Post by Ella.
As is usual in Europe, there are trams, busses, trains, metro galore. In Holland and here in Copenhagen, navigating public transport is made so much easier with Google maps. Google knows all is seems. Google can give you all your transit routes, number and names of stops to traverse, where and how to transfer and so on. Also included are walking directions to the stop and from the stop to your destination.
The only fly in the google ointment is that, of course, you need to have your cellular data turned on in order to access live navigation which then means you’d best have a good international data plan. Or, you can buy a SIM for a local carrier (such as Vodephone) and swap it into your phone. Then you pay the local carrier’s rate. We’ve never taken that option so I can’t discourse on advantages or disadvantages of SIM swapping. Except that I know it’s generally the cheaper way to go.
But back to transport. In the Netherlands, I mentioned the great OV chip card which worked over the entire country.
Here in Denmark, there is no one card fits all for all of Denmark. Instead, each city or area has its own system. For Zealand, which is the most populous island and also where Copenhagen is located, you can download the DOT app on your phone and then buy tickets on your phone. You can also just buy paper tickets at many metro and train stations. For tourists, there is the CityPass which gives you unlimited rides each day. You can purchase a pass good for up to 5 days.
One needs to do a little research though because along with number of days, there is also number of zones. If you think you’ll stay within the inner 4 zones, for example, you would buy a Small CityPass for your desired number of days. DOT has a great website which shows you the zones clearly so it is easy to chose.
But now, here is the thing. You just buy it and it’s on your phone but you never wave it or tap it or show it unless a conductor comes through and asks to see it. We did 4 rides today and 2 yesterday. Metro and S train. Only on one ride did a conductor ask to see anyone’s tickets.
PSA: when Google maps says “mostly flat” they really mean “slightly less steep than the Matterhorn.
Yes, we found that too back when we were in Portugal. But Copenhagen really is flat, flat, flat.