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"How To" Budget Tips for Denmark

It will be no surprise that, when you visit or move to a new country, there will be lots of new things to learn. Most of the daily things that Danes take for granted can be major obstacles for someone just arriving in Denmark.

On these pages, I will try to help you learn how to do those things, so you can spend more time enjoying your stay. Check back often and see what new and interesting things have been added.

If you are trying to find out about something which is not covered, please let me know and I will endeavor to get that information listed for you.

Better yet, if you have an idea that will help visitors or expats, send it in and it will be included if possible.

Okay, now just browse the topics below and click on the one you wish to view. They are all short and, I hope, informative and helpful. If you discover that something has been updated or changed recently, please let me know so I can update the information.

Enjoy Denmark!

Mastering the Train System

One of the first obstacles that you will encounter is riding the trains. To learn how to decipher the train schedules, zone maps and routes, just click on the photo of the train.

Did you know that you can save 50% of your train fare from the airport to Copenhagen by doing one simple thing? Check out the tip below.

Save on Airport Transfers

Okay, you have arrived at the main terminal of Kastrup Airport and you want to get to downtown Copenhagen the quickest, easiest and cheapest way possible.

There are several ways to get to your destination. You can catch a taxi (about 150 DKR to the city center) or airport limo right outside the main doors of the airport. Some hotels do have a courtesy car, so check with your hotel and see if they offer this service.

There are also buses, but if you are not sure where you are going or have not been given specific details on which bus to take, I would steer clear of them for the time being.

The best way is the train. There are plenty of signs pointing to the trains. When you exit the baggage area, just go straight. When you get to the end of the hall, take a left down the escalator and the trains are there.

Now before you head to the trains, you'll need a ticket, and this is where you can either save some money or get taken for a ride. For those in the know, you will get a klip kort at the ticket booth.

The ticket booth is located right before you get the escalator. The booth says "DSB" on the top and is located in the center of the hall right before the escalator to the trains. You can buy a single ticket from the DSB office, which will cost 30 kroner.

The cheaper option is to buy a klip kort. Since you need to travel 3 zones into Copenhagen, you can get a 3-zone klip kort, which entitles you to 10 trips over 3 zones. But depending on how much traveling you plan on doing, I suggest that(for a couple traveling together)you get a 2-zone klip kort.

Since there are 2 people traveling and you are both traveling through 3 zones, you will need 3 klips on a 2-zone card. 3 x 2 = 6 zones. A 2-zone klip kort is 130 kroner, so you pay 39 kroner for 2 people versus 63 kroner. You will need 3 klips to get back to the airport when you leave, which will be another 3 klips. So your trip back and forth to the airport for 2 people is 78 kroner versus 126 kroner, plus you still have 4 klips to use while you are in town. So you can take another trip together in a 2-zone area, which is plenty for traveling around Copenhagen.

Of course, if you are traveling alone and don't plan on using the bus or train during your stay, this will not pay off. But by comparing prices you can save some kroner.

Remember, klip korts can be used on the metro, buses, trains and even the water buses. If nothing else, use the extra klips to ride the new metro - it is a real treat and needs to be experienced.

P.S. You can also take the metro from the airport to Copenhagen, but the train is really better if you're traveling with lots of luggage.

Eating Out on a Budget

You will soon realize that after your accomodations, that eating will be your next highest expense, but it does not have to ruin your holiday. There are ways to cut down the cost of eating out in Denmark. Check out budget dining in Denmark.

Eating out can be really cheap!

I have already mentioned in the above section about the low cost food at IKEA and we have found another great reason to stop in occaisionally at IKEA for a meal. At present (at least in Arhus), IKEA has a special "tilbud" offer in the afternoon. They have a daily special of the Meatballs for only 16 kroner!

You get 8 meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce for only 16 kroner. Not a bad deal for a decent meal. Water is free - sodas, coffee and wine are also available for a low price. If you buy a desert with your meal you can get a delicious chocolate cake for only 8 kroner more.

So, if you are around IKEA between 3PM and 5PM, you can pick up a meal with dessert for under 25 kroner!

But wait there is more! How about breakfast for just 10 kroner. you get two fresh rolls, with a package of assorted meats and cheese, a fresh cup of coffee (free refills). This is only available in the mornings from 9:30AM to 11:00AM.

On Saturday, they have a 1 kroner offer. Same breakfast as mentioned before, but for only 9 kroner less. This is only available on Saturdays from 8:30AM to 10:00AM.

Don't know how long these offers will continue, but if you are going shopping at IKEA anyway, well worth stopping by early for breakfast or in for a late lunch or early dinner.

P.S. Since we drive by each day home from work, it is a once a week treat for us - inexpensive supper - no cooking - no washing up - and time for a bit of shopping too!

Maybe we will see some of you there - Thursday is our usual night!

Other cheap eating options

The IKEA store in Taastrup is offering 50% off their meatball meals from Tuesday to Thursday between 5 - 8 PM. As low as 19.50 kroner for the 10 meatball special! Good Deal.

The IKEA store in Gentofte (Lyngby area) also offers the 10 kroner breakfast til 11:00am.

Before I leave the IKEA thread - if you live in Denmark, it is worth getting a free family membership card which entitles you to Free Coffee and other discounts on food and merchandise!

Another option for you fans of exercise is Fitness DK. If you are a member of their club, you get free breakfast in the mornings between 6am and 9AM. Not sure what they serve since I am not a member, but was told it was pretty good for the price - FREE!

Another option is the Bilka Bistro. For those not in the know, Bilka is a large change of grocery/department style store. Most of them have a bistro near the front area and they have good food and the prices are reasonable. Children menu - 10 kroner for most of them. Adult menu - 39 kroner and up. Coffee, soda - 10 kroner per person - free refills.

If you go to Jensen's Bofhus, it might benefit you to sign up for their newsletter. They will send you special offers. Lately there has been a 2 for 1 offer. Buy one meal, get the second one free. Check out www.jensens.com for their offers.

Free Coffee Anyone?

If you do alot of driving or find yourself going by that same gas station everyday, stop and in and see if they have a coffee special. Places like Texaco and a few other stations have an offer, where if you buy one of their coffee mugs or thermos, you can get free coffee refills for a year.

The offers vary. I have seen some that will cost you 5 kroner per cup/thermos and some are FREE. Just look around and you will see some nice offers.

They also have a lot of good breakfast specials!

ummmm pastries

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