May be an odd question but are U.S. car phone chargers compatible with Irish car hires? The type that plug into the lighter or USB port? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Yes, car "cigarette lighter" sockets are the same worldwide. The chargers are also cheap (click here for an example).
As are USB connectors. If (big if) the car has a USB socket it will be the same.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2645 posts
USB ports are the same everywhere. I don't rent cars in Europe, so don't know if they have cigarette lighters.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
Every car I've rented in the past 10 years -- all across the world -- has had either a "cigarette lighter"-style round power plug, or a USB charging plug (or both). Your car charger will work fine in the former, and if there is no round plug just connect via cable to the latter.
Posted by
Rocky Mount, VA
286 posts
Do make sure that the car charger is working before you drive off. I did manage to rent a car with a non-working charger which I didn't discover until hours later when my phone suddenly cut off after a day of Google Maps use. I was able to use a paper map to drive the last hour to my Kilkenny B&B for the evening.
Posted by
OP
USA
10 posts
Thank you all! I appreciate your responses and advise.
Posted by
9 posts
I am following this question also. So, Chris F. , do you advise to bring along a round, "cigarette" type charger? I only have a USB at this point.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Yet another reason to carry an exterior battery/power brick that you can charge in your hotel room at night for emergency use.