The center for all Denmark rail travel is located in Copenhagen’s Central station. It is the first step to investigating the city, a short trip to the outskirts of Denmark, or the main stop before shuttling off towards the southern reaches of Europe. There is nothing particularly different from other main train stations – the grey tracks, the same lines of people trying to get out, come in, go left, go right. The one thing that the Central Station (or Hovedbanegarden, as it is locally known) does have that is unique is a service center especially designed for younger travelers in Europe. There is ample opportunity here to take a nap, store your baggage - even take a shower.
It’s location in Copenhagen (or Kobenhavn, if you are checking out the train schedule) is, as the name would lead you to believe, near the middle of town, the sounds of Tivoli Gardens lolling their way down the cement staircases that connect the station with the city. If you are utilizing Denmark rail travel to travel to or from Copenhagen, it’s virtually impossible not to at least pass through the Central station.
The station was the third Denmark train station to appear in Copenhagen. The first two were completed in the 19th century, and were unable to handle the necessary amount of trains that were needed to ferry people in and out of the busy capital. So in 1911, construction ended on Central station, and it has been the main hub of Denmark train travel ever since. A major renovation came in 1980, adding on the service center and a number of other amenities available to travelers. A second renovation brought a series of shops and cafes to the arrival and departure halls inside the Central Station, and before long it led to the formation of the Hovedbanen Mall.
A giant clock is the essential landmark inside this
particular Denmark train station, just inside the entrance.
It’s hard not to be on time for your train with
a gigantic clock greeting you as soon as you walk in.
The Central station continues to expand to meet the needs
of Denmark rail travel, making it as easy as possible
for tourists and locals alike to navigate the country.
If you are sticking around the outskirts of Copenhagen,
you will get to know the station well - here you can catch
trains to destinations all across the country, but there
are numerous trains that leave each hour connecting you
to other tourist hotspots such as Roskilde
or Aarhus. If you are planning
an extended stay in Denmark with an itinerary including
the more remote northern cities, it may be more convenient
to cut down on travel time by opting for a car
rental. It will certainly be more expensive to shuttle
yourself around versus making use of the Denmark rail
system, though.
Unlike many cities, where the biggest train station is a magnet for unsavory characters, Central station is generally bereft of them. In fact, the Central Station is so well kept that even the royal family has an apartment inside in which to await their personal trains
