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Copenhagen Harbour, Denmark

© 123rf.com / Aleksandr Bondarchiuk

Getting around in Denmark

Air: 

Internal flights in Denmark are served by a network of scheduled services from Copenhagen (Kastrup). Other airports well-served by domestic airlines include Ålborg, Århus, Billund, Bornholm, Karup and Sønderborg. Domestic airports are generally situated between two or more cities that are within easy reach of each other. Internal flights are usually of no more than 30 minutes' duration. Domestic airlines include SAS (SK) (www.flysas.com) and Sterling Airlines (SA) (www.sterlingticket.com). Discounts are available on certain tickets bought inside Denmark. Family, children and young-person's discounts are also available.

Road: 

The Danish Motoring Organisation is Forenede Danske Motorejere (FDM) (tel: 7013 3040; www.fdm.dk).

Side of road: 
Right
Road quality: 

The road system in the Danish archipelago makes frequent use of ferries.

Car hire: 

Available to drivers over the age of 20, and can be reserved through travel agents or airlines. However, many firms will only hire vehicles out to drivers over 25 years of age. All major international firms are represented.

Bike: 

There are cycle lanes along many roads and, in the countryside, many miles of scenic cycle track. Bikes can easily be taken on ferries, trains, buses and domestic air services.

Regulations: 

The minimum driving age is 18. Speed limits are 110kph (68mph) on motorways, 80kph (50mph) on other roads and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas (signified by white plates with town silhouettes). Speed laws are strictly enforced, and heavy fines are levied on the spot; the car is impounded if payment is not made. The wearing of seat belts is compulsory. Motorcyclists must wear helmets and drive with dipped headlights at all times. Children under 12 years old need to travel in the rear of the car.

Breakdown service: 

Falck (tel: 7010 2030; www.falck.dk).

Documentation: 

A national driving licence is acceptable. EU nationals taking their own cars to Denmark are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card. Without it, insurance cover is limited to the minimum legal cover in Denmark; the Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the car owner's domestic policy.

Getting around towns and cities: 

Copenhagen has an integrated bus and urban train network, known as S-tog (www.dsb.dk/s-tog), as well as a metro (www.m.dk). Taxi fares include a tip.

Rail: 

The main cities on all islands are connected to the rail network: Ålborg, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Herning, Horsens, Odense and Randers. Danish State Railways (DSB) (tel: 7013 1418; www.dsb.dk) operates a number of express trains called Lyntogs which provide long-distance, non-stop travel. Intercity IC3 trains are faster and more direct. Seat reservations are compulsory. Children under 10 years old travel free. There are also price reductions for passengers over 65 and groups of eight people or more.

The Englænderen boat-train runs between Esbjerg and Copenhagen and connects with ferries from the UK. DSB passenger fares are based on a zonal system. The cost depends on the distance travelled; the cost per kilometre is reduced the longer the journey.

Rail passes: 

InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Denmark. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

By water: 

There are frequent ferry sailings from Kalundborg to Århus, Ebeltoft to Sjællands Odde and Rønne to Copenhagen. The larger ferries usually have restaurants or cafés and may have TV, video and cinema lounges, shops, play areas for children and sleeping rooms. Local car ferries link most islands to the road network. The principal domestic ferry operator is Scandlines (tel: 3315 1515; www.scandlines.dk). Ferries to Bornholm island are operated by Bornholmstrafikken (tel: 5695 1866; www.bornholmstrafikken.dk).

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