Getting Around Odense
Odense is the largest city on the island of Funen and the commercial hub of the region, and its compact centre makes it an easy city to explore. Most of the attractions, bars, restaurants and shopping areas sit close together in the middle of town, and the main hotels and hostels are clustered in the city centre or around the railway station. That means you can cover a great deal of the city without ever needing a vehicle.
On Foot
Walking is the simplest way to see central Odense. As a general rule, the major attractions in the centre are only a short stroll from one another, so a day of sightseeing on foot is entirely practical.
A couple of popular sights sit further out along the river, and these are the main exceptions to the walkable core:
- The Funen Village (Den Fynske Landsby) — a longer walk along the river, but the route is sign-posted the whole way.
- The zoo — on the same riverside route, closer in than the Funen Village and also sign-posted.
By Bike
Odense is known for its good bicycle infrastructure. There are bicycle lanes along most major roads, plus many commuter cycle paths that are separated from the road system entirely, making cycling a comfortable and practical option.
If you haven't brought your own bike, the company Donkey Republic rents out bikes through an app.
By Boat
For a more relaxed way to get around, a river boat run by Odense Åfart departs from the bridge in Munke Mose Park (Nyvestergade) and travels to the zoo and on to the forest next to the Funen Village. The journey takes around half an hour and is a pleasant way to see the Odense River and the surrounding countryside on a summer day. Live jazz bands occasionally play on board during the summer months. Row-boats and paddle-boats can also be rented at the same location.
Buses and Public Transport
Local buses are operated by FynBus and run all over Odense fairly frequently. Almost all city buses pass through the Odense Railway Center ("Odense Banegård Center") at some point on their route, which makes the station a useful hub for planning journeys.
You can tell city buses apart from regional ones by the length of the line number:
- Two-digit numbers are city buses.
- Three-digit numbers are regional and inter-city buses.
FynBus also runs cream-coloured regional buses into Odense from across Funen, from Fredericia in Jutland, and from Nykøbing on Falster. These arrive at and depart from the Odense Railway Center. A map and schedule of available bus lines can be found on the Fynbus website, which is partially available in English and German.
For tickets, there are several options:
- Single tickets bought on board, with a higher price for trips that extend into the suburbs.
- A full day ticket, useful if you plan to make several journeys in a day.
- An electronic voucher card, available for a refundable deposit, which can be charged with money for travel within Funen; trips paid with the card work out considerably cheaper.
- Tickets purchased online through the FynBus.dk webshop or app, where a special tourist day ticket is available during school holidays — one price for a single person (adult or child) and a group rate for up to four people.
One handy free option is the inner-city bus route number 10, which costs nothing and runs a short loop around the city centre — useful as a quick sightseeing tour.
Trains and Trams
Odense station lies on the main line between Copenhagen and the Jutland peninsula, and DSB operates trains in and out of the city. From Odense you can take a direct train to many cities and towns throughout Denmark. Trains run frequently and generally on time.
Two regional lines are useful for reaching places around the city:
- The regional train from Odense to Svendborg has a few stops in the Odense area, including one at the picturesque Fruens Bøge area, which is relatively near the Funen Village.
- The regional train from Odense to Middelfart stops in Holmstrup, a small village on the extreme western edge of the municipality.
A few practical points for train travel:
- You must have a valid ticket before you board — it is not possible to buy tickets on board.
- Tickets are best purchased directly from DSB. If you plan ahead, the "Orange" and "Orange Fri" tickets offer good deals, but they are available online only.
- Seating is generally very comfortable, and there are drink vending machines on board. For longer journeys it's worth buying food and drinks before boarding. First-class travellers on InterCity and InterCityLyn trains get free water, coffee, tea and snacks.
- On peak travel days, during rush hour, or when travelling in groups, it's advisable (though not mandatory) to reserve seats on InterCity and InterCityLyn trains.
Note that Odense itself has no metro or tram network — getting around the city is done on foot, by bike, by bus, by taxi or by boat, with trains serving longer-distance and regional journeys.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are relatively abundant throughout Odense, though they are quite pricey compared with local buses. You'll usually find a good supply waiting at the taxi pick-up point at the railway station, outside the Rosengård centre, and at Fisketorvet. On a Friday or Saturday night, taxis can be found all over the city.
One important quirk: you cannot hail a taxi on the street. Instead you can:
- Ask in a bar or restaurant to have one sent to pick you up.
- Use the taxi company's app or website.
- Ring the taxi company directly.
Be aware that taxi fares are higher at night.
Getting Into the City from the Airport
Odense is served by Hans Christian Andersen Airport (ODE), but it is a small airfield that now handles only periodic charter flights for package holiday operators. Using it as a point of entry generally requires buying a package holiday that starts and ends in Odense, so in practice the only realistic way to arrive there is by private aviation. For most visitors, the country's two major airports are a better bet — and they are not that far away.
From Copenhagen Airport: take the train from the airport directly to Odense via Copenhagen. Alternatively, drive along road E20 across the Great Belt Bridge — note that there is a road toll on the bridge.
From Billund Airport: take the local bus to either Kolding or Vejle, then catch a train from there to Odense. Trains depart roughly every 30 minutes during the day and every two hours after 01:00, and the total trip takes roughly 90 minutes.
Arriving by Car or Yacht
Odense sits in the centre of Funen, and the main highway between eastern and western Denmark, the E20, runs through the southern suburbs of the city. If you are driving from Germany, this highway branches off the German highway (E45) right after the Kolding Ø exit. There is a toll for crossing the Great Belt Bridge from Zealand to Funen. Odense also has a low emission zone, so check the rules for driving in Denmark before you arrive.
Odense has been made accessible to yachts by a canal running from Odense Fjord to the old harbour. There are several marinas, but it's recommended that you confirm they have visitor berths before arriving. You can also dock at marinas in Svendborg, Faaborg, Middelfart or Kerteminde, and then take a train or bus into Odense.