Converters & Adapters for Europe

[clseale]

We're going to Paris & London at the end of May, and I'm wondering what I will need as far as converters and adapters go. I tried Googling, but I found conflicting advice.

1) Can I use the same type for both countries?
2) I read that blow dryers and flat irons can be notoriously bad at converting. I just checked and it looks like both hotels we've booked have blow dyers, but what about my flat iron? Any links to things that have worked for you? Flat iron and phones are the only things I think we'll need them for.

Thanks!

 

[Deleted]

1) The plugs will be different, so you'll want an adapter that has prongs for both GB and continental Europe. Those aren't hard to find (many adapters come with prongs for all over the place).

2) You may want to check if your flat iron and phone are dual voltage. Many flat irons aren't, but many phones are. If they're dual voltage, you won't need a converter. I've never brought a flat iron with me to UK/Europe so I don't know how that goes.

Another note: in England (I forget whether this is true in all of Europe too, but I swear I've seen it), bathrooms only have plugs for shavers. So you may need to use your flat iron/blow dryer in the bedroom rather than the bathroom.

[definitelyO]

I got my converter at Target and it has a few different configurations on it depending on where you are. I don't know about a flat iron - but I will say that I hated the hair dryers in the hotels we stayed in in france - blech.

[clseale]

It won't be the worst thing in the world if I can't bring my flat iron, but I'd certainly like our picturess more if I had it! lol Both hotels (judging from pics) provide blow dryers in the bathrooms, so I'll just double check on our phones. Thanks!

[clseale]

Mar 6, 2013 13:38:56 GMT -5 definitelyO said:

 but I will say that I hated the hair dryers in the hotels we stayed in in france - blech.

Yeah, I was afraid of this. Maybe I'll just sport a cute ponytail the whole time. I'll check out Target. Thanks!

[Deleted]

Mar 6, 2013 13:38:56 GMT -5 definitelyO said:

I will say that I hated the hair dryers in the hotels we stayed in in france - blech.

Agreed.  I've never had a good hair day in Europe for this reason.

[emilyinchile]

I have tried to convert a US flat iron to UK voltage and never had it work well. Even using a heavy duty converter, the flat iron doesn't really get hot. I would either not bother or, if you will be traveling frequently to places with 220V, but a cheapo one when you get to your first stop and use it for travel.

Ditto to getting a multi-prong converter. They're bigger, but that's actually nice because the little ones always seem to hide in places where I can then never find them again.

[GilliC]

If you were considering packing your hair dryer anyway, why not just pick up a cheap travel dryer at someplace like Target? They have a switch to change the voltage and generally work better than most European hotel hair dryers. I was too lazy to buy a new 220V dryer when I moved, so I was actually using my travel dryer every day for the first 3-4 years.

[hz80408]

The girls answers your questions; London and Paris require different adapters. We purchased and used these without any issues in both Paris and London: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YN01X4/?ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details

Even if your hair appliance is dual voltage; I wouldn't risk bringing it. I've known several people who ruined their CHIs when in Europe.

I purchased this dual voltage travel blowdryer last year and love it; plus it's so compact! www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QKL5YQ/?ref=oh_o00_s00_i01_details

[Deleted]

I have tried converters in the past, and with limited success. On our next trip I'm planning on just buying an inexpensive travel hairdryer and possibly looking for a European flat iron. I used the converter with my hairdryer when we were in Portugal, and blew out the electricity.

[travelingjen]

Mar 6, 2013 14:06:17 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

I have tried to convert a US flat iron to UK voltage and never had it work well. Even using a heavy duty converter, the flat iron doesn't really get hot. I would either not bother or, if you will be traveling frequently to places with 220V, but a cheapo one when you get to your first stop and use it for travel.

This. I completely destroyed a flat iron on my first trip to Europe. Luckily, I was able to quickly find one to replace it with at a nearby drugstore.

[clseale]

Thanks, everyone! I'll probably just grab a cheap dryer like Hz linked to and then leave my flat iron at home. It's not worth the trouble. If I have a decent dryer, I'll be good.

[hz80408]

For a flat iron; I borrowed a cheapie travel one from my SIL. It didn't work as well as my regular, but it still made a difference and I had no issues using it. (eta: it's dual voltage)

This is it: www.target.com/p/conair-mini-you-straightener-black/-/A-11077674?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C11077674&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=11077674&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=11077674

[neonpink]

Yes the hair driers are terrible. I compare them to a goat fart. Absolutely useless.

[frlcb]

I lived in London for 3 years and used my US flatiron with an adaptor and it worked great, in fact I am in the UK right now and using it again and no issues, I guess I got lucky!

[mrsnole]

This post scares me! I can't go two weeks without my hair straightener! I will have to look into the hair straightener that HZ recommended.

[scout8]

I have a cheap flat iron I use when I travel. It is dual voltage and I bought it at Target. Many of the cheap flat irons are dual voltage.

[aurora]

I would be extremely surprised if your phone charger was not dual voltage, but you can check the labeling on the charger to make sure. It should say 110-220 V and 50-60 Hz. You'll still need the two different plug configurations for England and France, but you won't need the costlier voltage/frequency converter. (Almost all modern electronics *with batteries* are dual voltage. It's items without batteries that are the problem.)

[KKD]

I also recommend this travel power strip so you don't need a bunch of converters for all of your different chargers.

[phillyrunner]

My hair straightener started smoking with an adaptor a couple years ago when I was in Europe, so I purchased a cheap one at a drug store that I now bring with me on every trip to Europe. I usually just use the hotel hair dryers, even though they are pretty awful!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and enjoy your trip!