Power adapters

More Tour and Travel Advice for: Europe, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Do you need a power point adapter?

If you’re travelling away form your home country or region of the world then chances are that yes, you do.

Power outlets have different shapes in different parts of the world and you may need an adapter to convert the shape of your home power plugs to the shape of the outlets in the region of the world you are travelling to.

How many do you need?

It depends on how many electrical devices you plan on using.

Many hotel rooms only have 2 or 3 power outlets per room so this also should be taken into consideration. As a general rule though, 2 power point adapters should be enough for any tour. Many of the coaches used on tours in Europe are also equipped with European power outlets.

Where can you find power point adapters?

Travel shops (including online travel shops), and department stores are great places to pick up power point converters. They are also available in shops in airport departure lounges.

Do you need a Voltage converter?

Voltage is a measure of electrical force and this too varies from region to region throughout the world and it will depend on what region your electrical devices come from and in what region you intend to use them.

If the voltage in your home country is roughly the same as the voltage in the country you will be travelling to, then you won’t need one. Many modern electrical devices however are built to be able to handle a range of different volts.

You should check the voltage capacity printed on in the manual of on even sometimes on the actual item of whatever you plan to plug into the power supply. If it says the effect of: ‘100-240V’ (and possibly 50/60 Hz) then you can use it anywhere in the world and all you may need is a power point adapter.

Most goods will take between 110-240 volts and may sometimes have a switch to switch between the two.

If you plug something that requires higher voltage to operate (an Australian 240 volt camera charger, for example) into a USA outlet (110 volts) you will find that it may take longer to charge. This generally shouldn’t damage whatever you plug into the wall. If this is the case all you will need it a power point adapter.

If you have an appliance from the USA or Canada though, for example, that is only able to take 120 volts and you plug it into a European, Australian or New Zealand outlet (putting out 220-240 volts) it may damage or ‘blow’ your appliance.

This often happens with hairdryers and straighteners. In this case you will need to buy a voltage converter to go along with your power point adapter.

Alternatively you can buy whatever appliance you need when you arrive in the country you are traveling in.

North America

The official voltage for the USA and Canada is 120 volts with most electrical goods operating at around 110 volts.

All of North America operates on a 2 pronged North American outlet.

If you are traveling to North America you will need a North American power point adapter.

If your home appliances operate on higher voltage than the 110 volts available in North America, it may take them longer to charge and hair dryers may take longer to heat up and be less powerful.

Great Britain

The official voltage for Great Britain (and the rest of Europe) is 230 with most electrical goods operating at around the 220 – 240 volt mark.

All of Europe operates on the same 2 pronged outlets except for Great Britain that operates on its own unique 3 pronged outlets.

If you are travelling through Britain (including London) you will need a British power point adapter.

Rest of Europe

The official voltage for the rest of Europe (including Great Britain) is 230 but most electrical goods operate at around the 220 – 240 volt mark.

All of Europe operates on the same 2 pronged outlets (except for Great Britain that operates on its own unique 3 pronged outlets.)

If you are travelling through Britain (including London) on your way to the rest of Europe you will need a British power point adapter for you time there as well as a European power point adapter for the rest of your tour.

Australia and New Zealand

The official voltage for Australia and New Zealand is 240 volts with most electrical goods operating at around the 220 – 240 volt mark.

Both Australia and New Zealand operate on the same 3 pronged outlet.