where can i buy a converter?
 

Can I use the convert my friend got for the UK for my stay in France and Rome?

How about flat irons and curling irons? should put that into the coverter? or it is best to buy a cordless one? or buy one there?

You mean converter or plug

British plug adaptors will not work in France - different plugs. Mainly the difference now is in the plugs as many devices run on any current, being dual voltage.

But you will need a plug adaptor for France and these can be bought in any airport here or there.

covertor*

The Uk Converter will not work in France. Most hotels we've stayed in had them at the desk for us to borrow. I bought a good one in the luggage dept at Galleries Lafayette. They sell them at Darty and Monoprix too. I would make life easy on myself and buy a curling iron in France.

Last time we were in Italy we took nothing that needed to be plugged in - life was simple. This time I will be using a phone and my camera will need recharging. I was told in a luggage store that all I needed in Italy was a plug adaptor and not a convertor. Is this correct? Thanks!

Buy any tools requiring heat in Europe.

Most other electrical items are dual voltage so do not need a converter, merely an adapter. Check the plate on your electrical goods.
France uses a different socket type to the UK so unless you adapter is a multi national one you will need to but a new one (or two). Airports sell them.

There are 2 parts to your question. There are coverters - which are used if you have a single voltage appliance and need to convert it to double voltage. If you look on your appliance and it says something like 110/220v, then it can be used at either 110 voltage (like we have in the U.S.) or 220 voltage which is what is used in many other countries. So, the answer to your converter question is to check your appliance and if it is single voltage you need to have a converter. Also, some dual voltage and a switch to move it from 110 to 220, that will be obvious if yours is like that. (My travel hair dryer is like that).

The second part of your question is the adapter. The adapter is used to adapt the plug on your appliance to the plug in the wall. The plugs are different in the U.S. than they are in the U.K or Europe. The plugs in Europe are not the same as the U.K.

So, if your appliance is dual voltage, you will only need to have an adapter so you can plug it into the outlet.

You can buy any of them at many places - Target, Best Buy, travel stores, online, etc.

It's best not to use a step-down transformer (converter) to operate US 115V-only high-drain appliance like a hair curler, straightner or dryer, as there is always a chance of tripping up hotel's electrical circuit breaker or frying your appliance. Unless it's a dual or universal-voltage model, leave it at home and get a universal type or buy one in Europe. Then you'll only need a plug adaptor (which doesn't change voltage) for use in different countries - basically one for UK/Ireland and another for just about anywhere else.

I have found that with dual voltage appliances (curling irons/hair dryers)even with an plug adaptor, the level of power is not the same. I travel a lot in the UK for work, so I purchased a hairdryer at Boots which I take with me. I am now having to travel to Rome twice a year, so I bought a hairdryer there as well. I stopped using a curling iron when mine had a "meltdown" in Edinburgh one year. It took several days to get the smell out of the room.

Perhaps something like this will work?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13525

These people have quite a selection of converters and adapters, all shipped to your door in the US(if you can wait about 2 weeks)usually for lees than the price of the gas to go find one somewhere. The usual 110v to 220v plug adapter ( for something like your laptop power supply that is already 110-220v) is less than a dollar shipped.

Rick

Rick

You do NOT want to use a 'converter'<B>*</B> for a hair dryer/flat iron/curling iron. Either use a dual voltage appliance w/ a plug adapter- OR (and the better option) buy a European spec appliance in France or Italy. Even a dual voltage one w/ the appropriate plug adapter will fail a significant % of the time, so buying a flat iron, etc. after you arrive would be your best choice.

<B>*</B> I'm still not sure you are asking about a 'converter'.

how much are these covertors or adaptors?

and how much a regular falt iron in rome or paris?

here's a link to amazon.com and one of the adapters/ converter products. You can find similar products at many stores and other online sites.

http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-.../dp/B00005NN91

I would venture to guess that the price of the appliances are probably similar to what you'd pay at home. And that you can probably find a wide range of prices. You can use the same flat iron in France that you use in Italy. If you're starting in France, go to a nearby department store or Monoprix. There will most likely be one near your hotel, just ask the person at the desk.

>>how much are these covertors or adaptors?<<

They are different animals. Converters can be expensive. Plug adapters are dirt cheap - $2 or $3 unless you get a universal one usable all over the world. But if you use one w/ a dual voltage flat iron, it will not heat to the higher temps. It will be limited to low power.

And as we've tried to explain -- you don't want to use a converter. Not safe or reliable.

You can find flat irons in any department store - and probably at a Monoprix.

I bought a small, travel sized flat iron by a brand called WeGo Europe. It is dual voltage, ie. no need for an adapter.

This was the best option for me because:
- It was very inexpensive, under $15.
- It is very small.

I now use it for all vacations, inside and out of the US.

You will just need an adapter. I have long hair so it wasn't as effective as my normal flat iron. But it was so worth it to have something so tiny, inexpensive and dual voltage.

I bought mine at Ulta using a coupon so it was even cheaper.

Good luck!

thanks gina!

gina.. i tired looking at ulta, but i don't see it

www.distantlands.com. Call them as they're very helpful.

You can also try, www.magellans.com and possibly www.travelsmith.com. Happy Travels!

"<i>It is dual voltage, ie. no need for an adapter.</i>"

Confusing apples and oranges. No need for a <u>converter</u>

Hi, I misspelled it. It's WiGo. I'm seeing them for sale on amazon.com, but they are much more expensive than what I paid. It'd still be worth it though.

I know some are saying it won't work well. It works. It's not like your regular flat iron, but it did the job.

Conaire make a wonderful curling iron...DUAL voltage, which works fine with either 110 or 220,,, Just plug it in whatever country you are visiting (but use the proper adapter for that country of course). You don't need a converter.
Someone probably makes a similar dual voltage flat-iron.
You can get the curling iron at Target, WalMart etc.
Also these stores , and others, sell adapters for various countries,,,usually several in a kit.

Sorry to jump in this thread- but does the same theory go for camera chargers? I am studying abroad in Prague this summer and will need a few electronics.. I was told that a converter and adapter will do the trick... but I really don't want to fry my camera battery!! Does the advice to get a dual voltage curling iron apply to other electronics as well? Or just the "high heat" types??

"I was told that a converter and adapter will do the trick... but I really don't want to fry my camera battery!!"

As already mentioned, if it says anywhere on the power "brick" that you plug into the wall socket 110v-240v, then you DO NOT need a converter, just a plug adapter to adapt your plug (power brick) to the wall socket.