Long distance train travel is done with DSB, the Danish State Rail system (
http://www.dsb.dk/). A number of long distance bus companies also operate. Each region in Denmark has its own local public transportation company. For public transportation (trains, buses and ferries) use the online travel planner Rejseplanen (
http://www.rejseplanen.dk/bin/query.exe/en?). There are two ways to buy tickets. For local trips you can buy a ticket from the regional transportation company based on a zone system. This ticket is valid on all public transportation including DSB trains for one to two hours (depending on the number of zones you travel). Most public transportation companies offer a number of passes which can save you a substantial amount on transportation. In the greater Copenhagen region, the zone system is complemented by a system of “klippekort”, punch cards. These cards come in a variety of colors where the color signifies the total number of zones one can travel through for each punch. So a two zone card punched once allows one an hour of travel throughout two zones. A two zone card punched twice in the same machine is valid for travel in four zones or from the airport at Kastrup to the main train station in Copenhagen. DSB also uses a similar system of klippekort/punch cards for travel in the Oresund region.
To use a klippekort/punch card, you insert the card, face up, into the yellow machine on the train platform. You will hear a clunk as a punch discard is removed from card. Repeat to add zones. The machine will also have a zone map and a guide to explain how many punches it takes to travel from where you are to where you want to go. Most regions have their own klippekort but they do not work between regions. Some of the long distance bus companies offer klippekort that are valid for a specific route across regions but these are probably of little use for travelers as they have to be bought on cards of 10 punches(trips).
By bus
Long distance bus-service between Jutland and Copenhagen is possible with the company Abildskou (line 888) [36], and while cheaper than the train, the difference is less pronounced than in many other countries, A ticket between the countries two largest cities; Aarhus-Copenhagen for instance, is DKK 270 One way for adults with Abildskou versus DKK 350 with the train. If you are flexible there is considerable discounts available in certain departures, where tickets can get as low as DKK 180, if you buy your tickets in advance.
See also the overview at: Fjernbusser.dk.
By train
The primary Danish train company is Danish State Railways or DSB (
http://www.dsb.dk/). Many feeder lines for the principal train line in eastern Jutland are now operated by British company Arriva. Other small rail lines are operated by other companies. DSB also operates the S-Tog commuter rail system around the greater Copenhagen area. Eurail passes are valid on all DSB trains. Danish trains are very comfortable, very modern and very expensive. Tickets can be purchased in stations, from vending machines in the stations and via DSB's website. In addition to a ticket, some trains require a seat assignment. Most trains have 230V power outlets.
If you are not travelling on a rail pass, try asking for a Orange ticket, these are a limited number of heavily discounted tickets that are available on most departures. They are often sold out way in advance, but it never hurts to ask - and you do need to ask, in order to get the discount. Unfortunately due to worn out rails, the intercity trains are often late, though as many other railways suffer from similar issues, this is of course very relative, and both funding and a comprehensive 36 billion kroner plan to deal with the problem, has passed through parliament, although it will take many years to remedy years of neglect. All trips with trains and local buses can be scheduled electronically through Rejseplanen.dk.
By ferry
The only way get to most of the smaller islands, is by ferry. There are 55 domestic ferry routes in the country. The two most important ferry companies are Nordic Ferry and Mols Linien.
Ferries are the best way to get to Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, although it also can be reached by plane. Since the opening of the bridge to Sweden, the easiest route from Copenhagen to Bornholm is by train and then ferry from Ystad. Through tickets are available from Copenhagen and Ronne - booking is mandatory. There is also a bus that serves this route - Gråhund Bus 886 from Copenhagen to Ystad, where it links with the ferry to Bornholm
By car
Driving in Denmark between cities is very easy, with well-maintained roads everywhere. Danes generally drive by the rules (except for the bicycles) but may not be very helpful to other drivers in ceding right of way, etc. There are no toll-roads except the two big bridges: Storebæltsbroen between Zealand and Funen (DKK 215 one way), and Øresundsbron between Copenhagen and Malmö (DKK 235 one way).
Ease of driving inside cities is a different story. Congestion in and around the major cities, especially during rush hours and especially in Copenhagen, can be hellish. If you are in your own car, it is wise to park it in a convenient central place and walk or use public transport, bike or taxi to get around. Many cities and towns require "P-skiver" or parking card, which you place in your front window, with the clock face and hands set to the time you park. In Copenhagen you get tickets from coin machines and stick them in your window. If your stay in Copenhagen is extended, and you are not using a hotel garage, which can be expensive, you can buy daily or weekly tickets from Parkering København, located on Borgergade, near the royal palace.
Touring Denmark by car is a wonderful experience and highly recommended. Margueritruten [43] is a 3500 km long connected route of small scenic roads passing 100 important Danish attractions. It is marked by brown signs with the white Marguerite Daisy flower. It is marked on most roadmaps.
Rental cars are available from all the familiar rental companies, with outlets located at airports and downtown. However, renting cars in Denmark is very expensive, even at discounted tourist rates. If you wish to rent a car, your best bet is to rent it out of Malmö, Sweden, just across the Sound from Copenhagen. Car rentals in Sweden are less than half the price of Danish rentals. Be aware that Scandinavia is no exception to the widespread European scam of adding hidden charges to your car rental bill. Also, unlike other goods and services, quoted car rental rates may not include the 25% V.A.T. or sales tax. Carefully read the rental agreement before you accept your car.
If you need auto assistance, you should generally enquire with your insurance company, as they will usually have made arrangements with a local company. If they haven't try one of the following companies:
-Falck, ☎ +45 70 10 20 30, (http://www.falck.dk/).
-Dansk Autohjælp, ☎ +45 70 10 80 90, (http://www.dah.dk/).
There are two ride sharing networks in Denmark; Go More and Turen.dk, but unfortunately both have a limited user base, relative to the success enjoyed by similar sites in other European countries, but there are usually a small handful of trips available every week.
Driving laws
Unless otherwise posted, speed limits are 130 kph (80mph) on the motorways, 80 kph (50 mph) outside cities and 50 kph (30 mph) inside cities. (though you will notice any vehicle with a yellow numberplate seems to be totally exempt from speed limits) - yellow number plates indicate a van or commercial vehicle (amongst some of these are Range Rover Vogues, Porsche Cayennes, and at least one Bentley Continental GT). Regulations are similar to most other EU countries, but there are some rules that may differ from your native country; It is not only good driving practice, but also mandatory use turn signals when changing lane on motorways and prior to- and after overtaking. Though required under law, little use is made of indicators on roundabouts, so generally if the car isn't indicating it is leaving the roundabout, give way as it is invariable going round. It is also compulsory to use dipped headlamps - even by day. It is not permitted to drive while using a handheld mobile phone, and there is a general duty to give way to traffic from the right, unless otherwise indicated by a series of roadway markings of white triangles pointing in the direction of the oncoming vehicle and/or a red and white triangular traffic sign. Watch out for the bicycles in the cities, especially when turning across bicycle lanes; they have right of way, Special care should be taken at Roundabouts !. Cyclists in general seem suicidal to drivers from other countries, as they will not look, or slow down if turning onto the road in front of you, lights though compulsory on cars during daylight, seem to be totally voluntary on bicycles, even at night, along with sporadic out of town lighting, the use of dark clothing seems to be the way to go, seemingly so they go by unnoticed. Also, as a note to North American drivers, it is illegal in Denmark (as in rest of Europe) to turn right on a red light.
On open roads, especially those with an accompanying cycle path, expect drivers turning right to come to almost a dead stop, which they check to see they are not cutting up a cyclist, even if there is no way even an Olympic cyclist could appear from nowhere on an entirely cycle free horizon.
Seat belts are compulsory for all front and rear seat occupants if fitted, and children under 135 cm and or under 3 years of age, must use approved safety seating devices adapted to their height and weight. You must always carry your driving licence, vehicle registration document, and certificate of motor insurance in the car. It is compulsory to have a Warning triangle in the car, and to use it if you experience breakdowns on highways or on regular roads where you are not able to move your car out of the way.
By bicycle
Biking in Denmark is, in general, safe and easy. Drivers are used to bikes everywhere, and all major cities have dedicated, curbed bike lanes along the main streets. Denmark is quite flat, but can be windy, cold or wet on a bike. Bikes are generally allowed on trains (separate ticket sometimes needed).
Note that biking on the expressways (Da: motorvej) is prohibited, and that this also includes the Great Belt Bridge and the Øresund Bridge. Trains can be used between Nyborg and Korsør and between Copenhagen and Malmö if you need to cross the bridges.
By thumb
It is quite easy to hitchhike in Denmark. People who pick up hitchhikers usually speak English. Destination boards are recommended. It is illegal to hitchhike on the highways, so it is better to use highway-entrances and gas stations. When crossing by ferry, try to get into a car that already paid for the ticket.
If you hitchhike from the southern part of Denmark (direction from Hamburg or Kiel, Germany), and continue in direction to Copenhagen, make sure the driver doesn't stop in Kolding. If he does, ask him to stop at the last gas station before Kolding. On the Kolding highway crossing there is no place to hitchhike and it is one of the worst places in Europe for hitchhikers.
Check out the Tips for hitchhiking article here on wikitravel if you are new to hitchhiking.
By plane
Scandinavian Airlines (
http://www.scandinavian.net/), Norwegian (
http://www.norwegian.com/) and Cimber Air all operate domestic routes, all of them either from or to Copenhagen Airport, there is no domestic routes between regional airports. Since most of the country's airports were build as military airfields during the second world war, they are often inconveniently located far from town centres, which as a general rule make train travel nearly as fast from town centre to town centre for destinations less than 3 hours by train from Copenhagen. For destinations further afield trains will often get you where you want to go a lot cheaper, albeit competition is heavy, and it is indeed sometimes possible to find plane tickets cheaper than the train, if you book well ahead of your planned departure - this is especially true for the Copenhagen - Aalborg route, where both traffic and competition is heaviest.
Airports with domestic traffic are: Copenhagen, Billund, Aarhus, Aalborg, Karup, Sønderborg and Bornholm.
Some of the more remote islands, if there is any such thing in a country as small as Denmark, also sees regular taxi flights from Roskilde airport to their small airfields, on-board small propeller aircraft. The most traficed route are between Roskilde and the islands of Læsø and Anholt, where there are daily flights bookable on-line or by phone. These flights tend to be fairly expensive though, with the price hovering around 1000 DKK for a one way ticket.