this ecosystem, making Peberholm one of the most unusual nature reserves in Europe.
The Cable-Stayed Bridge
The bridge section stretches 7,845 metres from Peberholm to the Swedish coast near Malmö. It is a cable-stayed design with two main pylons rising 204 metres above the water — visible from considerable distances on both sides of the strait. The longest span between the pylons is 490 metres, and the clearance beneath the bridge is 57 metres, allowing large vessels to pass. The bridge carries a four-lane motorway (E20) on its upper deck and a double-track railway on its lower deck.
| Section | Length | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Drogden Tunnel | 4.05 km | Immersed, under airport flight paths |
| Peberholm | ~4 km | Artificial island, nature reserve |
| Cable-stayed Bridge | 7.845 km | 204m pylons, dual-deck road/rail |
| Total Link | ~15.9 km | Denmark to Sweden |
Crossing by Car
Driving across the Øresund Bridge is a memorable experience. From the Danish side, the motorway leads through the Drogden Tunnel first — a slightly surreal experience of driving underground beneath the sea — before emerging onto the bridge with sweeping views across the strait. The toll plaza is located on the Swedish side at Lernacken, near Malmö. The speed limit on the bridge is 90 km/h. Payment can be made at the toll booth, via online ticket, or through the ØresundGO discount agreement.
Crossing by Train
The Øresund Line connects Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö Central Station in approximately 35 minutes, stopping at Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) along the way. Services run approximately every 20 minutes during the day and hourly through the night. Tickets are purchased separately through DSB (Denmark) or Skånetrafiken (Sweden). The train is widely considered the most convenient option for travellers without a car, and the views from the bridge section are spectacular.
Practical Information
The bridge is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, except in rare cases of extreme weather. Both Denmark and Sweden are Schengen Area members, so passport checks are not normally required — but travellers should always carry valid ID or a passport. Drivers should carry their licence, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance valid in both countries.