COPENHAGEN GUIDE COPENHAGEN GUIDE MONEY Currency: Danish Krone (DKK), 1 Krone = 100 øre. Hostels (average price/night) – 160 DKK Essential Information 4* hotel (average price/night) – 1200 DKK Money 3 Money exchange is easy in Denmark as there Car-hire (medium-sized car/day) – 680 DKK are many banks and exchange kiosks. The ser- The museums and main sights typically cost 20 to Communication 4 The capital of Denmark stretches its charming vice fees are quite high, though. Generally, it is 80 DKK, half-price for children. Students with ISIC center over two islands. Don’t be put off by its cheaper to withdraw money from an ATM – they are eligible to discounts of anything between 20% Holidays 5 small size – it offers an amazing array of oppor- are plentiful. and 50%. Transportation 6 tunities for an unforgettable stay. It is a ma- jor cultural hub and home to countless royal, Visa and Master Card are widely accepted in Den- Tipping Food 8 state and private museums and galleries that mark with one exception; supermarkets usually Service charges are included in the bill. If you present mind-blowing exhibits, artworks and accept only Danish cards – best to check the stick- have been really satisfied with the service, round- Events During The Year 9 collections. You can also marvel at its magnifi- ers on the door when entering. ing up the bill is always appreciated. cent historical buildings in New Port or Strædet 10 Things to do as well as modern architectural gems. When Tax Refunds tired of the city, you can easily find peace in its DOs and DO NOTs 11 The VAT is 25% and is refundable to non-EU resi- vast parks or in the surrounding picturesque dents. You can get a refund (minus fees) in Den- Activities 13 villages. mark if it is the last EU country visited before your Copenhagen is said to be one of the most en- return home. To be eligible, you need to spend at . vironmentally-friendly cities in the world. The least 300 DKK in one shop on one day. You will be pedestrian-friendly city is inhabited by cordial given a form and check that need to be stamped people who never seem to be in a bad mood – by the custom authorities. It can be cashed with despite the quickly changeable weather! two companies: Global Blue Denmark A/S and Emergency Contacts Tax Free Worldwide Denmark. Time Zone General emergency number: 112 CET (UTC/GMT +1 hour), the daylight saving Prices time is in effect from March to October. Denmark is very expensive, but there are ways to cut costs. Note that the majority of accom- Contacts modations distinguish between the high season Tourist Contacts (mid-June to mid-August) and low season, and the Non-emergency police hotline: 114 price difference can be quite significant. There Information hotline for tourists: +45 70 22 are also many well-facilitated camping grounds. 24 42 Meal, inexpensive restaurant – 110 DKK Copenhagen Airport customer service: +45 Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant, three-course 3231 3231 – 570 DKK Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar – 70 DKK Bottle of water at supermarket – 10 DKK Domestic beer (0.5 liter, draught) – 40 DKK Souvenir t-shirt – 150 DKK Gasoline (1 liter) – 12.50 DKK 2 3 COMMUNICATION HOLIDAYS Electricity Internet Resources January 1 – New Year's Day (Nytårsdag) Maundy Thursday (Skærtorsdag, Thursday be- The standard electricity supply in Denmark is Official Tourist Website (www.visitcopenhagen. fore Easter Sunday) 220-240 volt, 50 Hz AC and it has its own socket. com) Good Friday (Langfredag, Friday before Easter The Danish standard plug has two round pins. My Copenhagen (www.welcome-to-my-copenhagen. Sunday) The non-grounded Europlug and Schuko will fit com) Easter Sunday (Påskedag) without an adapter. If coming from the US, you Official Denmark Tourist Website (denmark. Easter Monday (2. Påskedag) will also need a converter to change the voltage. dk) General Prayer Day (Store Bededag, the 4th Languages Friday after Easter) Ascension Day (Kristi Himmelfartsdag, 40 days The national language is Danish but English is after Easter) spoken widely and with a high level of proficiency. Whit Sunday and Monday (Pinsedag, 7 weeks Many Danish also speak German but they prefer after Easter) English when communicating with foreigners. December 25-26 Christmas (Juledag) Mobile Phones Opening Hours The standard mobile network (GSM/GPRS/3G) The standard opening times for shops are 6 a.m. covers the whole country including the outlying to 6 p.m., or until 7 p.m. on Fridays. On Sundays, islands. Check compatibility with your provider if the shops are generally open from 12 p.m. to 4 coming from a non-GSM standard country. Note p.m. The post offices and banks generally open that not all phone booths allow international calls. 10 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. and stay closed on week- ends. The international dialing code for Denmark is +45; there are no area or city codes for Denmark. The opening hours of attractions vary greatly. Some places and museums may be closed on Internet Mondays and the attractions usually don’t open It is easy to connect to the Internet in Copen- sooner than 11 a.m. hagen. The S-trains serving the city have free Wi-Fi, for which you only need to have registered with Gratis Danmark (logon.gratis-danmark.dk) beforehand to access. A list of free hotspots can be found at OpenWiFi.dk (openwifi.dk) McDon- alds, other chains and petrol stations offer Wi-Fi too, but usually for a nominal fee. There are also many internet cafés and libraries that allow tourists to connect. 4 5 TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION Public Transportation extra fee (15-20 DKK). International credit cards Driving opposite the main station to get a brochure with There are two main transportation hubs: Central as well as Euros are usually accepted; just let the Driving in Copenhagen is not that great – the extensive information regarding Copenhagen ac- Station and Nørreport Station. All means of trans- driver know when getting in. There are no scams streets get congested every day and the prices for cessibility. port use a unified system of ticketing according to be aware of; all cars are equipped with meters. parking never seem to stop soaring. On the other to the zones traveled. Tickets can be purchased The meter starts at 24 DKK and every subsequent hand, driving in the scenic countryside is an amaz- from vending machines at stations. kilometer is 11,50 DKK. The prices may vary ac- ing experience. The roads are generally in per- cording to the time of the day. fect condition, reasonably signposted and used A single ride ticket valid for 2 zones costs 24 DKK, by well-behaved drivers. Tolls are charged only 36 DKK for 3 zones. The tickets are valid one hour Phone numbers: at Storebæltsbroen and Øresundsbron bridges. after validation. If you plan a longer stay, you Codan Taxi, +45 70 25 25 25 Speed limits in Danish cities – 50 km/h might consider purchasing a ten trip card which Amager-Øbro Taxi, +45 32 51 51 51 Regular roads outside cities – 80 km/h costs 145/190 DKK or a CityPass (75/190 DKK for Hovedstadens Taxi, +45 38 77 77 77 Main roads – 90 km/h 24 and 72 hours respectively). Ryvangen Bilen A/S, +45 39 18 18 18 Motorways – 130 km/h Taxa 4 x 35, +45 35 35 35 35 Blood alcohol limit – .05 bac (0,5 pro mille) Another option is the cOPENhagen CARD (www. Taxamotor A/S, +45 38 10 10 10 Wearing a seat-belt is compulsory. visitcopenhagen.com) which guarantees free en- Children under 130 cm must travel in a child try to many sights and attractions, free transport Regional Transportation car seat. (including the route from the airport) and includes There are two main travel companies, DSB oper- Use hands-free if you need to use your phone. two children under 10 years for free. It costs 249 ates trains and Abildskou operates buses. Every DKK for 24 hours, 479 DKK for 72 hours and 699 region is also served by its own transportation Walkability DKK for 120 hours. providers. Copenhagen is a gem among walkable cities. Having undergone many efforts towards pedes- Children under 12 don’t need a public transport You can plan your route across various means of trian-friendliness, now it is a delight to explore ticket if they travel with a paying adult. You need transport at Rejseplanen.dk (www.rejseplanen. on foot. There are many pedestrian streets, the a three-zone ticket to travel to the airport. dk) – very useful website. The zoning system pavements are wide and the public transporta- Copenhagen Metro (intl.m.dk) – two lines op- works here as well – for shorter routes, you can tion system connects well. Walk; do not take a erated by automatized trains without drivers, buy a ticket just for the number of zones needed. bus tour here! run even through the night. The buses are always cheaper than trains. S-Tog (www.dsb.dk) – modern train system Copenhagen is also very bike-friendly. There are running at ten-minute intervals, the equiva- Ferries are operated by countless companies, free public bikes available outside any important lent of the German S-Bahn. some tickets need to be booked in advance – hub or landmark – just pay the refundable deposit Movia Buses (www.moviatrafik.dk) – an effi- always check beforehand. and then you’re free to go. You need to stay in the cient but quite chaotic system.