I need help figuring out what exactly I need in order to charge phone and laptop on our upcoming trip to London and then Italy.
And if anyone wants to chime in with Venice recommendations I would love to hear recommendations!
We got a basic charger kit from Amazon that has all the different adapters as there is no one standard throughout Europe.
We just came back from Venice. My number 1 tip is to stay on Venice proper. We were on la Giudecca and we had a couple of nights of heavy storms where getting on/off the hotel water shuttle was downright scary.
If you want a splurge meal, do it at Local https://www.ristorantelocal.com/. It was amazing!
Visit Burano. Colorful, amazing and wonderful seafood. Eat the fritto misto.
Plan ahead for skip the line tickets for the basilica and the palazzo ducale.
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So I don’t need a converter?
Yes, you do need converters! Sorry I mistyped. Converter. Not charger.
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Isn’t your link for an adapter only? I think I need something like this:
BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter 220V to 110V Voltage Converter with 6A 4-Port USB Charging and UK/AU/US/EU Worldwide Plug Adapter (Red) https://a.co/d/5YHl20z
I am not at all confident that I will get the right thing, so any confirmation (or correction!) is appreciated.
We already had a converter which we used in Europe recently and it worked fine.
No you shouldn’t need a voltage converter unless you plan to take something like a portable hair dryer or iron. Even then travel versions of these may be fine (look to see if it says 100-240V or similar). Virtually all electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) take either 110 or 220V as an input. You just need the right adapter, the best ones come in a single block like this so you don’t lose bits:
https://www.amazon.com/International-HAOZI-Universal-Multifunctional-Blue-Type-c/dp/B07G53RVRN/
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You guys!!! The advice I have been given on this thread is diametrically opposed!
This is why I am confused and reluctant to just Google.
You do not need a voltage converter for a laptop or phone charger. They handle both 110v and 220v plug points.
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@Twoin18 is correct. You won’t need a voltage converter unless you have a hair dryer or curling iron or something that only runs on 110V. You should get an adapter so that your American-style plug can fit into the European outlet.
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People are using “converter” and “adapter” without appreciating the difference. An adapter has different prongs that fit the different plug sockets. A converter has the prongs but also takes European 220V and outputs 110V (typically these can cost more but that is not always the case). However that is completely unnecessary for modern electronic devices since they are compatible with both voltages.
I travel to Europe at least 4-5 times a year and just take an adapter (but then I don’t use a travel iron or hair dryer).
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All modern computers/cell phones are dual voltage and you just need the adapter to plug in. The hotels will have a hair dryer. The only thing you may need an actual voltage converter would be a curling iron or straight iron, but even those may be dual voltage.
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Side advice on Venice (I’ve never been, however). When DD visited, she walked the streets VERY early in the morning (guessing about 5-6am?), and said it was wonderful. Few if any tourists; Locals opening shops; Quiet.
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As soon as you get away from the super touristy sites like St. Marco’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, crowds thin out quickly. Try to eat as far away from those places as possible ; )
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You will need a plug adapter but not a voltage converter for phone and laptop. Promise.
This will NOT work for hairdryers, etc.
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Stay in Dorsoduro, across the wooden bridge, behind the Academia. Have cicchetti at Schiavi. We’ve been three times, and have stayed in that neighborhood every time. Love it!
Go up the tower on San Giorgio Maggiore.
I second Burano.
Have fun!
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Thank you everyone! I should have specified I only need to charge phones/laptop/fitbit.
And, we are staying in the Dorsoduro!
I have always wanted to visit Venice, and never have.
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We bought these for our USB chargers last year for use in Italy, and I’m using one right now in Spain.
All decent USB chargers and decent phones (iPhone, Samsung, etc) are multi-voltage so all you need is the plug adapter. If you have doubts, you can give yourself some peace of mind by reading the super-fine print that everybody ignores on your usb charger (or looking at the online description) where you should see something like “input: 100-240v” printed.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097GCZWMM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Above advice is for electronics only. As others have said, for mechanical stuff like hairdryers you’ll need an actual converter.
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Get a plug adapter that could work in multiple European countries, and get one with many usb ports then you can charge multiple devices with one plug.
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For majority of electronics chargers, a converter is NOT needed. You need a simple plug adapter. These chargers are dual voltage.
It is easy to find out if you don’t need a converter. Look at the voltage rating on the charger or appliance. Here is a screenshot of my computer’s charger. Clearly says 100-240V and both 50 and 60 Hz.
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