I'm going to Europe soon and have a DUMB question...

[maveric]

Whats the deal with the electrical outlets over there?
Its all 220 V?
Do I need an adapter?

Anything else I need to know about travel in Europe?

[MrCoffee]

1. don't bring anything you have to plug in.

save yourself the hassle.

[maveric]

3. So that IS an issue?

I have a shaver, cellphone and a camera that will need electricity at some point.
Hmmmmmm....??????

[MrCoffee]

4. ditch the electric razor, get disposable batteries for the camera...

you will need an adapter for the phone.

[MrScorpio]

2. Agreed

Althought is you bring a laptop, check the power requirements to see if it has 220 listed. If so you'll need an adaptor, since the plugs are different

[maveric]

5. Thank You MrScorpio!

Best-Buy or Fry's should carry such adapters?

[MrScorpio]

7. Probably but I don't know

You might find them at the airport

[hfojvt]

16. I plugged my laptop in

The charges said it could take 220.

I regret taking the laptop. It was mostly useless. I could have used some rollerblades instead, to cruise through the Schwarzwald instead of walking.

[Kutjara]

6. Europe is entirely 220V.

They actually say "220-240" to account for regional variance, but it's the same thing. You will need a plug adapter, which will vary depending on which countries you're visiting. You can usually get by in Southern Europe, Germany, France and the BeNeLux with the two-round-pin "euro" plug, but the UK and Ireland uses funky enormous three-pin plugs and Eastern Europe has a bewildering array of plug types. If you're traveling all over, you'd be advised to invest in a multi-plug adapter pack. Lots of companies sell them, just make sure you're getting the one for Europe.

Here's the url of a company I found by Googling "International Plug Adapters": http://www.traveloasis.com/eurplugadkit.html

I don't know if they're any good, but those are the kinds of plugs you'll be needing.

[maveric]

8. Cool! Thanx Kutjara!

I'm checking it out right now.
:yourock:

[Karenina]

9. Where will you be going?

Will you pass by these parts?

[maveric]

10. Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome.

In that order.
Three days in each city.

[Karenina]

20. Maybe next time you'll pass through here.

Gute Reise!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. Most laptops made in the past few years are dual voltage

Ask the manufacturer. I was nervous when I first plugged in my iBook in England, but it didn't explode.

However, I needed a plug adapter.

Unless you have a multi-band phone, your phone will not work in Europe. Consult your provider.

For other appliances, check a travel store. I have a little dual-voltage hair dryer.

Fortunately, batteries are the same everywhere, and my camera runs on AA's.

[pitohui]

12. yeah you need an adapter

also friend there's a thing called a converter

you DON'T need a converter for your digital camera battery pack or your laptop, i found this out the hard way

the converter PLUS adapter is for things like hair dryers (don't bring hair dryers, just slick back da hair) and vibrators (don't bring vibrators, bring fingers)

the adapter ALONE is all you need for digital stuff like laptops and cameras and takes very little space, you may even want to bring two in case you leave one of your adapters in a hotel some place (which you will if the trip is of any duration)

the shaver will need converter plus adapter, don't bring it, just bring disposable razors or let your hair grow or something, europeans are not perturbed by da hair

the phone won't work anyway, don't bring it

[MissB]

13. "don't bring vibrators, bring fingers"

:rofl:

[triguy46]

14. I've had zero luck with adaptors.

[pitohui]

15. really they work fine for me in both europe and africa?

however you canNOT use the adapter PLUS convertor with digital equipment, this leads to grief

if it's digital such as laptop or digital camera, ONLY use the adapter

if you have any doubt, call the manufacturer for your equipment before the trip

[triguy46]

21. Have had sparks, fire when used with hair dryer....

so we just buy one there now. Not for me, for wife, because I have the oh so convenient bald look.

[EstimatedProphet]

17. You need a passport too

It's those crazy Europeans...

[maveric]

18. I'm waiting on that.

It was supposed to take 10 weeks. 16 weeks later....

[EstimatedProphet]

19. It's taking that long? Sorry!

That really sucks!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

22. I applied for renewal in March, and it arrived the day AFTER my

estimated day of departure, which was June 19.

Fortunately, the airline allowed me to rebook for free, so I left on the 21st.

[janx]

23. You can get adapter kits at Target, etc.

Yes, you will need it, if you plan to use electrical outlets while you travel.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Darth_Kitten]

25. Bring luggage.

I bought some today. :)