Hamburg to Copenhagen — The Little Mermaid and a Narrow Escape!
After two thoroughly enjoyable days in Hamburg, it was time to pack my trusty little suitcase and continue my journey northwards.
Today I would be leaving Germany behind and travelling to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.
After breakfast, I checked out of the Hotel Centro and made my way to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof for my 10:53 train.
My train was IC 386, which would take me north through Germany, across the Danish border and onwards to Fredericia, where I would change trains for Copenhagen.
The journey was scheduled to take just over five hours, arriving in Copenhagen at 16:08.
As a lifelong railway enthusiast, I was rather looking forward to it!
Across Germany and Into Denmark
Leaving Hamburg behind, we headed north through the countryside of Schleswig-Holstein, passing through Rendsburg and Flensburg before crossing the border into Denmark at Padborg.
I always enjoy travelling by train through unfamiliar countryside. There’s something rather satisfying about sitting comfortably and watching the scenery pass by, knowing that you’re gradually making your way into another country.
And unlike flying, you actually get to see something of the places you’re travelling through!
My ticket showed that I was due to arrive at Fredericia at 14:14 on platform 3, with my connecting train departing at 14:22 from platform 4.
Eight minutes to change trains!
Fortunately, with only my little cabin suitcase to worry about, this wasn’t too much of a problem.
From Fredericia, the journey continued eastwards towards Copenhagen, crossing the island of Funen and then passing beneath the Great Belt on the railway link to Zealand.
This remarkable engineering project includes a tunnel beneath the eastern channel of the Great Belt, while road traffic uses the enormous suspension bridge above.
I was rather impressed by the scale of it all.
Welcome to Copenhagen!
At precisely 16:08, according to my itinerary, I arrived at Copenhagen Central Station.
Another country ticked off the list!
My accommodation was the City Hotel Nebo, conveniently situated just a short walk from the station.
I checked in and was allocated Room 231.
the Hotel Nebo with the railway station in the backgound.
After depositing my trusty little suitcase, I made myself a cup of coffee and had a short rest before setting off to explore the Danish capital.
My first excursion was simply to have a look around the neighbourhood.
The famous Tivoli Gardens were situated at the opposite end of the railway station, so I wandered over to have a look at the entrance.
Tivoli is one of Copenhagen’s best-known attractions, and although I didn’t go inside, it was interesting to see somewhere I had heard so much about.
In Search of the Little Mermaid
Of course, Copenhagen has one particularly famous attraction that I thought I really ought to visit — the Little Mermaid.
So I took a local train and set off to find her.
That sounded straightforward enough!
After leaving the train, I found myself walking through some pleasant gardens, trying to work out exactly where this famous statue was situated.
Unfortunately, my sense of direction wasn’t quite up to the task, and I managed to get myself thoroughly lost.
Eventually, after rather more wandering than I had intended, I found her.
And there she was.
The world-famous Little Mermaid.
Good grief! Was that it?
She was tiny!
After all the effort involved in finding her, I couldn’t help wondering whether the expedition had really been worthwhile.
Still, I had seen one of Denmark’s most famous landmarks, even if it had turned out to be rather less impressive than I had imagined.
At least the gardens had been pleasant!
A Close Encounter with the Ticket Inspector
Having completed my expedition to see the Little Mermaid, I walked back to the railway station to catch a train into central Copenhagen.
As I reached the platform, I noticed that a train was just about to depart.
Not wanting to miss it, I hurried aboard just before the doors closed.
Excellent timing!
Or so I thought.
It was only after the train had started moving that I suddenly remembered something rather important.
I hadn’t bought a return ticket!
Oh dear.
And to make matters worse, I could see a ticket inspector making his way through the train from the far carriage.
Now, I could have waited for him and tried to explain my predicament, but I wasn’t particularly keen on having that conversation.
So I decided to take a little stroll.
Very slowly, I began walking forward through the carriages, while the inspector continued making his way towards me from the other end.
It was becoming a rather interesting race!
Fortunately, before our paths crossed, the train pulled into Copenhagen Central Station.
I got off, rather relieved that my little oversight hadn’t resulted in an expensive addition to the day’s sightseeing budget.
Not exactly my finest moment of railway travel!
And after all that effort, I still wasn’t entirely convinced that the Little Mermaid had been worth the journey!
Probably the Best Lager in the World!
Having successfully returned to Copenhagen Central Station without encountering the ticket inspector, I decided it was time to find something to eat.
I didn’t particularly fancy wandering around looking for a restaurant, so I found somewhere in the station and settled down for a simple meal.
A burger, if I remember correctly.
And naturally, being in Denmark, I thought it only right to sample a couple of the local beers.
Carlsberg, of course!
Or, as their famous advertising slogan reminded us, “Probably the best lager in the world!”
After a long day travelling from Hamburg, changing trains at Fredericia, exploring Copenhagen, getting lost in some gardens and nearly having an embarrassing encounter with a ticket inspector, those beers were very welcome indeed.
I made the short walk back to the City Hotel Nebo and Room 231.
It had been another enjoyable day, although I was still wondering whether the Little Mermaid had really been worth all the trouble!
Tomorrow would bring another railway journey, this time heading further north into Sweden.
The adventure continued!
See you all tomorrow, I hope!
TTFN,
Bibbley
