I am going to Germany and was wondering if I need any adapter for my electronics (laptop, hairdryer etc.)

<b><font color="blue">***** CONGRATULATIONS! *****</font></b>

You are the ONE MILLIONTH person to ask this exact question! Best wishes for many happy reruns.

jule22, I just did a search on google.com and found a number of websites that answer your question. Many stores that sell travel supplies including Target and Walmart sell adapter kits for around $10 or so. If you just want the European plug, you also can buy it online:

http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/c_ger.htm

Little problem - Germany like most of the world uses 220V. Plug your 110V electricals in and, at best, they go poofe, at worst they cause a serious fire.

Please check that your appliances can use 240V

Jule22 I don't know whether you are new to Fodors or not but you will find most of us helpful and patient. And then there's Robespierre. . .

As for your question, most devices (like iPods, laptops, digital cameras) come with chargers that work anywhere in the world. All you need is a two prong (round) adapter.

The hairdryer is another issue. You would need a voltage converter equal to the number of watts the hairdryer is. (500 to 600).

Even with that, you might get mixed results - blown hotel fuses, blown converter fuse, fried hair dryer, etc. You might try to find a travel hair dryer made for European currents. Or, better yet, you might try shorter hair.

To be absolutely certain, Jule22, look on the charger for your various electronics.

If it says it accepts voltage between 110-240 then all you'll need is a continental plug adaptor as described by Sshephard.

Since many electronic items and cameras, etc., are made for worldwide use their chargers/power bricks are often &quot;dual voltage.&quot;

You can easily get a dual voltage hairdryer if need be but be aware that often the &quot;high&quot; setting may not work when used at 240V.

I did find out that even with a transformer my hairstraightener did not work in France. After a minute of being on it stopped working. So it was useless for the entire trip. Most likely it had a shutoff built into it if it got overheated. The camera and camcorder battery charger worked as did the hairdryer with the transformer.

The hotels we stayed in (mid-range, comfortable, but nothing fancy) all had wall-mounted hair dryers, so that wasn't an issue.

For our camera battery charger, PDA/phone charger, and so forth, we just needed the adaptor plug since ours were all dual voltage.

I'm 100% with Robespierre on this one. This question has been hashed over hundreds of times. The poster could have easily just used the &quot;Search&quot; function and received her answer instead of going over the same old stuff again and again. It's like &quot;Should I exchange cash or use the ATM&quot;.

Curious

Should I use the ATM to convert my hairdryer?

I have never driven before so should I rent a car?

I want to buy a villa, should I just bring cash? Would small denominations or change be better?

I'm bankrupt and moving in with my parents, should I still take a trip to Rome? (This is is related to a real post)

What else?



dave

Well, you could add:
- The Schuko (SCHUtzKOntakt) System was introduced in Germany before WWII, therefore:
- You won't find any (many?) different Sockets even in old buildings.
- Socket layout hasn't changed
There are 3 types of plugs that all fit into a schuko socket:
- Euro plug (called &quot;continental plug&quot; in the UK. (most common)
- Schuko-Plug (grounded non polarized)
- Formstecker (ungrounded plug with higher Ampere rating).

Yes, Curious and it will be &quot;hashed over&quot; hundreds of more times just like those posts about PDAs and laptops and GPS devices which Robespierre, among others doesn't have ANY trouble at all providing rather long-winded answers to.

Questions about PDAs and laptops usually begin with &quot;I've read all the threads here...&quot; or &quot;I used the search function and didn't find what I was looking for...&quot; or &quot;I'm planning to spend $800 on a handheld GPS - is there a cheaper way?&quot;

Whereas voltage questions tend not to. Just typing &quot;voltage&quot; into the search blank will reveal hundreds of threads that explain the issues, but no one seems to possess (choose one) the wit or the will to do it.

And Dukey - show what a true gentleman you <u>really</u> are, and knock off the <i>ad hominem</i> crap.

According to the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA), which issues stars, it is mandatory for any hotel, in order to display three or more stars, to have hair dryers in all rooms.

For a complete list of star requirements, go to www.hotelsterne.de.

Like I said, over and over and over...........

Curious