Transport and Driving in Denmark

Transport and driving in Denmark are convenient and efficient. Denmark’s roads are in excellent condition and congestion isn't a major issue. There is also a comprehensive public transport system in Denmark comprising trains, buses and ferries, so expats who choose not to drive will have plenty of ways to get around.

Denmark has a reputation as one of the world's cycling capitals and new arrivals will soon find that this standing is well earned. Copenhagen, in particular, is exceptionally cycle friendly and the government is constantly extending the existing cycling infrastructure.

Public transport in Denmark

Public transport in Denmark is an efficient way for expats to reach almost any part of the country. Many Danes use public transport daily and the Danish government encourages residents to give public transport preference over driving.

Bus, trains and the metro are all covered by Rejsekort, a central electronic ticketing system. Commuter passes and discounted fares can also be accessed via Rejsekort. 

Trains

The national rail network in Denmark is operated by Danske Statsbaner (DSB). It also operates the S-train rail network in Copenhagen. Expats can use the train to travel between the major cities on all of Denmark’s islands. 

Smaller towns and rural areas in Denmark are serviced by regional trains. Long-distance trains run frequently throughout the day and are a relaxing and safe way to travel between cities in Denmark. The country also has international railway links to Sweden and Germany.

Metro

Copenhagen is home to Denmark's only metro system, which is well integrated with other public transport links throughout the city.

Buses

Denmark has a good system of long-distance buses that makes travelling between Danish cities painless and easy. Express coaches are also available. 

Travellers can purchase bus tickets on the bus itself using exact change or they can purchase them in advance.

Ferries

Denmark is an archipelago, so ferries are one of the best ways to get around. This is especially the case for expats who want to explore some of the smaller islands. 

There are also international ferry connections to destinations such as Sweden, Norway, Germany and the UK.

Taxis in Denmark

Large cities in Denmark will have an abundance of taxis run by many different companies. Smaller cities, however, might only have one or two local operators. Taxis can be hailed on the street, or can be booked online or via phone.

All taxis in Denmark have meters and the fares are regulated. Ride-hailing apps are not commonly used in Denmark – at one point, Uber had a presence in the country, but the company was forced to close down operations in Denmark in 2017 due to a change in taxi laws.

Driving in Denmark

Expats driving in Denmark can expect a fairly easy, stress-free experience. The roads are in excellent condition and traffic jams are not a major issue. The Danish government has invested in extending the country’s road network and expats will find that, due to the building of bridges, more and more areas and islands of the country are accessible by car. Expats can also use ferries to transport their cars between Denmark’s islands.

Cycling in Denmark 

Cycling is an extremely popular mode of transport among the Danish population – in fact, in the city of Copenhagen, there are more bicycles than people. The country has a huge network of bicycle routes that extends for over 12,000km (more than 7,000 miles), making cycling an easy and safe way to get around. 

Air travel in Denmark

Denmark’s cities are situated fairly close together, so it's rarely necessary to travel by plane within the country. That said, there are numerous domestic airports around the country, with the main hub being Copenhagen Airport. The national carrier, together with Sweden and Norway, is Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).