Working in Copenhagen Denmark

Airport

Copenhagen Airport,located 8 kilometres from the city centre, is a modern structure that caters for more than 23 million passengers annually and about 130 destinations. Being a recently constructed facility, the three-terminal airport’s facilities are broad, comfortable and considered some of the best in the world.

Regular bus and shuttle train services run directly to Terminal 3. Travel by taxi is also a common option, albeit very costly in Copenhagen.

Railway Station

Hovedbanegaarden station
The main rail station in Copenhagen is Hovedbanegaarden station, which is located in the Vesterbro district. The 13-platform station was built in 1847and serves destinations throughout Denmark and Western Europe. InterCity, regional trains and S-trains all travel via Hovedbanegaarden station.

Transportation

The public transport system in Copenhagen is efficient and modern. Its rail service is controlled by local company, DSB, which provides English-speaking customer service to assist visitors. The city’s train service involves the S-trains, regional trains, Inter-city trains and international trains.

Copenhagen also has a metro service consisting of two lines – M1 and M2. The metro is the fastest way to navigate Copenhagen and also the quickest to reach the airport. A trip from the city centre to Copenhagen airport via the metro takes just 15 minutes.

Copenhagen also has an extensive bus service for travel within the city, domestically and internationally. Maps of routes and information are suitably placed at all stations, enabling travellers to plan their trips and calculate the cost of fares.

Cost of Living

The cost of living for expats in Copenhagen is high by western standards. According to online cost of living database Numbeo (http://www.numbeo.com/), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:

Accommodation

Even at the lower end of the scale accommodation in Copenhagen, like most things in Denmark, is expensive. Many of Copenhagen’s most accessible hotels are located in the areas of Indre By and Vesterbro. For cheaper prices book online as early as possible.

Despite the high prices, Copenhagen has a variety of accommodation options, ranging from budget, mid-range to luxurious. A few to consider include:

Budget
Cab Inn
Interpoint Hostel

Mid-range
Carsten’s Guest House
Copenhagen Rainbow

High-end
Hotel D’Angleterre Copenhagen
The Phoenix Hotel of Copenhagen

Shopping

Shopping in Copenhagen is headlined by one of the largest pedestrian malls in the world, Strøget. City Hall, Kongens Nytorv and Nørreport are all linked by the mall, which host a variety of different stores, including many high-end fashion outlets. The shopping isn’t limited to just the Strøget, with the surrounding streets also worth exploring for goods.

For indoor shopping, Copenhagen’s two major centres are Magasin du Nord and Illums. If antiques are your thing then look around Ravnsborggade in Nørrebro. The flea market in Nørrebro is also worth checking out for bargains.

Emergency

Emergency telephone numbers
Fire, police & ambulance 112

Australian Embassy, Copenhagen
Dampfaergevej 26,
2nd floor,
2100 Copenhagen Ø
Telephone +45 7026 3676
Facsimile +45 7026 3686
Email: genenq.cpgn@dfat.gov.au
Website: www.denmark.embassy.gov.au

Insurance and Healthcare

Taxes fund Denmark’s health care system. Expats in the Northern European country will be required to register for the Danish health care system, after which they will be issued a national health insurance card for use of free and low-cost services.

Registration for Denmark’s health care system takes place at the Citizen Service office in the place of residence. To locate the closest Citizen Service office, visit: http://www.krak.dk/

Despite a high standard of health facilities in Denmark, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs. Costs for private health treatment in Denmark are comparable to those in Australia.