Has anyone been to Copenhagen recently?

[asparagusffern]

My 81 year old mum and her 83 year old friend are off to Copenhagen this weekend. Neither has been there before. Mum was not keen on going (too cold) but had her arm twisted by her bossy friend!

She's totally stressed out now about the currency. Last year they went to Lisbon and were able to tap their cards in cafes, etc just like at home but the travel agent said that's not the done thing so mum is fussing about having to get Krone, how much she'll need etc.

I was wondering if anyone has recent experience in the touristy areas of the city regarding paying in shops, cafes, restaurants etc ?

Thanks so much!

I was there 2 weeks ago paid by card for everything. We had no currency at all. Everything was fine. My only tip is take a long coat. It’s the wind in Copenhagen. Cuts you in half and wish I had my long puffer instead of my short jacket. Open top bus (which is closed and heated in winter) was very good.

I went in June last year.

Didn't use cash at all the whole week. She won't have any problem paying by card

Denmark is going to be one of the first countries to go cashless. You won't need cash.

Oh that is fantastic thanks so much!

I suspected it would be, but great to have to confirmed.

Thanks everyone!

We're here now - first time, absolutely loving it. We've used UK bank card everywhere, sometimes have to punch in DK rather than £ to the card reader but no issues at all. No cash at all.
What a beautiful city, so easy to find out way around, super friendly people, English spoken as the default (I know this isn't great but makes for a very easy place to visit, and we have tried the odd word or two of Danish). Oh, and the coffee is the best we've ever had. We had sun yesterday, which was a bonus. Weather cold-ish but not as cold as I'd expected - hat, scarf, gloves, layers and a waterproof will be fine. Hope your DM enjoys her trip - we'd definitely visit again.

😂 it’s not any different to London, they speak amazing English, cards are used and accepted everywhere it’s really similar to the UK it’s not back if beyond its Denmark 🤣

When we went to Copenhagen, the only businesses that insisted on cash were the vendors of hashish and skunk in Christiana.

I used card everywhere.

The one think I noticed about Copenhagen is I've never been anywhere as bad for pickpocketing and not just in the streets, hotel lobbies, restaurants, everywhere.

They even have signage warning in some areas about pickpockets.

You might want to advise her to be cautious about this.

Really? When was this? I've been to Copenhagen several times in the last few years. Never seen any signs or heard of this being a particular problem. It's very safe.

I have to agree. I never saw any thing of any concern or any signage.

I've been recently and used card everywhere. I got one of those Post Office travel currency cards which was great.
Didn't notice any issues with pick pockets. Seemed very safe.
She'll have a lovely (although maybe chilly) time.

https://www.yourdanishlife.dk/after-two-years-of-abscence-they-are-back-danish-police-warns-against-pickpockets/

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/denmark/safety-and-security

https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/safety

As far as I know it's one of the European cities with the highest rates of pickpocketing.

A friend lives there and and I was there in both Summer 2019 and 2023.

I was there last weekend. Didn’t take or see any cash. It also felt very safe but I took sensible precautions eg cross body bag zipped under coat etc.

I was there in the summer of 1991. Not sure I even had a card in those days 🤔

Sometimes I say useful, relevant stuff. This is one of the other times.

Can I hijack and ask, is the same true of Billund?

Billiund is just a massive tourist area, yes card is accepted nearly everywhere and everyone speaks English, it’s very very safe and easy to get around on the free bus. It’s expensive though! We ended up paying £24 for four soft drinks in Lalandia, in fact the cheapest place we ate was Legoland itself which says something 😬

The Danish police may warn against pickpockets (it’s a sensible thing to do) but it isn’t nearly as much of problem in, say, Venice (I go to both cities regularly)

Honestly, what a terrible travel agent. Talking absolute bollocks and stressing out an elderly lady in the process.

Can’t you understand why an 81 year old and and 83 year old travelling by themselves might be a bit anxious? Not sure why you find it quite so hilarious.

Sorry, I thought I'd quoted the pickpocketing post.

Even on a not-too-touristy Greek Island last year, we didn't take any cash and even little kiosks took card. Not worried about card. I'd just never heard of anywhere in Denmark being a pickpocketing hot spot! Italy I'd heard about, but I thought Denmark was pretty much as safe as you can get.

I was there before xmas. I didn't use cash once. Card for literally everything. It felt incredibly safe, even around the station (we stayed in villa copenhagen so were around the station at night each day). They will have a lovely trip.

I was there two years ago and paid for everything by card, even taxis! I don’t think I even changed any cash.

Also op, I was in Lisbon last year and equally didn't use cash at all.

Can't remember the last time I used an actual euro note. Probably when I lived in ireland in 2014.

Nothing useful to add about Copenhagen but I just wanted to say how amazing your mum and her friend are to be travelling abroad at that age to an unfamiliar city. I really hope I get to that age, and have the health and confidence to do so, she's an inspiration!

Love Copenhagen. It's a very easy city to visit.

One think to watch out for though are the cycle lanes. They are everywhere and cyclists go fast.

Tell your dm she MUST stop and look carefully before stepping off the curb. It sounds obvious but I just can't to point it out