Denmark is served by a fine-meshed network of local, regional, national and international bus services.
About bus services
Many train and bus services correspond, and the internet journey planner, www.rejseplanen.dk, simplifies finding out which services that do so. Rejseplanen.dk (the Journey Planner) is based on data provided by all the bus and rail operators and most of the ferry services in Denmark – local as well as national.
Regional and local buses in Denmark
Denmark is divided into five administrative regions, which are responsible for local and regional public transport. The regions have assigned the coordination and transport services offers to one or two regional transport service organisations.
Some of the regional transport companies also offer long distance bus services. You find the website address to the different regional companies under Regional and local buses in Denmark.
On most bus services, you can buy tickets on the bus from a ticket machine or the driver. Where and how you buy tickets varies, depending on the operating company and the type of bus you are traveling in, e.g. whether it is a city bus or a regional bus.
Some bus companies accept credit cards on the bus. However, it is always a good idea to bring cash if you intent to buy tickets on the bus. On some of the long distance connections you can reserve seats and buy tickets in advance.
You can find information on bus tickets in the Aarhus area under 'Taking the bus in Aarhus'.
Tickets and Zones
Many cities and regions in Denmark are divided into travel zones and the fare you pay depends on how many zones you travel through. You will, however, generally be charged for a minimum of two zones. You will find zone maps at the bus stations.
In the cities, you can often use your ticket to travel for as long as it is valid on public transport, both train and bus services, within the number of zones you have paid for. When you travel on long distance bus services you will often pay a set fare between destinations along the route and not according to a zone system.
For information on bus tickets in the Aarhus area go to, Taking the bus in Aarhus.
Travel passes and discount cards in general
If you frequently travel to one destination or within the same number of zones, it may be a good idea to buy a travel card (månedskort/periodekort) or a discount card (klippekort). The smartest buy depends on how frequently you travel.
About travel cards
A travel card allows you to travel as many times you like within the number of zones for which you have bought your travel card, for as long as the card is valid. Many companies offer travel cards valid from 30 to 365 days. Some offer a reduced-rate period card which is not valid during the rush hour. Note that many of the night bus services have different fares than daytime services, which means that your travel card may not be valid on these buses.
If you want a period travel card you will usually have to go the company’s ticket office. Have with you some form of photo-ID, your health insurance card as proof of your CPR number and a passport-sized photo for your travel pass. Weekend and weekly travel cards are often available at kiosks and at tourist information offices and do not require a photo or proof of identity.
About discount cards
A discount card is valid for 10 journeys within the number travel zones you have bought the card for. You pay less per journey if you travel with a discount card than you do with a single ticket. When you travel with a discount card you must punch the card at the start of your journey. You will find a punching machine at the station, in the bus, or ask the driver. Discount cards are available at ticket offices and many kiosks and supermarkets.
Tickets’ and discount cards’ validity
When you have punched your discount card or bought a ticket, the card or the ticket is valid for a certain time period. When you punch your discount card, the start time of your journey is stamped onto the card. The time of purchase is also stamped on the ticket you buy from the ticket machine or the bus driver. The time validity of a ticket and discount card varies in accordance to the number of zones for which the discount card/ticket is valid. The exact validity period of a discount card and/or a ticket is specified on the card/ticket.
Timetables and journey planer
Most bus companies post bus routes and timetable on their website. Often, you can also find bus timetables at the bus station and on the bus. Furthermore, the Internet journey planer, www.rejseplanen.dk is very useful if you are looking for travel routes, departure and arrival times. The journey planner is based on data provided by all the bus and railway operators and most of the ferry services in Denmark – local as well as national. For an English version of www.rejseplanen.dk, click on the UK flag at the bottom of the page.
On many city bus services, one adult is entitled to travel with two children under the age of twelve for free. However, children under 12 travelling alone pay a children’s fare. Children under 16 can buy children’s tickets and children’s discount cards. Ask the driver or at the ticket office about the rules that apply when travelling with a specific company.
Taking the bus in Aarhus
Local bus services in the Aarhus area are coordinated by the bus company Midttrafik. Read more about Midttrafik and their services on Midttrafik’s website: www.midttrafik.dk.
In Aarhus, you will find two types of buses – a yellow buss and a blue bus.
City buses are yellow.
In 2012 Aarhus Sporveje (Aarhus traffic company) introduces new rules for entering buses. For those of you, who use public transportation, it will mean that you will be able to enter a bus using both front and back doors.
You cannot buy tickets from the driver on the yellow buses. You buy your tickets in the ticket machine located either at the back or in the centre section of the bus. Please note that that not all ticket machines accept credit cards and only newer machines have English services. The bus fare depends on the number of zones you are travelling. Read more about ticket prices and zones in Aarhus, and download a zone map of the city at Midttrafik’s website.
You will also find yellow city buses in Grenaa, Odder, Randers, Silkeborg and Skanderborg.
The blue buses are regional buses. You enter the blue buses in the front of the bus, and you can buy your buss tickets from the driver.
