Copenhagen-Hamburg: A delightful trip in the train-ship.

If you live in Copenhagen, a nice weekend trip is going to Hamburg. Probably the easiest way to go is by train. A peaceful four hours and a half trip in a comfortable brand new train. But this journey holds a surprise.

Conpenhagen-Hamburg. This 331 km journey takes 4 hours and a half by train. 

Return tickets from 83€/person.

We thought that the train would go west through bridges that connect the island of Copenhagen (Zealand) and Funen with Jutland peninsula, and then go south crossing the border to Germany. But we took South direction; we left Zealand Island to Lolland Island crossing by bridge. Once arrived to Rodbyhavn town, the whole train went into a big Ferry. The floor of the ferry is prepared with grooved rails, so the train went directly from onshore to the ship. If you are asleep you will not notice that you cross the sea in a train, which is as well in a ferry.

Train inside the Ferry.

The Ferry also carries cars, buses and trucks. When the train arrives, all the other vehicles are already on board, what is necessary to meet the schedule.

Once inside the boat, a gentle woman advice you through the speakers to get out from the train and go for a walk on the boat deck, restaurant, supermarket, etc. We did, but some of the passengers stood in the train, sleeping or reading.

The transit in the Ferry took 60 minutes, but time flies while you explore the Ferry and buy something in the shop. Then people returned to the train, which disembarked in Puttgarden (Germany), and went to Hamburg, previous one stop in Lübeck. We got out in Hamburg, but this train finishes the journey in Berlin.

Great experience in our Hamburg weekend, probably it is the funniest city in the north of Germany. It was a pitty that we went there after the football season, and we could not see the atmosphere at St Pauli’s Stadium, but we definitely had a nice surprise with this sailor train we had never heard about.

Investigating more about this Ferry, I discovered an interesting project to replace the boat connection by a bridge or a tunnel. After discussion, the Danish Parliament voted to construct a tunnel for these reasons: lower visual impact, it does not interference with maritime navigation and birds’ migration, and above all, it can be used in adverse meteorological conditions. This votation was in 2011, but high cost of a 19 km tunnel, the potential loss of jobs both in Rodbyen and Puttgarden, and economic crisis, seems to be the reasons for the actual paralysis of the project.

Let see if both Danish and German government will invest such a huge amount of money in this project after the economic crisis; but in my opinion, it is a charming, surprising and original trip in the way it is nowadays, as the “maritime train”.

More info:

Buy tickets: http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml

Tunnel or bridge? Economic impact. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF6NRWda1Lk

Congratulations! It’s a tunnel! http://www.dw.de/denmark-approves-plan-for-underwater-tunnel-to-germany/a-14810194

5 Tips for find an apartment in Copenhagen.

How to find and rent an apartment in Copenhagen and not die in the attempt.

If you are foreigner and you just have arrived to Copenhagen, you soon will realize the difficulties of finding an apartment here. Before beginning to despair, you should take these tips, which will make your search easier.

   1.       Websites:

a.      Visit this free website: www.dba.dk

Here you have apartments and houses for rent. But has also second hand bicycles, cars, electronic devices, etc.

b.      Visit www.boligportal.dk

It is free to search for the apartments, but if you have to contact the owner, you have to pay a little price. It depends on how many days you want to access.

c.       www.airbnb.dk

If you need a place to stay for some days, while you seek for something else, you could visit this website, where people rent their own apartments for some days while they are travelling to other countries. It is cheaper and more comfortable than Danish hotels.

   2.      Constancy:

Monitor websites every morning. Owners that post a new ad receive almost one hundred emails first day (no joking), if the apartment is interesting. If there is a mobile number, forget to send an email. Best strategy is to call as soon as possible, and try to make an appointment to see the apartment. It is very important to be one of the first to call.

   3.      Location:

There is curious phenomenon with the prices (DKK/m2) in Copenhagen Metropolitan Area. Variations are very low between different neighborhoods.  Do not be scared about searching an apartment to rent in a trendy location, because you will pay a little more than in another neighborhood or town. The variation of price is not referred to location, but by the size.

Vesterbro, Frederiksberg, Østerbro: they are the three neighborhoods surrounding the down town, and well communicated by train, bus and in some cases Metro. Here you will feel the real Danish life, and ride your bike to anywhere. Here you can find four or five floor buildings, bike paths, gardens, parks, and plenty of supermarkets and schools.

Vest Amager: Designed as a new area with big parks, malls and open spaces, it is in risk to be a middle-class ghetto for foreigners. It is well communicated with city center by metro and bus, but Danish shy away from this area.

Hellerup, Gentofte, Lyngby and northern towns: Danish high-class neighborhoods. Most of buildings are family houses.

Valby, Vanløse and west Copenhagen: It is a good choice. It is a little cheaper and not far away from the city center.

   4.      Apartment rental agencies:

Be aware of these rental agencies. This is the most important tip! As a desperate foreigner you would have temptation on call one of these agencies and get over the problem. Do not do it!! You will have to pay a 3 months deposit, and you will make a huge effort to recover it, if finally you can.

In my personal opinion, and based on my own experiences, you must specially avoid this one: http://www.cityapartment.dk

   5.      You found it!

Congratulations! You did it. But be careful with the contract. Try getting a copy of the contract in English. Be sure that you have access to all the common facilities of the building (laundry, bikes room…), check that central heating is included in the price, and ask for the notice period to leave the apartment.