Copenhagen in 7 hours
 

My son (age 14) and I have a 7 hour layover in Copenhagen in late Feb. and I would like some advice. I am planning to take the train in to the city from the airport and jump on a tour bus to catch the highlights and get an overview of the city. My questions:
1. is it easy to find the train in to the city from the airport?
2. is it easy to find a tour bus at the train station?
3. can this be done in five hours (returning to the airport an hour and a half before takeoff) without too much rush and stress? Thank you!

1. Copenhagen has excellent connections between the train and the airport. I'm sure it's easy to find - although when I went to Copenhagen, it wasn't by air. I have taken the train past the airport stop, though, and it's a pretty quick ride.

2. You have to walk two or three blocks. I think the main starting spot is in front of the Palace Hotel.

3. I think so - lots of people have. I would find it a bit nerve-wracking, but I'm a known worrywart. I might prefer just to go for a long walk - Copenhagen is a very walkable city. You would probably see more by bus, though.

It is very easy and quick to get into the centre by train.

I did not take a tour bus and do not know where you will find one. Ask at tourist information at the airport or in a nice hotel in the centre. As the other poster mentions it is easy to walk about Copenhagen's centre and just have a look. Also you can hire bicycles with ease (in fact I think some were free to use in order to discourage car usage).

It's a short trip to downtown. I'd probably take a cab to and from downtown (because I'm so wealthy) just to save a little time dealing with the train station and lines, etc. 5 hours would be plenty of time, and I don't think you'd feel rushed.

There's a large tourist info center at the north end of the Townhall Square, which is only a couple of hundred meters from the trainstation.

I'd go to the top of the Town Hall . . .its a great view. Then I'd walk down the Stroget, the pedestrian shopping street, maybe go to the top of the Round Tower . . . If you walk the entire length of the Stroget, you'll come to Nyhavn, a very colorful area of restaurants, boats, etc. It's a little over a mile from the Townhall Square (The Radhuspladsen or something equally Danish sounding) to Nyhavn. Then it's about another 1/2 mile or so to Amelienborg Palace or Rosenburg Castle . . . kinda depends on what sort of stuff you want to see.

Actually, I'd probably go to 90 Vinstue at 90 Gammel Kongevej for the WORLD'S BEST DRAFT BEER. Perhaps not appropriate for your 14 year old. 3 of my 5 are older than that and they'd enjoy it.

But check with the tourist info center for things that look interesting to you. There are brochures for all sorts of stuff.

It's a great walking city. Have fun. For what it's worth I'll be there between Feb 25 and Mar 4 with a rental car . . .

Have fun,
Snoopy

Since you are limited on time and unless money is a real issue I would take a cab into town. Across from Tivoli Gardens and also in front of the Palace Hotel you can pick up a double decker bus. There are several routes it takes but make sure you take the one that goes past Nyhaven, the Parliment building. Look up tourist sights from Fodors and ask for that route. The bus has headsets that you dial into you choice of language. If it is a nice day ride on top. You can get on and off this bus if there is something so special that you wish to see in the short time. Regarding Stroget Street although you might enjoy this I doubt your son will. It is all shopping and nothing else. You can get off at Nyhaven and have lunch at one of the restaurants along the water. It is lovely. Enjoy

A couple of years ago in March, we took the tour bus of the city, but it was pretty cold and it was hard to see much with the top covered. The bus comes to a stop near the Little Mermaid. You might consider walking back through Amelienborg Palace, past the Marble Church and over to Rosenborg Slot. A walk up the Round Tower will give you a great view of the city.

From there you could walk down Nyhavn, past Christianborg slot and the old part of town. Make sure you stop at a bakery for some magic pastry to eat on your way.

Personally, I would take the train rather than the taxi. The train connections are right at the airport and it will whisk you right into town in 5 minutes. Tivoli is only a block away, and the town square is just one block further. WillTravel is right about the tour bus stop at the Palace Hotel, which is across the street from the town square. (Just follow the crowd.)

Copenhagen is easy to navigate, and you shouldn't have any trouble getting to and from the airport - which BTW - is a pretty nice aiport to spend time in as well.

Thank you so much for the wonderful tips and suggestions. I actually pass through CPH about 8 times a year, always with just enough time to dash in to buy something from Kosta Boda before making my connection, and have not yet ventured into the city. I now feel well-armed and well-informed........ I think I'll wait until I get there to decide whether to do a walking tour, bike, or bus tour, depending on the weather and our energy levels at the time....in any case, thank you all! ps Snoopy, we'll be there Feb. 21, sorry to miss you, have a good time!

Just a tip - if you only have 5 hours in Copenhagen and are spending them walking or biking - don't spend time on the little mermaid. It only a small statue and most turist gets disappointed when they se it. Instead I would recomend Nyhavn and Amalienborg (the queen's castle). Rosenborg Castle andChristiansborg Castle (the parliament)are also beautiful.

Concerning cab vs train. Train is as fast as a cab - and faster during rush hours. But of cource you can take a cab from any place - and not just from the main station. Therefor I would consider going with the train one way and take the cab back to the airport. A cab from downtown to the airport costs around 150-250 Danish kroner.