Traveling can be greatly impacted by your ability to pack. Even if you are going one state over, incorrectly packing can wind up being seriously detrimental to your trip. This becomes even more important when you travel abroad.
Travel adapters should be on the short list of important items to pack when you go abroad. There’s more to know about these valuable little accessories than you may have realised.
What is a Travel Adapter?
There is a simple explanation as to why travel adapters exist. Anywhere you go in the world, the plugs are going to be different depending where you are. There is a standard for plugs in North America but that changes when you go to certain parts of Europe, Asia, etc. But why is that important? Who cares what the plug looks like?
When you travel without an adapter, you won’t be able to charge your essential devices. That’s because the plugs on your chargers won’t be able to fit into those different configurations. Without travel adapters, you won’t have access to things like your phone, laptop, and any other essential electronic items that you brought with you. It can wind up being a serious nightmare.
Do I Really Need a Travel Adapter?
If you are leaving North America, you most certainly need a travel adapter. The vast majority of places you find abroad will have many different outlet configurations, making it virtually impossible for you to charge any of your essential devices. But don’t just get any old adapter.
If you can find a universal option, it will keep you covered in more areas of the world. It might not be that big of a deal if you go abroad once in a while but if you travel overseas regularly, you need the universal adapter to ensure that you can charge your electronic items no matter where you may be. It will become one of the most valuable accessories in your luggage before long.
Voltage Converters
Another major reason you need a travel adapter is because voltage can differ depending on where you are. In North America, the standard is 110-120 volts. But if you travel throughout Europe, New Zealand, or Australia, the common outlet will be between 220 and 240 volts.
Even if you have an adapter to fit the plug, it might not be equipped to handle the change in voltage. There are all-in-one units that will not only handle differences in plug type but will ensure that your devices aren’t fried by higher voltages. Far too many travelers have made this mistake and wound up not only being without their devices but destroying them entirely.
Where to Get Travel Adapters
The good news is that you don’t have to look very hard to find these travel adapters. In this day and age, you can find just about anything you need online and have it delivered right to your door. You can find several online travel shops that have a huge array of travel adapters to choose from so you can find different options as well as the aforementioned universal adapters.
If you prefer to find something more local, some major department stores and knick-knack shops carry them. You can typically check inventory online before heading to the store in person. Buying them in person gives you a chance to get a closer look, read the specs, and know specifically what you are buying. Sometimes you can order the wrong thing online and not realise it until the package arrives at your door and isn’t what you thought.
