Copenhagen - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
A car is not needed for many people. If you bring one you will find parking difficult. Post will ask if you need a parking spot. Bring something not too large. - Feb 2022
I wouldn't bring anything bigger than a small SUV. Parking is not as tight as I thought it would be, but you can leave the suburban in the US. If you can live without a car, I wouldn't bring one. Oil changes are $300 at a dealership and an independent mechanic will still want over $100. The Danish government has very punitive tickets for parking violations ($100) and speeding ($300) and are actively discouraging driving by high taxes on anything related to cars. They want to ban diesel vehicles in the next 5 years and for the rich that can still afford them are pushing electric cars. Unfortunately, having a car is a necessity if you live anywhere outside of the downtown area in my opinion because the train system is just like the DC metro area. Everything flows into downtown but doesn't cross. If you want to see anything outside of Copenhagen, you'll need a car to do it because while you can ride a train, it's going to take you two to three times as long to do it with many connections. - Jun 2021
I suggest bringing nothing bigger than a small SUV. There is a lot of street parking, but finding a place becomes more difficult for a larger the vehicle. Parking spaces are small, and most parking garages have low ceilings and narrow spaces. - Jul 2016
You really don't need one unless you have kids and are dead set on driving them around instead of using public transport. Many people would park their cars for so long their batteries would go dead or they would forget where they had parked. - May 2014
You don't need one, but they are nice to have for IKEA trips or going to the supermarket (rather than the small corner market). Bring something small if you plan to live in the city (due to parking), but in the suburbs most people have a driveway, so bring whatever you want. If you live in the city, you will likely find that you need to go start your car once a week just to make sure all is well as you haven't driven it at all. - Feb 2014
Small for getting into parking spaces. If you live in the city you do not need a car. Public transportation is faster, not so expensive if you get a monthly pass, and easier. Better yet, do as the locals do and bring your bikes. Car repair is very expensive. - Aug 2011
Most Danes use 4-door sedans or smaller vehicles, although SUVs and station wagons are becoming more popular. Service on all vehicles is exceptionally expensive, and parts for American vehicles are often hard to come by and also very expensive. I recommend bringing oil, spare parts and an extra set of tires for your vehicle in your HHE. There are a few import restrictions, so if you are coming with the Embassy, check with them before sending your car. - Jul 2011
