http://audrey1.mpi-stuttgart.mpg.de/~graefen/DSB/english.html (Einblicke ins Internet, 10/1995)
The Danish Railways
DISCLAIMER:
All the information below is given to my best knowledge, but without any
liability with respect to possible errors.
I have no commercial connections whatsoever to the DSB.
BEMÆRK:
Jeg har forfattet den nedenstående information med omhu, men jeg
påtager mig intet ansvar til evt. fejl. Jeg er ikke hvordan som helst
tilknyttet forretningsmæssigt til DSB.
Denne side findes også på
dansk .
There are some changes as a consequence of both the new DSB fares (valid
since 1 May) and the new time-table (valid since 28 May). I will update
this page accordingly in the next days.
Contents
General
The main railway net in Denmark is run by the DSB (Danske Statsbaner = Danish
State Railways), which
have been a state enterprise so far but are under privatisation now. This net is
supplemented by some private lines. There are no through trains between state
and private lines, the co-ordination is, however, quite good, thus passengers
should have no problems with this division. The DSB offer a very complex
service: besides the railway lines, they run some railway and other ferries, an
express boat connection (Kalundborg--Århus), service in trains and at
stations, sleeping-car and couchette service, and travel agencies (the offer of
which is not restricted to travel by train).
There are some peculiarities of the Danish railway net:
- The railway net is strongly centred around Copenhagen. Nearly all
higher-speed trains start or end there.
- Since a large part of Denmark, including the Copenhagen region, is situated
on islands, very many services are dependent on ferry connections, as a
rule railway ferries. However, these ferries will increasingly be
substituted by direct connections: The Great-Belt connection is under
construction, bridges over the Øresund (Copenhagen-Malmö) and
the Fehmarn Belt are being considered.
- The several levels of trains are only little separated from each other:
IC trains, for instance, stop at many intermediate stations, are often
continued as regional trains on secondary services, and there is no general
fare supplement. There is no separate express-train net as in Germany or
France.
Domestic Travel
Kinds of Trains
- Lyntog
- ("Flash train"), high-speed connection between Copenhagen and several major
towns west for the Great Belt (at present: Århus, Aalborg, Esbjerg).
Special train sets ("IC3") with
lounge (1st class), rest seats and IC seats (2nd class).
Snacks and beverages are offered aboard.
Seat reservation necessary with few exceptions.
One to three departures per day and direction on each service.
Intercity tog
(Intercity train).
Relatively fast connections, most services being from or to Copenhagen.
Special motorails ("IC3") with
lounge (1st class), rest seats, IC seats, and family seats (2nd class). Playing
corner for children.
Snacks and beverages are offered aboard.
Trains depart every hour in each direction.
Seat reservation may be necessary.
In order not to overload the connection from Copenhagen over the Great Belt, the
IC trains form Copenhagen to several destinations start in Copenhagen as one
train, consisting of four or five IC3 motorail sets. These trains are subdivided
more and more as they approach their destination on Jutland. Vice versa, trains
starting from different departure stations on Jutland to Copenhagen are coupled
to one train before crossing the Great Belt. It is therefore that
some IC trains have several reference numbers in some time-tables or change
their reference number, so don't get confused about this. Also, if you travel
from Copenhagen to a destination in Jutland and do not have a fixed seat reservation,
make sure that you enter the correct section of the train (which is, however,
no problem, becase there are generous information panels in the cars).
Interregionaltog
(Interregional train).
Supplement to the Intercity trains on the service
Copenhagen-Aalborg during rush hours. 2nd class only. Some interregional trains
offer a children's guide, thus little children may use this train without
company.
The interregional trains are run at present with (relatively old) locomotives
and wagons, which are due to be replaced by modern electric autorails (IR4).
This has been delayed, however, by technical problems with these trains.
Regionaltog
(Regional train).
Trains either within Jutland or within the islands. Partly 1st and 2nd class.
Departures every hour or every other hour on major services, irregularly
otherwise.
More and more regional services are run by small motorails, which are being
modernized at present.
Nattog
(Night trains).
Connections between Copenhagen and major cities west of the
Great Belt. Sleeping-cars and couchettes, limited offer of sitting-cars (2nd
class only). Beverage vendor machines in several wagons. Breakfast may be
ordered.
Reservation is necessary in sleeping-cars and
couchettes.
S-tog
(Suburban train).
In the Copenhagen region only.
DSB buses
On some regional services, buses are used in alternation with trains. It is
indicated in the
time-table
whether a certain connection is by bus or by train.
The buses stop in the vicinity of the respective railway stations; exceptions
are indicated in the time-table. (If you want to exit somewhere else on the
route, just ask the bus driver, bus drivers in Denmark are generous in this
point.)
Fares and tickets
are the same as for trains.
Privatbaner
(private railways).
Local services as supplement to the DSB net. The services are run by motorails
("Lynette"), sometimes in altrnation with buses. Regular departures on some
services (e.g. Jægersborg--Nærum: every 20 minutes, co-ordianated
with the suburb railway, Hjørring--Hirtshals: every 30/60 minutes).
Highly recommendable for all railway fans, both because of the beautiful
sceneries and the Lynettes.
Fares and Reductions
The railway net of the DSB is divided up into fare zones. The number of zones
passed on a journey determines the fare, the price per zone being lower the
longer the journey is. Regular prices are between 12 dkr (1 zone) and 231 dkr
(61 or more zones). The railway ferries, the ferry to Kolby Kås,
and the express boat connection
Kalundborg-Århus are included into this zone scheme.
Tickets may be bought at most two months in advance. One-way tickets are valid
one day only. With return tickets, the journey out must be on the first day of
validity, the return journey within two months of this date. Regulations for the
interruption of journeys are relatively restrictive.
As s rule, you can buy your ticket from the conductor as well for a minor
supplement. However, there are some secondary services where there are no
conductors in the trains.
There are a number of price reductions, the most important being the following:
- Billigdage
- (Cheap days).
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 2nd class fares
are reduced by 20 per cent. Some public holidays and days before and after are,
however, excluded from this reduction.
- Klippekort
- (Punching card).
For frequent journeys between two stations, 10-journey cards are issued with a
reduction of 20 per cent. The card must be stamped at the departure station and
is transferable. Several people who travel together may use one card by stamping
it several times.
- Togkort
- (Train card).
For even more journeys between two stations, a train card may be
appropriate. It is valid for arbitrary journeys between the two stations in a
certain period. The passenger may choose the first date and the duration of
validity, however, the duration must be between 30 and 360 days. The price per
day becomes lower the longer the card is valid. The card is personal, thus one
has to bring a photograph along when ordering it.
- Rød billet
- (Red Ticket).
Gives about 20 per cent reduction for services to and from the
Copenhagen region. Not valid in some InterCity trains during the rush hours.
(The name refers to the Danish passenger cars, which are red in distinction to
the white IC3 motorails.)
As a rule, you will be granted any applicable reduction automatically when
buying a ticket.
For using an EuroCity train
locally between Copenhagen and Næstved, a supplement of dkr 12 is required.
For Lyntog and InterCity trains, possible supplements are covered by the
reservation fee.
For local journeys within the Copenhagen, Århus, and Esbjerg
regions and for journeys with private railways exclusively, there apply the
fares of the respective transport societies (Trafikselskaber). This means in
particular that you can buy through tickets for combined tours with
these railways and buses.
A seat reservation is possible in all Lyntog, InterCity trains, interregional
trains, night trains, and international trains. Reservations may be made two
months in advance.
In Lyntog, a reservation is always compulsory except for the service
Århus--Aalborg. The prices are 60 dkr (1st class) or 30 dkr (2nd class),
respectively.
In InterCity trains, it depends on the service you are using whether you need a
seat reservation. For journeys crossing the Great Belt, a reservation is always
necessary, on other services, only during rush hours or not at all. It is
possible, however, on all services. Prices are the same as for the Lyntog.
Quite recently, open seat reservations have been introduced to make you more
flexible. If you use an IC on a service where seat reservation is required, then
you may buy an open seat-reservation ticket (at the same price) instead of a
seat-reservation ticket. You may then use any train but have no seat guaranteed.
Open reservations are not valid during extreme rush-hours.
Seat reservations in interregional and night trains cost dkr 20.
For night trains
reservations may be ordered
arbitrary long in advance but will be confirmed at most two months before the
journey. A reservation is 60 dkr in a couchette. A single berth in a
sleeping-car is 400 dkr (plus 1st-class ticket), a double berth is 160 dkr (plus
2nd class ticket).
For the express boats between Århus and Kalundborg, a (gratis) reservation
is required.
Travelling by night is convenient and priceworthy in Denmark.
There are night connections between Copenhagen and Jutland. One may use
sleeping-cars and couchettes; some trains offer 2nd class sitting-cars in
addition. Sitting-cars are not over the full service in some cases.
The sleeping-cars have two-berth compartments, which can be used either as
single or double compartments. A wash-basin with cold and hot water is available
in every compartment. Breakfast will be served on requirement. Allergy-free
bed-linen is available if ordered at least three days in advance.
The couchettes have six-berth compartments, as a rule, only five berths are
occupied.
There are separate sleeping-cars and couchettes to and from
Århus and Esbjerg as well as separate couchettes from Fredericia
and Struer.
These are placed at disposal at
the departure station at 10:30 pm and are parked at the destination station
until 7:30 am.
Carrying bicycles along
You can take your bicycle with you in suburban trains (except for the rush
hour), interregional trains, many regional trains, and most private trains
(except Jægersborg--Nærum).
There is no possibility to take bicycles along in
Lyntog/InterCity trains and night trains.
The fares are between dkr 22
and dkr 66. If you often take your bicycle along, you may save 20% with a
bicycle punching card.
The interregional trains have a special bicycle compartment, which can be used
with a reservation ticket.
Some of the regional trains have a special bicycle car. In this cases,
space for bicycles is generous. However, more and more regional trains are train
sets with not too large a luggagge compartment, so space may be limited,
in particular in July/August.
In DSB buses (and, by the way, most other buses), at most two bicycles can be
transported (perhaps three if you are skilful and have the necessary tools with
you to turn the handlebar alongside).
Fares are the same as for trains.
Sending bicycles as checked luggage
You may send your bicycle as checked luggage to and from many railway stations,
including the private lines. The price is dkr 140 per bicycle. Bicycles are not
always treated exactly very tenderly, so it is a good idea to remove
bells and similar
parts and to wrap the bicycle. Wrappings can be bought at DSB.
Additional service
You may rent a bike at many DSB stations. Besides, there are lockable bicycle
boxes at more and more stations (fee dkr 10 as a rule).
At Copenhagen Main Station, there is a bicycle centre,
where you in addition can buy bikes and spare parts and have your bike repaired.
International Travel
Kinds of Trains
- InterNord
- High-quality train on services between several nordic countries. 1st and
2nd class, restaurant car, playing corner for children.
Seat reservation
necessary with few exceptions.
InterNord Nat
(InterNord-Night).
High-quality night train on services between several nordic countries.
High-standard sleeping-cars and couchettes.
Sitting-cars ara available but are not transported by the ferry
Helsingør--Helsingborg
with some exceptions. So you have to go aboard the ferry yourself if you want to
use them for an international journey.
Reservation necessary with few exceptions.
EuroCity
High-quality connection to other countries (mainly Germany). 1st and 2nd class,
snacks and beverages available aboard.
At present five departures in each direction between Copenhagen and Hamburg.
Seat reservation is highly recommended,
particularly for those trains formed of IC3 motorails (this is indicated in the
DSB time-table).
Other International trains
There are further international trains between Hamburg and Jutland and
between Berlin and Copenhagen, some of them being continued beyond Hamburg or
Berlin, respectively. Both day and night connections are offered.
Fares and Reductions
For journeys to and from Denmark, tickets can be bought according to the usual
conditions for international railway transport.
InterRail and EuroDomino tickets are valid in Denmark. Besides, there is an
offer for those who want to travel much in the Scandinavian countries:
The ScanRail pass is valid for the railways in all Scandinavian countries in a
certain time, either five out of 15
days, which the passenger may choose freely, or 21 days. The prices (2nd class)
are dkr 1264 and dkr 1930, respectively, there are reductions for children and
young people below 26. Besides free
railway transportation, this pass grants free transportation or fare reductions
on a number of buses and ferries. This pass is available both in
Scandinavia and abroad.
In EuroCity trains, an supplement of 35 dkr is required on international
services, which also covers a possible
seat reservation.
You may order reservations as long in advance as you want to, but reservations
will be confirmed earliest 6 months in advance for journeys to Sweden and
Norway, 3 months in advance for sleeping-cars, and 2 months in advance else.
In IN/INN trains, you must have a reservation for all cars that are transferred by
a ferry. A seat reservation is dkr 15, for the prices of couchette and
sleeping-car berths, see below.
In EC trains, a reservation is recommended. Its price is covered by the
supplement,
which has to be paid anyway.
In other international trains, a seat reservation is possible and costs dkr 15.
A reservation in a couchette is between dkr 73 and dkr 155 depending on
service, a reservation in a sleeping-car between dkr 146 and dkr 439,
these prices being for
the cheapest respective berth category (three-berth compartment as a rule).
There are night connections from Copenhagen to the following destinations:
Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt (Main)
Basel
Innsbruck
Paris
Brussels, Liège, Oostende
Stockholm
Oslo, Geilo
All of these trains offer sleeping-cars and couchettes (Paris: sleeping-cars
only), some of them sitting-cars in addition. The detailed offer and the quality
standard of the rolling stock used may be different.
Carrying bicycles along
You may carry your bicycle along in the trains between Hamburg and Jutland and
in the day trains between Copenhagen and Berlin. Space may be limited
particularly in July/August, so consider whether you really have to make your
trip during that period on a week-end (as I did last year).
On international services, a bicycle ticket costs 60 dkr.
Sending bicycles as checked luggage
You may send your bicycle as checked luggage to and from many railway stations,
including the private lines.
Sending a bicycle as checked luggage is expensive. You must pay the
international transport fee (dkr 70 in Denmark) and in addition the fee
for bicycles as checked luggage within Denmark, i.e. additional dkr
140. The latter reduce to dkr 58, however, if you check your bicycle to/from
Padborg or a station in the Copenhagen region. Note: If you send your bicycle to
Denmark, the national transportation fee must be paid at the destination!
Again, it is recommendable to prepare the bicycle to a rude treatment: Detach
all parts that are easy to remove (mirror, bell, tool bag...) and consider to
wrap your bicycle.
The
DSB time-table
contains the time-tables of both DSB and private railways,
all international railway and ferry connections to and from Denmark, and all bus
lines in Danmark except city and local buses. Besides, it contains detailed
information on travelling by rail in Denmark (the present page is essentially
extracted from it).
It is issued twice a year, at the end of May and at the end of September.
You can buy it at DSB stations and at some other places (I bought my copy in a
petrol-station shop). It costs dkr 30, is relatively handy (well, Denmark isn't
that large...) and a very useful tool when planning trips.
Quite recently, the DSB have issued an electronic version of the time table
on a floppy disk. It is suitable for both DOS and Windows and costs dkr 40,
which is however an introductory price.
Time-tables for single lines or regions are issued separately as folders,
which are
disposable free of charge at DSB stations, as well as folders on special topics
(travel for handicapped people, luggage, bicycles...)
For further information, you can contact the DSB travel centre
at the Copenhagen main railway station:
DSB rejsecentre
Københavns Hovedbanegård
DK-1570 KØBENHAVN V
Tel. +45 33 14 88 00 (domestic trains)
Tel. +45 33 14 30 88 (international trains)
Tel. +45 33 14 11 21 (business tours)
Fax +45 33 14 04 00-17 139
There are DSB offices abroad, but it is a good idea to contact an agency in
Denmark directly (at least this is my experience with the German dependencies).
Jürgen Gräfenstein
graefen@audrey.mpi-stuttgart.mpg.de
(Comments and hints welcome!)
Last update: 7 June, 1995