Garmisch-Partenkirchen Travel Forum

Back again with another question, you were all very helpful with great answers to my first question. We're leaving on May 10th for 10 days in Germany and are staying at the Edelweiss Lodge near Garmisch. Will I need to buy power adapters for my small electrical devices like electric razors and curling irons? If we need them can anyone give me an idea of the best type to get and an idea of how many I may need (I can't imagine having more than 2 or 3 things going at any one time). Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

You will indeed need power plug adaptors. And I highly recommend you already get them in the US. Once I forgot my adapters in NZ and it took me ages to find one in Germany. Or don't you have a world adapter plug with multiple plug types from other trips?

German sockets have two round holes, you need a plug which looks like the top one in the following photo list:

http://www.amazon.de/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=adapter+usa-deutschland&tag=googhydr08-21&index=aps&hvadid=1182514421&ref=pd_sl_6wvm2q2at7_b

To charge several appliances at a time I would buy a multi-plug in Germany which you could plug into your adapter plug...

Yes, you will (we from the UK must as well).

Rather than a multi-adaptor I suggest you buy two adaptor plugs. There should be at least two sockets available, and it really is best not to overload any socket when you are not 100% certain of supply/wiring etc; you don't want to blow your curling tongs.

Adaptor plugs (which fit onto the existing plugs) are easily available at European airports, and at electrical suppliers. There is no 'best type', as far as I know: they are simple enough things. I got the cheapest, from my supermarket, and they've served me well (phone, camera) for several years).

However, do check that your equipment will work with a different voltage, regardless of plug. I'm a bit vague here, but I know that not all does so. There should be a label on it somewhere to tell you, or check with an electrical supplier. Razors/phones/cameras are fine, but things which take a lot of power e.g. curling tongs are not necessarily the same.

Yes, good advice with the voltage. I once had taken my hairdryer into the US and changed it to 110 V, took it back to Germany, did not think of changing it back to 220 V, and blew it up! Stink - stink - gone.

Most razors are made for being used from 110 to 220 V, they are the least problem. Using a multi-plug for two or more items is not a problem in Germany. Everybody has multiplugs under the desk for all computer accessories, and near the TV/DVD player/video recorder/CD player etc.

Usefull website to check power points and local voltage is http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm

Using multi-plugs in the UK is common too. We call them adaptors, which isn't really helpful!

But if one's equipment isn't very happy with the voltage anyway.........!

Germany (and the rest of Europe) is using 230 V 50 Hz
the US are using 110 V 60 Hz

1. devices which can cope with the whole range
e.g. power units of notebooks, mobile phones etc.
Typically devices with low voltage DC output.
Here you can find on the power units something like
INPUT: 100-240 V 50-60 Hz
That's fine. You just will need an adapter plug.

2. devices which can be manually switched between the two systems.
I've e.g. an electric razor and a travel curling iron where this is possible.
Again you need just an adapter plug.
Don't forget to switch the device before you use it the first time.
If the switch is on 110 V and you use it with 230 V this will be the sudden death of this device. In the other direction the device won't work properly, but you have at least a second chance.

3. devices which only run under 110 V
For them you need a power converter (plus adapter plug) to work.
Power converters are rather heavy. Better not to bring such devices. Either buy cheap local ones or invest in a "travel" device with the features or 1. or 2.
Esp. devices with some power not made for traveling fall into this category. E.g. hair dryers, curling irons etc.

4. devices which need also the 60 Hz
Work only with expensive power converters which also convert the frequency. Such devices are however not be found in the luggage of a normal tourist. Only if you move your household. But also here: not the best idea to bring such devices at all.

Better to buy the adapter plug in the US. As the C,E,F plug family is the most common on the planet, it's not easy to find adapters to (C,E,)F in Germany. Only C,E,F to whatever. But they won't be of any use for you.
Wikipedia on plugs, voltages and frequencies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_power_systems

You can look at the following website: www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/faq.html. Gary

Personally, I find 1 adapter enough, I have always found them in the travel goods department, the last one I bought is suitable for 6 different styles of power plug so could be used in several countries. I actually bought this in an electonics shop in Germany as had stupidly forgotten to unplug mine in a previous Hotel.

I need to do this also. We always take the wrong thing. You have to make sure the plug is the correct one in addition to the voltage converter.

I have another question: can you plug a U.S. DVD player that you can plug into the 12 volt plug where the cigarette lighters used to be in cars here into a car in Germany? Any idea?

Here's some info from the Edelweiss website.
Do I need to bring a German converter for my hair dryer or razor?
Rooms are only equipped with 220V outlets, dual voltage appliances will work with a simple adapter. The Alpine Adventures has converters available for purchase. All rooms are equipped with hair dryers and irons.

Yes, your 12V DVD player will work just fine in German cars. As I recall, Edelweiss AND the Garmisch PX both have the round-pin plug adapters. I think our local base exchange here in the US carries them now, too, so if you are military check there. They are super-cheap. You might just buy a cheap curling iron at the PX in Garmisch if it's a "must-have," to be frank!

Thanks for replying to my question on DVD players! THis will make my kids happy...

Silke