Backpacking Denmark
Looking for important travel information while backpacking in Denmark? Here you will find information on working in Denmark, entry visas, Denmark hostels, and much more.
Table of Contents
- Facts About Denmark
- Entry Visa Requirements for Denmark
- Work Permits and Backpacker Jobs in Denmark
- Denmark Hostels
Facts About Denmark
Denmark is a beautiful country with a welcoming and friendly culture. Danes like to demonstrate their passion for modernity and Denmark is indeed very modern with its many museums and wonderful infrastructure. However, there is also a distinctive medieval feel to the country due to the preservation of outstanding churches and other historic buildings.
Denmark is a lively destination and a renowned festival hot-spot; there is a wide variety available, from jazz, rock, classical to country. However, if you are looking for a relaxing holiday then Denmark also offers many scenic islands to choose from, their coasts lined with picturesque fishing villages and little thatched cottages.
The capital, Copenhagen, has bustling street activity all year round and, as it is the least expensive Scandinavian capital, is reasonably affordable for budget travellers.
- Currency: Danish Krone (Dkr) = 100 øre
- Time Zone: GMT + 1
- Language: Danish
- Telephone Services: Country Code +45
- Emergency Numbers: 112 for all services
Climate in Denmark
When deciding the best time to visit Denmark, weather certainly plays a role. Denmark has a reasonably warm summer beginning in June and lasting until about August. The winter months, December through to March, experience a very wet and cold climate. The Spring and Autumn seasons are generally mild.
Things to do in Denmark
When deciding the best things to do in Denmark, there is an abundance of options. Here are the top bucket-list items when backpacking Denmark.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen has a population of almost 1.8 million and is the largest Scandinavian city. Copenhagen is a very green city with numerous parks and gardens all over the city. Copenhagen is a very lively city with so much to see and do during the day with the added bonus of an extremely active night scene.
At Amalienborg Palace, home to the throne since 1794, you can watch the changing of the guard and visit the museum, which gives you the chance to see the royal residences throughout history. There are also many museums in Copenhagen, and if you choose only one, then choose the Nationalmuseet with its wonderful collection of Danish historical artefacts.
The Tivoli Amusement Park, in the centre, is well-known for its wide variety of attractions to cater for all; you can check out the great rides or go to the outstanding concerts. The most famous of all the attractions in Copenhagen is the Little Mermaid statue which is a short walk north of the city centre. It is no doubt the smallest of the attractions but draws the largest amount of attention.
Since Copenhagen is one of the most visited cities in the world, it is wise to book tickets to popular attractions (landmarks, museums) ahead of time to avoid the lines. GetYourGuide sells entrance tickets at face value and you can avoid waiting in line. You might also see Skip the Line tickets on their site. This actually refers to a separate entrance for a higher ticket price. It can be a worthwhile cost for mega attractions like the Tivoli Gardens, which can have an hour-long wait time for General Entrance during peak tourist season.
Christiansø and Ærø
If you would rather explore farther afield then the islands Christiansø and Ærø are both idyllic destinations. Christiansø is an hour by boat from Bornholm and the whole island is unspoiled; there are no cars or modern buildings. The island is a preserved 17th-century fortress.
Ærø is another beautiful island with its own unique identity. There are daily ferries from Faaborg on Funen to Søby, which is situated on the western part of the island. Ærø is the home of many small villages and farms and the scenic landscape is the perfect place to see by bicycle.
Esbjerg
Esbjerg is located on the West coast of Jutland and has a beautiful coastline with sandy beaches. This lively city is full of things to see and do, there are so many museums and galleries that you are spoilt for choice. Due to the fact that Esbjerg is a well-known fishing town, The Fisheries and Maritime Museum is a very popular attraction, with a recently opened saltwater aquarium. Esbjerg is a great destination and it is also a very good place to start your travels as it has excellent transport connections with the rest of Denmark.
Unique Activities in Denmark
Since popular places in Denmark can get crowded during tourist season, it is wise to reserve tickets and activities ahead of time. GetYourGuide sells entrance tickets to museums and landmarks at face value so you can avoid the lines and save that precious time for more exploring.
Viator is another popular travel website that helps you book things to do in Denmark. They work directly with local tour operators in Denmark, so you won’t have to scour the internet or roam around town trying to find the best deal.
If you know your schedule ahead of time, a great insider tip is to buy tickets for major tourist attractions ahead of time. Tiqets has entrance tickets and skip-the-line passes for major attractions in Aarhus, Copenhagen, and other hotspots, which can be a worthwhile cost during peak tourist season.
How to Get Cheap Flights to Denmark
In order to find the best flights to Denmark we recommend using a few well-known flight comparison search engines. These websites offer powerful search options, like entering flexible dates and airports in order to find the cheapest flight to Denmark.
Our go-to flight search engine is Skyscanner, which we love for its extremely flexible search options. Our favourite way to get travel inspiration is their “Everywhere” feature. Simply enter “Everywhere” as a destination, and it will then list all available flights from your departure city in order of price. This also works when entering the entire country of Denmark as your destination. Skyscanner will search all possible airports in the country in order to find the cheapest option.
Kiwi is another new favourite flight search engine among savvy travelers. Kiwi works by combining flights from different carriers in order to get the best deal. Also, if there is a better ground or ferry option for the route you’re searching, Kiwi will include that in the search results. On average, we have found the cheapest flights to Denmark with them compared to the other websites out there.
How to Travel Around Denmark on a Budget
Train and long-distance bus are the standard modes of transport for how to get around Denmark. Buses are the more economical option, nevertheless, they are well-equipped with the usual modern conveniences that expect when travelling in Europe. Train travel, on the other hand, is the fastest way between two cities in Denmark, and the train stations are conveniently located right in the center of town.
Certain routes are better suited to one mode of transport than the other. To compare your options for journeys from A to B, you can try Omio. They compare trains, buses (and even flights) so you can decide for yourself the tradeoff between cost and travel time.
Denmark is a part of the Eurail network, which is a good choice if you plan to take multiple train journeys in a short period of time. If you plan on doing lots of train travel in a short amount of time, a Rail Pass from Eurail might be the right choice for you.
Train travel in Denmark
The rail network in Denmark is efficient and connects the main cities on all the islands. Danish State Railways operate express trains called Lyntogs which are aimed at long-distance travellers without many stops (www.dsb.dk). There is also a new type of service available which is the IC3 intercity trains which are faster and more direct. The Englaenderen boat-train is another option and runs between Copenhagen and Esbjerg, offering connections with ferries from the UK.
Ferries in Denmark
Ferries are commonly used to travel around Denmark and there are not many buses which operate long distances, only really where there are no railways. The country, which is made up of 400 large and small islands, is connected to Sweden via the 16km long Resund Bridge. A popular cruise and ferry terminal, Copenhagen Port is one of the busiest in the Baltic region, along with Frederikshavn, situated opposite Gothenburg.
Driving in Denmark
You may also want the flexibility to stop in smaller towns between the major cities. If you decide you want to rent a car, you can use DiscoverCars to compare offers from the major car rental agencies in the region.
If you want the flexibility to have a car available on-demand, you can sign up for ShareNow, which is the car-sharing app in Europe. Using their app, you can unlock cars within Copenhagen whether you need to rent a car for 2 minutes or 2 weeks. To sign up you’ll need to download the app, and have a valid driver’s license, so it’s best to sign up before your trip.
Backpacking Tours in Denmark
Though part of the fun of backpacking Denmark is exploring on your own, there are situations, especially when venturing off the tourist trail, when it does make sense to go with a guide or a small group.
The most popular option for a social travel experience is Contiki tours. Contiki trips offer more than just transportation, they are organized social group travel for travelers aged 18-35. Whether you’re traveling by yourself or going with a group of friends, Contiki tours are perfect for people looking to have a blast, meet new friends, and form lifelong memories. They offer tours that travel primarily in Denmark or longer tours that cover other nearby places.
G Adventures is another great option for organized travel, but with a smaller group. It’s a great choice for anyone backpacking Denmark alone who would like to meet up with like-minded travellers. It’s also a practical option for exploring places where you need an experienced guide, like a long hiking adventure or visiting a place well off the beaten path. You can choose from different styles of small group tours like active, wellness, hiking trips, 18-30somethings, and more.
Health and Safety in Denmark
The standard of health in Denmark is high and the UK has a reciprocal agreement with the Norwegian health service entitling British national to free emergency medical treatment. Further treatment cover can be obtained by bearing a completed E111 from.
As with travel to all other countries abroad, it is vital that you get travel insurance before you leave. Even for short trips, our go-to travel insurance provider is World Nomads, which is also recommended by Lonely Planet, HostelWorld, and other major travel companies.
Entry visa requirements for Denmark
A valid passport is required for everyone except EU Nationals with a valid ID card. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 3 months. If you intend to stay for longer than 3 months or wish to work in Denmark you should contact your local Danish Embassy for further details.
Visa requirements for Denmark can vary widely depending on your country of origin and can change over time. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, be sure to check the latest visa requirements while you’re still planning your trip.
Foreigner work permits and backpacker jobs in Denmark
As with most other European countries, EU nationals may enter and stay in Denmark for up to three months without needing any sort of Visa. For longer than three months you will need a residence permit (opholdsbevis). To obtain this permit you should show proof of employment where you are working for more than 20 hours per week, or evidence of financial support. A CPR (personnummer) is a personal registration number, which you will also need to apply for, and it is important to get a tax card (skattekort).
Work in Denmark
There should be many opportunities for work in hotels, restaurants, and pubs etc. in Copenhagen and other main cities. The best openings are often found by asking around in person, but you will likely need some knowledge of Danish to communicate with employers as well as customers when you find work.
If your Danish leaves much to be desired and you want a job with less customer interaction, it is worth trying newsagents for work as omdeler, delivery people. Unlike in the UK, newspapers are delivered at night in Denmark, so bear this in mind if you consider this type of work.
Working at campsites in Denmark
One of the main British camping agencies operating in Denmark is Eurocamp. Most jobs can be found during the peak tourist times in the summer. Eurocamp arranges work for couriers on Danish as well as other European campsites.
It is preferred that you can speak another European language well because the job involves welcoming and interacting with a range of visiting nationalities. Employees must be over 18, and can anticipate earning approximately Kr 95 per week.
Au Pairing in Denmark
Generally, au pairs in Europe can expect to earn about Kr 40 per week, receive free meals and accommodation, and to have the chance to attend language courses. A number of au pair agencies operate throughout Europe, or have associated agencies abroad that can help you find au pairing vacancies, try Childcare International and Avalon Au Pairs.
Au pairs are expected to look after the children as well as performing basic domestic tasks such as cleaning. Placements range in length and you are often required to stay for a year, but Childcare International can offer some two to six month stays. To become an au pair in Europe you must be aged between 18 and 27.
Agricultural work in Denmark
Denmark has a large agricultural industry and so jobs should be fairly easy to come by, and are best found by asking in person. The main fruit harvests (tomatoes, apples, cherries, and strawberries) are between July and September, try the region of Faaborg for opportunities. Farmers often provide campsites for worker accommodation, and you can expect to earn about Kr5 (approx. 47p) per kilo of fruit picked.
Needless to say, to earn a decent amount of money from this type of work you should expect to work long hours and labour to be strenuous. Alternatively, you could try work in the Svanholm community situated near Skibby on the Isle of Sealand. Svanholm hosts adults and children, and work on their organic farms for up to 40 hours per week will earn you food and accommodation.
Denmark Hostels and Budget Accommodation
Finding good but inexpensive accommodation is essential while backpacking Denmark on a budget. Denmark has a high number of camping grounds and hostels all over the country so budget travel is certainly catered for.
We have had good experiences finding hostels in Denmark on HostelWorld. They have the largest inventory of hostels worldwide, and with over 10 million reviews and ratings from other travellers, you know exactly what to expect.
Another good way to find accommodation in Denmark is by checking booking.com. You’ll find hotels, homestays, hostels, and other unique accommodations. They have the most reviews and advanced filtering of any accommodation-booking site, so you’ll be sure to find a great place in your budget. Many of the places on booking.com also offer free cancellation, which takes the pressure off the planning phase of your trip to Denmark.
If you are backpacking with another travel companion, we highly recommend booking a rental via VRBO. With a vacation rental in Denmark, you’ll have more space, your own kitchen, and you’ll get a better feel for how the locals live. Plus, the cost of a vacation rental can be split among your group, oftentimes making it cheaper than doing individual hotel rooms.
If you’re looking to save even more money while backpacking in Denmark, there are plenty of creative ways to get free accommodation in exchange for work. For example, one of our favorite ways to stay in amazing locations for free is by signing up as a petsitter with Trusted Housesitters. The site connects responsible animal lovers with petsitting opportunities in Denmark and all over the world. It’s a win-win for both sides – travellers can stay in amazing locations for free, and homeowners can rest easy knowing that someone is watching over their place.
CouchSurfing is a great community that connects travellers with local hosts in Denmark. You can stay for free with verified hosts, who will usually take some time to show you around the local spots.
Campsites are also a good way of affordable travel and there are more than 500 which are recognised as having good facilities and amenities. The Danish Tourist Board can give you a full list of campsites and more information regarding their ratings.
Useful links for backpacking in Denmark
- Danish State Railways operates the rail network in Denmark
- Eurail – Rail Passes for travellers who plan on doing lots of train travel in a short period of time. Single-Country passes for Denmark as well as Multi-Country passes available
- Omio – Train, bus, and flight search for Denmark and all of Europe. Offers online booking and mobile tickets
- DiscoverCars – The world’s leading rental car search engines to rent a car in Denmark
- Kiwi and Skyscanner – Flight comparison search engines to find the cheapest flights to Denmark and within the country
- GetYourGuide and Viator – a collection of local tours and activities in Denmark. Also offers Skip the Line tickets for crowded attractions
- Tiqets – Website selling entrance tickets and skip the line tickets for major tourist attractions in Denmark
- HostelWorld – #1 hostel search website to find accommodation while backpacking Denmark. Thousands of hostels and millions of reviews from fellow travellers
- Booking.com – commonly used booking site for accommodation in Denmark. Find hostels, hotels, and other unique accommodation in Denmark with advanced filtering and millions of reviews
- World Nomads Travel Insurance – Comprehensive travel insurance for long and short trips when backpacking Denmark
There you have it, the ultimate Denmark backpacking guide. We hope you have found all the information you need for backpacking around Denmark.
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