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Questions - Voltage converter, South Coast, buses

Posted by on

I'm leaving in a week - almost ready.

I'll be at a retreat in Myvatn for a week. We'll have some free time and I'm not sure I want the expense of renting a car for limited use. Are there any buses or other type of transpo available in the area. I would love to spend some time in Akureyri.

Do I need a voltage converter? I'll have cell phone, camera and laptop. Are most electronics now made with internal converters? I'll keep researching but figured I'd ask.

I'm staying an extra few days in Reykjavik and doing the tour thing. I'd like to do the South Coast (depending on the weather) and have found a number of tours being offered. I'm primarily interested in photography so if anyone can suggest/recommend one tour group over another I'd appreciate it.

I've been watching the weather over there and temps seem relatively mild - although everything I've read says the wind and rain is what gets you. I'll gladly bring a heavy-ish coat but hate to be stuck with it if still pretty mild. I'd rather bring lighter layers.

Thanks!

Posted by
3398 posts

As long as the tech you listed is fairly new, it will already be dual voltage ready. You must likely just need an adapter but check the label - it will indicate the voltage somewhere on the plug.
Bring layers and a good coat that can handle icy cold wind...even if temps are relatively mild the wind can cut through the best of winter clothing. Be prepared so you aren't miserable!

Posted by
2 posts

My trip was more than I could have imagined. A week in Myvatn with day trips to surrounding towns. Stayed at Hotel Sel - clean, friendly and helpful staff, excellent food. I had the added benefit of my room facing the lake. I didn't need to rent a car as others in the group did and were glad to share rides.

Very glad I brought my down coat. We had blue skies for the most part - occasional intermittent rain/snow/hail but everyone is right when they say it's about the wind. The sheep don't mind but I came close to being blown off the hills around the lake.

I had a couple of adapters when I left but picked up another at the airport in Keflavik and that ended up being the most useful one for my laptop. A small one with USB ports was perfect for my camera and phone.

Spent my last 3 days in Reykjavik at CenterHotel Plaza. Staff was professional and courteous. The room was sufficient and clean. Loved the city and did a lot of walking around.

Using a credit card for everything made it simple and I'm still getting used to using cash now that I'm home.

Never made it to the South Coast nor did I catch any Northern Lights. Hopefully next time. I did use Rick's Guide Book and was glad to have had it with me. It was my go to whenever I had questions or wondered where something was.

Posted by
3522 posts

Thanks for reporting back. Glad you had such a great trip.

Posted by
19282 posts

A device that is dual-voltage has a switch to change it between a range of 220V to 240V and a range of 110V to 120V (2 to 1). This is accomplished by putting the elements of the device in series or in parallel. Devices like this are generally heating devices, like hair dryers, flat irons, etc. They accept only one of two (dual) voltage ranges. If you tried to input 180V (I don't think anyone uses 180V), it would either burn up or not heat up.

Most electronic devices, like USB phone chargers or camera chargers, are multi-voltage, that is, they accept anything within a range of 100V to 240V and probably well outside that range.

For the most part, you want a multi-voltage device, not a dual-voltage device.

But, regardless, you will need a plug adapter to use the receptacles of that country.

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