Most trips home at night are completely uneventful. But a few small habits make them both safer and more relaxed, whether you're coming off a late shift, leaving a party or heading home from a friend's place at 3 a.m.
Before you leave
- Charge your phone, or carry a small power bank. A dead phone is the most common way a simple night turns complicated.
- Plan the route home before you go out, including the last night bus or train. Decide in advance what you'll do if you miss it.
- Keep some money for a taxi as a backup, separate from your main wallet or card.
- Tell someone where you're going and roughly when you expect to be home.
Walking
- Stick to well-lit, busier streets, even if it takes a few minutes longer than the shortcut through the park.
- Walk with purpose and stay aware. One earbud out, phone away when you can.
- Have your keys ready before you reach your door.
- If you feel you're being followed, cross the street, go into a shop or busy place, or call someone.
- Many phones can share your live location with a friend until you're home. Use it.
Cycling
- Use front and rear lights in the dark. It's required by law in Denmark and many other countries. Reflectors and light clothing help drivers see you from much further away.
- Assume drivers haven't seen you, especially at junctions.
- If you've been drinking, leave the bike and come back for it tomorrow. Cycling under the influence is dangerous and illegal.
Taxis and ride-hailing
- Only use licensed taxis or book through an app. Avoid unofficial drivers offering rides on the street.
- With an app, check the number plate and the driver before getting in, and ask "who are you here for?" rather than offering your name.
- Sit in the back, and share your trip with a friend if the app allows it.
Night buses and trains
- Wait in lit areas near other people or staff.
- Sit near the driver or in a busy carriage.
- Know your stop, and set an alarm on your phone if you might doze off.
Looking out for your friends
Agree before a night out that nobody goes home alone without telling the group, and message each other when you're home. Keep an eye on your drink. If a friend suddenly seems far more drunk than they should be, stay with them and get help from staff. Drink spiking happens, and fast action matters.
If something happens
In an emergency, call 112. That works across the EU, including Denmark. In Denmark, the police non-emergency line is 114, for reporting things that have already happened. Don't fight to keep a phone or bag. Things can be replaced.
Working nights means making this trip often. Our night-shift survival guide covers the drive home after a long shift.
