What is a travel adapter and how does it work?

Travelling outside Europe, you often only find out at the last moment that your charger doesn't fit the socket. A travel adapter is then exactly what you need. But what is a travel adapter actually, how does it work and when do you really need one?

In this blog we explain it simply. That way you'll know exactly when a travel adapter is handy, what the difference is from a universal travel adapter and what to watch out for when choosing the right adapter for your destination.

What is a travel adapter?

A travel adapter is a device that lets you connect your device's plug to a foreign socket. The shape of sockets differs from country to country. What works in the Netherlands doesn't automatically fit in, for example, England, Japan, South Africa or the United States.

A travel adapter therefore mainly changes the shape of the connection. It makes sure your Dutch plug fits in a foreign socket.

That also immediately means something important: a travel adapter usually doesn't change the voltage of the power. We'll come back to that later.

If you're looking for a general solution for multiple destinations, you'll quickly arrive at a universal travel adapter.

How does a travel adapter work?

The operation is actually very simple. On one side of the travel adapter you plug in the plug of your charger, laptop or other device. On the other side is the plug that's suitable for the country you're travelling to.

You can see it as an intermediate piece between your device and the foreign socket. The travel adapter makes sure the pins and the shape of the plug match the local system.

If you go from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom, for example, you usually need an adapter for a British socket. If you travel to the US or Japan, you often need a different type again. That's why it's smart to check beforehand which plug type your destination uses.

What does a travel adapter do and not do?

A travel adapter does one thing very well: it makes a physical connection between your plug and a foreign socket.

What a travel adapter does do:

• make sure your plug fits in a different type of socket
• make it easier to use your phone, laptop or charger abroad
• prevent you from running out of power while travelling

What a travel adapter usually doesn't do:

• convert the mains voltage from 110V to 230V or vice versa
• protect your device if it's not suitable for a different voltage
• automatically support all plug types in the world, unless you use a universal model

That's why it's wise to look not only at the plug shape, but also at the voltage of your device.

When do you need a travel adapter?

You need a travel adapter as soon as your device's plug doesn't fit in the socket of the country you're going to. Within many European countries you can simply use your Dutch plug, but outside Europe that's often different.

Destinations where a travel adapter is often needed include:

• England and Ireland
• United States and Canada
• Japan
• Thailand
• Sri Lanka
• South Africa
• Australia
• India

For those kinds of destinations it's handy to check per country in advance which type of socket is used. On category pages per destination you can find that back much faster than when you still have to figure it out at the airport.

What does a travel adapter look like?

A travel adapter is usually compact and light in weight. Some models are very simple and meant for one specific country. Other versions are universal and have extendable plugs or multiple connection options.

There are roughly three kinds:

1. simple country-specific adapters
2. universal travel adapters for multiple countries
3. travel adapters with extra features such as USB or USB-C ports

A simple adapter is often small and handy if you only travel to one country. A universal model is practical if you travel more often or visit several countries.

Which travel adapter do I need?

That depends on two things: your destination and your device.

First look at the country you're going to. Every country uses one or more plug types. England, for example, usually uses type G, while the United States often uses type A and B. In other countries several types can occur side by side.

Then look at your device. For a phone charger or laptop adapter an ordinary travel adapter is often enough, as long as the charger is suitable for different voltages. With more powerful devices such as a hairdryer, straightener or other hot appliance you need to check extra carefully whether the voltage is compatible.

Whoever travels to multiple countries often chooses a universal solution from the universal travel adapter category. If you travel to one specific destination, a country- or type-specific adapter is often already enough.

Travel adapter or universal travel adapter: what's the difference?

A travel adapter is often used as a collective term, but in practice people sometimes mean a single adapter for one country and sometimes a universal adapter for multiple countries.

An ordinary travel adapter is usually suitable for one specific connection. A universal travel adapter is designed to work in multiple countries and often has different sliding or click systems.

If you want to know the difference exactly, also read the blog about the difference between a travel adapter and a universal travel adapter.

Do you also need a voltage converter?

This is a question many travellers forget to ask. A travel adapter adjusts the shape of the plug, but usually not the voltage. In the Netherlands we generally use 230V. In countries such as the United States or Japan that can be different.

Many modern chargers for phones, laptops, tablets and cameras can handle both 110V and 230V. That's usually stated on the adapter, for example as “100-240V”. In that case you only need a travel adapter.

If you use a device that's not suitable for that, a voltage converter may be needed. Especially with older or more powerful devices that's important to check.

Travel adapter with USB or USB-C: handy or not?

For many travellers a travel adapter with USB or USB-C is extra handy. You can then charge several devices at once without bringing separate plugs. Especially for phones, earbuds, smartwatches and power banks that's practical.

Still, it's smart not to look only at convenience. Also pay attention to:

• the maximum charging power
• how many ports you need
• whether you also want to use an ordinary mains connection
• whether your device supports fast charging

For a weekend trip a compact model is often enough. For longer trips or far-away destinations a universal travel adapter with multiple ports is often nicer.

What should you pay attention to when buying a travel adapter?

A good travel adapter isn't chosen on the basis of the country alone. Also pay attention to ease of use and safety.

Important points are:

• which country or countries the adapter is suitable for
• whether your device works on the local voltage
• whether you need an earthed connection
• whether you want extra USB or USB-C ports
• how compact the adapter is for your hand luggage

If you travel often, a universal model is usually the smartest choice. If you travel only once to a specific destination, a simple country adapter can be enough.

Common mistake: thinking every plug works everywhere

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a charger with a “loose cable” is automatically usable everywhere. That's not the case. Even if the charger itself is suitable for multiple voltages, the plug still has to fit in the socket.

That's why it's always smart to check before departure:

• which plug type your destination uses
• whether your device supports 100-240V
• whether you need a single travel adapter or a universal travel adapter

That way you avoid frustration at the airport, in the hotel or on the first day of your trip.

Conclusion: what is a travel adapter?

A travel adapter is a device that lets you use your Dutch plug in a foreign socket. It makes sure the shape of the plug fits, but usually doesn't convert the voltage. So how it works is actually very simple: it forms the link between your device and the socket at your destination.

If you go to one country, a specific adapter can be enough. If you travel more often or to multiple destinations, a universal travel adapter is often more practical.