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Voykit pocket guide · Netherlands
Kampen
Spend a half‑day in Kampen’s historic centre; see the city gates and Bovenkerk, then continue to Zwolle or Deventer.
Kampen is a well‑preserved Hanseatic town in Overijssel, with medieval gates, a 14th‑century basilica and a small tobacco museum. It is reachable by train from Zwolle in 15 min, making it ideal for a short stopover while exploring the IJssel region.
- Country
- Netherlands
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold, limited daylight)
- Stay
- 0.5 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards dominate; some shops and cafés are card-only and a few supermarkets accept debit cards but not all credit cards, so carry both.
- Daily spend
- Budget €45–70 excl. bed · Mid €70–110 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- KPN, Vodafone and Odido run the networks; Lebara and Lyca sell cheap prepaid SIMs in supermarkets and at Schiphol.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Medical 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard continental two-pin; UK and US plugs need adapters.
- Tipping
- Café: Round up.; Restaurant: 5–10% for good service; tell the server the total when paying by card.; Taxi: Round up.; Hotel: Not expected.
- Water
- Tap water is among the best in Europe; restaurants may charge for it, so ask.
- Toilets
- Stations charge about €0.70–1; cafés expect you to buy something; free urinals (and a few public toilets) in city centres.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | €2–3 |
| Beer (0.33 l) in a bar | €3–5 |
| Bicycle rental (half‑day) | €8–12 |
| Entry to Bovenkerk | €5–8 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- AMS · Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
- Main international gateway; train to Kampen via Zwolle about 2 h
Typical fares
- Zwolle → Kampen train (one‑way)
- about €4, 15 min
- Bus 330 Hanzeliner to Carpool Parking N50
- ≈ €5, 20 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The historic centre is walkable; a bike is useful for the outskirts. Train connections from Zwolle run every 30 min; use the main Kampen station (52.5600, 5.9214).
See and do
Known for
- Koornmarktspoort gate
- Bovenkerk (Sint‑Nikolaaskerk)
- Tobacco museum De Olifant
- Painted wall adverts
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zwolle | Train from Zwolle to Kampen, about 15 min | ≈30 min total |
| Deventer | Train Zwolle → Deventer (≈15 min) then bus or bike to Kampen | ≈1 h |
| Schokland (UNESCO site) | Bus 330 (Hanzeliner) to Carpool Parking N50, then bike or walk | ≈1 h 15 min |
Sleep
- Kampen city centre
- Boutique hotels and B&Bs within walking distance of the historic sights.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardonpɑˈdɔːn |
| Thank you | Dank udɑŋk y |
| How much is this? | Hoeveel kost dit?ˈɦuːvəːl kɔst dɪt |
| Where is the train station? | Waar is het station?ʋaːr ɪs hɛt staˈtsjɔn |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Firm handshake with eye contact; three cheek kisses among friends; avoid: Hugging new acquaintances
- Directness: Say what you mean; expect honest, blunt answers; avoid: Taking bluntness as rudeness
- Punctuality: Be on time; diaries plan weeks ahead; avoid: Dropping in unannounced
- Money: Split bills; pay your share; avoid: Showing off wealth
- Homes: Bring flowers or a small gift; congratulate everyone at a birthday; avoid: Expecting dinner if invited for coffee
Scams and watch-outs
- Check train times for the correct Kampen station; Kampen Zuid is a different line.
- Tobacco museum visits are by arrangement only (check ahead).
Kampen is safe; typical Dutch caution applies – watch bikes on shared paths and keep an eye on personal belongings in crowded areas.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kampen yet. Suggested stay: 0.5 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Koornmarktspoort gate
- Bovenkerk (Sint‑Nikolaaskerk)
- Tobacco museum De Olifant
- Painted wall adverts
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Kampen, revision 4919816 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4919816
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kampen). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.