International travel plug adapter guide: which plug to use on a trip?

Don't let incompatible outlets derail your travel plans! Stay powered-up with everything you need to know about travel plug adapters for your next adventure.

With so many international travel plug adapters and different outlets around the world, it’s easy to feel unsure of what to pack. But fear not: by following this handy international adapter guide, your devices will stay charged, ensuring you're ready for every adventure.

Understanding plug types: A global overview

Deciphering the alphabet soup of power outlets

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) categorises plug types by letter, making it easy to identify the right travel plug adapters wherever you go.

Type A & B plug: Used in North America, Central America, and parts of South America and Asia.

Type C plug: The standard plug in most European countries.

Type G plug: Found in the UK, Ireland, and some former British colonies.

Type I plug: Used in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia.

Everything you need to know about your international travel plug adapter

One adapter, multiple destinations

Traveling within certain regions often means you only need to pack a single travel plug adapter, saving you much-needed luggage space.

For example, Type C plugs cover most of Europe, making it a great choice for a European travel plug adapter when travelling across the continent. Similarly, Type A and B plugs work interchangeably within North America and parts of South America. Before setting off on holiday, be sure to research which travel plug adapter you might need for your specific destination.

You may also need a voltage converter to safely charge your device. That’s because voltages vary in different destinations, which could damage your phone or laptop when plugged in. In most cases, international travel plug adapters are capable of handling voltages between 100v and 240v, but always check the adapter itself before plugging in.

For more information on the different plug adapters, check out the table below:

Type	Description
A	Two flat, parallel pins.
B	Two flat, parallel pins with a round grounding pin.
C	Two round pins.
D	Three large round pins in a triangular arrangement.
E	Two round pins and a female grounding hole.
F	Two round pins with two grounding clips on the side.
G	Three rectangular pins in a triangular arrangement.
H	Three flat pins in a triangular arrangement.
I	Two flat pins in a V-shape with a grounding pin.
J	Three round pins in a triangular arrangement with a grounding pin.
K	Three round pins in a triangular arrangement.
L	Three round pins in a horizontal line.
M	Three large round pins in a triangular arrangement, similar to D but larger.
N	Two round pins and a grounding pin, similar to C but with different pin spacing.
O	Two round side-by-side pins with a grounding pin (Thailand).

International travel plug adapter reference guide

Match your destination to the right plug type

Traveling around the world is always an exciting adventure, but navigating different electrical outlets can be a frustrating hurdle. To ensure your devices stay powered up, it's crucial to understand the various plug types used around the world.

Fortunately, some regions share common plug types, making your packing a bit easier. For example, if you're exploring Europe, you'll likely only need a Type C travel plug adapter as most countries utilise this standard. Similarly, travellers to the US and Canada can rely on Type A and B travel plug adapters.

However, Asia presents a more diverse electrical landscape. Countries in this region use a wider variety of plug types, from the familiar Type C plugs to the less common Type G plugs. This means careful research is essential before your Asian adventure to ensure you have the correct travel plug adapters for each destination.

Research your destination: Before you travel, identify the plug type(s) used in your destination country or region.
Consider versatility: Opt for a universal travel plug adapter that works in multiple countries, especially if you travel frequently.
Check voltage compatibility: Ensure your devices are compatible with the voltage of your destination. Some travel plug adapters include voltage converters, while others don't.

Country / Region	Adapter plug type in country / region	Voltage in country / region
Abu Dhabi	G	230 V
Afghanistan	C, F	220 V
Albania	C, F	230 V
Algeria	C, F	230 V
American Samoa	A, B, F, I	120 V
Andorra	C, F	230 V
Angola	C	220 V
Anguilla	A, B	110 V
Antigua and Barbuda	A, B	230 V
Argentina	C, I	220 V
Armenia	C, F	230 V
Aruba	A, B, F	120 V
Australia	I	230 V
Austria	C, F	230 V
Azerbaijan	C, F	220 V
Azores	B, C, F	230 V
Bahamas	A, B	120 V
Bahrain	G	230 V
Balearic Islands	C, F	230 V
Bangladesh	A, C, D, G, K	220 V
Barbados	A, B	115 V
Belarus	C, F	220 V
Belgium	C, E	230 V
Belize	A, B, G	110 V / 220 V
Benin	C, E	220 V
Bermuda	A, B	120 V
Bhutan	C, D, G	230 V
Bolivia	A, C	230 V
Bonaire	A, C	127 V
Bosnia and Herzegovina	C, F	230 V
Botswana	D, G	230 V
Brazil	C, N	127 V / 220 V
British Virgin Islands	A, B	110 V
Brunei	G	240 V
Bulgaria	C, F	230 V
Burkina Faso	C, E	220 V
Burma/Myanmar	A, C, D, G, I	230 V
Burundi	C, E	220 V
Cambodia	A, C, G	230 V
Cameroon	C, E	220 V
Canada	A, B	120 V
Canary Islands	C, E, F	230 V
Cape Verde	C, F	230 V
Cayman Islands	A, B	120 V
Central African Republic	C, E	220 V
Chad	C, D, E, F	220 V
Channel Islands	C, G	230 V
Chile	C, L	220 V
China	A, C, I	220 V
Christmas Island	I	230 V
Cocos Islands	I	230 V
Colombia	A, B	110 V
Comoros	C, E	220 V
Congo, Democratic Republic	C, D, E	220 V
Congo	C, E	230 V
Cook Islands	I	240 V
Costa Rica	A, B	120 V
Ivory Coast	C, E	220 V
Croatia	C, F	230 V
Cuba	A, B, C, L	110 V / 220 V
Curaçao	A, B	127 V
Cyprus	G	230 V
Cyprus, North	G	230 V
Czech Republic	C, E	230 V
Denmark	C, E, F, K	230 V
Djibouti	C, E	220 V
Dominica	D, G	230 V
Dominican Republic	A, B	120 V
Dubai	G	230 V
East Timor	C, E, F, I	220 V
Ecuador	A, B	120 V
Egypt	C, F	220 V
El Salvador	A, B	120 V
Equatorial Guinea	C, E	220 V
Eritrea	C, L	230 V
Estonia	C, F	230 V
Ethiopia	C, F	220 V
Faroe Islands	C, E, F, K	230 V
Falkland Islands	G	240 V
Fiji	I	240 V
Finland	C, F	230 V
France	C, E	230 V
French Guiana	C, D, E	220 V
Gabon	C	220 V
Gambia	G	230 V
Georgia	C, F	220 V
Germany	C, F	230 V
Ghana	D, G	230 V
Gibraltar	G	230 V
Great Britain	G	230 V
Greece	C, F	230 V
Greenland	C, E, F, K	230 V
Grenada	G	230 V
Guadeloupe	C, E	230 V
Guam	A, B	110 V
Guatemala	A, B	120 V
Guinea	C, F, K	220 V
Guinea-Bissau	C	220 V
Guyana	A, B, D, G	120 V / 240 V
Haiti	A, B	110 V
Honduras	A, B	120 V
Hong Kong	G	220 V
Hungary	C, F	230 V
Iceland	C, F	230 V
India	C, D, M	230 V
Indonesia	C, F	230 V
Iran	C, F	230 V
Iraq	C, D, G	230 V
Ireland	G	230 V
Isle of Man	C, G	230 V
Israel	C, H	230 V
Italy	C, F, L	230 V
Jamaica	A, B	110 V
Japan	A, B	100 V
Jordan	C, D, F, G, J	230 V
Kazakhstan	C, F	220 V
Kenya	G	240 V
Kiribati	I	240 V
Korea, North	C	220 V
Korea, South	C, F	220 V
Kosovo	C, F	230 V
Kuwait	G	240 V
Kyrgyzstan	C, F	220 V
Laos	A, B, C, E, F	230 V
Latvia	C, F	230 V
Lebanon	C, D, G	230 V
Lesotho	M	220 V
Liberia	A, B	120 V
Libya	C, L	230 V
Liechtenstein	C, J	230 V
Lithuania	C, F	230 V
Luxembourg	C, F	230 V
Macau	G	220 V
Macedonia	C, F	230 V
Madagascar	C, E	220 V
Madeira	C, F	230 V
Malawi	G	230 V
Malaysia	G	240 V
Maldives	C, D, G, J, K, L	230 V
Mali	C, E	220 V
Malta	G	230 V
Marshall Islands	A, B	120 V
Martinique	C, D, E	220 V
Mauritania	C	220 V
Mauritius	C, G	230 V
Mayotte	C, E	230 V
Mexico	A, B	127 V
Micronesia	A, B	120 V
Moldova	C, F	230 V
Monaco	C, E, F	230 V
Mongolia	C, E	230 V
Montenegro	C, F	230 V
Montserrat	A, B	230 V
Morocco	C, E	220 V
Mozambique	C, F, M	220 V
Namibia	D, M	220 V
Nauru	I	240 V
Nepal	C, D, M	230 V
Netherlands	C, F	230 V
New Caledonia	C, F	220 V
New Zealand	I	230 V
Nicaragua	A	120 V
Niger	C, D, E, F	220 V
Nigeria	D, G	230 V
Niue	I	230 V
Norfolk Island	I	230 V
North Cyprus	G	230 V
Northern Ireland	G	230 V
Norway	C, F	230 V
Oman	G	240 V
Pakistan	C, D	230 V
Palau	A, B	120 V
Palestine	C, H	230 V
Panama	A, B	120 V
Papua New Guinea	I	240 V
Paraguay	C	220 V
Peru	A, C	220 V
Philippines	A, B, C	220 V
Pitcairn Islands	I	230 V
Poland	C, E	230 V
Portugal	C, F	230 V
Puerto Rico	A, B	120 V
Qatar	G	240 V
Réunion	C, E	230 V
Romania	C, F	230 V
Russia	C, F	220 V
Rwanda	C, J	230 V
Saint Barthélemy	C, E	230 V
Saint Kitts and Nevis	D, G	230 V
Saint Lucia	G	230 V
Saint Martin	C, E	220 V
Saint Helena	G	230 V
Sint Eustatius	A, B, C, F	110 V / 220 V
Sint Maarten	A, B	110 V
Saint Vincent & Grenadines	A, B, G	110 V / 230 V
Samoa	I	230 V
San Marino	C, F, L	230 V
São Tomé & Príncipe	C, F	230 V
Saudi Arabia	G	230 V
Scotland	G	230 V
Senegal	C, D, E, K	230 V
Serbia	C, F	230 V
Seychelles	G	240 V
Sierra Leone	D, G	230 V
Singapore	G	230 V
Slovakia	C, E	230 V
Slovenia	C, F	230 V
Solomon Islands	G, I	230 V
Somalia	C	220 V
Somaliland	C	220 V
South Africa	C, D, M, N	230 V
South Korea	C, F	220 V
South Sudan	C, D	230 V
Spain	C, F	230 V
Sri Lanka	D, G	230 V
Sudan	C, D	230 V
Suriname	A, B, C, F	127 V / 230 V
Swaziland	M	230 V
Sweden	C, F	230 V
Switzerland	C, J	230 V
Syria	C, E, L	220 V
Tahiti	C, E	220 V
Taiwan	A, B	110 V
Tajikistan	C, F	220 V
Tanzania	D, G	230 V
Thailand	A, B, C, O	230 V
Togo	C	220 V
Tokelau	I	230 V
Tonga	I	240 V
Trinidad & Tobago	A, B	115 V
Tunisia	C, E	230 V
Turkey	C, F	230 V
Turkmenistan	C, F	220 V
Turks & Caicos Islands	A, B	120 V
Tuvalu	I	230 V
Uganda	G	240 V
Ukraine	C, F	230 V
United Arab Emirates	G	230 V
United Kingdom	G	230 V
United States of America	A, B	120 V
United States Virgin Islands	A, B	110 V
Uruguay	C, F, L	220 V
Uzbekistan	C, F	220 V
Vanuatu	I	230 V
Vatican City	C, F, L	230 V
Venezuela	A, B	120 V
Vietnam	A, C, D	220 V
Virgin Islands, British	A, B	110 V
Virgin Islands, United States	A, B	110 V
Wales	G	230 V
Yemen	A, D, G	230 V
Zambia	C, D, G	230 V
Zimbabwe	D, G	240 V

Travel plug adapter FAQs

1. What travel plug adapter do I need for Europe?

Most European countries use the Type C plug. However, the UK, Ireland, and some former British colonies use Type G plug.

2. What travel plug adapter do I need for Asia?

While common plug types include Type A, C, and G, there are unique variations of plugs across Asia. Research your specific destinations to determine which international travel plug is best.

3. Can I use a single adapter for multiple countries?

Yes, if you're traveling within regions that share plug types (e.g., Europe with Type C). Universal adapters also offer multi-region compatibility.

4. What is the difference between a travel plug adapter and a voltage converter?

Plug adapters change the physical shape of your plug to fit different outlets. Voltage converters adjust the electrical current to match your device's requirements. Check your device's voltage compatibility before travelling.

5. Where can I buy reliable travel plug adapters?

Purchase adapters from reputable electronics stores, travel retailers, or online marketplaces.

6. Are there any safety precautions I should take when using travel adapters?

Always use high-quality adapters, avoid overloading outlets, and be mindful of voltage compatibility to prevent electrical hazards.

To ensure a seamless travel experience, remember to research the specific plug types used in your destination and purchase the necessary adapters well in advance. With the right preparation, you can confidently navigate the world's electrical outlets and stay connected throughout your adventures!

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