Crossing the Swedish Wonder

Q: I want to travel between Sweden and Denmark next year (September) using the Oresund bridge. What are my options for travel and are there any guided tours of this engineering wonder? - AS Davids

A: As you are no doubt aware, the Oresund Bridge connects Copenhagen in Denmark with Malmo in Sweden. The 14km connection consists of an eight kilometre bridge, four kilometres across an artificially made island (Pepparholmen) and a four kilometre tunnel. The longest highway and railroad bridge in Europe, it opened in July 2000 and has become a major attraction in both countries. I could not find any organised tours of the bridge structure itself, but there are tours which focus on the bridge. The tours will take you across the river by boat, so that you can get a close-up view of the structure, and then you return across the bridge by bus or train. It is easy to find one of these tours, originating in either city, so this can be booked when you are there. The price is likely to be around 60-80 Euros per person. Of course, you can do the journey yourself, travelling by bus in one direction and train in the other. There are regular services in both directions and are relatively inexpensive. There is plenty of sightseeing to do on both sides. Don't miss visiting Kronborg Castle in Elsinore, Denmark, known as Hamlet's Castle, and Lund Cathedral in Scania, Sweden. In accordance with the Schengen Agreement and the Nordic Passport Union, there are usually no passport inspections. There are customs checks at the entrance toll booths for entering Sweden, but not for entering Denmark. (10/10/10)