Travel
Contact
Newsletter
Airports | Climate | Currency | Dining | Getting Around | Language | Lodging |Passports & Visa | References | Scene| Things to See | Time Zones | Tipping
We have changed our format to give faster download times. All of our pictures are now on a separate page that you can view at your leisure here. We got some pretty amazing shots and the thumbnails don't do them justice so be sure to click on them to view the larger versions.
The country of Denmark consists of one peninsula and more than 400 islands. Copenhagen is situated on the east coast of Denmark's largest island, Zealand. Copenhagen has been the capital of Denmark for nearly 600 years and is also the largest city in Scandinavia. Copenhagen is a city with much charm, as reflected in its canals, narrow streets, and old houses.
There is no time difference between Copenhagen and most western European capitals - with the exception of London and Dublin (one hour behind Danish time) and Helsinki/Finland (one hour ahead of Danish time). Check the "Time Ticker" for current time in Copenhagen.
New York: 6 hours behind.
Tokyo: 8 hours ahead.
Hong Kong: 7 hours ahead.
Most of the international flights to and from Denmark use Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup). (CPH is the airport code.) About 40 airlines have regular services to Copenhagen and there are several daily connections to/from all other major European airports.
Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) is located 12 km southeast of the city center. Trains between Copenhagen Airport and Central Railway Station take 12 minutes. Tickets are available from the DSB ticket office above the railway station in Terminal 3. Tickets and travel cards (for the Copenhagen and Northern Zealand HT-zone) are also available from ticket machines in the station area.
How to take the train to and from Copenhagen Airport:
The ticket office is located in Terminal 3 above the railway station. There are lifts and travolators between the platforms and Terminal 3. You can take the free shuttle bus which runs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, where the station is located. Price: 16,50 DKK. Intervals: 20 minutes.
Shuttle bus between Copenhagen Airport and City (Central Railway Station) takes 20 minutes. Intervals: 10-15 minutes.
Shuttle bus operates:
From Copenhagen Airport to City: 6.30 am - 11.10 pm (Weekend and Holidays: 5.45am - 11.10 PM)
From City to Copenhagen Airport: 5.42 am - 9.45 PM (All week)
Taxi service is available to and from the airport. The ride from the airport to the city center will run you about !60 - 170 DKK (about $27USD each way).
A valid passport is required. Tourist and business travelers do not need visas for visits of up to three months (the 90-day period begins when entering any of the following countries which are parties to the Schengen Agreement: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden). For further information on entry requirements for Denmark/Greenland/Faeroe Islands, travelers may contact the Royal Danish Embassy at 3200 Whitehaven Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, phone (202) 234-4300, or the Danish Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York. In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.
Danish is the official language but English is readily spoken as most Scandinavians use it to communicate amongst themselves. German and French are also widely spoken.
Forget traveler's checks, cash, or personal checks. All you really need is a valid ATM and credit card. Charge as much as you can, thus ensuring the best exchange rate at all times and only take out cash from an ATM machine as needed. Avoid exchanging back to US currency by paying your hotel bill with excess cash and charging the rest. All major credit cards are accepted everywhere. American Express has an office in Copenhagen: Amagertorv 18 (Strøget - main pedestrian street), DK-1146 Copenhagen K. Tel: (+45) 33 11 50 05. Open: Mon-Fri 9 AM to 5 PM. Sat 9 AM to noon. Sun closed.
Keep enough cash to get you to the airport. Remember your fare on the way down and keep that much for the return. At printing you could get about 6.15 Kr per USD.
The Danish monetary unit is "kroner" (crowns) - officially abbreviated DKK. One "krone" is divided into 100 "ører". Currently the coins and bank notes are in the denomination of:
Please notice that there are still some "old" coins in circulation: 25 øre, 1 krone, 5 kroner and 10 kroner. They are still legal tender.
Copenhagen has a typical island climate. The changeable weather is caused by frequent switches in the wind's direction. A fresh wind is quite common. Spring comes late perhaps, but summer is often sunny and autumn mild.
Average day temperatures:
| January | 02 C / 36 F |
| February | 02 C / 36 F |
| March | 05 C / 41 F |
| April | 10 C / 50 F |
| May | 16 C / 61 F |
| June | 20 C / 68 F |
| July | 22 C / 72 F |
| August | 21 C / 70 F |
| September | 18 C / 64 F |
| October | 12 C / 54 F |
| November | 07 C / 45 F |
| December | 04 C / 39F |
To compute Fahrenheit: Multiply Centigrade by 1,8 and add 32. To compute Centigrade: Subtract 32 from Fahrenheit and divide by 1.8.
Like most other European countries, Denmark has 220 volt AC, 50 Hz current and uses two pin continental plugs. Most good hotels will have an outlet for your electric razor. If your hotel does not have a hairdryer, just tell your boyfriend to upscale next time.
Bank holidays that fall in a weekend will NOT be held any other day.
Edited March 16, 2006
Service and tip are included in the prices at hotels, in restaurants, and for taxi fares. For good service, you may leave up to 10% extra at your discretion. Most locals just round up the tab.
As much as most of the sites we read complained about the service in Danish restaurants, we were very pleased. People were very friendly and helpful. Everyplace we went, if there was not an English menu, they would take the time to translate for us. Granted, meals have a much slower pace than in the USA, but as long as you are enjoying the company, why hurry? Only in America, the land of fast food...
Walking is the only way to see Copenhagen. Compact, quaintly cobble stoned in many parts, the city houses the longest pedestrian street in Europe (Strøget). Walk Strøget from one end to the other shopping, eating and cruising along the way. The city center is laced through with canals, all of which are full of pleasure boats in the summer. You may rent a bike for about 20 kroner deposit, which will be refunded when you return the bike.
There is a Metro line. The first stretch went into action in autumn of 2002. It will eventually connect to the airport by 2007. This is widely used with a system of buses and trains (all tickets work within all the system). We never used it, since distances are so short and it was a great sight to see all tourist sites.
You may choose between two kind of Copenhagen cards, according to your needs. Copenhagen City Card lasts only one day and enables you entrance to most museum and city attractions. Will sell for about 21 euros (159DKK). Copenhagen Card Plus is the expanded version good for three days and enables you to use the transportation system. This one sells for about 53 Euros (295 DKK). If you plan on visiting most of the sites it will be a good value.
We recommend you visit Copengahen Gay Life for a current and updated bar scene.
Site created and maintained by GLBTEvents - Bill Rattan webmaster.