Travel adapter and power sockets by country
Most of Europe uses plug types C and F with 230 volts. Elsewhere you may need a travel adapter, but you usually do not need a voltage converter.
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Plug types A to O in brief
There are 15 plug types, named with the letters A to O. These are the most common ones you will meet when travelling.
- A: two flat pins. Used in the United States, Canada and Japan.
- B: like A, but with an extra earth pin. United States, Canada, Mexico.
- C: two round pins, the European two-pin plug. Used across much of Europe.
- D: three large round pins. India and Nepal.
- E: a French type where the socket pin fits into a hole in the plug. France, Belgium, Poland, Czechia.
- F: Schuko, with earthing clips at the sides. Used in Germany and many other European countries.
- G: three rectangular pins. United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
- H: Israel's own type.
- I: two angled pins. Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.
- J: Switzerland's type. K: Denmark's type. L: Italy's type.
- M: a large three-pin type used in South Africa. N: Brazil's type. O: Thailand's newer type.
Power sockets and voltage by destination
| Country | Plug types | Voltage | Adapter needed (with a European C/F plug) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | C, I | 220 V | Often yes |
| Australia | I | 230 V | Yes |
| Austria | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Belgium | C, E | 230 V | Usually not |
| Brazil | C, N | 127 V or 220 V | Usually not |
| Bulgaria | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Cambodia | A, C, G | 230 V | Often not |
| Canada | A, B | 120 V | Yes |
| Chile | C, L | 220 V | Usually not |
| China | A, C, I | 220 V | Often yes |
| Colombia | A, B | 110 V | Yes |
| Croatia | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Cuba | A, B, C, L | 110 V or 220 V | Often yes |
| Cyprus | G | 230 V | Yes |
| Czechia | C, E | 230 V | Usually not |
| Denmark | C, E, F, K | 230 V | Usually not |
| Egypt | C, F | 220 V | No |
| Estonia | C, F | 230 V | No |
| France | C, E | 230 V | Usually not |
| Germany | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Greece | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Hong Kong | G | 220 V | Yes |
| Hungary | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Iceland | C, F | 230 V | No |
| India | C, D, M | 230 V | Often yes |
| Indonesia | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Ireland | G | 230 V | Yes |
| Israel | C, H | 230 V | Often not |
| Italy | C, F, L | 230 V | Usually not |
| Japan | A, B | 100 V | Yes |
| Kenya | G | 240 V | Yes |
| Latvia | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Lithuania | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Malaysia | G | 240 V | Yes |
| Maldives | G, D, J, K, L | 230 V | Often yes |
| Malta | G | 230 V | Yes |
| Mexico | A, B | 127 V | Yes |
| Morocco | C, E | 220 V | Usually not |
| Netherlands | C, F | 230 V | Usually not |
| New Zealand | I | 230 V | Yes |
| Norway | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Philippines | A, B, C | 220 V | Often yes |
| Poland | C, E | 230 V | Usually not |
| Portugal | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Romania | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Singapore | G | 230 V | Yes |
| South Africa | C, M, N | 230 V | Often yes |
| South Korea | C, F | 220 V | No |
| Spain | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Sri Lanka | D, G, M | 230 V | Yes |
| Sweden | C, F | 230 V | No |
| Switzerland | C, J | 230 V | Often not, but type F does not fit |
| Taiwan | A, B | 110 V | Yes |
| Thailand | A, B, C, F, O | 230 V | Often not |
| Tunisia | C, E | 230 V | Usually not |
| Turkey | C, F | 230 V | No |
| United Arab Emirates | G, C, D | 230 V | Yes |
| United Kingdom | G | 230 V | Yes |
| United States | A, B | 120 V | Yes |
| Vietnam | A, C, F | 220 V | Often not |
Do you need a voltage converter?
Usually not. Most phone, tablet and laptop chargers work on 100 to 240 volts. You can read this on the charger's rating label next to Input. In that case a plain travel adapter is enough.
In the United States and Canada the voltage is about 120 V and in Japan 100 V. Still, always check your device. A hair dryer or hair straightener, for example, may be made for 230 volts only, and it can be damaged by a lower or higher voltage. The details in the table are indicative, because sockets vary within a country and between hotels.
Travel chargers and power banks on planes
The rules vary by airline, so check them before you travel.
- A power bank always goes in your carry-on baggage. It must not be packed in checked luggage.
- The general limit is 100 Wh per battery. Batteries below that are usually accepted without special permission, and you can take up to two power banks.
- A battery of 100 to 160 Wh usually needs the airline's permission. Batteries over 160 Wh are not allowed.
- You can work out watt-hours with the formula mAh x 3.7 / 1000. For example, a 20,000 mAh battery is about 74 Wh.
- Protect the power bank's connectors and keep it within reach, for example in the seat pocket, not in the overhead locker. Many airlines restrict using a power bank on board, so check your own airline's rules. Charge your devices before the flight.
Packed your adapter? What about internet?
Choose a destination and see the eSIM plans.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need an adapter for Italy?
Usually not if you have a European plug. Italy uses types C, F and L, and a European C/F plug fits most sockets. Some older sockets may still need an adapter.
Do I need an adapter for the United Kingdom?
Yes, unless your plug is already type G. The UK uses type G, and a European C/F plug does not fit.
Do I need an adapter in Thailand?
Often not. Thailand has many kinds of sockets, and many also accept a European plug. Take a universal adapter with you anyway, to be safe.
Will my charger work in the United States and Japan?
Yes, if the charger says 100-240 V. You then only need an adapter, not a converter.
Can I take a power bank on a plane?
Yes, but only in carry-on baggage. The general limit is 100 Wh, 100 to 160 Wh needs the airline's permission, and many airlines allow up to two power banks. Many airlines do not allow you to use or charge a power bank on board.