We are going to Italy in June. Do I need to purchase an electrical adaptor for my blow dryer, etc? What specifics can you tell me?
Thank you.

Assuming you live in the US and your hairdryer is not dual voltage, your hairdryer will not work in Italy. If you want to bring it, you will need (i) a converter to convert it to European voltage and (ii) an adaptor plug to convert the plug to fit the wall socket. The difference between an "adaptor" and a "converter" is a frequently misunderstood topic on this site. A converter converts the voltage, and an adaptor adapts the plug shape. Converters are generally heavy (more than 5 lbs) and expensive and don’t work well, especially on high-power items like hairdryers and irons. If you use a hairdryer or iron with a converter, you may find that the appliance does not get hot enough to do the job.

However, first, check your hair dryer to confirm that it is NOT dual voltage. It is quite common to find electronic appliances in the US which are dual voltage, and there is a chance yours is. Look on the box or the product description, it should say "dual voltage" or "110/220v". It also could say 220-240/110-120 or variations on that arrangement. Any of these words indicates that the dryer will work in the US and abroad. If you can’t confirm it yourself, call the manufacturer or check the website.

If it is not dual voltage, consider buying a new dual voltage one in the US before you leave rather than bringing your existing dryer and a converter and an adaptor. Conair and Remington make dual voltage dryers. Linens n' Things has dual-voltage hairdryers advertised. You can also buy them on-line, check out drugstore.com., or run a search on your browser for "dual voltage hair dryer". I would recommend this over buying one in Europe because (i) it is likely to be cheaper in the US, (ii) it will have a US warranty, and (iii) you will have instructions in English, and (iv) you may not feel like spending your first morning in Europe looking for a shop which sells them. You would most likely need a department store or electronic shop; “drug stores” i.e., pharmacia/apotheke in Europe do not sell electronic goods, they sell cosmetics and health aids.

It is very unlikely that hotels will have converters, but most will supply you with an adaptor plug if you need one. You can also buy universal adaptor plugs that have configurations for most everywhere in the world. A good site for plug configuration worldwide is voltagevalet.com.

Depending on your hotel, they may also have a dryer in the room. Of course, let's not get started on a discussion of some of the horrible hairdryers in hotels (i.e., those hose ones attached to the bathroom wall…) FYI, the Park Lane Marriott in London has wonderful real hairdryers, just in case you are staying there.

Hi aa,

You definitely need an adapter to allow you to insert your flat US spade plug into the round holes in the Italian socket.

If your dryer says 110-240 V, that is all you need.

If it says 110V, you will need a voltage converter.

You could also buy a dryer in Italy.

There are two basic adaptors -- one for England, and one for the Continent. Buy a "Continental" adaptor for Italy, and it will work in France and elsewhere.

Also, make sure your appliances have a 110/220 volt conversion, or you'll fry it the first time you try to use it there.

You can get a converter on ricksteves.com or at a travel store.

People have already advised about the "continental plug" (two round pins).

I would NOT lug a converter over to Europe; you can purchase a collapsing dual voltage hairdryer in the US for use over there or just buy a 220V model over there.

Those converters can be dangerous to use esp. with high heat products, often are not very dependable, etc., etc.