Disclaimer : This trip was made with high consideration. UK government open the border and made the summer holiday was possible with details for arrival in here. The Denmark government also opened their border earlier in June with safety rule for each departure/arrival country (source here). The airlines and airport also made strict rules about the using face mask (covering the face) and to obey COVID19 safety rule to all passenger. The COVID19 border and immigration regulation will be updated every Thurday.
We planned this trip back on February. We’ve already applied the visa back on February and got 6 months multiple entry visa. Originally, the trip was for spring break and to visit our friends that newly moved to Bergen and then fly to Copenhagen for we called it ” a Recollecting Trip“. But then the pandemic started widely and the lockdown curved was enforced. The country border started to close, first Denmark then Norway. And two days before our designated departure, the airlines canceled all our ticket ( fortunately, with fully refund). So here there goes our spring break trip.
Then when everything possible, the borders was opened and UK government gave possibility to make any trip abroad, we found an affordable accommodation, direct flight and safe hotel. And also, we decided to change our plan to directly to go to Copenhagen instead to have transit to Bergen (as per unfortunately, we couldn’t find any flight direct on that date too).
We will to visit Copenhagen for 6 days, this is due to a minimum stay requirement and will have to show documentation of a 6-night booking (based on Danish government decision on 30 August 2020). The best found was the city having a 50% discount for almost all the attraction in the city along the summer break (ended on 9 August 2020) but need to booking the time slot in prior due to the safety rule and visitor limitation in a day. Due to the high demand and the requirement of bought the ticket online, I booked Den Blå Planet and Lousiana Museum of Modern Art in advance.
The airports , both Stansted (we use RyanAir) and Kaastrup, strictly required to using face mask or using suitable covering face all the times inside the airport and also inside the public transportation inside the airport and surely inside the plane. Hand sanitizers are available in every place in the airport and the distancing is applied well. One thing that changed inside the plane is going to the toilet. Instead of we can go freely, now the airline (RyanAir did) decided to make sure no people queue in front of the toilet. The passenger who needs to go will need to give a prior sign (using called sign) and the flight attendant will let them know if the toilet available to use.
Another finding for this trip is the new ticket system for Copenhagen the public transportation. Seven years ago, when we left the city, they still using the paper ticket system but then changed into electronic system a year later. I remember the have daily ticket but bundle with Copenhagen Card. But then we found out they now have different types of tickets and travel cards which are all valid for buses, trains and the metro in the Copenhagen area. The choice depends on how much and where you wish to travel during your stay and it called City Pass (they have range from 24 to 120 hours, Zone 1 to 4 or bigger area include the outer Copenhagen), which also available in DOT Ticket apps. Using this more comfortable rather than using the card (need to top up and counting how many areas you will pass).
Back in old days, I think we didn’t create much will to explore the city. I deeply regretted the laziness. Especially after I followed few Danish photographer and Copenhagen resident who captured the city beautifully. I felt missing this city more and more and had plan to visit this city since the day I left it. The city has changed, based on the picture. And we voluntarily happy to find out the new things in the city.
So, here we are, back to Copenhagen as a tourist. How I miss these colors and the bakery smell.
Love in my Life 