Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

Situated on Øresund, the waterway linking the North and Baltic Seas, Copenhagen sits between Continental Europe and the rest of Scandinavia. It occupies part of several islands and is Denmark's capital. It was connected by bridge to Malmö, Sweden, in 2000.

Copenhagen's population is approximately 1.8 million – roughly a third of Denmark's total population.

Copenhagen's country code is 45; it has no city code.

Throughout the year, Copenhagen's temperatures range from 1º Celsius in winter to the upper teens Celsius during the summer (that's approximately 34º-66º Fahrenheit ). The adjustment that many travelers have to make is for the presence – or absence – of light in Copenhagen. In the winter, daylight ends mid-afternoon, but during the summer, it can extend beyond 10pm. Visitors should also be prepared for intermittent rains.

Denmark's time adds one hour to Greenwich Mean Time. Danish Summer Time pushes clocks forward an hour and runs from the end of March to the end of October.

Standard electricity is 220 volts, AC; converters and adapters may be necessary.

On many items – including restaurant bills, hotel costs, and admissions fees – Denmark charges a steep, value-added tax of 25%. For these items, the VAT can't be recouped, although non-residents of the EU can claim VAT refunds on merchandise.

Denmark, although a member of the European Union, has not adopted the Euro for monetary transactions. Its currency (whose value is tied to that of the Euro) is the Danish krone, which is abbreviated DKK and whose plural is kroner. It's divided into 100 øre.

Holidays & Business Hours

Typically, business hours run from 9am to 6pm on weekdays, although Fridays often bring extended hours, and Saturdays promise shortened hours. Sundays are usually days for rest. However, Copenhagen standards may be different, given the city's capital status; as a result, you may find more generous openings.

On holidays, many businesses either close completely or offer abbreviated hours. If you're visiting during these times, call ahead for availability.

Coming & Going

Copenhagen's main airport, Kastrup International, is located 7 miles (12 km) from the city. It's connected to the Central Railroad Station (Hoved Banegaård) via an 11-minute train ride and costs 22.50 DKK (approximately $3). Purchase tickets before boarding.

The Central Railroad Station also handles bus traffic in the area, which is strong around Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square) as well. Ferries dock primarily at Havnegade. Taxis are available at these locales and at other prominent city attractions and hotels.

Making Your Way

Public transportation in Copenhagen is both efficient and convenient. Fares on buses and trains are zone-based, and prices depend on where you intend to travel. Adult tickets begin at 15DKK (about $2), and buying them in bulk promises good value.

The capital's new Metro system, which takes an east-west route, is open throughout the day and night (its frequency slows later in the evening). Its fares are also determined by zones, and the Metro connects to S-tog trains (which run to the suburbs) at Norreport.

If your travels are restricted to Copenhagen's city center, know that walking is an easy alternative, thanks to a compact city layout. Many top tourist destinations lie within close proximity of each other, and you won't have to struggle to hoof it from place to place.

Another good-weather option is utilizing the city's bank of free bikes. Generally painted red and covered with ads, they're highly visible and available for anyone's use. You only need deposit a coin to gain access to them.

And should you desire a touch of the exotic, renting a rickshaw is a fun way to see the city.

News & Views

If your Danish isn't up to snuff, several English-language papers are available at larger newsstands and at some hotels and transportation centers. Among them are USA Today and the International Herald Tribune. A hometown publication for English-speakers is the Copenhagen Post, which also publishes a weekly addendum of leisure-time evaluations and recommendations called the In and Out Guide.

Quirks & Curiosities

Perhaps Copenhagen's most attractive deal for travelers is the Copenhagen Card. With it, folks are given free admission to dozens of sights and museums, not to mention free bus and train transportation in the area and discounts on excursions to Sweden. The cards can be purchased for one (215DKK), two (375DKK), or three (495DKK) days.

Getting Your Bearings

If you desire assistance in tackling Copenhagen's riches, make a stop at the Tourist Information Center. It's located near the primary entrance to Tivoli and is a great source of information.

Bernstorffsgade 1
Copenhagen
33-25-38-44
70-22-24-42
www.woco.dk
May-Jun Daily 9am-9pm; Jul-Aug Daily 8am-11pm; Early Sep Daily 9am-9pm; Late Sep-Apr Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-1:30pm

Should you need emergency assistance in the city, dial 112 for ambulance, fire, or police. These calls, if placed from public phones, are free.

Necessities - Post Offices

Copenhagen's primary post office is available for both general shipping and more detailed requests. If you're in the midst of traveling or need quicker access, consider the branch at the Central Railroad Station.

Main Post Office
Tietgensgade 35-39
Copenhagen
33-41-56-00
Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-1pm

Central Railroad Station Branch
Mon-Fri 8am-10pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Common Courtesies

For the most part, gratuities are included in Copenhagen's steep prices, so travelers don't need to worry about computing tips for a variety of people. Should you want to leave a few coins for your server, taxi driver, or bell hop, however, feel free to do so. Rounding up a tab to the nearest krone is also common.