Tickets

Update: If you travel without paying the fare, on your first offence you will be made to buy a new ticket plus pay a 100DKK fine. If you do it again, you will be made to pay the 750DKK fine. This was a policy in 2011 and not sure if DSB is still offering this reduced penalty. Do not count on it, since I am presently unable to verify the lower fare. Expect to pay 750 if you travel without a proper/valid ticket.

Please do not travel illegally. In 2010 DSB lost over 50 million kroner in illegal travel! So why do you think fares are constantly being raised? To cover those loses? Maybe, so please do not be part of the problem. Pay your way. Thank you.

A ticket can be used on buses, trains, the Metro and harbor buses. You can switch from one mode of transport to the other as long as it is within the allotted time and used in the allowed zones. See below for time conditions.

1. Tickets can be obtained from the main train stations at their ticket offices.

2. At other stations you can get it at the kiosk during opening hours.

3.Through ticket machines located at most train stations and on some buses (mostly in Jutland).

4. You can buy a ticket on the bus, if you have correct change. Many times drivers do not or will not give change. It is up to you to have the correct amount.

5. You can not buy a ticket on the s-tog (train). Sometimes you can pay for one on the regional trains, but it is best to buy beforehand to avoid getting fined.

6. You can also order via your mobile phone, but that is not discussed here.

Types of tickets

A single trip ticket is just that. One ticket bought for a specific trip and can only be used at the time of purchase. You buy these via machines or from the driver (if possible).

The above option is probably the most convenient for many people, but it is not very affordable or useful. It is better to get a klippekort, which is 10 clip card. See photo on the right to see an example. The klippekort can be bought in various forms depending on how many zones for want a card for. There are klippekorts for traveling in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or all zones. For each clip on a 2- or 3-zone card, you get to travel for up to 1 hour in those zones. For 4-, 5-, and 6-zone cards, you can travel for up to 1-1/2 hours, and with 7-, 8-, and 9-zone cards, you can travel for 2 hour.

If you do not understand about zones, than check out Zones.

You can compare prices of single trip tickets and klippekort here. See how much you save!

You can also combine klippekorts if needing to travel in more zones. For example if you need to travel in 5 zones, you can use one clip on a 2-zone and 1 clip on a 3-zone. Two or more people can also travel on the same klippekort. If there are 3 people all traveling together and they each need a 2 zone ticket, you can just clip 3 times on a single 2-zone klippekort. Remember to stay together in case an inspector stops by to check your tickets.

Most seasoned travelers will have several klippekort in their possession in order to avoid having to pay single trip ticket rates.

How to use a ticket

If you are using a klippekort, you will need to clip the card in one of the yellow ticket machines. Every bus has one as you enter the bus. At train stations they are located on the platform or inside the door out to the platform. Not hard to spot.

You push the klippekort into the machine with the bottom of the card in first. The front of the card should be facing you. If the slot is horizontal the klippekort will face upwards. If, as on most buses, the machine has a vertical slot, the klippekort is put in with the clips facing the left side, which makes the front of the card face you again. However you put the klippekort in, remember two things.

1. Card goes in bottom first.

2. The side where the clip is to be punched, must be on the left side.

If you need to do more than one clip, pull the card out halfways and than push down again. You will hear the clips. It is quite distinct sound.

When you pull the card out, you will see that a small chip has been removed from the left side of the card. There are 10 numbers representing each klip/clip. Notice that this card has been clipped twice. (see photo)

If you look carefuly, you can see this card was clipped on 17:45 on 1st of November in Zone 4 and again at 0500 November 2nd again in Zone 4.

HELPFUL HINT: Wait to clip your card until you know your train is just about to pull into the station. Sometimes trains can be delayed, and if you clip your card and the train is delayed for 20 minutes, you will have lost 20 minutes of your travel time standing on the platform. Generally, the trains and buses are very prompt and the government has actually enacted a programme where passengers can get refunds for buses that are significantly late.

By waiting to clip until you are about ready to board, it may give you enough time to reach your destination and return on the same ticket if you are just running a quick errand.

Remember that when a train comes to a platform, it may only be in the station for 30 seconds, so you need to board quickly. At the major stations like Copenhagen, they may be there for several minutes. Not so for smaller stops. If others are also waiting to clip, you may miss your ride. Train conductors won't usually wait for you to clip.

Helpful Ticket Tips When Using Public Transport

2. If you are traveling on a klippekort and you change buses, it is necessary to show the driver your card, so he/she knows you have a valid ticket. Just hold it out, do not give it to him unless he asks.

3. Inspectors now travel on trains and buses in everyday clothing. This has been done because many people try to avoid buying tickets, and uniforms made it easy for them to be on the lookout for inspectors. If they saw one, they'd get off the train. It's not so easy now. If someone does ask to see your ticket, just show it to them; do not give it to them. They just need to see it. If you do give someone your ticket, make sure he or she really is an inspector and not just someone trying to steal your ticket!

4. When riding on a bus or city train, there are no reserved seats, so your ticket entitles you to sit where you wish. A few exceptions to this rule are:

a. If someone with a baby carriage boards a train or bus, you must move and allow them the standing space - usually in the middle of the bus or at each end of the carriages on trains.

b. There are some places where there is seating for disabled or elderly people, and you need to leave those seats available. You can sit there, but if someone is need of those seats you must give them up. (It used to be common courtesy to give your seat to an elderly person or woman, but that is no longer the case. That does not mean you shouldn't do it, but it is not expected or done very often. Maybe we can change that!)

c. Regional and intercity trains do not use the same tickets as the ones I have been discussing here. You need to buy them at the train station ticket office. They do offer reserved seats. If you're planning on traveling on those types of trains, reserve a seat. It costs just a bit more, but it's well worth it.

5. Children under 12 can travel free with a paying adult.(Max 2 children per 1 adult.) If a child is under 12 and traveling alone, they must pay for a ticket.

6. Anyone under 16 can travel on a child's ticket.

7. When traveling after midnight or on night buses, you will have to pay double fare.

8. If you are traveling with another person, you can use the same klippekort. Just do a clip for each person.

9. Here is another handy idea for saving money. If you learn that prices for tickets are being raised, you can go out and buy as many klippekort as you want at todays price. When the price increase comes into effect, those klippekort are still valid. If at some point you do not need them, you can probably sell them for more than you paid. P.S. I once used a klippekort that was 2 years old. The driver accepted it, even though there had been 2 price increases.

10. You can now also take your bicycle along on the train for free. No need to buy a seperate ticket.

Other type of tickets

There are constantly new types of tickets being issued, but here are some of the most common.

1. Monthly passes. If you travel the same route everyday or at least in the same zones, you should consider a monthly pass. You can buy it whenever and it lasts for 30 days. You need to bring in a photo (passport size) to the main train station ticket office. Tell them which zones you need and voila a pass is issued. (after you pay for it). Well worth the cost if you travel everyday. These passes you just show to the driver as you board.

2. City Passes like the The Copenhagen Card can be purchased as a 24- or 72-hour card. These are great for visitors and I suggest that anyone visiting for a short stay get one. Not only do they give you unlimited travel, but you'll have free access to 60 attractions and many discounts. Other major cities also have a version of the Copenhagen Card - these can be bought at the local tourist office.

The card can be bought online, but unless you are planning on going straight into sightseeing as soon as you arrive, you will be wasting time on the card. As soon as the card is punched it is valid for only 24 hours or 72 hours. Plan ahead and decide if it is worth using for the free train ride from the airport to downtown.

3. 24 hour Klippekort: This is a single ticket klippekort. Once you clip it you can use it for the next 24 hours in any zone that is one the zone map. You can ride the bus system straight for 24 hours if you so desire and can a bus that runs that much!

4. There are also Orange tickets, senior passes, children tickets, Flex Cards (to be used by several people), tickets for the unemployed, retired, much more. You should check with the local ticket office for more details. Whenever you buy a ticket at the ticket counter, it is always wise to ask if there are any discount offers. Sometimes there are 2 for 1 specials, etc and they wont offer them up unless you inquire about discounts. Than they are obligated to mention them. Klippekort Reading

Please feel free to comment on this subject

Do you have a helpful tip or comment on this subject that you would like to share? Please leave comments below.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...