HELP! Traveling to London and Paris, very confused over travel adaptors!

You will need two different adapters, one for the UK, one for Paris. You can buy them cheaply on this website, or at the travel/luggage section of any Walmart or Target if you want to avoid shipping charges.

I have a 5-in-1 adapter, bought from Target for around $35. It has plug-ins for every type of outlet in the world, be it Northern Europe, the Far East, or South Africa. Best travel purchase ever. If by any chance you do not have one, or it gets lost, the hotel you are staying at will often loan one to you, with a deposit. Happy travels!
Emily

Hi, This is the one we've used the last 2 trips. http://www.amazon.com/Insten-Universal-Travel-Charger-Adapter/dp/B001MGUB9Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1329871063&sr=1-2 There are a lot of similar products.

Lacey, As the others have mentioned, you will need two different styles of Plug Adapters for use in London and Paris. For use with ungrounded appliances in Paris (and the rest of the continent) This Adapter is the correct model. For use with ungrounded appliances in the U.K., This Adapter is the correct model. I'd suggest packing TWO of each type, as they're easy to misplace. If you're using grounded appliances, you'll have to purchase different models of Plug Adapters. One point to note is that if your iPhone is in "Airplane mode", you won't be able to use Wi-Fi. That effectively shuts off ALL wireless functions. Which cell network is your iPhone with? The Monster Power Bar that you mentioned should work on 220 VAC electrical systems, as AFAIK it doesn't contain any surge or RFI circuits. If you're connecting multiple devices at the same time, you'll have to ensure that you don't exceed 2.5-amps, which is the standard for many European outlets. You WILL NEED to check the Charger for your Camera to ensure that it's designed for operation on 220 VAC electrical systems. Look for the words "Input Voltage" on the Charger. One point of concern is your Flat Iron. Is it a dual-voltage appliance??? You'll also need to check that, as if you connect a 115 VAC appliance in Europe, you'll create a spectacular show of sparks and smoke, and the Hotel owner will NOT be pleased (I know that as I've seen it happen with others). It's not necessarily true that Hotels will only have one Plug. I've found this varies. One point to note is that Plugs in the U.K. are often controlled by a small Switch, so be sure to check that. Happy travels!

The big problem with flat iron, hair dryers, etc. is the wattage that they draw. Unless it is dual voltage leave it home and buy one when you get there. Even with a proper voltage converter - which are expensive and heavy - your flat iron will not perform as well and may be damaged in the long run.

Lacey, I understand your desire to get everything before you go. I do as well. But please don't worry overmuch about this one thing. You can find adapters all over the place in London and Paris. They get lots of visitors and make it easy for you to find ways to make your electric appliances work. In London, for example, all the Boots drug stores will have them. Trust me, you won't be stranded. You can also buy a cheap power strip at many places over there, too. I second Ken's concerns about the flat iron. I'm not sure what that will take to work. For your camera, phone, and iPad, get a multi-tap plug that works in the U.S. - one of the plastic ones available at Walmart, drug stores, etc. - and then you will only need one adapter to plug it in. It is smaller and lighter than a full-bore power strip and will work for the low power requirement of those devices.

Lacey, A few additional comments..... Some of the multi-tap Plugs will perform the same function as a Power Bar, however it's important to ensure that there's enough physical space to connect all Chargers to the plug. Even the smalll "Cube Charger" for my iPhone is large enough that it would prevent plugging in another Charger next to it. Regarding Flat Irons, I'd suggest checking the Manual that was provided with the model you're using. Some Flat Iron manufacturers specifically prohibit using their products with Voltage Converters! If you can't live without it for a few weeks, it would be MUCH better to simply buy a dual-voltage product. Cheers!

Thanks so much everyone! I'm going to try not to stress. I'm going to get a couple of the magellan adapters and worry about a power strip once we get there...if it will even be needed. The specs on my flat iron state "The GHD has a universal voltage feature that operates from 100V to 230V by sensing the voltage. This is a great feature for travelers."- this is a expensive flat iron so I'd hate for it to get ruined...I DO have to have it. I'm not super vain but if I don't straighten, it is bad news :) If I have to buy one once there will the one I get in London work in Paris as long as I have the Paris adapter? The input voltage on my camera charger states-100v-240v, so I belive I am good there. For my phone I have service through Verizon(so no unlocking and getting an international sim card). I have my travel books also on my nook app along with a few travel apps. I can use those while my phone is in airplane mode. The only time I will turn on my wifi is to skype or facetime back home- which according to verizon does not affect my data. I will have to make sure to turn off all my auto data options(email...ect) so no surprise bills. Thanks again!!

.....operates from 100V to 230V by sensing the voltage. ..... It is good to go.

Lacey, Unless you're going to get a GSM "loaner" phone from Verizon, you likely won't have to worry about "surprise bills", as CDMA phones won't work in Europe. Which model of iPhone do you have? Based on what you've posted, it sounds like the Flat Iron is designed for dual-voltage operation so you shouldn't have any problems.

Lacey - your iPhone will work with wifi in airplane mode - as long as you turn airplane mode on first, then turn on wifi. It works great for me and never had a data charge. the only challenge will be finding a strong reliable wifi signal to do facetime/skype - shouldn't be a problem though where you're traveling.

If you have a Bed, Bath & Beyond store near you, you can buy a set of Samsonite adaptors. The adaptors are labled for various countries in the world. Just make sure you check to see if the items you want to charge have three prongs or two prongs. Then you have to buy another type of plug. My husband also specifically bought a plug at the Apple store to recharge his IPOD and his IPAD. My Samsonite plug worked on my curling iron. The hotels supplied hair dryers. We used two parts of the Samsonite set for each country.