40 Vacations - Travel Guides - Destination Denmark

Transportation

1. Air

Denmark is served by 13 airports, with the Copenhagen Airport and the Billund Airport being the two largest among the others. The Copenhagen Airport serves as the main international airport of the country. A regular train service connects the Copenhagen Airport to the different parts of the city. Domestic airlines serving the other airports include Arhhus, Billund, Skrydstrup, Thisted, Karup, Esbjerg, Sonderborg and Ronne. Frequent domestic flight services have flights at an interval of every 30 minutes. Discount ticket prices are available if bought inside Denmark for families and children.

2. Bus

Buses in Denmark are one of the most common modes of transportation among the locals. The regional bus routes and train service connect the areas with lesser populations to the major cities of the country. Recently, bus services have also been established between Frederickshavn and Esbjerg, Copenhagen and Hanstholm, Copenhagen and Aalborg, Copenhagen and Aalborg and several other important cities. The average rates of the bus tickets are as follows:

Travel by airport bus to/from Copenhagen Central Station -- US$6 (children under 12 can travel for free)

Travel by regular bus to/from Râdhuspladsen - US $3

The rates for children from 7 to 12 years are US $1.75 while children under 7 can travel for free.

Recently, several companies have started bus services connecting the major cities of Denmark with metropolises in the neighboring countries.

3. Car

Since Denmark has an excellent network of roads, renting a car is a great option to explore the entire country. Car rental rates can vary from US $79 to $290, depending on the rental period and the make and model of the car. An approximate cost of $390 including VAT and insurance will be incurred for renting a car for 3 days. However, this does not include fuel expenses. Many companies have a set age limit, varying between 18 to 28 years, when renting out a car. Moreover, a valid driving license is another prerequisite. Most rental companies prefer payment via credit cards.

Several safety rules also need to be followed when driving in Denmark. Special precautions should be taken when traveling with children, and appropriate baby seats and child harnesses must be installed before venturing out. Use of seat belts is also mandatory for the driver as well as the passengers.

Driving under Influence is severely dealt with in Denmark. Frequent alcohol level tests are carried out without warning.

Car Rental Companies:

Name Phone Fax

Auto Europe

CRS-Access Code: ZU (207) 828-2525 or

(800) 223-5555 (US) (800) 235-6321

Avis (800) 331-1212 --

Eurodollar Rent a Car (310) 410-2627

(800) 800-6000 Res. (310) 410-2634

National/Europcar/Interrent (612) 830-2121

(800) 227-3876

(800) CAR-RENT (612) 830-2242

Hertz Corporation (800) 654-3001 --

Icelandair (800) 757-EURO (410) 715-3547

The Kemwel Group Inc. (800) 678-0678 (914) 835-5449

Thrifty Rent-A-Car System Inc. (800) 367-2277 (918) 669-2213

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4. Ferry

Frequent ferry services are available between Kalundborg and Arhus, Rønne and Copenhagen, and between Ebeltoft and Sjællands Odde. Local car ferries connect most of the islands with the road networks. There are numerous ferries of different sizes and carrying capacities plying on the waterways. A journey can last anywhere between 5 minutes, to a couple of hours, depending on the distance to the destination. Color Line, Stena Line, Scandlines and Flyvebådene are some of the major ferry operators from Sweden, Norway and Germany.

5. Ship

Some of the major ports of Denmark include Frederikshavn, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Hirtshals and Hanstholm. CTC, Lindblad Travel, Lauro, Royal Viking and Norwegian Cruise line are some of the major cruise lines calling at Copenhagen. Leaving Denmark by sea does not involve any departure tax. Tourists can refer to the Danish Tourist Board for a detailed listing of ships connecting Denmark with other countries and areas.

Some of the companies where tourists can contact for ship and ferry bookings:

Color Line Corporate Headquarters

P.O. Box 1422 Vika

N-0115 Oslo 1

Scandinavian Seaways

Sankt Annæ Plads 30

DK-1295 Copenhagen K

Tel.: 33 15 63 00

Fax: 33 15 49 93

U.S. Representative:

Scanam World Tours

Tel.: (800) 545-2204

Fax: (201) 835-3030

U.S. Representative:

Scandinavian Seaways

Tel.: (954) 491-7909

(800) 533-3755

Fax: (954) 491-7958

Stena Line

Gothenburg, S-405 19

Tel: +46 (31) 775 00 00

Fax: +46 (31) 85 85 95

6. Taxi

Taxis are available in all major cities and most of the towns in Denmark. A ‘Fri' sign on the taxi window means that the taxi is free with a green light glowing on top of the car. Taxis can be taken from one of the many taxi stands or can also be stopped on the way. Many hotels also arrange taxis for their guests. All taxis in Denmark use meters and almost all taxi drivers accept major credit cards for payment. However, it is important to inform the driver beforehand about the mode of payment (credit card or cash) before starting the journey. A taxi drive to the city center from the airport may cost around $17 to $21. Regular taxis in Denmark can accommodate upto 4 persons while minibuses carry upto 8 persons. Most drivers speak English.

G. Facts and Figures

- Official Name: Kingdom of Denmark

- Capital City: Copenhagen

- Population: 5.2 million

- Passport/Visa Requirements: Tourists who are citizens of the EU countries and those from the US, Canada, the South American nations, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore do not require visas for visiting Denmark. British citizens holding valid passports do not need visas for staying in Denmark upto three months. However, the passports need to be approved, mentioning that the holder is a British Overseas Territories Citizen or a British citizen or a British National (Overseas) and has the right of abode in the United Kingdom. A visa would be required in all other cases. Tourists might also require proper health insurance.

All tourists are required to carry return or onward travel documents and need to be equipped with a minimum amount to fund their visit. This amount comes upto an approximate expenditure of $30 per day.

- Language: Danish

- Predominant Religion: Evangelical Lutheran 95%, Protestant and Roman Catholic: 3%, Muslim: 2%, Jewish: 0.1%.

- Time Zone: GMT +1 hour

- Voltage Requirement: 220 volts, 50Hz

H. Interesting facts

- One of the oldest flag in the world is the Dannebrog, the Danish Flag.

- The Danish ruins still show evidences of the stone monuments where the Danes used to bury their dead back in the Stone Age at 10,000 to 15,000 BC.

- With a height as tall as the Eiffel Tower, the Great Belt Bridge of Denmark has the honor of being the largest suspension bridge of its kind in the world.

- Recycling has been the source of more than 80% of all Danish paper.

- Denmark spends the highest amount of money on education while calculated on a per capita basis.

- Copenhagen is home to almost a quarter of the Danish population.

II. Destinations & Sightseeing

A. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Dantes Plads 7

København V

1556

Website: www.glyptoteket.dk

This museum has an excellent collection of ancient Greek, Egyptian, Roman and Etruscan sculptures and works of art. The more modern and contemporary work of art includes the Gauguin series. The museum was built a century ago by the wealthy beer baron Carl Jacobsen, who was a passionate collector of classical art and generously handed over his excellent collection to the public.

The museum building was designed by the Danish architect Vilhelm Dahlerup and is centered on a glass-domed conservatory complete with palm trees and lush Mediterranean greenery. The atmosphere so created perfectly compliments the beautiful antique contents of the museum. The museum's wide ranges of sculptures are arranged in a perfect sequence to depict the history of Western sculpture that has evolved from 3000 BC to the end of the Roman Empire. It also has an excellent Greek collection, which is considered to be the finest in the whole of Northern Europe. The 'French Wing' of the museum also boasts of possessing one of only three complete series of Degas bronzes.

Price: $ 3.41

Price: Children free.

Price variation: Admission is free on Wednesdays and Sundays

Open: Tuesdays-Sundays 10 am to 4 pm.

B. Zoologisk Have

Roskildevej 32

Frederiksberg

2000

Website: www.zoo.dk

The national zoo in Denmark dates back to 1859 and has an impressive collection of animals that include elephants, hippos, lions, polar bears, zebras, and gorillas. The zoo also has special sections, which are categorized as the Tropical Zoo, the Children's Zoo, the African Savannah, the Ape Jungle, and the South American Pampas. In case you plan to visit, you can board a bus from Rådhuspladsen that will directly take you to the zoo gate.

Price: Full - $16.20

Price: Child - $9.40

Open:

June-August 9 am-6 pm

November-March 9 am-4 pm

Spring & Autumn 9 am-5 pm

C. Charlottenborg

Nyhavn 2

København K

1051

Website: www.charlottenborg-art.dk

Email: info@charlottenborg-art.dk

The Palace of Fine Art Charlottenborg was constructed in 1683 as a palace for housing the royal family. Since 1754, the palace has accommodated Det Kongelige Kunstakademi, also known as the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The palace also has an exhibition hall on the eastern side of the central courtyard that periodically features changing exhibitions of modern art by Danish and international artists.

Price: Full - $5.10

Price: Concession - $2.56

Open:

Monday-Tuesday 10 am to 5 pm

Wednesday 10 am to 7 pm

Thursday-Sunday 10 am to 5 pm

D. Nationalmuseet

Ny Vestergade 10

København K

1471

Website: www.natmus.dk

Email: nationalmuseet@natmus.dk

Nationalmuseet (the National Museum) is an extremely informative museum that provides a great deal of information for anyone wishing to obtain a great deal of knowledge in Danish history and culture. It boasts of possessing the biggest collection of Danish historical artifacts in the country. Free chamber music concerts take place on Sundays in the summer. Nationalmuseet lays the first claim on practically every antiquity found in Denmark.

The museum has artifacts that date from the Upper Paleolithic period to the mid-19th century. Some of the important highlights in the museum include the Sun Chariot, which is considered to be over 3500 years old, and an array of 3000-year-old bronze Danish horns.

Price: Full - $4.30

Price: Child - Free

Price variation: Admission free on Wednesdays

Open:

Tuesdays-Sundays 10 am to 5 pm

E. Nyhavn canal

City center

Between Kongens Nytorv and Inderhavnen

The beautiful Nyhavn canal was constructed to allow merchants and traders to reach the heart of the city. The canal has always proved to be an important point of attraction for sailors and writers. A series of gabled townhouses and trendy pavement cafes line the canal and the entire area gets crowded on warm and sunny days.

The head of the canal has a huge frigate anchor that has been set up to

At the head of the canal is a huge frigate anchor that memorializes the Danish seamen who died in WWII while serving the Allied merchant marines.

F. Tycho Brahe Planetarium

Gammel Kongevej 10

København V

1610

Website: www.tycho.dk

This modern planetarium has a domed space theatre that offers shows of the night sky by making use of top-end equipment, which are capable of projecting over 7500 stars, planets and galaxies. The planetarium also hosts a number of natural science films and the subject's range from astronauts and space shuttles to space exploration expeditions.

The planetarium has been named after the renowned Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601). The planetarium also has a number of special shows that is conducted on certain days of the week. As such you are advised to inquire about the details in advance before planning out a visit.

Price: Full - $14.5

Price: Child - $11

Open: 10:30-20:30

G. Tivoli

Vesterbrogade 3

København V

1620

Website: www.tivoligardens.com

In case you wish to have a wild time you are advised to visit Tivoli as it has a number of fun filled activities. This renowned park has been functioning for over 150 years. The park has a number of entertainments options such as roller coaster rides, huge Ferris wheel and a host of other carnival games. On visiting the park you can also enjoy traditional folk dances carried out by professionals.

Price: Full - $11

Price: Child - $6.8

Open: April-December

Sunday-Thursday 11 am to 12 am

Friday-Saturday 11 am to 1 am

H. Dansk Design Center

HC Andersens Blvd 27

Tivoli

Website: www.ddc.dk

Email: design@ddc.dk

The center is an outstanding piece of work and has double-glass wall of windows that were initially intended to hold a layer of liquid crystal that would function as a huge LCD screen. The center also has a wide variety of equipment that has been developed by the technologically advanced audiovisual company, Bang & Olufsen.

The ground floor of the center holds a classic exhibition of Danish chairs while the rooms' upstairs display changing exhibits on the development of fashion trends and historical artifacts of the audiovisual company Bang & Olufsen.

Price: Full - $6.80

Price: Concession - $3.41

Open:

Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm

Saturday-Sunday 11 am-4 pm