My fiance and I are going on a weeklong journey in Bavaria and Austria, we each plan on bringing two very manageable pieces of carry-on luggage, but she feels it necessary to bring her 1800 watt hairdryer. She's not a princess but needs a certain level of comfort to be happy, and the most important aspect of her daily comfort is a good strong hair-drying. Are hairdryers in European hotels generally more powerful because they might be 220v or the same strength as the 110v hairdryers? Her hair is very thick and needs the extra wattage of the 1800. Of course I want to travel as light as possible, but also want her to be as happy and comfortable as possible on her first trip to Europe. Fortunately her clothes don't take-up too much space so maybe the hair-dryer will fit. And I guess we need some sort of an adapter as well if we take it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hairdryers in Europe tend to be more powerful than their U.S. counterparts. I, too, have very thick hair, and it always dries faster when I'm traveling, and use the hairdryer I bought in Ireland. Instead of buying an adapter, though, just buy one when you arrive. It's not going to cost you more than $30 (probably less), and it will be handy for future trips (the dryer also will be smaller).

Jason, I also have thick hair that needs a powerful drier. I found that the hotel driers or travel driers for Europe worked far better than the one I use at home. The one from home did not perform very well because of the electricity converter it required. <BR> <BR>If you'd really like to scare her a little, do a search on this topic. There was a thread last year in which all of the women recounted the things that happened when they tried to use their U.S. driers.

I'll be the contrarian and say that I've never found hotel hairdryers in European hotels (and most US hotels) to be a forceful as the one we use at home (3-star hotels). Hot, yes. Hard blowing, no. <BR> <BR>I do agree that it's best to buy one over there rather than mess with adapters.

Just bear in mind that the hairdryer needs to be dual-voltage or it'll be crispy about 500 milliseconds after being plugged in. And if dual-voltage, will run at half-speed, though high heat. <BR> <BR>Alternatively, you could lug a heavy-duty transformer with you. To handle 1800 Watts, though, you may need another carry-on. <BR> <BR>Many Euro hotels are providing hair dryers. They'll all, of course, be the slower speed 220 Volt since that's the prvailing current. Check with the hotels in which you'll be staying if she may change her mind and be interested in using hotel dryers. <BR> <BR>Julie is very much more comfortable taking her own dryer. But despite using a high-powered model at home we take a much smaller dual-voltage model since the aircraft engine in her regular model won't work at high speed on 220. It just takes a bit longer in the mornings ... a small tradeoff against the pleasures of Europe. <BR> <BR>Whatever you do, arguing against a hair dryer is not worth a hassle. Whatever she wants, let her take. <BR> <BR>(At least after she understands the options.)

I have curly/weird hair, and trust me, if you fiance is anything like I am weird hair can make for a cranky lady!!! (Hopefully your fiance is more centered) <BR>Anyway, I have brought a blow dryer with the approprate converter plus adapter (yes you will need both, the adapters are just to make sure the thing can actually plug in.. the converter is big clunky and heavy and actually converts the voltage. <BR>However for some reason or another, 9 times out of 10 my USA blowdryer.. with a converted power source comes out all weak and I am in constant fear of starting a fire. <BR>I tried last trip to rely on hotel blowdriers.. but with a very few exceptions they seem designed more to save the hotel money then actually dry hair. <BR>Bottom line...Buy a local one at your first opportunity in Bavaria!

Unless you know absolutely beyond doubt that all the hotels you'll be staying in have hair dryers, have her take her own. Nothing's worse than walking around Europe feeling ugly because your hair is a mess. <BR> <BR>I think companies like Magellan's and Travelsmith sell very powerful small dual voltage hair dryers. You might take a look at their web sites or catalogs. <BR> <BR>If the hair dryer is not dual voltage you'll need to buy a transformer as well as an adapter. Unlike Kathy above, I'd advise buying it/them here in the US. <BR>They're specialty items, after all, and may not be readily available in the first or second hardware store you see, assuming you can even find a hardware store. <BR> <BR>I don't know for sure about the strength question, but it seems to me I've never noticed much difference. <BR> <BR>Have a lovely time!

How would your fiance look with a Sinead "Nothing Compares to U" O'Connor haircut?

I think what Kathy (and I know I) was recommending was buying a European hairdryer over there (not adapters). They can be found as easily as they can over here. We bought a powerful little one in Spain for about $15 a couple years ago.

OK, we're going to buy one when we get there. Shoot me some names of Walgreens/Target type stores in Austria and Germany that sell hairdryers.

I'm with Brian... <BR> <BR>I can't stand the hotel hair driers..they blow luke warm air at low speeds and cause more static electricity than I can handle. <BR> <BR>I travel often to France, Italy and SOuth Africa, so I bought one in each place amny years ago, and have never regretted it. <BR> <BR>I can only second the motion, but I'm not familiar with Germany/ Austria places to buy them!

Most hotels provide hair dryers, but I found that they did a poor job drying my very thick hair. These dryers were the wall mounted (connected to the wall) variety. I always call to the front desk and they give me another model which always seemed to be much more powerful and equivalent to what I use at home. <BR>

Does anyone know if Boots in is Germany/Austria???? (thats Walgreens type store)

I say go to Target, buy a smaller version of the dryer she has, and make sure it's dual-voltage. Then go to the travel aisle at Target and buy a plug adaptor. That's what I did, and I don't regret it at all. Don't waste valuable vacation time searching out a suitable hair dryer.

I'd recommend bringing a dual voltage (eliminating the need for a power converter) blow dryer and adapter plug for each country (you can buy them individually at Magellan's). Conair has a fabulous line of lightweight "Euro" models. I love my Revlon, with foldup handle, very compact and lightweight. Beware of those tiny travel blow dryers. With some, it's almost impossible to dry longer hair without your hair getting caught in the fan because they're so small. And, they're not nearly as powerful. I've found that hotel hair dryers are less powerful and sometimes very awkward to use due to short cords, short handles, or where they're stuck to the wall. I, personally, have a morning "hair fixing" routine and there's no way I'm willing to deal with contingencies while traveling, when I want to get out and about as quickly as possible. Most ladies will tell you that if their hair looks great, they're set for the day. But, if it doesn't... If you love this lady, you won't fret over lugging a blow dryer.

Just buy one when you get there. They're not expensive.

I have long thick hair, too, and it's my opinion that most hotel dryers are worthless. They have so little power that it would take me ages to get my hair dry! <BR>Where are you flying into? If it's Munich, maybe I can help. You might try Drogerie Markt, department stores, Saturn is an electronics store and big grocery stores probably have them.

Does she need a hairdryer. I have been married over 35 years, believe me when I say if she says she needs a hair dryer find her a hair dryer.

Yes, don't pack the travel dryer and converter thing, I did and they never worked. They DO have dryers there, and not too expensive.

<BR>"Don't waste valuable vacation time searching out a suitable hair dryer. " <BR> <BR>It shouldnt take more than a few minutes in any shopping centre to find a hair dryer. After all you wont be looking for a speciality travel hairdryer, just an ordinary haridryer which locals buy and use. <BR> <BR>I did the same thing for USA, bought a dryer there and pack it every time I visit. <BR>