Denmark has the least extreme climate of the Scandinavian countries, but due to the proximity of the sea the weather can fluctuate rapidly. A wet day will as likely be followed by a sunny one and vice versa, and stiff breezes are common, especially along Jutland's west coast, where they can be particularly strong. Summer is on the whole sunny and clear: throughout July the temperature averages 20°C (68°F|, often reaching 26°C (78°F). Winter conditions are cold but not severe: there's usually a snow covering from December to early February, and the temperature can at times drop as low as 1 S'C (5°F), but generally it hovers at around or just below freezing point. Getting There One look at a map will show you there'll be few problems getting to Denmark from the other Scandinavian countries. Links by rail, sea and air are quick and frequent all year round, and, generally speaking, the travelling can be a rewarding part of your trip rather than a chore. ¦ Trains Copenhagen is a major junction for trains between Europe and the rest of Scandinavia. There are usually several daily services to Copenhagen from the major Scandinavian cities Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo, Bergen, Turku and Helsinki and less frequent links (usually one a day in summer) with remoter spots in the far north such as Narvik (in Norway) and Kiruna (in Sweden). Prices vary from around lOOOkr from Oslo or Stockholm to around 1200Fmk from Helsinki, though InterRailEurail, BIJ and Nordturist cariis are valid on all the international routes into Denmark. ¦ Buses Several buses also offer direct links between the rest of Scandinavia and the major Danish cities, using the ferry routes outlined below. To Copenhagen from Sweden there are usually two buses per day from Halmstad (90SKr), via R0nne, and nine a day from Malmo (SOSKr) and Lund (60SKr), using the LlmhamnDragar ferry. For longdistance enthusiasts, there's also a bus from Helsinki (350Fmk) twice a week in summer, travelling via Stockholm to Copenhagen. ¦ Ferries Precise details of the numerous ferries into Zealand and Jutland from Norway and Sweden are best checked in the ferry companies' latest brochures or at any Scandinavian tourist office, since timetables and prices fluctuate from year to year. There are sometimes reductions for holders of railcards (see Basic, and fares are usually a lot cheaper outside the end of Junetoearly August period though bear in mind that services are likely to be less frequent out of peak season, and possibly nonexistent in winter. Even if you're making ultimately for Copenhagen, don't disregard the possibility of a quicker, and cheaper, crossing into north Jutland an interesting part of Denmark, and with easy rail links to the capital: or, from Sweden, reaching Denmark by way of the very explotable island of Bornholm. From Sweden The quickest route from Sweden to Denmark is the twentyminute Scanolines crossing from Helsingborg to Helsingor (21SKr), which runs aroundtheclock; walk or cycle directly on board.