Car Hire Denmark

Driving

Charming little Denmark isn’t a major European tourism destination, but there’s plenty here to keep visitors happy for the duration of their trip. Famous for its Viking raiders, the invention of Lego, its rich cultural heritage and the iconic Danish sense of design, this ultra-modern land has a comprehensive, carefully–maintained road system, making touring here by car a delight.

Driving Tips for Denmark

Driving in this predominately flat country is easy, with Danish drivers competent, courteous and disciplined, making every trip a pleasure. Roads are toll-free although long bridges have a charge, and drivers should note cycling lanes and give right of way to bikers. All in all, driving here is a refreshingly stress-free way to travel.

Driving licences: UK driving licences which are valid for at least a year are accepted.

Which side does Denmark drive on: the right.

Speed limits:
Motorways: 80mph (130kph)
Single rural carriageways: 50mph (80kph)
Urban roads: 31mph (50kph)

Alcohol limits: 0.05 per cent (50mg/100ml), compared with the 0.08 per cent UK limit, with convictions often resulting in jail time.

Driving age: 18 years; 21 years if hiring a car.

Seatbelts: are mandatory at all times. A suitable restraint system must be used for children under three years.

Mobile phones and GPS: mobile phone usage is prohibited while driving unless a hands-free kit is used. GPS isn’t essential as Danish roads are well-signposted, but can be useful for planning trips.

Cost of fuel in Denmark: varies, with unleaded 95 octane more expensive than in the UK and diesel around the same.

Car hire and fuel payment: when hiring a car, presenting a credit card is mandatory, but payment can be made by card or cash. Petrol stations accept payment by card at the pump.

Insurance: compulsory third-party basic insurance comes with the rental charge, but a collision damage waiver add-on is recommended.

Traffic and parking: Danish city centres are infamous for their traffic congestion, with park-and-ride a sensible solution. Discs giving an hour’s parking can be bought at petrol stations, tourist information offices and banks, and must be displayed in the vehicle’s front window. Several cities have metered street parking for periods of up to three hours.

Transport

Trains
The Danish State Rail network covers all regions, although feeder lines from the main routes in eastern Jutland are operated by Arriva. Copenhagen has a commuter rail system linking the suburbs with the centre, as well as a limited metro system. Train travel here is ultra-modern, efficient, extremely comfortable and more expensive than bus or air travel, although pre-booked Orange tickets give discounts. For example, tickets from Copenhagen to Aalborg in the far north of the Jutland peninsula costs £38 and takes 5 hours.

Taxis
Taxis are safe, comfortable and plentiful but pricey, and you may have a long wait late at night on weekends. Metered cabs can be booked by phone or hailed on the street, and city taxi ranks are found at major road junctions. All taxis accept credit cards and many accept euro as well as kroner. Tipping is not expected and fares are fixed. The flag fall charge is about £2.70, with prices per kilometre travelled ranging between £1.20 and £1.70 dependent on the time of day.

Buses
Long-distance bus services are provided by Abildskou and are regular, comfortable and slightly less expensive than the train. Copenhagen and other large cities have extensive local bus services, although many Danes prefer to cycle. Copenhagen offers a CityCirkel mini-electric bus around the inner city that serves the main visitor attractions. Travel by bus from Copenhagen to Aarhus on the Jutland peninsula costs approximately £30.

Ferries
The small, populated islands in the Danish archipelago can only be reached by ferry, with most companies providing year-round services in spite of the winter weather. Routes include Copenhagen to Ronne, Aarhus to Kalundborg, Esbejerg to Fano, Grenaa to Anholt and Kalundborg to Samso. Boats are modern and comfortable, and a trip from Grenaa to Anholt costs around £40 return.

Airports
Denmark’s efficient train service and the country’s small size limits domestic air travel to links between Copenhagen and the more remote cities. Copenhagen’s Kastrup International Airport is the country’s main air hub, serving 22 million passengers a year and linking with London-Heathrow (British Airways), London-Gatwick, London-Stansted, Manchester and Edinburgh (EasyJet) and Glasgow (BMI). Scandinavian Airlines flies from London and a number of other UK regional airports. Other airports include Aalborg, Aarhus, Billund and Bornholme. Average flight costs from the UK start at around £45 depending on the season.

Explore

Exploring Denmark

The tiny country of Denmark is easy to get around by hire car or public transport and there’s plenty to see and do, beginning with the picturesque city of Copenhagen. The city’s Old Quarter of Indre Be, with its colourful, red-roofed homes, holds the Royal palace, the City Hall, the cultural Charlottenborg mansion, the Glyptoteket Museum, the Marmokirken and the lovely Rosenborg Castle. Famous Tivoli Gardens is the world’s oldest amusement park.

Aarhus is Denmark’s second largest city, set on the Jutland peninsula and boasting the spectacular 800-year old Aarus Domkirk cathedral as well as many examples of traditional Danish architecture. The Aarhus Viking Museum is just one of a number of museums displaying the history of the land, but is understandably the most popular along with the open-air museum of Den Gamle Be, which features 75 heritage buildings grouped as a village.

Outside the cosmopolitan ambience of Denmark’s cities, you’ll find a laid-back, rural atmosphere unchanged since the early days of the country. Jutland’s scenery is the most interesting, ranging from windswept coastlines through desolate heaths to rolling, verdant hills, with only a few settlements to disturb the peace. The island of Funen is home to the country’s cutest villages, sandy beaches along its southern coastline and the small city of Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen and home to picturesque buildings, an ancient cathedral and a castle.

Our Travel Editor’s Recommended Drives

The Margueritruten – is named for the Marguerite daisy and is a network of interconnected roads through scenic areas covering 1,864 miles (3,500kms) and passing over 100 of the country’s main visitor attractions. The entire route is marked with signs which are identified by their daisy decoration.

Zeeland to Funen – begins at one of the globe’s longest suspension bridges, linking Copenhagen with the neighbouring island of Fyn. The toll charge for the bridge isn’t cheap, but worth every penny for the chance to explore the attractions of the colourful island.

Odense to Aalborg – after spending time in the picturesque city of Odense, the 250 mile (400km) drive to the far northern Jutland city of Aalborg opens out vistas of lush greenery in summer and snowy wastes in winter. The drive takes visitors through the heart of central Jutland with its agricultural villages and passes by Denmark’s Legoland, a treat for children.

Aalborg-Skagen Loop – beginning in Aalborg, the drive to Skagen on the northernmost tip of Denmark is one of the most romantic in the country, ending in this little town dedicated to arts and traditions. The road loops back via Frederikshavn, passing picturesque villages, historic Viking sites and quaint fishing ports.

Holidays and Festivals

New Year’s Day (1 January)
Easter (March/April)
Constitution Day (5 June)
Christmas Day (25 December)

Weather

Due to the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic, Denmark’s climate is warmer than its latitude suggests, with January and February the coldest months with temperatures of around freezing and average summer highs in August of 15°C. Annual rainfall averages 712mm, with spring the driest season and autumn the wettest, and rainfall occurs on 121 days per year.

Practical Stuff

Denmark Travel Tips

Although Copenhagen is a popular destination for weekend visits and short-stay trips from the UK, the rest of the country sees few tourists. Being an easy country to travel and with most Danes speaking English, Denmark is the perfect holiday destination for those looking for few crowds and cooler temperatures than in Europe’s Mediterranean hot spots.

Denmark contact numbers
Country code - (+45)
Emergency services – 112
Australian Embassy - +45 7 026 3676
British Embassy - +45 3 544 5200
Canadian Embassy - +45 3 348 3200
Irish Embassy - +45 3 341 7100
US Embassy - +45 3 544 5200
Danish Tourist Board - +45 3 311 1415
Auto assistance - +45 7 010 2030

Money matters
Denmark decided against EU membership, with its official currency still the krone (DKK). All major credit and debit cards are accepted at venues across the country, and banks, currency exchange outlets and ATMs are widely found. Travellers’ cheques can be exchanged, but visitors should note that banks here are closed at weekends, although in Copenhagen several bureaux de change are open seven days a week until late at night.

Health and safety
Denmark is one of the world’s safest countries, and the state offers emergency healthcare free-of-charge to visitors. UK holidaymakers are further protected by a reciprocal agreement between Britain and Denmark. Most healthcare professionals speak English and no specific vaccinations are required.

Fitting in…
The Danish peoples are slow to open up to foreigners in public, but to see them at their best, a visit to a Danish pub is the answer. In spite of outward appearances, the Danes are sociable, friendly, informal and fun. Social taboos are similar to those in the UK, with rowdy behaviour unappreciated.

Visas for Denmark
Nationals of EU and EFTA countries, including the UK, can enter Denmark visa-free for an indefinite stay on production of a valid passport or ID card. US, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand citizens also get visa-free entry, but the stay is limited to 90 days in any one 180-day period.

Electricity
Electricity comes as 220-240V/50Hz, the same as in the UK, although sockets take round, two-pin plugs, with UK visitors needing to use a plug adapter. Visitors from North America will need a step-down transformer for electronic appliances from home unless they are configured as dual-voltage.

Business hours
Businesses: 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday
Government offices: 09:00 to 16:00 weekdays
Shops: 09:30 to 17:30 (to 19:00 on Friday), Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday, 09:00 to 17:00, first Sunday of every month
Banks: 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 09:00 to 18:00, Thursday

Helpful phrases
Tak - Please
Heg/Hallo (phone) – Hello
Tak – Thank-you
Det forstår jeg ikke – I don't understand
Ja/nej – Yes/no
Taler du Engelsk? - Do you speak English?
Hvor er toilettet? – Where is the rest room?
Undskyld mig – Excuse me