Getting around Copenhagen

Public transport

Copenhagen's Metro (www.m.dk) runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, though maintenance may occur from 0100-0125 and 0415-0445 hours. The Metro connects 22 stations and includes a 24x7 service to Copenhagen Airport (journey time 13 minutes). You can buy tickets from the vending machines at the stations or via the 'DOT Mobilbilletter' app.

DSB (www.dsb.dk) runs the integrated bus and urban train network in Copenhagen. Fares are calculated on a zone structure indicated on coloured maps at stations and bus stops, with tickets available at ticket offices or at station vending machines.

Buses:
There are two types of buses – those with the letter 'A' after their route number run primary routes in central Copenhagen 24 hours a day, seven days a week; whereas those with the letter 'S' after their route number connect suburbs with the city and make fewer stops when they are in the city centre. The S buses run from 0600 to 0100 hours. In addition, the blue and yellow harbour buses (Havnbus) is a cheap alternative to the official canal tours. One of the most popular routes is from the Royal Library (Black Diamond) to The Little Mermaid.

Trains:
Suburban trains, known as S-tog, run daily from 0500 until 0030 hours. On Friday and Saturday, the trains run once an hour between 0100 to 0500 hours.

For tourists, it is best to either purchase a Copenhagen Card or a Citypass.

Copenhagen Card (https://copenhagencard.com/) gives you unlimited travel in the entire Capital Region (including to/from Copenhagen Airport). In addition, you get free admission to attractions and museums, as well as discounts on restaurants and sightseeing activities. You can purchase this online and pick it up at the airport upon arrival.

Valid for 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours, Citypass (https://dinoffentligetransport.dk/citypass) gives you unlimited access to buses, trains, metro and harbour buses (Havnbus) in zones 1 to 4, which includes the city centre and to/from the airport. You can buy your Citypass online, or at the vending machine at all stations including the airport.

Taxis

Available taxis have the yellow taxa (taxi) sign lit, and you can book one by telephone or hail on the street. Reputable companies include Taxa 4x35 (tel: +45 3535 3535) and DanTaxi (tel: +45 4848 4848). It is not customary to tip the driver, but rounding up the fare is usual.

Driving

Locals and tourists are encouraged to walk, cycle or take public transport in Copenhagen. If you need to drive, beware that priority on roads is given to pedestrians. As for parking, there four parking zones (red, green, blue and yellow, with red being the most expensive) and some car rental companies may supply you with a parking disc. Multi-storey car parks are also available in the city.

Car hire

To hire a car in Copenhagen, drivers must be over 21, hold a valid driving licence for at least a year and an international credit card. Individual car companies may impose their own age restrictions. Main operators in Copenhagen include Avis (tel: +45 7024 7702), Hertz (tel: +45 3317 9030) and Europcar (tel: +45 3250 3090).

Bicycle hire

Hire a bicycle from Bycyklen (The City Bike) and see Copenhagen like a true local. The scheme has electric bikes with a touchscreen tablet on the handlebars which can be used for navigation and payment. You must create an account at www.bycyklen.dk or use the touchscreen tablet, then you can pick up the bike from and return to any of the 100 plus Bycyklen stations.

Alternatively, you can also rent a bicycle from one of the several bicycle hire companies including Københavns Cykelbørs (www.cykelboersen.dk), Baisikeli (www.baisikeli.dk) and Velorbis (https://velorbis.com/velorbis-rental-bicycles/).