Ask Away: A short stopover in Copenhagen can be fun

Nyhavn Harbour, Copenhagen. Photo / Getty Images

Eli Orzessek finds the answers to your travel questions.

My husband and I have a four-hour stopover in Copenhagen between flights, later in June. Is it worth leaving the airport? Do you have some suggestions for what we might want to explore given our time constraint?
Diane

You may be cutting it a little close with four hours, but one of the great things about a stopover in Copenhagen is the airport's close proximity to the city — and it boasts one of Europe's fastest airport-to-city rail links. Trains from Copenhagen airport reach the city centre in less than 15 minutes, which makes a short excursion quite feasible. If you've checked in for your next flight in advance and have your boarding pass ready, you'll have a bit more time to explore.

I haven't visited Copenhagen, but I will also be there for a short trip in June, so I've been doing some research myself. It seems like the best stop for you to get off would be Kongens Nytorv. In nearby Nyhavn you'll find plenty of restaurants where you can relax and have a nice meal before your flight. I'd leave it at that — a bite to eat, maybe a Carlsberg, a stroll past Amalienborg, the royal palace — you'll be nice and refreshed for the rest of your journey.

But as always, keep a close eye on the clock and make sure you have enough time to go through security.

I am hopping over to visit family in Australia then backpacking on a budget around the Northern Territory. Should I bother getting travel insurance since we have an agreement with Australia for emergencies?
Tim

If you've ever read the Territory's local rag The NT News, you'll be aware that all sorts of wild and wacky incidents can happen in that particular part of 'Straya. It's definitely recommended reading while you're there — be sure to check out the book collecting its finest front pages, appropriately titled What a Croc.

Though overs the basics, there's lots of other stuff it won't cover you for. If you need an ambulance — and hopefully you won't — that won't be covered and it can be pretty expensive, especially if you're in the middle of nowhere. It also only covers immediately necessary treatment, so if it's decided you could just fly home and be treated, you'll have to pay. It's always worth getting insurance — aside from accidents/health concerns, it can cover any other stuff-ups you might encounter along the way. For a trip to Aussie, it's generally not too much either, so it's definitely worth it for some peace of mind.

Over a million Kiwis visit Australia every year. Some of them get sunburnt, some of them get sick, and some of them assume that the Reciprocal Health Agreement is there to save them. But as we've seen first-hand, this isn't always the case.

Before you go: Remember to pack your insurance. While New Zealand shares a Reciprocal Health Agreement with Australia for basic healthcare, this won't cover you for many other expenses, like ambulance costs, blood tests, accommodation extensions, flight cancellations and more.

3 quick tips for safe travel in Australia

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1. Don't underestimate the Australian sun, especially in summer. If temperatures reach over 35 degrees, swap the beach for an air-conditioned movie theatre.

2. When renting a car, always obey local driving laws and only hire from a licensed rental agency. Remember that there can also be long distances between towns which have fuel.

3. If you're heading to the beach, swim between the flags and always follow the instructions of lifeguards to avoid rips and other dangers.

For more great travel tips and advice, visit Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Email your questions to askaway@nzherald.co.nz

Eli cannot answer all questions and can't correspond with readers.

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