Prepare for your trip to Europe to avoid all surprises. Don’t land in Europe with your phone battery dead and no way to charge it.
Electricity and plug standards are different across the world. European plugs are fairly consistent, but they might not be the same as what you have at home.
I will arm you with the information you need to make sure you can bring your electronics with you when you travel. Phones, hairdryers and cameras. Make sure you don’t run out of juice when you need it.
Overview
- You need a plug adapter way more often than you need a voltage converter
- Modern Europe has a single plug type; very old places might still have a non-standard one (unlikely)
- Plug adapters are simple and just allow you to plug your equipment in
- Lots of devices (most often electronics) are suitable for use in Europe and North America
- Hair dryers and the like are less likely to be dual voltage
- You need a converter if your appliance does not cover the range needed
- ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL the device before you plug it in away from home
Adapter or Converter
Let’s just get some terminology out of the way.
A Travel Adapter is a small device that changes the plug end of your appliance or charger so that it goes into the local wall socket away from home.
A Voltage Converter is a slightly larger device that changes the voltage from the wall socket to that which is compatible with your appliance.
Most people know that you need a plug adapter when you go to Europe. However, what do you need? Where are you coming from? Do you need a converter as well?
These questions are often overlooked and can cause difficulties for some travelers, especially if they arrive unprepared
Europe Vs US – plug types
The first and most simple difference is the plugs in use around the world. Europe uses type C and type F
The US uses type A and B. Thailand uses their own type, and so do Brazil and the US.
You all know what your plugs look like don’t you? In Europe, they are two round pins about two centimeters apart.
If yours doesn’t fit into that, you need a plug adapter.
These are easy to find on Amazon or elsewhere, just make sure that it goes in the direction you want. A US/EU adapter could also refer to an adapter for either Europeans going to America or for Americans coming to Europe.
Adapters are lightweight and easy to carry. If you travel a lot and head to multiple destinations, consider a universal adapter – something a bit heavier that allows inputs from all countries and outputs from all countries.
Every plug you have, for your phone, toothbrush, camera, hairdryer, and anything else you might travel with will need an adapter.
Pro Tip: Consider bringing a power strip if you travel with a lot of electronics. Plug your power strip into the wall with an adapter and use your electronics like you would at home. Only one adapter would be needed.
Travel Adapter Or Converter
Ok, that was the easy Part. Don’t plug anything in yet though!!!
There is one major difference between North American and European Electrical systems.
The EU and Britain use 230 Volts (often called 220V). It is in the range 220 – 240, to be exact. The US and Canada use 120 V, as do most of North America.
This difference can cause problems with overheating – but don’t worry, there is a simple fix.
For the most part, electronic items – phones, computers and cameras are not effected.
Simple Electrical stuff, like hairdryers, hair straighteners – things with motors or heaters can over heat if used in the wrong region. There will be more on this distinction later.
The voltage difference means that the power will be too much for North American machines when used in Europe, and correspondingly, foreign devices in North America won’t generate enough power to operate properly.
As mentioned above, an adapter will only change the plug connection, allowing you to stick something into the wall socket. A converter will switch the voltage to what your device needs.
When do I need a Travel Converter?
So how do you know if your electrical items need a converter?
Quite simply, there is a little ticket, label, or something on the bottom of all electrical appliances. This won’t be on your phone but on the phone charger.
These will say something like 220-240 V 50 Hz or 110-120 V 60 Hz.
Things like phone chargers, laptop chargers, camera battery chargers, and so on all use a much lower voltage, and so they need the electrics in their charger to change things down to about 5 V.
Confusing? It can be a little.
The important thing to note here is that phones, laptops and so on have a charger that does this for you. They are already voltage converters.
Read the label on them. Apple likes to use embossed plastic rather than sticking on a label, but the information is still there.
Such equipment will say something like 100-250 Volts. This means it can be used in Europe or North America without a voltage converter. You can plug it straight in, well apart from the plug being a different shape of course.
So again – electronics, phones, computers etc., are quite likely to have a high voltage range.
Simple Electrics and things that need more power, like a hair dryer, are unlikely to be dual voltage.
Always check the label before you travel.
Some hairdryers and hair straighteners have a switch, allowing for use under both systems.
My advice is to leave them all at home. Travel light. Hair dryers are available in most 3* European hotels, and airbnbs are similar.
What electronics need a travel converter
The most common travel electronics and electrics are:
- Phone
- Camera (battery charger)
- Laptop
- Hair dryer
- Hair straightener
- CPAP machine
Of this list it is the hair dryer and straightener that are most likely to need a converter. The others probably don’t. However, check the voltage label before you travel.
On phones, that might be on the plug/charger.
Once you have checked the label, look at the plug and see if you need an adapter.
How to Use a Travel Converter
To use, lets say a hair dryer, we need a voltage converter. This is just a little box with some electronics that changes the input voltage to the output needed. Say from 230 Volts from the wall socket to 120 Volts for the appliance.
Such converters are also easily available on Amazon or similar. Just be sure you get the direction correct.
For the vast majority of travelers, converters for Europe aren’t necessary – Australia, South Africa and Argentina all use the 220-240V standard.
It is North America, Japan and Taiwan that use the 120V standard, so you are likely to need a voltage converter. Though, as mentioned, this depends on your appliance.
Summary
Do you need an adapter? Most likely. Do you need a converter? Probably not.
ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL of the device before you plug it in away from home.
So, what did we learn?
Electric appliances can be used worldwide. We just need to make a few simple checks.
- One, the voltage label – what range is it in?
- Two, the local voltage – does it match?
If not, get a converter.
Just check the plug to make sure it fits, and away we go.
Check before you travel if you need an adapter for the plug (you probably do) or a voltage converter, which is less likely. If you travel a lot, a universal adapter like the one pictured above is a great idea.
If you do burn out your hairdryer while traveling, then heading to a local drugstore to buy a new one isn’t that much of a hassle. Drugstores in Europe work the same as in most of the world. Just ask your hotel reception where.
