For nearly two decades, the blue plastic Rejsekort has been the default way to pay for public transport across Denmark. From 29 June, that changes permanently. The physical card is being phased out, and if you have not yet switched to an alternative, the deadline is closer than it might feel.
The transition has already begun in parts of the country. Bus, local train and light rail passengers in Jutland and Funen lost access to the old card on 28 May. The rest of the network follows at the end of this month, after which the physical Rejsekort will no longer function anywhere in the system.
Three ways to keep travelling
DSB and Rejsekort have settled on three replacements, each suited to a different kind of traveller.
The DSB app is the most fully featured option for regular train users. It handles check-in and check-out, gives access to discounted Orange tickets, stores commuter passes and shows nearby departures in real time. Passengers with a DSB Plus profile can also earn points on journeys. If the train is your primary mode of transport, this is likely the most complete solution available.
The Rejsekort app is the closest like-for-like replacement for the physical card. It works across buses, the metro and light rail as well as trains, requires no manual registration of transfers, and charges the same fares as the old card did. For anyone who moves regularly between different modes of transport, it is the most straightforward switch.
The Basiskort is the option for those who want to keep a physical card in their wallet. It comes in two versions: a personal card at 50 kroner and an anonymous card at 80 kroner. The anonymous version is particularly flexible. It can be topped up with cash or card at selected locations, carries no personal data, and can be used by more than one person. It is available at 7-Eleven outlets on stations, DSB ticket offices and selected kiosks.
Which one is right for you
The answer depends almost entirely on how you travel. Mostly trains? The DSB app gives you the most functionality in one place. Mixing buses, metro and light rail? The Rejsekort app is the simplest swap with no learning curve. No smartphone, or prefer to travel without leaving a digital trace? The anonymous Basiskort covers both needs.
All three solutions work across the full national network, covering buses, trains, the metro and light rail in every part of the country. The one thing they have in common beyond that is a shared deadline: 29 June. After that date, the physical Rejsekort becomes a piece of history, and there will be no grace period on the platform.
