City Discount Passes Good in Scandinavia

Travelers headed to Copenhagen this summer can take advantage of a city card good for free admission to more than 50 museums and attractions, plus unlimited travel on bus and rail services in the greater metropolitan area and discounts on ferries to Sweden. The card, which has to be purchased in Copenhagen, costs $20 for one day, $35 for two days and $43 for three days. These prices are valid through April 30, 1993.

One of the recommended attractions is Bakken Amusement Park, said to be the world’s oldest amusement park, dating to 1583. It’s about 15 miles north of the Danish capital, in the center of an old royal hunting ground, and admission is free. The park, open through Aug. 31, features more than 100 rides/activities and 29 restaurants. Visitors can reach Bakken by bus, train or car.

Visitors using the Danish rail system should look into the inexpensive day system, which offers a 20% discount on second-class travel on trips of more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Elsewhere in Scandinavia, visitors to the Swedish capital of Stockholm should consider the City Card, which is valid for free admission on subways, buses and sightseeing boats, and in most museums. In all, the card is good at more than 60 attractions.

Riders on the Turistinjen bus, which stops at many of the sightseeing attractions and museums, can get off and on the bus as often as desired with the city card. The card, which must be purchased in Stockholm, costs $20 for 24 hours, $40 for 48 hours and $60 for 72 hours.

To see the rest of Sweden by rail, check the “Red Departures” listed in the train schedules. These are off-peak departures, i.e., in the early morning and late night, that provide a 50% discount off regular rates.

Another possibility in Scandinavia, especially for itineraries covering Denmark and Norway, is the Scanrail Pass. There are three versions, all offering flexibility in travel days and unlimited rail travel on those days. One pass good for any 4 travel days out of 15 costs $179 for first-class and $145 second-class; 9 days out of a 21-day period, $299 first-class and $239 second-class, and 14 days out of a month, $459 first-class and $349 second-class.

The city card for Oslo offers unlimited use of public transportation in the Norwegian capital, as well as free admission to museums and sightseeing attractions. Prices: $14 for 24 hours, $21 for 48 hours and $25 for 72 hours.

Call the Scandinavian Tourist Boards in New York at (212) 949-2333.