@tml I would argue that Copenhagen-Odense-Kolding is the most important train line in Denmark and that should be high-speed.

But the real slow part of the ride is Kolding-Padborg. Additionally, it's boring with only flat fields and meadows!

On to the train from Copenhagen to Hamburg. This connects Scandinavia to the rest of Europe and it is run jointly by DB and DSB. It is also notoriously unreliable and it is rare that one arrives in Hamburg on time. Indeed, already wagon 8 is locked and travelers on that one are relegated to a replacement bus.

The 4.5 hours trip is slow. Also, the wagons being used are old and not very comfortable. Today, we have old german InterCity wagons, I guess from the 90s. Often, the wifi is turned off once on enters Germany.

But better times are ahead: Denmark is building a tunnel that will shorten the trip by two hours, a game changer for Scandinavia! The construction is currently on time, and due to finish 2029. So yay Denmark!

Both the german and the swedish government behave quite ignorant of this, and the followup construction in both countries is at best in a planning stage.

Nevertheless, good times ahead for train travel in northern Europe!

5/n

This train goes over the Öresund bridge, which just filled 25 years! It's a smashing success and has completely transformed the region, causing Scania to now be a part of the Greater Copenhagen Area.

The cars go on the top lane, whereas the train is on the lower lane. That means unfortunately that the view is not so great, but let's not complain.

After the bridge, the train goes into a tunnel starting on the artificial island Pepparholm, where we pass Copenhagen airport (and don't get out!).

Now on to breakfast at Copenhagen Central station!

4/n

Now on to the Öresundstrain, which will take us in 34 minutes to Copenhagen central station. These go every 15 minutes, making Malmö sort of a suburb of Copenhagen. They are not 100% reliable, unfortunately, so on such trips, we go early and then have breakfast in Copenhagen.

3/n

First ride is an electric accordion bus. This is a standard one, but the town has even bought so called superbusses, which have two "accordions", not just one. This is part of an ongoing transformation of traffic: Electric busses, Bikes, less cars, more trees. I love it.

A week ago, the town has introduced a new line network. This is the first time we ride with the completely new line 9, which will take us to the central station.

2/n

Carfree summer vacation with extensive train travel using #InterRail starts! We are going to Scotland to hike the West Highland Way. Raincoat is packed!

Today:

Malmö-Copenhagen-Hamburg-Cologne

Tomorrow:

Cologne-Brussels-London-Glasgow

1/n

#Internationalrail