Car hire in Denmark

Denmark isn’t one of the highest profile destinations in Europe among tourists, but it is certainly one of the most intriguing. It is well known as the home of LEGO, Carlsberg lager and the Danish Vikings, but beyond this many people know little more about the country. Denmark is also renowned for the large number of bikes on its roads, but visitors to Denmark should not disregard the prospect of using car hire to navigate its modern and well-maintained road network. You can compare car hire price information from all of Denmark’s biggest suppliers right here.

Car hire driving tips in Denmark

Denmark is one of Europe’s flattest countries, meaning that getting around by hire car is easy. Compared to driving on some of the more anarchic roads in southern Europe, driving among Denmark’s well-disciplined and courteous drivers is a real pleasure. Drivers should note that cyclists have the right of way when using a dedicated cycling lane. Denmark’s modern, toll-free roads (apart from some long bridges) complete the stress-free driving experience.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: a UK license that has been held for one year is accepted.

Which side does Denmark drive on: the right.

Speed limits:

Motorways: 130kph

Single carriageways (outside urban areas): 80kph

Urban roads: 50kph

Alcohol limits: 0.05 per cent or 50mg/100ml. Drivers caught exceeding this limit can be imprisoned.

Driving age: 18 (21 to 80 to hire a car).

Compulsory items: a warning triangle, to be used in the event of a breakdown, must be carried in all vehicles.

Seatbelts: must be worn at all times.

Mobile phones and GPS: using a mobile phone is forbidden while driving unless the user has fitted a ‘hands-free’ system. Danish roads are well-signed, but GPS devices are widely used. They are not a necessity but are useful for plotting trips to the many places of interest.

Cost of fuel in Denmark: unleaded petrol (95 octane) is slightly more expensive here than in the UK, while diesel costs are around the same.

Car hire and fuel payment: it is usually mandatory to present a credit card for both pre-booking and on-the-spot car hire reservations, whether the actual payment method is by credit card or cash. There are typically no more than 50kms between petrol stations, many of which are unmanned and accept payment by credit card at the pump.

Insurance: third-party and fire cover is compulsory and should be included in the cost of all car rentals. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) policies are well worth considering to cover for damage such as cracked windscreens.

Traffic and parking: Danish cities are notoriously congested, so visitors might want to park away from the city centre and use public transport for the final part of their trip. Banks, petrol stations and tourist information offices all sell parking discs, which should be visible in the car’s front window. Each disc allows up to one hour’s parking. Alternatively, a number of cities have on-street meters which allow for up to three hours of parking at any one time.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

The Margueritruten – a connected network of scenic roads which stretches for more than 3,500kms and passes at least 100 of Denmark’s top tourist attractions. It is named after a small flower called the Marguerite daisy, which can be seen on many road signs which mark the route.

Zeeland to Fyn – cross one of the longest suspension bridges in the world from Copenhagen to the island of Fyn. The expensive toll fee is worth it in order to experience the delights of this colourful island which nestles between Zeeland and the Jutland Peninsula.

Odense to Aalborg – this is a great road trip for kids. After spending the night on the island of Fyn, travellers can complete this 400km drive through central Jutland to Aalborg. Travel via the amusingly-named Middelfart before stopping off at one of Denmark’s jewels in the crown, LEGOLAND.

Aalborg-Skagen Loop – head to Skagen, Denmark’s northernmost point and a popular destination with arts lovers. Later, loop back via Frederikshavn, stopping off at quaint villages, charming fishing ports and historical Viking sites.

Denmark travel tips

Denmark is still growing in popularity as a holiday destination among British holidaymakers, with just 150,000 Brits visiting the country each year. Those that do end up here will find first-class infrastructure and a vast majority of natives who speak excellent English. As such, Denmark is an easy country to travel in. However, some aspects of local life are different from those in the UK so it is good practice to study these differences before departure.

Denmark weather and tourist seasons

Denmark’s climate is temperate, meaning that it avoids the harsh winters experienced by other Scandinavian countries. Average winter (January and February) temperatures are around 0ºC. On the other hand, summers are not particularly warm; average temperatures in August are generally between 15 and 16ºC. June to August is considered to be the peak season, with hotels and attractions becoming particularly crowded during June’s long days. May and September are good times to visit for those who are keen to avoid the crowds yet still want to enjoy reasonable weather.

Denmark contact numbers (+45)

Emergency services – 112

Auto assistance (Falck) – 45 70 10 20 30

British Embassy – 45 3544 5200

US Embassy – 45 3341 7100

Irish Embassy – 45 3547 3200

Canadian Embassy – 45 3348 3200

Australian Embassy – 45 7026 3676

Danish Tourist Board – 45 3311 1415

Holidays and festivals

Christmas is an important celebration in Denmark, beginning on Christmas Eve and continuing over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. In fact, Christmas Eve hosts the main celebration, when all shops are closed and families meet to have dinner and exchange gifts. Additional holidays include New Year’s Day, Maundy Thursday (the day before Good Friday), Good Friday and Easter Monday. New Year’s Day sees similar celebrations to those in the UK, with fireworks and champagne at the stroke of midnight. People also indulge in a peculiarly shaped almond cake, kransekage. All shops are closed by law on Constitution Day (5 June), when the elderly meet to drink alcohol and discuss politics.

Money matters

Denmark has not joined the euro and retains its own currency, the krone (DKK). Retailers accept all well-known credit cards, in particular Visa. On the other hand, those who would like to access ATMs can find a decent number of them in all parts of the country. Banks will exchange both currency and travellers cheques, but they do not open on weekends. In Copenhagen, a number of bureaux de change offices are open every day, with some providing late night service.

Health and safety

Denmark is extremely generous in the fact that it offers free emergency healthcare to all visitors. In addition, those from the UK are entitled to additional medical services thanks to a reciprocal agreement between the two countries. English is widely spoken at all medical facilities. Travellers to Denmark are not required to have any vaccinations before entering the country.

Fitting in…

Danes are a very modest people, so ostentatious shows of wealth and rowdy behaviour are frowned upon. Like in the UK, money-talk is also taboo, but fortunately ‘the weather’ is a safe topic and considered to be a good conversation starter. Many visitors get the first impression that Danes are a little cold and rude. However, those that dig deeper will learn that this is just a plain disregard for formal behaviour. In reality, the Danes are quite shy. To see Danes really open up, one only has to visit a Danish pub, where they are friendly, likeable and sociable after a few drinks.

Visas for Denmark

Holders of ID cards, or passports, from EU countries do not require a visa to enter Denmark. Those from New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the USA are among the other travellers who qualify for visa-free entry. However, they are bound by the rules of entry into the Schengen Zone, which states that such visitors can only stay for a maximum of 90 days during any single period of 180 days.

Electricity

Denmark’s electrical current is 220-240 Volts, 50 Hertz, while the typical plug socket accepts the round, two-pin plugs that are commonly seen across Europe. Those with appliances from the UK and Australia will need to buy a plug adaptor. However, unlike their counterparts from North America, they will not need to step-up the current by using a transformer.

Business hours
Generally, Danish shops open at around 09:30 or 10:00 and close at 17:30 during the week. Friday is late night shopping day, with many outlets staying open until 19:00 or 20:00. On Saturdays, shops close at 17:00 by law and remain closed throughout Sunday. However, Sunday shopping is now allowed on the first Sunday of the month as well as every Sunday in December.

Helpful phrases

Heg/Hallo (phone) – Hello

Tak - Please

Tak – Thank-you

Ja/nej – Yes/no

Det forstår jeg ikke – I don't understand

Taler du Engelsk?- Do you speak English?

Undskyld mig – Excuse me

Hvor er toilettet?– Where is the toilet?

Resources online

www.visitdenmark.com

www.wikitravel.org