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What power adapters do I need for travelling?

Do you ever find yourself heading overseas and at the last minute think, Shoot! Which power adapter do I need in this country?

I take one power plug adapter which covers the country I’m going to and a multi-box with about 4 power points in it from home so I can charge all my gadgets at once.

So here’s some photos of the power plugs/sockets/outlets I’ve started collecting:

Beware, these are not power converters, so if you have a voltage question and need a converter, scroll to the bottom of this post.

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Power plugs around the world

This is the power plug they use in the UK, Ireland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Hong Kong:

UK power point
You need 3 big square prongs for these countries. Pic  www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What power adapter do I need in France, New Caledonia and Tahiti?

Power plug for France and Tahiti
You’ll need a round plug with 2 prongs and a hole for France, New Caledonia and Tahiti

What power adapter do I need in Germany and Spain?

Germany power plug
This is what you need in Germany – 2 prongs and a chip out of the plug

What power adapter do I need in China?

Chinese power plugs
Here’s the line up of power plugs at my hotel in Shanghai

What power plug do I need in USA and Mexico?

American power point
The US has the 2 straight prongs and 1 round underneath

What power socket do they have in New Zealand, Australia, Pacific Islands? This one is also used in Argentina.

Australia and NZ power outlet
Australia and New Zealand use the same power plug. Two prongs on an angle and one straight underneath. You’ll find this one across the Pacific and Argentina too.

What power plug do I need in Italy?

Power socket Italy
This is what you’ll need in Italy and parts of North Africa

What power plug do I need in Cuba?

Power socket in Cuba
The American plug is used in Cuba but without the prong hole

What power plug do I need in Nepal?

Nepal power socket
I’ve found this power point in several different places in Nepal. It pretty much takes everything EXCEPT the NZ/Australian angled prongs!
Nepal power plug
This is also common in Nepal. It takes 2 larger round prongs or 2 smaller ones (like Asia) below, as well as the straight US.
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Airline power points!

This is the power connection on Emirates in Business Class

Emirates onboard power

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What voltage do they use around the world?

Voltage in Australia and New Zealand is 220v.

The voltage in Canada is 110 volts.

The voltage in most Caribbean counties is 110v. Same as USA and Canada.

The voltage in China is 220v.

The voltage in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Greece is 230v.

Voltage in India is 230v.

The voltage in Japan is 100v. Be careful you don’t use a device with a higher voltage.

The voltage in London and the UK is 230v. If your device runs on a lower voltage make sure you have a converter.

The voltage in Mexico is 127v. They use the same power point as the USA with 2 or 3 prongs.

Voltage in Philippines is 220v.

Voltage in Thailand is 230v.

Voltage in USA is 120 volts.

You will need a voltage converter to plug in appliances with different voltages. This does not apply to laptops, devices, camera chargers. You can plus these in with just a power point converter to fit the right plug.

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Anne Rose

Wednesday 25th of April 2018

I bought a VS Sassoon total curl appliance in Australia with a two pin flat v shaped prongs. What adaptor do I need to get so I can use the appliance here in the uk??

Megan

Wednesday 25th of April 2018

Hi Anne, I'm guessing the flat prongs are angled too. You'll need an international adapter which will have a whole range of holes on the front for you. I'm not sure where you get those in the UK, but we can buy them at DIY stores, airports, even some chemists who stock travel goods here in NZ.

RD

Sunday 25th of February 2018

Hi Megan,

The multi-socket adaptor you found in Nepal DOES accept NZ/Australian power plugs because I'm using this. If you look at the bottom pair (not the earthed socket hole), the top rounded cuts (in the middle) connect to the bottom inner square-cut holes to form an inverted moustache, which is what a NZ/Australian plug would look like.

RD

Carol Leisch

Wednesday 20th of September 2017

HI I like seeing photos along with descriptions but I didn't see GREECE..help please!

Judy

Thursday 10th of August 2017

i am from New Zealand and now in the U.S. On a visit Can you tell me what power plug I need for my cell phone and where I can buy it My phone needs recharging !!Staying in Alpharetta Goergia Thank you

Megan

Saturday 12th of August 2017

Hi Judy. You'll need to go to an electronics store or even Walmart and pick up a cell phone charger with an American plug. That will be the simplest as finding a converter for a NZ plug in America will be almost impossible!

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Hi, I'm Megan Singleton and I'm the word slinger of this travel blog as well as on radio in NZ every Sunday. Former Travel Editor at Yahoo NZ and current freelance writer for a few newspapers and mags from time to time, I set off on this travel writing journey 20 years ago and I've pretty much always got a suitcase half packed (or half un-packed!) I'd love you to join me on Facebook or Twitter and sign up for my newsletters if you want loads of travel tips, advice and deals!