In collaboration with Wonderful Copenhagen and Visit Copenhagen we bring a series of articles to discover this year’s Eurovision host city Copenhagen. Today we will check out the Danish capital’s transport system and how to get to and from B&W Hallerne on Eurovision Island during the Eurovision Song Contest.

What should I be aware of before I go?

1. Come early – like a few hours before the show starts.
2. Leave the car at home.
3. For the smoothest means of transport, take the scenic route to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen) by boat from Nyhavn harbour.

Up to 10,000 people are being transported to and from Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen) – some days twice a day. There will be a lot of people going back and forth, and public transport will be the fastest way.

In what ways can I get to Eurovision Island?

There are several ways of getting to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen):

1 ) Harbour buses and harbour canal boats from the end of Nyhavn harbour to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen) (10 minutes each way).
2) From Copenhagen Central Station, take bus 9A. During Eurovision week the route will be extended and therefore runs to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen). All extra bus services will be marked with a Eurovision logo. From the Central Station it takes approx. 20-25 minutes.
3 ) Metro to Christianshavn, where 9A runs to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen).
4 ) Parking by Gasværksgrunden Sundby (Please note: Closed parking. Parking is prepaid by ticket) There will be a shuttle service from Gasværksgrunden to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen).
5 ) Walking and cycling along the newly constructed bike and pedestrian path to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen).
6) Taxi (possibility of taxi drop off and taxi pick up).

Everyone is encouraged to take the trip by boat over to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen) – the ambition is that 60 percent of the guests sail to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen).

Is something going on on Eurovision Island before the show?

Yes, there will be a large audience area outside B&W Hallerne, where there will be Eurovision atmosphere with music, food and beer stalls.

Where can I get help finding my way?

The voluntary Eurovision Guides will be at selected locations and traffic hubs around Copenhagen and will be ready to assist you with questions about getting to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen).

Where can I park in Copenhagen, if I do not have a pre-paid ticket for Gasværksgrunden?

You can park outside the city centre and take public transport the rest of the way. Outside the centre can be Ørestad, Nordhavn or outer Nørrebro. However, it is strongly recommended that people leave their cars at home and instead take public transport.

Is there a risk of traffic chaos, when so many are to be transported to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen)?

If guests come in good time, the waiting time will be reduced. It is clear that you will experience an increased amount of buses on Christianshavn Torv and Prinsessegade street, but more than half of the guests will be sailed to Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen), driven in shuttles from the parking ground, arriving in taxis, or choose to cycle or walk, so hopefully the pressure on the Christianshavn area will be bearable.

What has been done to ensure that there will not be traffic chaos?

The capacity of transport via water has been increased, and taxis have been permitted access to the island. In addition, new bike lanes have been built in the area, partly to improve road safety for cyclists.

Can I buy tickets for public transport during Eurovision now?

Yes, certainly. You can purchase tickets via Movia’s website from 11 April 2014 via www.moviatrafik.dk/Eurovision (active from 11 April)

If I take the harbour bus or regular bus, is it going to cost the same as normal?

Yes, the price will be the same.

Are there any places in Copenhagen, which will be closed to traffic?

Yes, around Nytorv and Gammeltorv squares, where Eurovision Village is. Rådhusstræde street will also be blocked off. Then there are parts around Højbro Plads square that will be cut off. In addition, all drivers will have to pass trough a security checkpoint upon entering Eurovision Island (Refshaleøen).

How can I keep up to date about the traffic information?

www.Eurovision.kk.dk (active from 11 April)
Københavns Politi (police) on Twitter
www.moviatrafik.dk/eurovision (active from 11 April)

Other changes in traffic during the Eurovision Song Contest:

Bus service 11A will not run during ESC 2014.
Bus service 40’s route is shortened so that it only runs to Kraftværksvej street.
For transport to the Royal Danish Opera, extra buses will replace bus 9A from Islands Brygge Metro station, while the harbour buses will sail as normal.
From 11 April, you can read more about how the buses run at www.moviatrafik.dk/eurovision

Stay tuned to esctoday.com for the latest news on the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest.