I have multiple devices which may be charged by plugging into a computer's USB port, but I won't be taking such with me to Italy next month. I am looking for an adapter which will plug into common wall outlets in Italy and charge a USB device. Problem is, according to my research, there are at least 3 wall outlet standards 2-prong plus 2 3-prong standards. And it is unclear whether or not the 2-prong Euro standard will plug into whatever I might find staying mainly in B&B's and farmhouse rentals, so maybe old. I have found a couple of "world travel adapters" with USB chargers (Skross, TripShell) available at Amazon, but neither mentions Italy. One says good for "Hong Kong, Europe, China, US", the other "US, UK, EU, AU". Will these work in Italy? Suggestions for something that will work in Italy? Thanks. Bruce
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
Should be since Italy is a part of Europe. Great Britain is different.
Posted by
OP
Corrales, NM, United States
8 posts
Italy is NOT identical to the rest of Europe, at least not according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets#Italy_CEI_23-16.2FVII . Among other things, I read some forum post that talked about the difficulty of plugging 2-prong Euro-plugs into some Italian outlets. If it was as simple as "Italy is part of Europe", I wouldn't be posting.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
We have been all over Europe for the past 18 years and I have never run into any problems with the standard, two prong adapter. Worked as well in Germany as in Italy as in Spain. But that is only my experience.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5516 posts
The pins in southern Europe are slightly narrower in diameter than the pins in northern Europe. I found this out the first time when I took a hairdryer purchased in Sweden to Italy. The pins were too fat to fit in the plug. The European adapters with the thinner pins will work both in Northern and Southern Europe. The reverse is not true. Usually, if you buy a kit which includes just one two-prong European adapter, it will work throughout Europe.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Ron in Rome to the rescue here: Power in Italy It's not as simple as you might think. We stayed in an apartment in Rome last year that had three different types of outlets. There are C plugs, F plugs and L plugs. See Ron's posting, complete with pictures to help decipher this.
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
I bought one at Fry's (do they have those stores in your area?) It works great all over Europe, cost about $5. I just plug it into a european plug adapter (that was $2) at REI ......and I'm able to charge all my devices. Best of luck. I did not need a converter, because the USB to electrical I bought a Fry's
was both 120/220.
Posted by
Winona, MS, USA
6 posts
I just got back from traveling all over Italy. We bought an adapter from walmart and it worked perfectly with items that only needed to be charged by USB. We did manage to set it on fire before the trip with a straightening iron, lesson learned. You can also find these adapters at the airport when you arrive in Rome. I did not see these until we were leaving Rome :(
Posted by
OP
Corrales, NM, United States
8 posts
Great answer, Michael thanks! I reviewed Ron's Power in Italy page, and it is compatible with what I found on Wikipedia, but more informative. It seems that the C and F plugs are more or less compatible, and compatible with the rest of Europe, but the two incompatible styles of L plugs are different from the rest of Europe. This leaves the main question: which of these various plug styles will I most likely find in hotels, B&B's and farmhouse accommodations in Italy? Can I count on having at least one C/F plug, or at least most of the time? Thanks.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32205 posts
Bruce, What type of "multiple devices" are you planning to charge while in Italy? This Charger is one option for a compact travel product. You'd need to pack along compatible Plug Adapters such as This Model. It would be a good idea to pack along at least two of these, as they're easy to "misplace". I've used this Adapter numerous times in Italy without any problems. The easiest and most effective solution for charging multiiple devices is This Product, which I've been using for several years. This would also require a Plug Adapter, and you'd have to purchase specific cords for each of your devices. Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Corrales, NM, United States
8 posts
Ken, We plan to have a couple of iPods, a Garmin GPS, and a Samsung Galaxy tablet. Not positive yet about the Samsung, but the others will charge off of any 5V USB port. We will really be relying on the Garmin and tablet, so I want to make sure I'm not depending on the "computer in the lobby" to get them charged. The combo of the 2 items you linked should work, if (and only if) the adaptor plug is compatible with whatever outlets we encounter. Hence my main question about what type of outlets are the most common in Italy. Thanks for the links. Bruce
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5516 posts
I've always been able to get by in Italy with just a "C" type plug adapter. It will work in either of the other two types of outlets.
Posted by
OP
Corrales, NM, United States
8 posts
It sounds like, from everyone's experience, if I get a solution (Italian USB charger, or dual-voltage charger plus type C adapter) that includes a type C plug, compatible with most or Europe, that almost anywhere we stay in Italy will have either a C or F outlet to meet our needs. Does anyone have any experience to contradict that statement? Thanks, everyone, for sharing your knowledge and experience.