Listen, I love an old building, but it can lose its charm quickly when that historic hotel or converted building doesn’t exactly have the right type of outlets in the right places. 

THIS is why I travel internationally with a multi-plug international power adapter/converter with a bit of a cord. 

I’ve been in rooms before that have one (yes. 1.)  power outlet. Rooms with outlets that are only along one (inconvenient) wall. And let’s not forget the room with an outlet that’s NEAR the bed, but not exactly BY the bed. (I need my bedside electronics.) 

Here’s a little tip… when you know you’ll be staying in historic boutique hotels, ancient bnb’s, or other quirky old spots, a multi-plug extension cord can be a lifesaver. Older places like these that may have had electricity added as a post-construction feature often have outlets in strange places like behind furniture or in vacant corners… and the quantity of outlets is also typically less than what we’re used to in newer hotels.

That said, I don’t recommend that you plug more than one powerful item (like a hairdryer or an electric shaver) into the same outlet. Save the multi-device plugs for smaller items like phones, watches and tablets. You don’t want to blow a fuse in your room or ruin your device!   (Also, make sure your converter/adapter can handle the power from your device! Many can’t handle powerful items like hairdryers, curling irons, and electric shavers. Check the manufacturer’s instructions.)

It’s also super important to check the outlet type and voltage requirements in the country you’re going to.  

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For Clarity: 

International Power Adapter: Simply allows a device from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country. (does NOT convert electricity) These are usually much smaller and lighter than a voltage converter. Good for use on the go.
*Useful for small items like phones and laptops. I like having one adapter that can be used in almost all countries to cut down on clutter at home and when visiting multiple countries in one trip.

Voltage Converter: Converts the voltage coming out of the wall to an appropriate level for your device. It’s unlikely that you’ll need this on its own unless you’re traveling with some heavy-duty equipment. An adapter/converter combo is your best bet for general international tourist travel.

Adapter/Converter: an all-in-one tool that allows a device from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country AND converts the voltage coming out of the wall to an appropriate level for your device. Good for larger devices like curling irons and electric toothbrushes, but still, it has its limits, so check your labels for compatibility with your device.

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I recommend bringing one multi-plug adapter/converter and at least one basic adapter when traveling abroad. 

I keep an adapter/converter in my hotel room for charging electronics in the evening or while I’m out and for using larger devices.

I keep an adapter in my day bag in case I need to charge my phone while I’m out and about. It’s also useful as an extra outlet for small electronics while I’m in my hotel room. 

*If you really need to save space in your day bag but want to bring a charger for your phone while you’re out, try a single-country adapter.  It’ll only adapt one small device for the country you’re in, but it can be a better bet than a multi-country adapter in a smaller day bag.

HARD-EARNED HOT (mess) TIP: Put a multi-country power adapter in your carry-on!

I learned this one the hard way. Of course. 

In the event of sudden bad weather or an emergency, you may find yourself on the ground in a country you didn’t expect to land in. (Ask me later about how a massive sudden snowstorm turned what should have been a simple flight to Moscow with one short layover into a 3-country, 2-day flight cancelation nightmare with only my carryon. Hey, we learned things!)

Having a multi-country power adapter in your carry-on ensures that you’ll have access to power for your devices wherever you may unexpectedly find yourself stuck. 

I also recommend bringing an external battery pack (this is the one I use) for places like crowded airports and taxi lines or when you just can’t get to an outlet. (Remember to pack your cord) You’re welcome.

(PS- check out this post on all things international voltage for a good breakdown on how to figure out what tools you’ll need to keep your electronics and devices working around the world.)

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