I just looked at my old multi adapter and it accepts aussie plugs also.

I also have a set of individual adapters that came in a little travel pouch similar to this:
http://www.target.com/p/conair-trave...e/-/A-10738297

I usually just grab the ones I need for that trip and don't carry the multi much anymore. I have a few extra for Europe as I find many Italian outlets are recessed and I just stack two plugs in that case to be able to use them. I also have a little European plug night light (measures about 2"x2") that I always take. I take my Griffin usb plug adapter that I use at home and can charge things with it in the wall outlet. No converter needed, just a plug adapter. It has 2 usb ports.

>>>Looking back at Spaarne's comments and link - s/he's adamant that Italy and Switz will each need a different type of plug.<<<

I haven't needed special adapters for Switzerland. Like Italy, they have some outlets that take plugs with three prongs (grounded outlets). I still use my two prong adapters in those plugs in both countries. You will find these newer three prong outlets are usually recessed and you can stack two plugs if need be (plug a two prong adapter into another two prong adapter then plug in your appliance). You can see this was discussed a long time ago on Fodor's and neo pointed out he also just uses his two prong adapters in the three prong plugs.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...witzerland.cfm

Thanks again, kybourbon.

We're only staying in 1 hotel in Switzerland (Grindelwald), and I think it's an older hotel, so hopefully it will have the older configurations. Prepared to risk it.

So...

To take...

Probably a couple of 2-prong European adaptors, 1 UK adaptor, a 2-usb port plug (just occurred to me the kids may take iPods), a small (2-3 input) powerboard and possibly a night light! Blimey, what did we do before electricity?!!

How does THAT sound? Fingers crossed.

Thank you all hugely for your research and advice.

I looked at the European adapters I have at home, some are Schuko and some are what are called "europlugs". The Schuko plugs don't work in some southern European countries, but europlugs have slightly thinner prongs, and will fit in all European sockets, including, I'm told, France, Italy and Switzerland. If it were me I would buy one UK adapter and one 2-prong European adapter. If for any reason they don't work in all the countries, you can "piggyback" with locally bought adapters that will.

In your last post you wrote: "just occurred to me the kids may take iPods". Now that I know you are travelling with your family and not solo I will say definitely bring your power board. :-)

See these references:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schuko
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europlug

Gee, and all these years I've been staying in the wrong Italian hotels where my "continental plugs" have always worked. Maybe the OP will get really really lucky and stay in some of the same places.

Yes, travelling with my two sons (12 and 14) and I've decided to buy an e-reader too. So tick to the power board.

Thanks so much. Always great to finally narrow things down. Another organisational hurdle cleared.

Dukey1, I detect a bit of a tone?! Understandable. It's been a convoluted discussion! So many different takes on it, I had no idea it was going to bring up so many responses.

I so appreciate all the help.

Spot on with the powerboard, Smm_18.! At the mo, kids are charging iPod n pad, husband on laptop doing work and phone will follow next! Have a great trip!!

>>>If it were me I would buy one UK adapter and one 2-prong European adapter.<<<

I would buy several 2 prong adapters. Between charging cell phones, cameras, Ipods/Ipads and problems with recessed plugs, I think you will use them.

I would buy several 2 prong adapters. Between charging cell phones, cameras, Ipods/Ipads and problems with recessed plugs, I think you will use them.

Better yet, buy one or two of these, then you plug this into the one adapter, and you can charge up to four items at the same time without any additional adapters:

http://www.magellans.com/dualvoltage-power-strip

>>>I would buy several 2 prong adapters.<<<

If smm_18 brings his power board he won't need several 2 prong adapters, as all his devices will plug into the Aussie sockets on the power board. He will then need only one adapter to plug the power board into the European wall socket. He will, of course, need another adapter for the UK wall sockets.

The Magellans link shows a power strip designed for North American plugs, no use to an Australian.

To the European plug experts: I see that I'll be okay in Germany and France with my Schuko power strip... how about in Belgium and the Netherlands? I am so glad that I read this thread in advance of my trip next month!!

Ha! Thanks, rg12345. Great image! Confirmed my decision. Thanks for good wishes, too.

Heimdall, I think the possible issue with a recessed socket (mentioned by kybourbon) has convinced me to take 2 euro plugs. Otherwise, yes, the powerboard does the trick.

BTW I'm a mother bear travelling with two cubs.

Amy, good luck!

<i>amy_torres_sd on May 13, 13 at 7:33pm
To the European plug experts: I see that I'll be okay in Germany and France with my Schuko power strip... how about in Belgium and the Netherlands?</i>

Schuko is the one to have for B and NL.

>>>Better yet, buy one or two of these, then you plug this into the one adapter, and you can charge up to four items at the same time without any additional adapters:
http://www.magellans.com/dualvoltage-power-strip<<<

Here's the problem I've encountered. Some recessed outlets are very deep and you might not be able to plug that in with one adapter because the recess is too deep. I've had to stack plugs more than once to be able to plug my item in. I guess if you haven't experienced this, you don't get what I'm talking about. If the plug end was simply a straight in plug, it wouldn't be an issue for a recessed outlet. Like this straight in plug.
http://www.bplampsupply.com/product/...lamp-cord-sets

Am I the only one that's had this issue?

FWIW - Hotels often have adapters to loan.

Kybourbon, I've had the recessed outlets in hotels... they are fairly common in my experience... and I've had to borrow adapters from the hotel. Good save.

Hi Amy,

My apologies for the gender mistake. Can you suggest a neutral word to avoid the awkward he/she or (s)he?

Now, for the recessed socket issue: it wouldn't hurt to have a spare adapter, but you couldn't stack two Aussie/euro adapters anyway, <i>because they wouldn't fit together</i>. What you would need is one Aussie/euro adapter and one adapter like this: http://image.ec21.com/image/dgrongku...ko_plug_to.jpg. There is no need to buy one in Australia, as they are readily available everywhere in Europe for only a couple of € each. :-)

OH! How stupid am I! Of course they wouldn't stack together. I'm glad you can't see me blush in shame.

No problem re gender, although I'm not Amy!! That's amy_torres_sd, I just called her that for short.

Thanks so much for all your wonderful help. It's been a fascinating trip through the world of voltage/amps/Hz/plugs...

Hi smm_18,

I've made my share of blunders on this thread as well, and my face was also X( a couple of times.

Sorry this thread turned out to be a lecture, but I couldn't overlook all that well meaning but confusing advice, mainly from people who are familiar with adapters for North American plugs, but can't visualise what you, as an Australian, require. The best comment was from Dukey1: <i>"Gee, and all these years I've been staying in the wrong Italian hotels where my "continental plugs" have always worked."</i> That said it all. ;-)

I have had the privilege of visiting your beautiful country a couple of times, so know a little about Australian electricity. In my English home I have a mixture of appliances with American plugs, UK plugs, and Schuko plugs, and use various types of adapters and transformers every day.

Have a wonderful trip with your sons to Europe! :-)

FWIW, Maplins (the big chain electronics retailer in the UK)is offering a couple of worldwide adaptors that look as though they can take Australian plugs and plug into UK or continental sockets, depending on which prongs you pull/push into place:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/productsearc...vel%20Adaptors

>>>Now, for the recessed socket issue: it wouldn't hurt to have a spare adapter, but you couldn't stack two Aussie/euro adapters anyway, because they wouldn't fit together<<<

Of course they would if you buy the small type. You could stack them the same as I do.

http://www.budgetgadgets.com/ususaau...er-p-4739.html

Hopefully, you won't encounter the deeply recessed outlets. Lately I take one of these adapters. It's really just to let you plug more stuff into an outlet at your house, but I plug it into the European adapter and then I can plug three things into this. Takes up far less room in your luggage than an extension cord or power strip. I'm sure you can buy something similar in Australia.

http://www.amazon.com/GE-58368-3-Gro..._bxgy_hi_img_y

I like your way of thinking, kybourbon. I can leave my big & clunky European power strip at home and take a couple of these (there are 4 of us going and many devices.)

Well! How informative is this? Amazing. Thanks, Heimdall! Hopefully will be the trip of a lifetime. We travel in September, so good to get all this sort of thing out of the way early.

Thanks for info, Patrick. At the coalface. If I stuff things up this end, good to know there's a back-up.

kybourbon: I still don't understand how 2 adaptors designed to take Aussie plugs can plug into each other. How would the 2 euro prongs fit into the Aussie plug end? What have I missed?

But that does look like a great little gizmo instead of the power board! I will scout around. Thanks.

>><i>kybourbon: I still don't understand how 2 adaptors designed to take Aussie plugs can plug into each other. How would the 2 euro prongs fit into the Aussie plug end? What have I missed?</i><<

You are correct, smm_18 — they can't! Clearly kybourbon has never seen an Aussie electrical plug! I am looking at one now, left over from my last trip to Australia. I have never seen so much misleading information on one thread in all the years I have been on Fodor's! :-(

Incidentally, my adapter is made by Korjo, an Australian company: http://www.korjo.com/Adaptor-Guide.aspx. Check it out, smm_18 — they make good adapters at reasonable prices. Stick with your power board, which is much safer than multiple outlets. :-)

Thanks again, Heimdall - that's a great link to an Aussie company. Terrific. And I think I will stick to power board. Even if it takes up more space, they're readily available and cheap and I just 'know' them! Not heavy, either.

I'm sure all the advice has been well intentioned, even if I have wandered up a few garden paths... Been interesting!

<<<Lately I take one of these adapters. >>>

kybourbon, so I can use this instead of the Magellan power strip I posted to earlier? Just add an adapter end for the country I'll be in (Turkey, Netherlands, Belgium) and then plug in 3 American-style plugs at the same time?

Sf7307, stick with your power strip. Multi-plug adapters are banned in virtually all university dormitories, and in many offices and workplaces. It wouldn't surprise me if some hotels also prohibit their use, as fire safety is a major concern in places where large numbers of people are present. This is a quote from Wikipedia:

"Power strips are generally considered a safer alternative to "double adapters", "two-way plugs", "three-way plugs" or "cube taps" which plug directly into the socket with no lead for multiple appliances. These low-cost adapters are generally not fused (although more modern ones in the UK and Ireland are). Therefore in many cases the only protection against overload is the branch circuit fuse which may well have a rating higher than the adapter. The weight of the plugs pulling on the adapter (and often pulling it part way out of the socket) can also be an issue if adapters are stacked or if they are used with brick-style power supplies. Such adapters, while still available, have largely fallen out of use in some countries (although two- and three-way adapters are still common in the US, UK, and Ireland)."

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_strip (look under the section on Safety).

Heimdall, thanks. I already have two of the Magellan power strips (two rooms, multiple devices to be charged), so we'll just take those.

I am traveling to Ireland from USA and have the appropriate converter/adapter plug kit, however it states on package that it should not be used for electronic circuitry .. will this work for charging my cellphone and Kindle or do I need yet another gadget to safely plug into the converter/adapter? Please help this technically-challenged person ;-) .. THANK YOU!

Almost all (I'd say ALL but who knows) electronic chargers - cameras, phones, pcs, tablets - are dual voltage and all you need is the appropriate plug adapter. I have no idea what that warning is about???

Do NOT use a solid state voltage converter on any electronic device. Have a look at the specs on the chargers, and they will almost certainly read "100-240V 50-60Hz" or something similar. That means they can be plugged directly into a wall socket in any country that has those voltages.

All you need is a simple plug adapter which shouldn't cost more than a few dollars. Voltage converters are almost useless unless you need them for a heating device that doesn't have a motor or electronic circuitry. Janis, that is what the warning is about.

Don't take anything with a heater in it (tongs, hairdryer etc), all you'll need is plug adapters, DON'T BRING A CONVERTER. If you want the technical reason:
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/converter.htm

Thanks janisj, Heimdall & Hooameye for your responses. The phone/Kindle adapter does read "100-240V,50-60Hz" so now I'll know how to pack.
Thx again, folks :-)