Getting around Denmark: Transportation Tips

Trains. Denmark has a swift, easy-to-use public transport system. Danish State Railways (Danske Statsbaner or DSB) runs an exhaustive, reliable rail network supplemented by a few privately owned rail lines. Services range from the large inter-city expresses (lyntog) to smaller local trains (regionaltog). InterRail/Eurail passes are valid on all DSB trains, with reduced rates on most privately owned lines. Ticket prices are calculated according to a countrywide zonal system, and travel by local transport within the zone of departure and arrival is included in the price.

The bus network is also extensive, and often supplements the train timetable, although prices don’t work out much cheaper than trains. Some are operated privately and some by DSB itself; InterRail and Eurail passes are not valid. DSB timetables or køreplan detail train, bus and ferry services, including the S-train and metro systems in Copenhagen. The only buses not included are those of the few private companies; details of these can be found at train and bus stations.

Ferries or bridges link all of Denmark’s principal islands. Where applicable, train and bus fares include the cost of crossings (although with ferries you can also pay at the terminal and walk on). Routes and prices are covered on the very useful HI map.

Cycling is the best way to appreciate Denmark’s flat landscape (maps and information at wcyklistforbundet.dk). Cycle paths proliferate, country roads have sparse traffic and all large towns have cycle tracks. Bikes can be rented at hostels, tourist offices and some train stations, as well as from bike rental shops (about 100kr/day, 400kr/week; 200–500kr deposit). All trains and most long-distance buses accept bikes, but you’ll have to pay according to the zonal system used to calculate passenger tickets (12–60kr); 48kr to take your bike from Copenhagen to Århus by train. Reservations (30kr extra) are recommended (and obligatory on many trains May–Aug). In stations pick up a copy of Bikes and Trains, available in English, which goes into further detail.