Language
The mother tongue is Danish, which is closely related to both Swedish and Norwegian. However, most Danes speak English well – especially the young generation.
Currency And Tipping
The Danish use the krone (DKK), which is divided into 100 oere. A British pound is worth about 11 DKK, an American dollar about 5.60. Restaurant bills and taxi fares include service charges in the quoted prices, so any further tip should be given only for exceptional service. It is not uncommon, however, to round up the bill by, say, 5%.
Safety
Denmark is, by and large, an incredibly safe country and travelling should present no unusual dangers, even in the capital city. Tourists should, however, be careful with their belongings, particularly in busy places such as Copenhagen’s central station. You’ll need to become accustomed to the busy cycle lanes between the pavement (sidewalk) and the vehicle lanes as it’s easy to veer into them accidentally. Keep your eyes out for fast-moving cyclists at all times!
Travel
Copenhagen has a clean, efficient transport system consisting of buses, metro (underground/subway) and S-trains. You can transfer freely between all three using the same tickets and discount cards. Basic tickets can be bought from vending machines at stations, ticket offices or the bus driver.
Travel tip: Invest in a CPHCard, which is valid for any travel in the Greater Copenhagen area. There are two types: one is for 24 hours and the other for 72 hours. It also gives you free entry into museums and other attractions, discounts on certain products and services and a tourist guide. For full details go to www.visitcopenhagen.dk/tourist...
There is another option for getting around town - the bicycle. Three out of four Danes own bikes and half use them on a regular basis. Copenhagen is a great city for getting around on two wheels. There are generous cycle lanes along many of the main roads and bicycle racks can be found at museums and other public places. Bikes can be hired at one of the many rental shops in the city.
Weather
The climate follows the four seasons of the northern hemisphere, but temperatures can vary considerably, particularly during the winter period. The coldest months are January and February when the average daily temperature hovers around freezing point. July is generally the warmest month with the average temperature around 68F (20C). Expect to see grey skies and rain on occasions.
