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Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Berlin to Munich

Both Berlin and Munich are major travel hubs in Germany, offering plenty of connections to the rest of Europe and the rest of the country. Munich certainly appeals to those looking to experience Oktoberfest, but the city also offers plenty of other things to do. On the other hand, Berlin is known for its history and night life.

Quick summary

The cheapest way and also the slowest way to travel between Berlin and Munich is by bus. Single fares start at €43 but you’ll be traveling for about 9 hours. Trains take less – 6h – but the savings fares start at €69 one way (and depend on when you travel). Flights can be as cheap as €50 one way but you need to add the cost and time of getting to/from the airports and the city centers, too.

Flights from Berlin to Munich

There are two airports serving Berlin and both direct flights to Munich.

Schönefeld (SFX) is the base of low cost carriers serving Berlin and is hub for EasyJet and GermanWings. The airport will be merged into Berlin Brandenburg Airport in early 2013, so plan accordingly. Flights to Munich are operated by GermanWings and take 1h. In mid-September 2012, the single fare starts at €50.

Tegel International Airport (TXL) is the main airport serving Berlin, a hub for Air Berlin, Germania and GermanWings. In early 2013, Tagel is supposed to close and Berlin Brandenburg Airport will take its place. Flights to Munich are operated by Air Berlin and Lufthansa. In mid-September, the single fare starts at €85 on Air Berlin.

Munich is served by Munich International Airport (MUC), the second biggest airport in Germany and seventh biggest in Europe. It is hub for : Air Berlin, Augsburg Airways, Lufthansa, Air Dolomiti, Air Independence, BinAir, Condor, Hamburg International and TUIfly.

Plan in advance (up to 6 months) and you’ll be finding cheaper fares on Air Berlin. Hence, in mid-December 2012, you’ll pay from €60 one way for flight from Tegel.

Read more about:
>>cheap flights to Berlin
>>cheap flights to Munich

Buses from Berlin to Munich

The bus is certainly the cheapest option for traveling between the two cities, but it’s the slowest, too. It takes about 9 h to cover the distance. Berlin Linien Bus offers direct buses , departing Berlin daily at 8:15 a.m. The single fare is €43. On the way back catch the bus from Munich at 9:45 a.m. The same fares apply.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Germany

Trains from Berlin to Munich

Bahn.de lists the connections between Berlin and Munich. Berlin is served by five train stations, but Hauptbahnhof is the most important , serving the high speed trains and connections to the rest of Europe.

Munich’s main station is located in the city center , west of Marienplatz. Deutsche Bahn uses Munich as a major hub.

There are direct trains, leaving about every hour to two hours from Berlin, but there are also plenty of connecting trains available. The direct trains take 6 h and the single saving fare starts at €69 but depends on the time of departure and how far in advance you make the purchase. The standard fare starts at €121. Both fares are valid on high speed trains.

>>read more about Train Travel in Germany

Driving from Berlin to Munich

You can certainly rent a car and drive the 588 km (shortest route on A9) between Berlin and Munich in about 6 hours (depending on traffic).

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Photo credits : Munich airport , Berlin train station

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Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Berlin to Prague

Berlin is the capital of Germany and also its biggest city. It is also an excellent travel hub, offering connections to the rest of the country and the rest of Europe. Many travelers choose to head to Central Europe as well and one of the most beautiful cities to visit there is Prague, the capital of Czech Republic.

Prague might have lost its “hidden gem” status but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to enjoy the city without falling for the touristy things. One thing to consider is showing up in Prague in spring or fall, when the tourists are generally avoiding traveling. Pack warmer clothes and something to fight the rain, though.

Quick summary

The short distance – 356 km – between Berlin and Prague doesn’t require a flight but there are low cost flights available by way of Cologne. To save money, you can catch a bus (and sometimes booking in advance means you pay €5 one way). Or you can catch a train and pay from €29 , if you book in advance. Both trains and buses take about the same to travel between the two capital (about 4 ½ h).

Flights from Berlin to Prague

There are two airports serving Berlin and both offer connections to Prague, via Cologne , Warsaw or other European hubs.

Schönefeld (SFX) is the base of low cost carriers serving Berlin and also gets a lot of traffic from Central-Eastern Europe. It is hub for EasyJet and GermanWings. The airport will be merged into Berlin Brandenburg Airport in early 2013, so plan accordingly. Flights to Prague are operated by GermanWings and they connect via Cologne. In mid-September 2012, the single fare starts at €90.

Tegel International Airport (TXL) is the main airport serving Berlin. It is hub for Air Berlin, Germania and GermanWings. In early 2013, Tagel is supposed to close and Berlin Brandenburg Airport will take its place. Flights to Prague are operated by LOT via Warsaw , Swiss via Geneva and several other companies, all with connections in various European capitals. In mid-September, the single fare starts at €247 on LOT.

Prague is served by Ruzyně International Airport (PRG), located 20 km from the city center. It is hub for the following airlines : Czech Airlines, Smart Wings, Travel Service, Wizz Air, ABS Jets and Grossmann Jet Service.

>>book a cheap flight to Berlin

Buses from Berlin to Prague

Eurolines operates direct buses between Berlin and Prague. There are two departures per day (7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.). The travel time is 4 ½ h to 4h 45 min and the promo fare is €5 one way. The standard single fare is €39.

Student Agency Bus also operates direct luxury buses between Berlin and Prague. Youngsters (under 26) and senior (over 60) benefit from discounts and so do students with valid IDs. Passengers are allowed to carry one hand luggage and one standard luggage in the luggage compartment (other luggage costs €8 per piece). Single fares start at €30.60 (discounts for RT tickets). There are daily departures from Prague at 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and there are also additional buses on Wed, Mon and Fri. The travel time is about 5h. All buses have toilets on board. Hot drinks are included in the price and each seat has radio player.

Trains from Berlin to Prague

Bahn.de lists all connections by train between Berlin and Prague. The direct train takes 4h 40 min and there are departures almost every 2 h from Berlin. If booked in advance, the single savings fare is €39. The standard fare starts at €63.80.

On the way back, catch the direct trains from Prague on the same schedule (about every two hours). The single fare starts at €29 if booked in advance.

Driving from Berlin to Prague

Both Germany and the Czech Republic are part of EU and Schengen Area, which means you won’t be paying surcharges for taking a rental car across the border. However, make sure to ask the rental agency if you can take the car across borders.

The shortest route between Berlin and Prague is 356 km on A13 and E55 and takes about 4 h. Please note that the route has tolls.

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Photo credits : Berlin Airport , Prague train station

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Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Munich to Salzburg

Salzburg , Austria reminds almost everyone about the movie The Sound of Music. Actually, it’s quite tempting to burst into singing Do,Re,Mi when you visit the castle, but there’s more to this lovely city than just a movie. Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and , aside from visiting the castle, you can also visit the fortress and many museums.

Although you can easily spend a week in the city, many travelers decide to visit Salzburg as a day trip from Munich. If you don’t plan to take the tour bus, here’s how to get between the two cities on your own.

Quick summary

Given the short distance between the two cities – only 145 km – there is no reason to even think about flying. So, you are left with taking the train, the bus or driving. With buses connecting only the Munich Airport to Salzburg, you are left to traveling by train, unless you plan to drive a rental car. Make sure to book the tickets in advance to get the cheapest possible option.

Trains from Munich to Salzburg

Bahn.de lists two connections per hour, daily, between Munich and Salzburg. The travel time is between 1 ½ h and 2 h, depending on the type of train. The single savings fare starts at €19. The standard fare starts at €64.

On the way back from Salzburg to Munich, you have at least 1 connection per hour available. The single savings fare starts at €38. The standard fare starts at €61.60.

Buses from Munich to Salzburg

It’s highly unlikely to take a bus between the two cities. The reason is that there’s only a shuttle bus connecting Munich Airport to Salzburg, but the price is higher than the train ticket. Plus, if you are in central Munich already, there’s no point to travel to the airport to catch the shuttle bus.

Driving from Munich to Salzburg

Both Germany and Austria are part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, which means you won’t be paying surcharges for taking the rental car across the border. However, you need to ask the rental company if you are allowed to do that.

On A8, the travel distance between the two cities is 145 km , which can be tackled in about 1 ½ h. Please note that the route has tolls

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Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Munich to Prague

Munich is the capital of Bavaria, particularly known for Oktoberfest beer celebration. It also has many interesting museums and a stunning architecture. Whether you are traveling to Munich for Oktoberfest or for any other reason, you need to know the cheapest way to get here and some details so that planning your trip gets a bit easier.

Prague is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It used to be a cheap place to visit in the Czech Republic but things have changed. Some say it’s very touristy, while others say it’s just stunning. I’ll leave it up to you to decide. Prague has a lot of places to visit and things to try out.

Quick summary

Given the short distance between the two cities (about 400 km), there’s no need to fly between Munich and Prague. In fact, there aren’t any direct flights available and all routes go through Warsaw. The cheapest option is traveling by bus. For about €30 you’ll cover the distance between the two cities in 5 h.

Trains from Munich to Prague

Bahn.de lists both buses and trains between Munich’s Hauptbahnhof and Prague’s central station. There’s a direct train leaving Munich daily at 7:02 p.m. The travel time is 5 h 49 min and the standard fare is €65.90 one way.

Buses from Munich to Prague

On Bahn.de you can also choose a bus to get between Munich and Prague. The bus departs Munich at 3:45 p.m. and the travel time is 5 h. The savings single fare is €29.

Eurolines also offers direct buses between the two cities. There are two departures per day from Prague (7 a.m. and 6 p.m.). The travel time is 5 h 15 min and the single fare starts at 500.- Kč / €19.60 [promo offer]. The standard single fare is 790.- Kč / €31. On the way back to Prague, the bus leaves Munich at 7 a.m. daily.

Driving from Munich to Prague

Both Germany and the Czech Republic are part of the European Union and the Schengen area, which means you won’t need to pay surcharges for using the rental car to get from one place to another. However, you should ask the car rental company if you are allowed to take the car across the border.

The shortest route between Munich and Prague is 381 km and takes about 4 hours to drive. Please note that the route has tolls.

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Gothenburg to Stockholm

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden, a university city which offers plenty of museums , an interesting hilltop fortification , historical buildings and parks.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and a major transportation hub. It’s scenic, located on 14 islands and offers plenty of things to do and see.

Summary

If you cannot score a cheap high speed train ticket – either by booking in advance or by getting a student/youngster discount – then the buses and regional trains are the best options. Airfare is not very high either, but you also need to take into account the transfer to/from the airport.

Flights from Gothenburg (airport code: GOT) to Stockholm

Gothenburg is served by two airports, but Landvetter Airport (GOT) is the main airport and the one operating flights to/from Stockholm. It is located 25 km from the city center, to which it’s connected by bus. It is hub for the following airlines: City Airline, Scandjet and TUIfly Nordic.

Stockholm is served by four airports but only two operate flights to/from Gothenburg:

  • Arlanda Airport (ARN): it is the main international airport serving Stockholm, located 37 km from the city center, to which it’s connected by express rail, regular rail, express buses, regular buses and taxis. It is hub for many airlines including: Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines and TUIfly Nordic. Flights to/from Gothenburg are operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines.
  • Bromma Airport (BMA) : it is a small airport serving Stockholm, located just 10 km from the city center, to which it’s connected by buses. It is not hub for any airline. Flights to/from Gothenburg are operated by Malmö Aviation.

In mid-July 2012, expect to pay from €31 one way on Norwegian Air Shuttle, flying between Stockholm Arlanda and Landvetter Airport. The travel time is 55 min. A return flight during the same time of the year starts at €61 on the same airline. By mid-October 2012, expect to pay from €42 one way (same route). Remember that when you fly low-cost carriers, it’s cheaper to buy the ticket 4 to 8 weeks before departure.

>>book a flight to Sweden

Trains from Gothenburg to Stockholm

SJ operates high speed trains, intercity trains and regional trains between the two cities. The high speed trains depart Stockholm daily at 8:10 a.m., 9:21 a.m. , 10:10 a.m., 12:10 p.m. , 2:10 p.m., 4:10 p.m and 6:10 p.m. The single fare starts at 316 SEK / €35.22 but depend on the time of departure and how far in advance you purchase the ticket. The travel time on the high speed train is 3h 15 min.

The single fare on the regional train is 335 SEK / €37.34 regardless when you travel (time of the day). The travel time on the regional train is 4 h 50 min.

On the way back, the single fare on the high speed train can cost as little as 145 SEK / €16.16 (because you are booking in advance) and do depend on the time of the day when you travel. The first high speed train departs Gothenburg at 5:07 a.m. daily.

Note: Remember to run the search between Göteborg and Stockholm (although when you type the name in English, the site automatically writes it in Swedish)

>>read more about Train Travel in Sweden

Buses from Gothenburg to Stockholm

The following bus companies operate between the two cities:

  • Swebus Express : operates 7 direct buses per day, with departures from Gothenburg between 7:50 a.m. and 11:15 pm . The travel time is between 7 h and 7 ½ h. The single adult fare starts at 359 SEK / €40 and depends on the day and time of travel. On the way back, catch the buses from Stockholm between 8:05 a.m. and 10:45 p.m.
  • GoByBus and Bus4You : together they operate 3 buses from Gothenburg (Göteborg Nils Ericson Terminal) to Stockholm and 9 buses on the way back. Buses depart Gothenburg at 7:40 a.m. , 10 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. The adult fare starts at 419 SEK / €46.70 and depends on the time of the day when you travel. The travel time is between 6h 15 min and 6 ½ h. On the way back, the cheapest fare is 379 SEK / €42.25 and you can catch buses between 7:50 a.m. and 5:30 p.m daily from Stockholm (Cityterminalen).

>>read more about Bus Travel in Sweden

Driving from Gothenburg to Stockholm

You can certainly rent a car and drive the 471 km (shortest route) between Gothenburg and Stockholm. The travel time is about 5 h 10 min on Route 40 and E4. There’s a slightly longer route on E20, which takes about 5h 45 min.

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Stockholm to Helsinki

Scandinavia is a superb area in Northern Europe, offering plenty of things to do. Many travelers prefer to visit all of the Scandinavian countries during a single trip, which means there’s the need to find the best rates for getting between the cities (and mostly between the capitals).

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a picturesque city located on 14 islands and offering plenty of things to do, whether you look for history, nature, nightlife or shopping.

Helsinki is the capital of Finland, rebuilt by the Russians along the lines of a miniature St. Petersburg. It still has a small town feel but it’s actually an international metropolis. The best time to visit is during summer. Don’t miss visiting the Suomenlinna Fortress, the “Gibraltar of the North”, which used to be one of the greatest sea fortresses in the Baltic Sea.

Summary

The only viable options for traveling between Stockholm and Helsinki are the ferries and the planes. Take into account the transfer fares (to/from the airports; to/from the ferry terminals) when you compare the fares. Overall, a deck seat in the summer might be the cheapest option.

Flights from Stockholm (airport code: ARN) to Helsinki

Helsinki is served by the modern Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (HEL), which handles both domestic and international travel. It is located 20 km from the capital, to which it’s connected by buses and taxis. The airport is hub for many airlines including: Air Finland, Blue1, Finnair, Flybe Nordic, Norwegian Air Shuttle and TUIfly Nordic.

Stockholm is served by four airports, but only two of them operate flights to/from Helsinki:

  • Arlanda Airport (ARN) , which is the main international airport serving Stockholm. It is located 37 km from the city, to which it’s connected by express rail, regular rail, express buses, regular buses and taxis. It is hub for many airlines including: Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines and TUIfly Nordic. Flights to/from Helsinki are operated by Blue1, Finnair and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
  • Bromma Airport (BMA) is a small airport serving Stockholm, located just 10 km from the city center, to which it’s connected by buses. It is not hub for any airline. Flights to/from Helsinki are operated by Finnair ( Flybe Nordic).

For flights in mid-July 2012, the cheapest ticket is offered by Norwegian Air Shuttle, flying between Arlanda and Helsinki. The single fare is €32 and the flight time is 55 min. A return flight during the same period starts at €70 (Finnair). By mid-October flights get a bit more expensive, the single fare starting at €42 on Norwegian Air Shuttle.

>>book a flight to Sweden

Trains and ferries from Stockholm to Helsinki

Just look at the map and you’ll see there are no direct train connections between the two cities. However, you can travel by ferry and train.

There are three possibilities to get by train and ferry between the two cities and all requite a stop along the way (in Turku satama). The travel time is between 13h and 14 h. They are listed by Obb Scotty , but tickets cannot be purchased online.

Buses from Stockholm to Helsinki

Buses aren’t a viable option either. There would be a possibility to mix train and bus, going via Luleå or Boden, then to Haparanda or Kemi, before continuing further to Helsinki. Still, unless you want to see more of the country, the travel times are long and it’s not a good option.

By ferry

There’s the possibility to take the ferry between the two cities. Viking Line operates a direct ferry every day between Stockholm and Helsinki. It departs Stockholm at 4:45 p.m. and Helsinki at 5:30 p.m. every day. The travel time is 16 h and 15 min.

During the cold time of the year (September to May) you need to book both a passenger ticket and cabin. The passenger fare is €40 one way for travel between Saturday and Thursday and €70 for travel on Friday. The economy cabin is €21 one way per person from Saturday to Thursday and €48 on Friday.

During summer, the passenger fare is €50 one way every day of the week. In the summer, there are also some dock seats sold (passenger fare only). The economy cabin is €47 one way per person every day.

Driving from Stockholm to Helsinki

You can rent a car and travel by road and ferry between Stockholm and Helsinki. There are two routes, one through Sweden, the Åland Islands (Finland) and Finland mainland; and the other through Sweden , Estonia and Finland. In either case you’ll be traveling through countries which are part of the Schengen area, so you won’t pay any surcharges when you rent the car; however, make sure to let the car rental agency know which countries you plan to cross and ask whether it’s possible to do that.

Both routes take about the same time and involve ferry crossings and toll roads. Viking Lines operates ferries between Helsinki and Stockholm. During summer the price for crossing with a car is €74 one way (€45 the rest of the year). Add the passenger fare and cabin fare to the car price, too. Packages for car and 2-4 adults are also available. The ferry departs Helsinki once a day, at 5:30 p.m. and arrives in Stockholm at 9:45 a.m.; on the way back, catch the ferry from Stockholm at 4:45 p.m. every day.

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Oslo to Stockholm

Many travelers choose to visit the capitals of the Scandinavian countries during a single trip. That’s means, they fly into one of the major airports – typically the one which the cheapest fares offered – and then travel between the countries by land.

Oslo is the capital and the largest city in Norway. It’s known as the most expensive city in the world to love in (and visit). So saving some money while visiting is something everybody is looking to do. There are a lot of interesting buildings to visit while here and when you decide the city has offered enough, you can always plan a walk in the forest.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a very picturesque town located on 14 islands. There are a lot of things to do here, such as visiting museums, spending time in nature or exploring the shopping opportunities.

Summary

The buses are the cheapest way – from €25.50 one way – to get between Oslo and Stockholm, but pay attention to companies (some are more expensive than trains!). Trains aren’t very expensive either but the fares depend on how far in advance you purchase the ticket (you can easily get away with fares from €36 one way). If you fly outside the high season , it’s possible to find cheap flights – from €39 one way – but you also need to add the cost of transfer to/from the airport.

Flights from Oslo (airport code: OSL) to Stockholm

Oslo is served by three airports, but the flights to/from Stockholm are operated only from Gardermoen Airport (OSL). This is the main airport serving Norway’s capital and is the second busiest in Scandinavia. It is located 35km from the capital, to which it’s connected by express train, regular train and buses. The airport is hub for many airlines, including: Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and TUIfly Nordic.

Stockholm is served by four airports, but only two of them handle flights to/from Oslo:

  • Arlanda Airport (ARN): is located 37 km north of the city and is the largest airport in Sweden. It is hub for many airlines including: Nextjet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines and TUIfly Nordic. It is connected to the city by express train, regular train and buses. Flights to/from Oslo are operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines.
  • Bromma Airport (BMA): is a smaller airport, located just 10 km from the city center , to which is connected by express and regular bus. It is not hub for any airline but low cost carriers prefer to use this airport. Flights to/from Oslo are operated by Flybe Nordic.

It’s slightly cheaper to fly into Arlanda than into Bromma (not considering the additional baggage taxes, for example). The flight time is 1 h and, in late June 2012, expect to pay from €55 one way to Arlanda on Norwegian and from €59 one way to Bromma on Flybe. The cheapest return flight would be €96 in late June but fly into Arlanda and out of Bromma.

By mid-October 2012, it’s much cheaper to fly into Bromma. Single fares start at €39 on Flybe, while return flights start at €81 (fly in/out of Bromma).

>>book a flight to Sweden

Trains from Oslo to Stockholm

SJ – the largest Swedish train operator – offers two direct trains per day between Oslo and Stockholm. The trains depart Oslo at 7:25 a.m. and 3:49 p.m. daily and the single non-refundable fare is 325 SEK / €36. On the way back catch the first train from Oslo at 8:25 a.m. and the last at 12:21 p.m. The single non-refundable fare starts at 213 SEK / €23.70 but it does depend on how much in advance you purchase the ticket. The travel time is between 5h 40 min and 6 h 7 min. Connecting trains (with a change along the way) are also available but not worth it.

Buses from Oslo to Stockholm

The following bus companies offer direct links between the two cities:

  • Swebus : offers 5 departures per day , out of which 3 are direct. Buses leave Stockholm at 8:45 a.m. , 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m. , 10:30 pm. and 10:45 p.m. The single non-refundable fare starts at 199 SEK / €22.10 on the connecting bus; and 229 SEK / €25.50 on the direct bus. The travel time is between 7 h 30 min and 8 h for the direct buses. On the way back, catch the direct buses from Oslo at 8:45 a.m., 1 pm. and 10 p.m. The same fare applies.
  • GobyBus and Bus4You operate , together, 2 buses per day from Oslo, departing at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 am . The travel time is 10 h and 12 h 25 min respectively. The single fare is 649 SEK / €72.20 for an adult. On the way back, catch the bus from Stockholm at 7:50 a.m. The single fare is 799 SEK / €89.

Driving from Oslo to Stockholm

You can rent a car and drive the 523 km between the two cities. Although Norway is not part of the European Union, both Norway and Sweden are part of the Schengen area, so taking a rental car across the border should imply paying surcharges. However, make sure to ask the rental company whether you are allowed to cross the border.

The travel time is about 6 ½ h and the route has tolls.

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Copenhagen to Oslo

Many tourists choose to visit all the Scandinavian capitals during a single trip; which means they also need to get between them fast, easy and cheap. Getting between Copenhagen – Denmark’s capital – and Oslo – Norway’s capital – by land requires you to cross Sweden, which means you can also plan to spend some time here.

Copenhagen is well known for its nightlife, cultural scene , shopping opportunities and museums. It’s a lively city and a pleasure to visit.

Oslo is the third largest city in Scandinavia and is the most expensive city in the world to live in (and visit). There are interesting buildings to visit and museums to check out. Spend some time in the parks or take a walk in the forest.

Summary

The cheapest option to travel between the two capitals is the bus. Tickets start around €40 one way (cheaper for those under 30 years old). Trains are more expensive and they also take about 8 h to travel between the two cities.

Flights from Copenhagen (airport code: CPH) to Oslo

Copenhagen is served by Kastrup Airport (CPH) , which is the main international airport serving the capital of Denmark. It is located only 8 km from the city center and is hub for many airlines, including: Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and TUIfly Nordic. The easiest to get to/from the airport is by train.

Olso is served by three airports but most flight from Copenhagen land on Gardermoen Airport (OSL) , which is the main airport serving Norway’s capital. It is hub for many airlines, including Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and TUIfly Nordic. High speed trains, regular trains and buses are available to get to/from the airport. Flights to Gardermoen from Copenhagen are operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines.

Starting with July 2012, there are also flights from Copenhagen to Moss Airport, Rygge (RYG) , which is also an international airport, but it’s preferred by low cost carriers. It is located 60 km from the capital , to which is connected by trains and buses. It is hub for Ryanair. Flights to Rygge from Copenhagen are operated only by Danish Air Transport).

The flight from Copenhagen to Gardermoen takes 1h 15 min and the single fares start at €62 in late June 2012 (on Norwegian). A return flight during the same period starts at €135. The same fares apply in mid-October 2012, too.

Trains from Copenhagen to Oslo

Both SJ – the largest train operator in Sweden – and Bahn.de – the German train operator – list the train between the two cities, but only on SJ you can find the prices , too.

There are 5 departures from Copenhagen per day which require only a change along the way (in Göteborg / Gothenburg, Sweden). The total travel time is about 8 h and the single non-refundable fare is 816 SEK / €90.70. Trains leave Copenhagen at 5:32 a.m. , 6:32 a.m., 8:32 a.m, 11:32 a.m. and 1:32 p.m.

On the way back from Oslo, you can catch two of the day trains (with one change along the way) at 7 a.m. or 1 p.m. The single non-refundable fare is 1018 SEK / €113. There’s also a night train, which leaves Oslo at 3:49 p.m. but requires two changes (Katrineholm and Malmo). The single non-refundable fare is 509 SEK / €56.54 for a seat. The couchette fare starts at 587 SEK / €65.

Buses from Copenhagen to Oslo

It’s generally a good idea to purchase the tickets only but some operators also sell them in the bus (for an extra fee). One of the companies offering direct links between the two cities is GoByBus (Attention: the site doesn’t offer English!), which offers three connections per day , leaving Copenhagen at 8:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 10 pm. The travel time is 8 ½ h. The single adult ticket starts at 349 SEK / €38.80. And the youngster ticket (under 30 years old) starts at 279 SEK / €31 one way. On the way back , catch the bus from Oslo at 10:30 a.m. and 10:50 p.m. The same fares apply.

Driving from Copenhagen to Oslo

You can rent a car and drive the 607 km (shortest route) between Copenhagen and Oslo. The route passes through Sweden, so you need to ask the rental company whether you can take the car across borders. Norway is not part of the European Union – like Denmark and Sweden – but is part of the Schengen area, which means you shouldn’t pay surcharges or have problems crossing the border in a rental car.

The travel time on E20 and E6 (shortest route) takes about 6 ½ h but it does depend on the traffic (so take into account more like 7 ½ h drive time plus stops along the way).

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Copenhagen to Malmo

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and although it’s served by an important international airport, if you fly from certain European destinations it’s cheaper to fly into Malmo and then travel to Copenhagen by land. If you plan to visit Copenhagen, don’t miss its museums and the palaces.

Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden , easily explored by bicycle. Visit the three squares – Gustav Adolf, Big and Little – which are located in the heart of the city , and don’t miss Malmöhus Castle, either.

You can either visit Copenhagen as a day trip from Malmo, or the other way around, depending on where you prefer to set your base.

Summary

Considering the short distance between the two cities, it’s not necessary to fly. In fact, many fly into Malmo if they want to visit Copenhagen, because it’s possible to find cheaper flights from certain European destinations. The cheapest way to get between Copenhagen and Malmo is by bus, with fares starting at €5.50 one way. Trains aren’t very expensive either, as fares start at €12 one way.

Trains from Copenhagen to Malmo

SJ – the largest Swedish train operator – lists both their trains and those operated by Öresundstågen (the Danish train operator). There are trains departing Malmo every 20 min , night and day. The high speed train operated by SJ takes 28 min and the single fare starts at 135 SEK / €15 (non-refundable). The other trains take 35 min and the single fare starts at 107 SEK / €12 (non –refundable). On the way back, the same fares apply and trains run on the same schedule.

Buses from Copenhagen to Malmo

The following bus companies operate buses between the two cities:

  • GoByBus (attention: the website doesn’t offer English!): there are two departures from Malmo daily, at 6:05 a.m. and 5:55 p.m. The travel time is 55 min and the adult fare is 49 SEK / €5.50 one way. The youngster fare (under 30 years old) is the same. On the way back, catch one of the three buses from Copenhagen, leaving at 8:30 am., 1 pm. and 10 p.m. The same fares apply.
  • Gråhundbus (attention: the website doesn’t offer English!) operates bus 999 between Copenhagen and Malmo . The single fare is 80 DKK / €10.80 and you can also get a one day return ticket for 120 DKK / €16.20. There are seven departures per day.

Driving from Copenhagen to Malmo

You can rent a car and drive the 46 km between Copenhagen and Malmo on E20. Both countries are part of the European Union and the Schengen area, so you won’t be paying any surcharges. But it’s best to ask the rental company if you can take the rental car across the border.

The route has tolls and the travel time is about 40 min (but depends on the traffic).

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Germany Planning a Trip Things to Do Transportation

Germany in May

In Europe, May is probably the most beautiful month of Spring. Sure, the weather is not reliable, but the warm and sunny days are gorgeous, allowing for outdoor activities and exploring the cities.

Weather & temperatures

May falls during spring, which is know for being pretty unreliable when it comes to the weather. But , the flowers are in bloom, the parks are green and the days are warmer and longer.

The best way to prepare for this weather is to pack layers. And don’t forget an umbrella or a waterproof coat.

Sample temperatures

Berlin avg high 18C; avg low 7C
Dusseldorf avg high 18C ; avg low 8C
Frankfurt avg high 18C ; avg low 8C
Hamburg avg high 16C; avg low 7C
Munich avg high 17C ; avg low 6C

>>read more about Weather in Germany

Flights and accommodation

May falls during spring when the prices for both airfare and accommodation start to go up in spring although they aren’t as high as during the summer. It’s still a good idea to make the reservations some months in advance.

Things to do

Kick off the start of the grilling season in Europe with Labor Day (May 1), a public holiday when everyone loves to spend time in nature. You can pack a picnic basket or just enjoy a day at the beer hall with friends.

Or, you can put on your walking shoes and explore Munich at your own pace. Do some people watching, visiting some churches and soak up the atmosphere.

>>read more about Things to do in Munich

Head to Bonn on May 5 for Rhine in Flames, a festival during which the Rhine valley is illuminated by fireworks.

Or go to Hamburg for the annual celebration of the harbor (3 days festival in mid-May). The festival features dragon boat races and a parade of historic ships.

By the end of the month make sure to be Berlin for the Carnival of Cultures , a four day street fair with exotic food and drinks and of course, parties. The highlight is the parade on Sunday when you can see colorful costumes.

And while here you can take a walking tour of the city, walk by the Berlin Wall, visit a museum or spend time in the park.

>>read more about Things to do in Berlin

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