The downside of this pricing system is (a) everybody complains about its complexity (b) if you really do need to travel at peak time or at very short notice you're going to pay a lot (c) it's really easy to make it look like it's a terrible rip-off by quoting the anytime walkup fare for an intercity journey :-)
My example wasn't especially ridiculous. Try something like Stansted Airport to Birmingham — 200km, 45 minutes slower than driving, and £97 — or £67 off peak.
The other ridiculous feature of British train tickets is when some return tickets cost just £1 more than a single ticket.
But there are also trains for £80 that take 2h11m.
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/journey-planner/?type=single&...
Those are indirect train services. That can also be the return price, which is very very good value. You do have to be careful with travelling the right route and company
(Also bear in mind the median income after tax is 50% higher in Denmark.)
I don't blame you. They do make it VERY hard to find and buy that particular cheaper ticket
Ticket websites generally assume you have unlimited funds and want the fastest route, always.
A ticket for the next direct train (16:42, peak time) from Copenhagen to Århus is 449kr, £53. That's 300km in 3 hours.
London to Manchester is the same distance, 2¼ hours, and £193.