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Getting Around
Public Transport
The Metropolitan Transport Company – HT (tel: (36) 131 415; website: www.ht.dk) runs the urban transport system. Information on trains can also be obtained from the Danish State Railways (see Getting There By Rail). There is an integrated bus and urban train network, known as S-tog (tel: (33) 141 701; website: www.s-tog.dk), as well as the first section of Copenhagen’s new Metro (tel: (33) 111 700; website: www.m.dk), which opened in 2002, with 11 stations currently in use.
Buses and trains run daily 0500-0030 and there are additional night buses from Rådhuspladsen to the suburbs. Fares are calculated on a seven-zone structure indicated on coloured maps at stations and bus stops. The price of a ticket depends on the number of zones travelled through (minimum two zones). Tickets cost Dkk14 and are available for purchase from the bus driver, at ticket offices or vending machines at stations and at the bus terminus (Rådhuspladsen). Tickets and discount cards must be held throughout the journey and are subject to inspection.
The Metro runs from Nørreport via Kongens Nytorv and Christianshavn to Lergravsparken and Vestamager. Other sections will open in 2003, linking the city centre with Frederiksberg and Vanløse. The link to the airport is due for completion by 2007. There is no train conductor, as the Metro trains are fully automatic. There is, however, a Metro steward on every train, whose job it is to check the tickets, provide information and help the passengers. Trains run daily 0500-0100.
The Metro, S-trains and city buses use the same tickets. Tickets are available for purchase at stations and are valid for free transfers between the Metro, trains and buses in the metropolitan area. Discount cards (klippekort) for ten journeys and 24-hour tickets are available for purchase at stations, at the bus terminus or from Wonderful Copenhagen Tourist Information, Bernstorffsgade 1. It is cheaper per journey for a commuter to use a discount clipcard than is is to buy a ticket.
The Københavnkortet (Copenhagen Card) pass entitles the holder to free, unlimited travel on buses and trains in the metropolitan area and discounts on car hire (20%), canal and harbour tours (20%) and express ferries to Sweden (25-50%). The card costs Dkk215, Dkk375 or Dkk495 for 24, 48 or 72 hours respectively (concessions available) and is available from travel agencies, tourist information offices, hotels and railway stations.
Taxis
There are four major taxi companies in the city – København Taxa (tel: (35) 353 535), Amager Taxi (tel: (32) 515 151), Hovedstadens Taxi (tel: (38) 777 777) and Taxamotor (tel: (38) 101 010). All taxis are licensed and can be booked by telephone or hailed in the street. The flat rate is Dkk22, then Dkk10 per kilometre weekdays between 0600-1500 and Dkk11 weekdays between 1500-0600 or Dkk13 Friday-Saturday 1100-0600 and Dkk11 on Sunday and national holidays. Most taxis accept credit cards and can provide a receipt on request. It is not customary for customers to tip the driver but to round up the final amount instead. There are also cheaper cycle taxis available from Quickshaw (tel: (70) 201 375) and Copenhagen Rickshaw (tel: (35) 430 122).
Limousines
Limousine services are provided by Copenhagen Limousine Service (tel: (70) 260 601; fax: (70) 260 605; e-mail: limo@cph-limo.com; website: www.cph-limo.dk), where a first-class car costs Dkk430 per hour. Dankse Limousine Service (tel: (44) 444 412; fax: (38) 798 014; e-mail: order@limousine-service.dk; website: www.limousine-service.dk) charges Dkk400 per hour for a sedan.
Driving in the City
Copenhagen is remarkably and refreshingly free of traffic. Environmental awareness and the compact nature of the city means that many residents prefer to cycle, walk or rollerblade.
Parking meters are in operation in large sectors of the Old City. These are contained within three parking zones, where parking fees are payable 0800-2000 in the red zone and 0800-1800 on weekdays in all other zones, as well as 0800-1400 on Saturday in red and green zones. Tickets (Dkk7.20) are available from coin-operated parking meters. Kerbside parking is restricted to one hour only, Monday to Friday 0900-1700 and Saturday 0900-1300. A parking disc must be displayed unless there is a parking meter. Multi-storey car parks in the city are open 0600/0800-2000/0000. Some are closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Car Hire
Self-drive cars are rented only to persons over 21 years of age, who hold a valid driving licence and an international credit card. Individual car companies may impose their own age restrictions. The prices given below, which reduce significantly for multi-day hire, include unlimited mileage, tax and insurance, although customers should check details of insurance cover. Avis (tel: (33) 152 299; fax: (33) 734 090; website: www.avis.com) hires out small cars for Dkk675 per day. Budget (tel: (33) 557 000 or 913 910; website: www.budget.com) hires out its smallest cars for Dkk630 per day. Danecars (tel: (39) 632 375; website: www.danecars.dk) hires out cars from Dkk510 per day, while Europcar/InterRent (tel: (33) 559 900; fax: (33) 559 933; website: www.europcar.dk) charges Dkk690 per day. Hertz (tel: (33) 179 020; fax: (33) 179 029; website: www.hertz.com) charges Dkk759 per day and drivers must be 25 years of age or over. There are two companies from whom minibuses may be hired – Minibuses/handicap (tel: (35) 393 535) and Dams (tel: (32) 952 221).
Bicycle Hire
Cycling is the preferred method of transport for many of Copenhagen’s residents and there are cycle routes along all the major streets, through some of the city’s most scenic areas. Between April and September, the city provides its visitors with free bicycles to get around. There are 125 City Bike Parks (website: www.bycyklen.dk) located around the city, where bikes can be collected for a Dkk20 deposit. Several companies hire bicycles for trips outside the city, including Københavns Cykelbørs, Gothersgade 157 (tel: (33) 140 717), for Dkk40 per day with a deposit of Dkk200, Københavns Cykler, Reventlowsgade 11, Central Station (tel: (33) 338 613), for Dkk50 per day, with a deposit of Dkk300, and Østerport Cyker, Oslo Plads 9, Østerport Station (tel: (33) 338 513), for Dkk50 per day, with a deposit of Dkk300. ID is required.
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General
