A simple ticket trick on Denmark’s state railway app can cut travel costs across the Great Belt by more than 20 percent, a discovery that has sparked criticism from consumer advocates.
Unexpected Savings Hidden in DSB’s Booking System
As the busiest travel day of the year, December 23, approaches, thousands of Danes are booking seats across the country. Many will cross the Great Belt Bridge on DSB trains heading toward Copenhagen or Jutland.
Yet, as new checks reveal, there is a lesser-known way to save money. By splitting a ticket into two legs—such as buying one from Odense to Korsør and another from Korsør to Copenhagen—travelers can pay less than if they booked the same journey in a single ticket.
A random test run by Danish media found that passengers could save up to 21 percent using this method. The price difference depends on the route, time, and ticket availability.
Examples of the Price Gap
For a trip from Odense to Copenhagen, a standard ticket costs around 329 kroner. Using the split-ticket trick, the total drops to 294 kroner. From Nyborg to Copenhagen, a similar trick lowers the fare from 286 to 224 kroner. Even on shorter trips, like Middelfart to Copenhagen, splitting tickets can save around 8 percent.
Despite that, the method is not mentioned on the company’s website or app. Passengers booking on DSB’s digital platforms are only shown full-route prices.
Consumer Council: DSB Must Offer the Cheapest Option
Denmark’s Consumer Council, Forbrugerrådet Tænk, has called the situation unfair to customers. They argue that people should automatically see the lowest possible fare rather than having to experiment with multiple ticket combinations.
The organization encourages DSB to make it simpler for passengers to find the cheapest deal. Their view is that travelers expect transparent pricing when using an official public transport platform.
DSB’s Explanation for Price Differences
According to DSB’s customer director, the fare system is complex because prices change dynamically. They depend on the time of booking, passenger demand, and how many discounted Orange tickets are left.
The company notes that crossing the Great Belt often includes special ticket categories that can sell out quickly. When that happens, a passenger splitting their journey into smaller segments may inadvertently tap into cheaper ticket pools still open on shorter stretches.
DSB maintains that their website and app aim to show the total price for the route requested. Passengers who wish to explore alternatives, though, are free to check whether multi-ticket combinations cost less.
A Complex Challenge in Pricing Transparency
The railway operator admits that helping users always find the best deal is a “complex task.” Multiple ticket types, timeframes, and discount programs make it difficult to automate a single cheapest option for every search.
Even so, DSB says it is working on better ways to improve user experience in the app and make pricing easier to understand. Frequent travelers are advised to look into commuter passes or travel outside peak hours to cut costs.
Before long, demand for tickets will again surge as tens of thousands head home for the holidays. DSB expects around 45,000 journeys across the Great Belt on December 23 alone, ensuring another hectic but festive travel day in Denmark’s nationwide rail system.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Copenhagen Public Transport
The Danish Dream: Best Transport Apps in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Smuthul i DSB-app kan få dig billigere over Storebælt
