The Right Adapter for Every Trip

Different countries, different customs, and this is also true for electrical outlets! In this article, I will tell you which countries require an adapter so that you can charge your phone and use your hairdryer!

Who hasn't experienced this: The trip is booked, preparations are in full swing, and you can't wait for the day it finally starts. After you leave all that stress behind and arrive at your vacation destination, the weight is lifted from your shoulders. At least until the moment when you want to plug your phone cable into the outlet - wait, the plug doesn't fit? And in that moment, you remember: You forgot to buy a Euro adapter for the outlets abroad! What a mistake... To ensure that you don't have to pay exorbitant prices for such an adapter while on vacation, I've summarized in this article for which countries and continents you will need an adapter!

When it comes to traveling, as with electricity, being informed in advance is smart! There is a wide variety of different outlet types on this planet, and even in the various countries of a continent, they are not always the same. While you might still be fine with your German plugs on mainland Europe, this is not the case outside the continent: In America, Asia, Australia, and Africa, two-pronged plugs are rare, and depending on how remote you plan to travel, an adapter may be hard to find. And if you're smart enough to inform yourself in advance, the information available can often be confusing or even misleading. Below, I want to list a few countries and explain generally which popular travel destinations require an adapter for their outlets so you can conveniently charge your phone etc. while on vacation!

You are already familiar with Type A outlets: This is the type of outlet commonly used in Germany and much of Europe. During your vacation in Greece, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Hungary, and during your vacation in Turkey, you will encounter outlets of this type. There are also countries where similar outlets exist where our plugs will likely fit in terms of shape and size, but the electricity coverage may not be guaranteed. This includes Italy, France, Monaco, Poland, Switzerland, and Spain. Here, it's worth getting more information in advance and perhaps erring on the side of caution by purchasing an adapter. In the countries of Great Britain, namely England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, as well as Northern Ireland and Malta, Type B outlets predominate, as you can also see in the gallery. For travel to these countries, you will definitely need an adapter, which you can also buy in any 'pound shop' in the UK for a low price.

Traveling to America is very popular. Conveniently, there is a great agreement on outlet types in the countries of North and South America. In Canada, the USA, and Mexico, you will find the two flat, parallel plugs (Type C) on the right, just like in the South American countries, for example, Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador.

The countries and islands around Australia are also united: In Australia itself, the Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa, you can find Type D outlets, as shown below. They consist of three flat slots arranged in a triangle, with the two upper ones leaning towards each other at the top corners, while the lower one is vertical.

Unfortunately, the countries of Africa are not so unified with respect to outlet types as they vary greatly and may even differ widely between neighboring countries. Additionally, there are multiple types of outlets that may be possible within African countries. It's possible to use your standard plugs in countries like Egypt, Somalia, Togo, and Tunisia. However, it can also happen that you can use your plugs in some European countries, but they do not receive complete electricity coverage. This may occur in countries like Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Morocco, and the Republic of the Congo. Often, it's best to research thoroughly beforehand about the outlet types at your destination. Countries like Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, the Seychelles, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sudan, and Uganda offer a variety of options.

The countries of Asia, unfortunately, resemble those of Africa in terms of outlet types: They are not uniform, and even within the same country, there can be many different types of outlets. In countries like Russia, Georgia, or Saudi Arabia, you usually do not need an adapter since the outlets typically resemble those in Germany. However, countries like Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam may each have many different outlet types. Although Type B outlets are common, there may also be variations depending on the locality. It is very advisable to find out in advance where you are going and what kind of adapter you will need at your destination.

In general, it is always wise to inform yourself in advance. Often, travel guides even indicate whether and what kind of adapter you will need. A detailed explanation can be found, for example, on sites like this. Particularly convenient are universal adapters. You can buy these for under $20 on Amazon that can be individually adjusted to the outlet type. Very practical! Finally, I have provided a summary of the most common outlet types: