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| Home - City Guide - Copenhagen - Getting Around | ||
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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 Rail section above). There is an integrated bus and urban train network, known as 'S-tog' (S-train); tickets are valid for both forms of transport with free transfers. Buses and trains run daily 0500-0030 and there are additional night buses from the 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 can be purchased 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. Discount cards (klippekort) for ten journeys and 24-hour tickets are available at stations, at the bus terminus or from Wonderful Copenhagen Tourist Information. The Københavnkortet (Copenhagen Card) 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%). A single line metro, which will link the city centre, the airport and a new town complex (Ørestad) on Amager is under construction. The central section of the City Line should be completed later in 2001 with the link to the airport in operation by 2003. Taxis There are four major taxi firms in the city: Axa (tel: (35) 353 535), Amager Taxi (tel: (32) 515 151); Hovedstadens Taxi (tel: (33) 225 555); and Taxamotor (tel: (38) 101 010). All taxis are licensed and can be booked by phone or hailed on the street. The flat rate is Dkk22 and each kilometre is charged at Dkk7.70 rising to Dkk9.60 at night or weekends. Most taxis will accept credit cards and can provide a receipt on request. Limousines Limousine services are provided by Carey Limousine Copenhagen (tel: (32) 961 334; fax: (32) 961 255); a first-class car costs Dkk430 per hour. Dansk Limousine Service (tel: (33) 150 630; fax: (33) 150 634) charges Dkk410 per hour. Driving in the City Copenhagen is remarkably and refreshingly free of traffic. Environmental awareness and the compact nature of the city means that many of the residents prefer to cycle, walk or roller-blade. Parking tickets are obligatory in the four central parking zones Monday to Friday 0800-1800 (yellow, blue and green zones) and Saturday 0800-2000 (red zone) and 0800-1400 (red and yellow zones). Tickets (Dkk5-20) are available from coin-operated parking meters. Kerbside parking is restricted to one hour Monday to Friday 0900-1700 and Saturday 0900-1300. A parking disc must be shown unless there is a parking meter. Multi-storey car parks in the city are open 0600/0800-2000/0000. Car Hire This is available to persons over 20 years of age who hold a valid driving licence and an international credit card. Individual car firms may impose their own age restrictions. The prices given below include unlimited mileage, tax and insurance, although customers should check details of insurance cover. Budget/Pitzner (tel: (33) 111 234; fax: (33) 143 433) hires its smallest cars for Dkk620 per day; drivers must be 21 or over. Europcar (tel: (33) 559 900; fax: (33) 559 933) charges Dkk670 per day; drivers must be 23 or over. Hertz (tel: (33) 179 020; fax: (33) 179 029) charges Dkk710 per day; drivers must be 25 or over. Bicycle and Scooter 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 actually provides its visitors with free bicycles to get around. There are 125 City Bike Parks (website: www.bycyklen.dk) 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), Københavns Cykler, Reventlowsgade 11, Central Station (tel: (33) 338 613), and Østerport Cykeludlejning, Oslo Plads 9, Østerport Station (tel: (33) 338 513). Rates are around Dkk50 per day and a deposit and ID are required. Scooters can be hired from Peugeot Scooter Hire (tel: (38) 334 004). |
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