A Wonderful Welcome : the Copenhagen Card

     In all of our combined years of global travel, no city has welcomed visitors as warmly as Copenhagen.  The best example is their Copenhagen Card.  Talk about hospitality to make things easier for visitors!  No wonder it's the happiest place on Earth.  Cards can be pre-purchased online for various time allotments (1 to 5 days) and give you unlimited access to the Metro, trains, buses, and ferries.  (In NYC, ferries are not included in Metro Cards.  Greedily, they cost an entire additional fare).  They also give you daily free admittance to 60+ museums, art galleries, botanical gardens, and historic sites--even the Zoo and Aquarium!  Discounts are offered at certain eateries.

     We bought the longest time limit, which cost $135.00.  That's unbeatable!  In New York City, a week of unlimited subway/bus access costs $32, which DOES NOT include ferries.  Most museums charge $20 admission fees.  Clearly, the Copenhagen Card is value-packed, issued by a non-greedy government.  

     Europeans can have the cards mailed to them, or buyers can pick them up conveniently at Copenhagen's international airport (see the handy map, below) and Central Train Station.  

     The city has a Visitor Center with touch-screens and knowledgable staff.

     Furthermore, several department stores, hotels, and civic institutions serve as Visitor Information Points.  Each has a multi-lingual staff, maps, and travel tips to answer tourists' questions at no charge.  

     The Card comes with an online app and map (in all languages). 

     The city's Main Library lets visitors borrow books for free, including a large selection of foreign-language books... to help people feel comfortable.  They offer foreign language newspapers, which are also available at the main Train Station and the Magasin du Nord Department Store.

     Copenhagen is a "smart city" with well-connected free Wi-Fi in most public places.  Hotels do not charge for Wi-Fi.

     Another helpful tool is the "Visit Copenhagen" website.  With a blog-like feel, it's user-friendly.  While it translates into many languages, it is full of expertly-used English jargon.  It describes attractions, bars, eateries, late-night spots, and vibes of each neighborhood.  It showcases individual attractions and folklore.  It seamlessly connects you to websites.  It was a delight to explore.

We really feel like we were given "the keys to the city"!  :-)