This is probably a silly question, but are batteries from the U.S. and Spain the same (specifically rechargeable ones?) I don't know if I should bring my own rechargeable batteries from home or if i should wait to buy them when i arrive in Spain? I need them for my camera. I usually use energizer batteries if that matters at all. Also, are they easy to find in stores like here in the U.S.? I heard that stores in Europe are more specific to what they sell as opposed to stores like Walmart or HEB in the U.S. that seem to carry almost anything. Thank you!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19268 posts
For a lot of reasons, I always bring my netbook with me. I also bring along a very small charger that uses the USB port on my netbook and charges AA and AAA batteries (I found it on Ebay). I charge my camera batteries at night while I'm doing my expenses, updating my websites, etc. Beware, a lot of AA/AAA battery charges I've seen sold today in this country do not work on 230V!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
They're the same, but probably will cost more, especially if they're imported. If they're rechargeable, why wouldn't you just bring them along with the charger and the camera? Shopping for non-essentials burns time.
Posted by
OP
New Braunfels, TX, United States
10 posts
If i did bring the charger with me would it work with just a simple adapter to plug it in?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Probably. Look and see if it's dual voltage. Most newer ones are.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
If your camera uses regular batteries, you could just bring a package of lithium (nonrechargable) batteries instead. I take a lot of pictures, and a pair of lithiums lasted me almost a week on my most recent trip. Batteries can be easily purchased at any convenience store, grocery store, etc. in Spain, just like here. But if you really want to lug a charger, extra batteries, etc., along with you, I would purchase them here.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19268 posts
I would agree that you can purchase replacement batteries over there, but you should make sure you know the correct pronunciation of the word in Spanish. The battery on my travel clock ran out in a small town in Germany years ago, and I found that "battery" wasn't in the vocabulary of semi-bilingual shop clerks. Even though the word is spelled almost exactly like English, you can't pronounce it in English and have them recognize it.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32345 posts
Keilah, Yes, rechargeable batteries in Spain will be the same as the U.S. However as the others have mentioned they'll likely be more expensive, and you'll also be paying VAT of ~20%. You could probably find them at larger stores such as El Cortes Inglese which are all over Spain as they have larger camera and electronic departments. If you'll be in Barcelona, there's an El Cortes Inglese right at Plaça Catalunya (Cameras are up on the third floor as I recall). The easiest solution would be to simply bring your own rechargeable batteries, but you'll need to check the spec's on your Charger, looking for the words "Input Voltage". If this states "100-240 VAC" then you'll only need to pack inexpensive Plug Adaptors (the Europe style has two round pins). If the Input Voltage states "115 VAC, 60 Hz", then I'd suggest picking up a dual-voltage Charger at Radio Shack, Best Buy or other large store. What type of Camera are you using? Energizer (alkaline?) batteries are not the best power source for digital cameras as their discharge curve is different than with rechargeable batteries. This often causes them to indicate "low battery" even if there's lots of power left in the battery. Happy travels!