A few things I think you should before coming to Copenhagen
Firstly, money. Denmark also belongs to the EU but the currency they use is the Danish Krone (DKK) and not the euro. The fee currency exchange in Copenhagen is quite high, the majority of currency exchange agents shows that fee is 13%, exactly 12.99%, regardless of the amount you want to convert is. While wandering, I discovered a place for currency exchange without charge is from tailgate of central station straight across the street, just that there is a small road (unfortunately I did not remember the name) going straight ahead 50m and a Western Union with large alphabet “Money exchange – NO COMMISSION”. Or if going by train from Hamburg, there is a part of the road by ferry, and on the ferry had a duty free shop on site for currency exchange, only 4% fee. Otherwise you should use a card. About storing money or fear of robbery, I see no worries, but of course more cautions are preferred when sharing rooms with strangers.
Second, about taking photos. When you go to anywhere else in the world, you should respect the rules of that place. And before taking photos of someone or something, you should ask for permission first. In Copenhagen there is a place called Freetown Christiania, located in Christianshavn, the city of canals. They have their own legal and the here give them that right. I heard someone said that the government did it as an experiment on travel within a few years. Most people here are migrants, I have asked the salesmen, they say there are many people from Nepal and southern European countries such as the Turks, Hungary …
It is just a place to come on the map for tourists but is somehow special. I also startled when coming here. Just across a canal but completely different, like a world. Especially in front of the church is the famous Balcony Vor Church of our Saviour Frelsers Kirke.
In the Freetown area you can buy clothes, souvenirs also, food also, alcoholic beverages, and all kinds of drugs are sold freely. There is an absolute prohibition not to take photos. This must be the only laws from the government? They do want the image of this area affects the whole image of Denmark? The prohibition copy is everywhere, I just walked through the gate and 2 men sitting on the bench remind me.. No exception here.
Third, the transportations in the city. During my few days here, I usually walk so I should only know a little bit about the public transport system here. There are bus and metro in the center, and out of the center, there are S-lines, and seemed to be divided into zones. Metros here are automatic, no driver so the door opens and shut down as the available time set, no need waiting for everyone to get on the bus that the door closed. The frequency for metro is every 2 – 4 minutes depending on the time of the day. If you are already late or the bus is too crowded, just wait the next trip, do not come in because if the two automatic door closed, you will not know what parts of the body would fall down. I am just joking but the gates are built with sensors, so do not worry too much. Or you can rent a bicycle to get around, just be careful because people here are very fast and they do not follow rules as other types of traffic.
And fourth, as well as other big cities in Europe, in the heart of Copenhagen every day you can take part in the Free Walking tour. Looks like I have talked about this tour in a topic already. Ok let’s recall a bit. News on these tours can be found at the information counters at the airports, train stations or in the hotel / hostel. The tours are in English, by a native or a part-time traveler. These guys do not receive a salary, but only thanks to tips. Often, these tour guides will come to the hostel you stay in center to welcome and gather you up and will then split into small groups and then started walking. If you’re traveling alone, this is an opportunity to make friends, exchange of experience.Tour lasted about 3 hours and at the end of the tour, you can tip the guides as much as you want, or do not tip, it is OK. On this trip I took part in 5 different walking tours and see they were professional organizers, many useful information and the guides are often young, happy, and enthusiastic. My program is first, going to a new city where I will take the tour in the morning, later in the day and the remaining days will return to where they prefer a longer tour, and go to places that the tour has not been through. If you have plans available at home, just follow your plan, or else you should join one of these tours, you do not lose anything.
To be continued…
Firstly, money. Denmark also belongs to the EU but the currency they use is the Danish Krone (DKK) and not the euro. The fee currency exchange in Copenhagen is quite high, the majority of currency exchange agents shows that fee is 13%, exactly 12.99%, regardless of the amount you want to convert is. While wandering, I discovered a place for currency exchange without charge is from tailgate of central station straight across the street, just that there is a small road (unfortunately I did not remember the name) going straight ahead 50m and a Western Union with large alphabet “Money exchange – NO COMMISSION”. Or if going by train from Hamburg, there is a part of the road by ferry, and on the ferry had a duty free shop on site for currency exchange, only 4% fee. Otherwise you should use a card. About storing money or fear of robbery, I see no worries, but of course more cautions are preferred when sharing rooms with strangers.
Second, about taking photos. When you go to anywhere else in the world, you should respect the rules of that place. And before taking photos of someone or something, you should ask for permission first. In Copenhagen there is a place called Freetown Christiania, located in Christianshavn, the city of canals. They have their own legal and the here give them that right. I heard someone said that the government did it as an experiment on travel within a few years. Most people here are migrants, I have asked the salesmen, they say there are many people from Nepal and southern European countries such as the Turks, Hungary …
Third, the transportations in the city. During my few days here, I usually walk so I should only know a little bit about the public transport system here. There are bus and metro in the center, and out of the center, there are S-lines, and seemed to be divided into zones. Metros here are automatic, no driver so the door opens and shut down as the available time set, no need waiting for everyone to get on the bus that the door closed. The frequency for metro is every 2 – 4 minutes depending on the time of the day. If you are already late or the bus is too crowded, just wait the next trip, do not come in because if the two automatic door closed, you will not know what parts of the body would fall down. I am just joking but the gates are built with sensors, so do not worry too much. Or you can rent a bicycle to get around, just be careful because people here are very fast and they do not follow rules as other types of traffic.
And fourth, as well as other big cities in Europe, in the heart of Copenhagen every day you can take part in the Free Walking tour. Looks like I have talked about this tour in a topic already. Ok let’s recall a bit. News on these tours can be found at the information counters at the airports, train stations or in the hotel / hostel. The tours are in English, by a native or a part-time traveler. These guys do not receive a salary, but only thanks to tips. Often, these tour guides will come to the hostel you stay in center to welcome and gather you up and will then split into small groups and then started walking. If you’re traveling alone, this is an opportunity to make friends, exchange of experience.Tour lasted about 3 hours and at the end of the tour, you can tip the guides as much as you want, or do not tip, it is OK. On this trip I took part in 5 different walking tours and see they were professional organizers, many useful information and the guides are often young, happy, and enthusiastic. My program is first, going to a new city where I will take the tour in the morning, later in the day and the remaining days will return to where they prefer a longer tour, and go to places that the tour has not been through. If you have plans available at home, just follow your plan, or else you should join one of these tours, you do not lose anything.
To be continued…