Getting Around
Copenhagen has an extensive public transport system consisting of a metro, railway, bus and ferry network. All tickets are valid for travel on the metro, buses and S-tog (S-train or local train) even though they look slightly different, depending on where you buy them. The free Copenhagen city maps that are distributed by the tourist office show bus routes (with numbers) and are very useful for finding your way around the city. Online, the very handy www.rejseplanen.dk shows all routes and schedules.
Taxi
Taxis can be flagged on the street and there are taxi ranks at various points around the city centre. If the yellow “taxa” (taxi) sign is lit, the taxi is available for hire. Taxi fares usually start at DKK 37 (roughly EUR 5). However, on Friday and Saturday nights from 23:00-07:00 that figure rises to DKK 50 (roughly EUR 8). Costs per kilometre are as follows:
- DKK 14.20 (roughly EUR 1.90) 07:00-16:00 Monday-Friday
- DKK 18.75 (roughly EUR 2.50) 23:00-07:00 Friday and Saturday
- DKK 15 (roughly EUR 2) at all other times
Most taxis accept major credit cards.
Some reliable taxi companies to call:
DanTaxi: +45 70 25 25 25
Taxa: +45 35 35 35 35
Amager-Øbro Taxi: +45 27 27 27 27
Tourist Information
Copenhagen Visitor Service
Vesterbrogade 4, 1620 Copenhagen
+45 70 222 442
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00, Sun 09:00-14:00
Email: visitorservice [at] kk [dot] dk
Visa Information
We will provide you with an invitation letter upon request, after you have registered for RIPE 72. We will include details on how to apply for the visa in your registration confirmation email.
Please check the Visa Information page for more information about an entry visa for Denmark.
Health and Safety
There are several pharmacies (apotek) open 24 hours a day in the city, such as this one close to the meeting venue (20 minutes’ walk).
In order to get a certain kind of medication you have to visit a doctor first to get a prescription.
Useful Telephone Numbers
The telephone prefix for Denmark is +45.
Denmark uses the universal European emergency number 112 for Police/Fire/Ambulance. An operator will redirect the call to the appropriate service.
The following hospitals have 24-hour emergency wards:
- Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 Copenhagen. +45 3531 3531
- Herlev Hospital, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730 Herlev. +45 3868 3868
Always call (+45) 1813 before going to a hospital emergency department. They will not admit you otherwise.
Currency and Banking
Currency
The Danish currency is the Krone. Money can be exchanged at banks (open five days a week) or bureaux de change (open seven days a week).
Abbreviation: DKK
Exchange rates for foreign currencies, valid on 30 December 2015:
EUR 1 = DKK 7.46
ATM
ATM machines are available at airports, shopping centres and the main banks.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards including American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in large hotels, car rental companies and shops in the main cities. Some smaller retailers and many supermarkets are not able to process payments made using an international credit card, so we recommend taking cash when visiting places you are not certain will accept the major credit cards.
Business Hours
Speciality stores (handicraft/gift/souvenir) in the city centre are usually open from 09:00-18:00.
Shopping centres and superstores are open until 21:00 or later.
Banks are open from 09:00-16:00 Monday to Friday, with a ‘late’ opening until 18:00 on Thursday nights. None of the banks are open on Saturdays.
Time Zone
Denmark is located in the Central European Time zone.
Electricity
Denmark has 220-volt AC, 50Hz current and uses two-pin continental plugs Type C and Type F. Visitors from the UK need an adaptor for electric appliances and visitors from the US need a transformer to be able to use 110/125V appliances.
Weather
In May the average temperature is around 12-14 degrees Celsius and the weather is mainly sunny.
Language
The official language is Danish, which is related to and similar to Swedish and Norwegian. Most people speak English, often very well. Many people speak German too.
Water
The water in Denmark is of very good quality and you can drink the tap water.
