Tickets

If you want to learn how to get the best tickets for bus, train or metro travel in Denmark, you need to understand how the public transport system works in Denmark and more importantly - about discount cards - klippekort.

The major forms of public transport are the bus, metro and train. There are several variations of each, including the harbor bus in Copenhagen and Regional Trains.

NOTE: All public transport in Denmark requires a ticket, and if you travel without a valid ticket, you will be fined. And the fines are pretty high: 750 kroner per fine. It's not worth taking the risk.

Types of tickets. On buses you can pay cash to the driver or there are also ticket machines on some buses. (more common on Jylland than Sjaelland). This can't be done on trains, since the train conductor does not sell tickets. (There are some exceptions to this rule,[regional trains], but it is best to always get your ticket ahead of time).

You can buy a ticket at the station at a ticket machine. You will need coins or a credit card to do this. (See photo)

You can purchase these cards at most grocery store chains, kiosks and even gas stations and through ticket machines and even on the buses (not recommended - the drivers frown on it).

When buying a klippekort, you have several choices. The type of klippekort you use will depend on the number of zones you will be traveling in. See the section on zones.

There are klipekorts 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 hours.

When you use the card in the machines on buses or at train stations, it is clipped and stamped with the date, time and the zone. If you clip a card twice, it can be used in twice that many zones. For example, clip a 2-zone card twice, and you can travel through 4 zones and it will be valid for 1-1/2 hours. Your time does not double, it will be same as if you clipped a 4-zone card.

To clip a card, place the card in one of the yellow ticketing machines. These are found in all stations and as you enter a bus. (See the photo.) The card should always go in with the front of card facing you. The bottom of the card goes in first.

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.

If you look carefuly, you can see this card was clipped on 17:45 on the 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.

Note that there are yellow machines on all train platforms and entries onto buses.

To learn more about klippekorts check out Klippekort Reading A few pointers about traveling on public transport:

1. Always keep your tickets handy to show to the driver or inspector.

2. If you have already clipped your card and you board another bus, please show the driver your card as you board.

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 you may 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. When traveling on regional or intercity trains, there are 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.

Personal story: I often travel between Aarhus and Copenhagen on the train. As I sit in my reserved seat, I notice others who don't have a reserved seat having to change seats several times during the trip. If someone boards at a stop with a reserved seat ticket, the person sitting in that seat has to move. On a recent trip a lady was forced to move 3 times. She was a very unhappy traveler by the time she got to Aarhus.

5. Smoking is no longer permitted on trains. Yea!

6. On regional and intercity trains there are carriages called "quiet zones". In these carriages you cannot talk on the phone or have loud conversations. If you want a peaceful, quiet journey, I suggest you choose a seat in these carriages. They don't cost extra - at least at this time - but that may change.

7. 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.

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

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

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

11. You can also buy a 24-hour klip card. Once you clip the card, you have unlimited travel for 24 hours on all the city buses, trains and Metro. It does not include tour buses or buses outside the 95-zone area. If it is on the zone card you can travel there.

12. Remember there is a harbor bus (a boat), which is also a great way to travel and sightsee around Copenhagen.

13. You can also get some other types of discount tickets. There is a 7-day Flex Card and Copenhagen Card. The Flex Card needs to be purchased at the ticket office at the main train station. It gives you unlimited travel for 7 days. 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. Check out the

14. Other major cities also have a version of the Copenhagen Card - these can be bought at the local tourist office.

Tip: 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.

Ticket Prices

Also, if you are going to be living in Denmark and using public transport alot, you may want to check out some of the special passes available.

There are monthly passes, senior discount cards, student passes, business card (where your employer pays for your transport), a Flex Card which can be used by several people. (kind of a car share system with bus/train cards instead). There are also special cards for the unemployed, retired, children, so check in at the local ticket counter at the main station in Copenhagen and ask about your possibilities.

Now here are your klippekort prices:

A regular 2-zone ticket bought from a machine will cost 21 kroner.

A regular 3-zone ticket bought from a machine will cost 31.50 kroner.

A regular 4-zone ticket bought from a machine will cost 42.00 kroner.

A regular 5-zone ticket bought from a machine will cost 52.50 kroner.

A regular 6-zone ticket bought from a machine will cost 63.00 kroner.

A regular 7-zone ticket bought from a machine will cost 73.50 kroner.

A regular 8-zone ticket bought from a machine will cost 84.00 kroner.

An all-zone ticket bought from a machine will cost 94.50 kroner.

A 24-hour all-zone ticket bought from a machine will cost 120.00 kroner.

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A 2-zone klippekort will cost 130 kroner

A 3-zone klippekort will cost 170 kroner

A 4-zone klippekort will cost 220 kroner

A 5-zone klippekort will cost 265 kroner

A 6-zone klippekort will cost 305 kroner

A 7-zone klippekort will cost 360 kroner

An 8-zone klippekort will cost 390 kroner

An all-zone klippekort will cost 405 kroner

More information can be found at:

Movia ...... www.trafik.dk

Metro ...... www.m.dk

DSB ..... www.dsb.dk

If you want to plan or look for the best route from point A to point B, try www..rejseplanen.dk. It is in Danish, but you can translate the pages using google translate.