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railtour suisse · Self-guided rail tour

Train tour of Denmark

Self-guided rail tour through Denmark from Hamburg to Fredericia in eight days

Illustration of Train tour of Denmark

Railtour Suisse's eight-day Train Tour of Denmark is a self-guided rail journey that begins in Basel and passes through Hamburg before entering Denmark. Travelers board direct Intercity trains to Copenhagen, where a two-night stay allows time to explore the city on foot, visit Tivoli Gardens, and take a canal boat tour past Nyhavn's colourful houses. The route continues south to Odense, Hans Christian Andersen's hometown, then east to Aarhus on the Baltic coast, where the ARoS Art Museum and its Rainbow Panorama rooftop offer city views. The journey ends in Fredericia with access to family-friendly beaches before the return journey to Switzerland via Hamburg. All accommodation includes breakfast, and train travel in 2nd class is pre-booked. This tour suits independent explorers and first-time rail travelers who prefer flexibility to structured group activities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Train fares from Basel are included based on holding a Half-Fare travelcard; this additional cost is not covered in the quoted price
  • The tour is entirely self-guided with no included excursions or activities; museums, boat tours, and attractions are booked and paid for independently
  • One hotel (Boutique Hotel Andersen in Copenhagen) is four-star; the remaining four are three-star properties

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Hamburg

    Switzerland - Hamburg

    Travel comfortably by ICE from Basel and reach Hamburg after approximately 6h30. After your arrival and check-in at the hotel, immerse yourself in the city's maritime atmosphere. Enjoy a fresh shrimp sandwich and take in the lively activity around the harbor. Overnight in Hamburg: 1 night.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Copenhagen

    Hamburg - Copenhagen

    After breakfast, make your way to the central station. The direct Intercity train takes you to Copenhagen in just under 5 hours. Overnight in Copenhagen: 2 nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Copenhagen

    Copenhagen

    Explore much of the city on foot. Strøget, Europe's longest shopping street. The Tivoli Gardens are nostalgic, romantic, and magical. Boat tour through the canals, passing colourful houses and historic sailing ships in Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace and the Little Mermaid.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Odense

    Copenhagen - Odense

    Continue your journey to Odense. The direct Intercity train takes you to Denmark's fairy-tale city in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Immerse yourself in the world of Hans Christian Andersen. Stroll through the pedestrian zone with its charming street art, cosy cafés, and small boutiques. Overnight in Odense: 1 night.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Aarhus

    Odense - Aarhus

    The direct Intercity train takes you in 1 hour and 30 minutes to the east coast of Jutland, to the creative coastal city of Aarhus. Visit the open-air museum Den Gamle By. Overnight in Aarhus: 2 nights.

  6. Day 6overnight: Aarhus

    Aarhus

    At the iconic ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, stroll through the vibrant 'Rainbow Panorama' on the rooftop for a spectacular view over the city. Beaches and forests just a few minutes from the city centre invite you to enjoy nature.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Fredericia

    Aarhus - Fredericia

    After just under an hour by train, you reach the town of Fredericia. Right in the town centre, a family-friendly beach with calm water and great facilities. In the pedestrian zone, cosy cafés and small boutiques. Overnight in Fredericia: 1 night.

  8. Day 8rail

    Fredericia - Switzerland

    Today is a travel day, and the train slowly carries you out of the country. Via Hamburg, directly back to Switzerland.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Boat tour through Copenhagen's canals past colourful houses and historic sailing ships in Nyhavn, with views of Amalienborg Palace and the Little Mermaid
  • Day 4Journey to Odense, Denmark's fairy-tale city, exploring Hans Christian Andersen's world through the pedestrian zone and museum
  • Day 6Visit ARoS Aarhus Art Museum and walk through the Rainbow Panorama on the rooftop for views over the city

Included

  • Train journey in 2nd class from/to Basel SBB, based on Half-Fare travelcard. Route according to programme
  • Accommodation in a standard double room with breakfast: 1 night in Hamburg, Hotel Continental***; 2 nights in Kopenhagen, Boutique Hotel Andersen****; 1 night in Odense, Nomad City Hotel***; 2 nights in Aarhus, Hotel Atlantic***; 1 night in Fredericia, Hotel Gammel Havn***

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, all train travel from Basel via Hamburg through Denmark to Fredericia and back is included in the package price, provided you hold a Half-Fare travelcard
Which trains are used?
ICE from Basel to Hamburg (approximately 6 hours 30 minutes) in 2nd class, then direct Intercity trains to Copenhagen (just under 5 hours), and onward Intercity services to Odense, Aarhus, and Fredericia, all in 2nd class
What hotels are included?
Hotel Continental in Hamburg (1 night), Boutique Hotel Andersen in Copenhagen (2 nights), Nomad City Hotel in Odense (1 night), Hotel Atlantic in Aarhus (2 nights), and Hotel Gammel Havn in Fredericia (1 night), all with breakfast
Is this escorted or self-guided?
This is a self-guided tour. You book the trains and hotels but plan your own daily activities and sightseeing
What is not included?
Museum entries, boat tours, meals other than breakfast, local transport within cities, and attractions such as Tivoli Gardens or ARoS Art Museum are not included

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