Three Central Stations

The first Central Station in Copenhagen was built in 1847 to serve the very first 30 km. railway line in Denmark from Copenhagen to Roskilde and the propety was located on the same spot as the present Central Station. As the railway network expanded - the second Central station was built in 1864 on the opposite side near the Axeltorv complex and was a part of a huge railway centre. The third and present Central station was completed in 1911 in connection with the new tube and underground boulevard track to Østerport Station, which was operating in 1917.

Picture of the first Central Station in Copenhagen from 1848, that was built in 1847 to serve the very first 30 km. railway line in Denmark from Copenhagen to Roskilde and visa versa.

The second Central Station was built in 1864 and covered a huge area around the Axeltorv complex. The station was demolished in 1912, when the present Central Station was inaugurated in 1911.

The present Central Station
The present Grand Central Station in Copenhagen called (Københavns Hovedbanegård) is the third Central Station and was inaugurated in 1911 by prince Christian – later King Christian X (1870-1947 – king from 1912 - 1947) together with 700-800 exclusive invited guests and thousands of Copenhageners.

The Central Station is the largest train station in Denmark and centre for all train traffic in the country, as the station is served by S-trains, and regional trains as well as InterCity and international trains, with departures to major cities all over Europe. The new City Ring and Metro's fully automatic trains will stop here around 2018.

The present Station building during completion in early 1911, with the world’s most expensive hole in the middle, which was constructed to vent the exhaust steam from the steam engines before entering the station.

Inauguration of the Central Station took place in 1911, with Prince Christian and many prominent persons as well as thousands of excited Copenhageners. The day after the opening ceremony 36 trains departed from the station.

Preserved in 1983 and undergoing restoration
The building is designed in the same style as Copenhagen’s Town Hall, as both properties were built in the same period and the railway complex is equipped with a special lounge for the Royal family, with departure of the Royal Saloon from platform 1. There are altogether 12 platforms – 7 for public commuters and 5 only for luggage and a joint concourse for arrival and departure.

DSB travel centre and waiting lounge at the Central Station - the inscription above the entrance is the original from 1911. Everyday 110.000 passengers passes through the station facilities. Photo DSB.

Cycles are welcome on the S-trains and thousands of bicycles are transported from the one end of the city to the other. There are over 140.000 cyclist and bikers in Copenhagen. Photo DSB.

The Central station has undergone several overhauls latest in 1980, where lifts and escalators were established together with a well functioning shopping arcade and restaurant facilities. In 1983 the station buildings was preserved, to prevent changing of the original architecture and construction work. In 2004 a major restoration of the station was in progress and will be completed in 2008, with the platforms brought up to international standards.

The famous clock at the Central Station has for generations been the most traditional meeting place “under the clock” in Copenhagen.

More than 3500 cycles are parked alongside the Central Station area every day and almost 3.8 million tickets are sold yearly. Photo DSB.

Brief Data
When inaugurated in 1911, there were 36 trains departed from the Grand Central and up to date more than 1450 different trains daily leave the station. On an average day almost 110,000 people are visiting the property of the station, and everyday between 2000 -3500 bicycles are parked alongside the station area. Every month 310,000 train tickets are sold, which makes it a total of almost 3.8 million tickets a year. The entire staff, including the working force operating the trains at Copenhagen’s Grand Central Station, amounts nearly 1800 people.

"Under The Clock"
For generations of Copenhageners - the most traditional and practical place to meet in Copenhagen is “under the clock” just inside the main entrance of the Grand Central Station.

Location and left luggage
The Central Station is located beside Tivoli - The Liberty Memorial and near the Town Hall Square - and there are lock up luggage boxes with individual locker facilities. The Price for 24 hours is approx. DKK 30-50 - depending if you use a luggage box or storage your luggage at the left luggage section.

Grand Central Station Free - Free - Free! In 2010 it will be free to take your bicycle with you on the S-Train! In 2010 the S-Trains offers free transport every first Sunday in the month. Address Københavns Hovedbanegård (Copenhagen’s Central Station) Banegårdspladsen 7 1570 Copenhagen V Busses: 10 - 15 - 26 - 30 - 40 - 66 - 2A - 5A - 6A -250S Trains – S-Trains – Regional Trains - InterCity