Denmark Diaries: A (Not So) Concise List of All I Have Learnt About Travelling

15/06/2026: Written in Copenhagen Airport waiting for a connecting train 

I will preface this by saying I use the term travelling rather specifically in its title. When I say travelling, I don’t intend on listing all I have learnt over the duration of my entire trip abroad. What I am instead referring to is the actual movement. The commute. The queues, printing of tickets, rushing to catch a train. The hours spent existing in the liminality of an airport lounge (or more likely sat on a station floor). I literally mean getting from one place to another. 

Over the past 10 months, I have done more travelling, used more modes of transport and endorsed more back-to-back trains, buses and flights than ever in my 21 years of existence. I have (almost) learnt the art of embracing such treacherous journeys. Though, for the most part, I would probably argue I have just grown accustomed to their treachery. Either way, here is a (not so brief) insight into the vaguely useful knowledge I have obtained in the process: 

1. To begin on a positive note, people can be really lovely. They’ll help you with heavy suitcases, provide directions on where you need to go and even wish you luck on your travels.  

   
   

2. On the other hand, people can be really awful. They’ll cut across you in queues, get impatient when things don’t go their way, or act smug when fining you £78 for a new train ticket… (if you’re wondering if I am still holding a grudge about this, I 100% am). 

   
   

3. It is possible to finish an entire book in the passport control queue because it really is just that long sometimes. 

   
   

4. When flying alone, the middle seat is of course the absolute worst one. The window seat is usually my favourite on a new route, but comes in second on repeated journeys. The real gold is actually the aisle seat. Your legs and sense of freedom will really thank you. To be honest though, I usually leave it up to fate (aka. random allocation) and go with whatever is on offer. 

   
   

5. It’s probably worth buying a portable charger. I still haven’t. I have this thought every time I travel though. 

   
   

6. It’s also worth packing your own food. As I have only embarrassingly recently learnt, you are able to take it through security and those 4 oranges I binned once in panic did not need to be sacrificed. 

   
   

7. Doing your makeup and brushing your teeth in an airport toilet actually does make you feel a tiny bit less gross. 

   
   

8. Flixbuses are hugely uncomfortable no matter which way you try to sit. 

   
   

9. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and pay more. You can’t always fit everything into a Ryanair-sized bag just out of determination and sheer will. 

   
   

10. To partially follow on from this, some bags break easily. Especially their zips. To ensure your belongings don't fall out of the bottom of your rucksack as you walk, it’s worth checking on their physical state of affairs once in a while. 

    
    

11. Everything is late in Germany. 

    
    

12. Everyone is exactly on time in Denmark. 

    
    

13. Being alone is stressful sometimes but the more you trust yourself, the easier it becomes and the more enjoyable the journey will be. 

    
    

14. Things will go wrong. 

    
    

15. When things go wrong, it’s okay to call your mum. 

    
    

16. Travelling with a bike is awful. Cycling uphill on said bike with a basketful of luggage is even worse. 

    
    

17. Screenshot your tickets and journey while you have wifi. You never know when your signal will cut out (usually at the most convenient time when the inspector comes over). 

    
    

18. Always ensure to have a good song playing during takeoff and queue it a few times because you will never quite get the timing correct.   

    
    

19. Turbulence is not as scary as you think. Just pretend you’re on a rollercoaster. 

    
    

20. Landing is always scary and, at least for me, never seems to improve. Embrace the ear pain, the apprehension of hitting the ground and generally just try not to panic about crashing. 

    
    

21. You can get all your steps in by just one day of commuting, especially if you are flying from Bristol. 

    
    

22. Having a visa feels cool. Still not sure if that temporary main character vibe is worth the stress it took to obtain one. 

    
    

23. It is extremely liberating to travel between countries, especially without needing a passport and it is a huge privilege to do so. 

    
    

24. Travelling often involves an awful lot of waiting around for very long periods of time. Pack headphones, 1-2 good books and a lot of patience. 

    
    

25. The wait is always worth it once you arrive and realise you made it out alive.