If I stay in a hotel do I need an international adaptor for:

1. cellphone, ipad/laptop?

2. hair dryer, straightner?


What if I am renting an apt through abnb?

Thanks in advance,
Samira

Yes (a plug adapter - not a converter/transformer assuming the items are dual voltage)

But I would not take a hairdryer - most hotels/B&B/airbnb provide them and dual voltage ones don't work very well.

adaptors fit over your appliance's plug, so that they will properly fit into the socket, In Europe, that means an adaptor that has rounded plugs. they are not expensive

cell phones, ipad/laptops are ok using an adaptor plug..
also ok for camera battery chargers if you use one


for the hairdryer or straightener you need to know whether it will work on the electric current in France which is not the same as USA. IF they are true dual voltage you will need to change the setting and also use an adaptor plug
if they are not dual voltage. you can ruin your appliance if its not on the same current.

I never pack a hair dryer anymore as hotels all have dryers though some are better than others.

you may want to consider buying an inexpensive dryer or straightener in France that you can use and not worry about ruining your appliances

in hotels where there is plug that accepts electric razors without an adaptor they generally will not work on appliances that use more power like a dryer.

apts may or may not have appliances for you use.. you would have to ask the apt owner, some hotels will have plug in stations for ipad/iphones.. it will depend on where you are staying and you can inquire before you go .. send an email and ask

Please note the electrical adapters in France are hermaphrodites.

http://www.francetravelplanner.com/d.../electric.html

Voltage in France is twice US and it is 50 cycle vs 60 in the US. Most low voltage devices that use charging blocks are dual voltage. They will say something like 110/220 volts 50/60 cycles. All you need is a prong adapter.

Motors and heating devices are not going to play well with 220/50. You will need a voltage transformer as well as a plug adapter. Also, voltage transformers are heavy. Just get a cheap euro appliance when you get there, if the hotel or apartment doesn't already have one. When you leave, pack it home for your next trip or for a friend, or leave it for the next airbnb person.

Buying a French hair dryer is an excellent idea, as some of those provided in hotels can be hard to hold and get hot in the hand very quickly.

While most North American hair dryers can run on 220 in Europe, they only operate at the low setting. There are stories in the archives here about hair straighteners catching fire. The real answer, which nobody wants to hear, is to get a more practical haircut (no, me neither.)

Interesting Imdonehere, I have never seen sockets like that in France. My Dutch plugs have fitted in the sockets in every hotel and holiday home I have stayed in in France. Maybe I have just been lucky.

My hair straightener is compatible for traveling. The place I am staying at has a hair dryer and I just bought and international adaptor for my cellphone/ipad/laptop.

Now , I need an adaptor. Should I get it from US? Where? Or from France On arrival?


Thanks much
Samira

Try Amazon. People here will run you to every electronics store in Paris, but why waste your time there when you can equip yourself in advance?