Copenhagen and its Public Transportation System
With a transit system that comprises of a bus, rail and metro network, the public transit system in the Danish city of Copenhagen is quite extensive. The metro system, unique for not having to a driver to guide it along, runs along the eastern end of the city center and connects Christianshavns Torv and Kongens Nytorv with Norreport. The metro system, at present, has further been extended to the airport. The bus system, known as HUR, is vast while the S-Train network features eleven lines that pass through Kobenhavn H or the Central Station. The HUR system has its main terminus at Radhuspladsen that lies a couple of blocks away to the northeast of the Central Station on the S-Train network.
The public transport in Copenhagen is regarded as one of the most reliable and efficient systems in the world. While a lot of improvement and development work is being carried out on it, the current system is still capable of getting you to your destination anywhere around the city.
Let us take a look at the various Means of public transport in Copenhagen that makes it so easy for tourists to get around the city without having to face any major hurdles in transit.
Copenhagen Metro
For a fast, safe and easy way to get around the city of Copenhagen, the Metro service is the best option. In fact, in the years 2008 and 2010, they were awarded the best metro service in the world. The Metro service helps in linking the large urban areas at either end of the city while the city center serves as the base. The two lines of the Copenhagen Metro allows to tour the city in a convenient manner at any time of the day. Fully automatic and without any driver, the transport system has well-trained stewards and personnel on board. The two main lines are:
- Line M1: It is a bidirectional line running from the Vanlose station to the west of Copenhagen down to the isle of Amager called Vestamager which lies to the south if the city. With the biggest of all Scandinavian shopping malls- Field’s- located close by, the Orestad Metro station is the busiest of all on this given route.
- Line M2: Another bidirectional line, it runs between the Vanlose Station and Copenhagen Airport. This metro route travels through the inner core of the city, along places such as the Christianshavns Canal and terminates at the airport. There are numerous tourist attractions and venues along the route. With three zones along the route, it takes around twenty six minutes for the journey to be completed.
- Line M3: The final line on the Copenhagen Metro project, it is likely to be completed in the year 2018 and operate as many as thirty trains along this route.
Public Bus Service in Copenhagen
Copenhagen has as many as four hundred different routes that serves its citizens and tourists to the Danish capital alike. There are two main bus terminals in the city namely at the Town Hall Square and Central Station through which public buses on most of the famous and busy routes run all year round, transporting tourists to some of the popular destinations in and around the city of Copenhagen.
Copenhagen S-Train
The red S-Train in Copenhagen, a characteristic feature of its transport system, is one of the easiest ways to get around Copenhagen and also for the better part of the North Sealand. There are also trains that run from the city all the way to Klampenborg and Hillerod in the North and to the Western Danish city of Hoje-Tasstrup. While everything, from children to pets are allowed on the train, you cannot carry along your bicycles especially when it is peak hours.
Harbour bus in Copenhagen
The harbour buses, splendid in their yellow and blue colors, are an excellent means of transportation and a cheap alternative to the popular canal tours of Denmark. For getting over to the Little Mermaid across the harbor from the Royal Library, you will be required to pay the nominal fare of a bus ride. Along the way, you will pass such scenic attractions as The Royal Opera House, Nyhavn and Christianshavn.
Taxi Service in Copenhagen
Each of the taxis in Copenhagen have a registration number along with the Taxa or Taxi sign attached to its roof. In case a vehicle is vacant, it will feature the word “Fri” on the windscreen. Travelling in a taxi is very convenient as the drivers are well versed in speaking English and also committed towards finding the cheapest and fastest way to your destination. Beware the many Pirate Taxis in Copenhagen. It is best that you avoid these vehicles as they lack proper insurance coverage and other forms of legal protection.
Getting Around on bicycle in Copenhagen
the best proposition: Copenhagen is regarded as one of the best cities for travelling on bicycle. There are cycling lanes on most of the streets and, more importantly, their presence on the streets is respected by the motorists. It is possible to travel around the entire city on bicycle with the exception of the pedestrian-only streets such as Stroget. Kongens Nytorv and Gammel Torv are the points where you can cross the Stroget on cycle. Be mindful of the tourist buses and wary of pedestrians who have a tendency of stepping off the kerb unmindfully.
Copenhagen Card
The Copenhagen Card which can be obtained online and also from the Tourist Information Bureau in the city offers you free access to as many as sixty museums in the city and also other attractions in their surrounding area. What’s more, you can enjoy a free travel on the bus, metro and S-Train networks in Copenhagen with this card as long as you travel within the seven travel zones. So if you are planning on travelling on the various means of public transport in Copenhagen, ensure that you have the Copenhagen Card to make your travels easier and less expensive.