Travel Adaptor Guide: Universal, Japan, Europe & UK Adaptors Explained
Quick Reference
Visiting more than one countryUniversal adaptor
Japan onlyType A adaptor
Vietnam onlyType A/C adaptor (Europe & Bali style)
Mainland Europe (not UK)Type C/E/F adaptor
UK or Hong KongType G adaptor
Arriving into AustraliaVisitor adaptor to fit Type I
A universal travel adaptor is the safest choice if you are visiting more than one country, since it covers the plug shapes used in Japan, Vietnam, Europe and most of the rest of the world. If you are only travelling to one destination, a single-country adaptor is usually cheaper and just as reliable.
Packing the wrong plug can mean a flat phone and a hunt for the hotel's one working power board. This guide breaks down exactly which adaptor you need, whether you are heading to Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh City or across Europe.
Universal Travel Adaptors
A universal travel adaptor is built with sliding or interchangeable pins that adjust to fit most plug sockets worldwide. This makes it the easiest option if your trip covers more than one country, or if you simply don't want to think about plug types again.
Most universal adaptors cover:
- Type A and B (North America, Japan)
- Type C, E and F (Europe)
- Type G (UK, Hong Kong, Singapore)
- Type I (Australia, New Zealand)
Look for a model with built-in USB or USB-C ports, since this saves carrying a separate charger for your phone or tablet. Tosca's Worldwide Travel Adaptor with USB A + USB C Ports is built for use in over 150 countries and includes both USB-A and USB-C charging ports, so it covers Japan, Vietnam and Europe in one unit.
Shop the Worldwide Travel Adaptor with USB A + USB C Ports - $24.95Travel Adaptors for Japan
Japan uses Type A plugs, the same flat two-pin shape found in the United States and Canada. Power runs at 100 volts, which is lower than Australia's 230 volts.
What is a Type A travel adapter?
A Type A travel adapter has two flat parallel pins and is the plug style used in Japan, the United States, Canada and most of Central America. It's one of the simplest plug shapes to adapt to, since it has no earth pin to line up.
| Detail | Japan |
|---|---|
| Plug type | Type A |
| Voltage | 100V |
| Frequency | 50Hz (Eastern Japan) / 60Hz (Western Japan) |
Japan runs on 100 volts, not 230. Because Japan's voltage is lower than Australia's, most phone and laptop chargers work fine since they are dual voltage. Devices without dual voltage, like some hair straighteners, may run slower or need a voltage converter rather than just an adaptor.
Tosca's Travel Adaptor for Japan & South America is built specifically for this plug type, and also works across most South American countries if your trip covers both. For travellers who want USB charging built in, the Travel Adapter USB A+C Ports for Japan & South America adds a USB-A and USB-C port to the same plug shape.
Shop the Travel Adaptor for Japan & South America - $9.95Travel Adaptors for Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the more flexible destinations, since sockets are commonly built to accept both Type A (flat two-pin) and Type C (round two-pin) plugs. Power runs at 220 volts, close to Australia's 230 volts.
| Detail | Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Plug type | Type A and Type C |
| Voltage | 220V |
| Frequency | 50Hz |
A basic Type C or universal adaptor will get you through most hotels and cafes in Vietnam. Older buildings in smaller towns sometimes still use different socket styles, so a universal adaptor is the safer packing choice.
Tosca doesn't list Vietnam by name on an individual adaptor, but the Travel Adapter for Europe & Bali fits the same Type A and Type C sockets Vietnam uses, and it's already confirmed for neighbouring Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. If you'd rather have a guaranteed fit without checking plug types yourself, the Worldwide Travel Adaptor covers Vietnam as part of its 150-country range.
Travel Adaptors for Europe
Most of continental Europe uses the round two-pin Type C plug, with many countries also using the slightly larger Type E or Type F, known as the Europlug. Power runs at 230 volts, which matches Australia's voltage.
| Detail | Europe |
|---|---|
| Plug type | Type C, E and F |
| Voltage | 230V |
| Frequency | 50Hz |
The UK and Ireland use a different plug. The UK and Ireland are the exception, since they use the three-pin Type G plug instead. If your trip includes the UK as well as mainland Europe, pack Tosca's separate Travel Adapter for UK & Hong Kong alongside your Europe adaptor, or take the Worldwide adaptor so one unit covers both.
Tosca's Travel Adapter for Europe & Bali covers mainland Europe (excluding the UK), Bali and a long list of other Type C destinations. If you want USB ports built in, step up to the version with 2 USB Type-A ports ($22.95) or the USB A+C version ($29.95).
Shop the Travel Adapter for Europe & Bali - $7.95Aus to UK Travel Adaptor
The UK uses a Type G plug, a chunky three-pin rectangular shape that's different from the rest of Europe. It also covers Hong Kong, so one adaptor works for both destinations.
| Detail | UK & Hong Kong |
|---|---|
| Plug type | Type G |
| Voltage | 220-240V |
| Frequency | 50Hz |
Because Type G doesn't fit any other socket in this guide, pack it as a separate adaptor if the rest of your trip stays in mainland Europe, Japan or Vietnam. Tosca's Travel Adapter for UK & Hong Kong is built for this plug, with a USB version available for travellers who want charging ports built in.
Shop the Travel Adapter for UK & Hong Kong - $7.95Travel Adaptors for Visitors to Australia
Australia uses a Type I plug, a distinctive three-pin shape with two angled flat pins. If you're arriving from overseas, you'll need an adaptor that converts your home plug to fit Australian sockets, not the other way around.
Tosca stocks two adaptors built specifically for inbound visitors. The Europe, Bali, USA & Japan Visitor Travel Adaptor covers travellers arriving from those regions, while the UK, Hong Kong, USA & Japan Visitor Travel Adaptor covers arrivals from the UK and Hong Kong as well as the USA and Japan.
Visitor adaptors do not convert voltage. Both adaptors let your existing plug fit Australian power points, but neither converts voltage. Check your appliance is rated for 220 to 240 volts before plugging in, since most of Asia, Europe and the UK already run on a similar voltage to Australia.
Shop the Tosca Visitor Travel Adaptors - $9.95
Travel Adaptor vs Travel Electric Converter
Travel adaptorChanges the plug shape only
Voltage converterChanges the voltage itself
A travel adaptor changes the shape of your plug so it physically fits a foreign socket, but it doesn't change the electricity itself. A travel electric converter (also called a voltage converter) changes the voltage, which is a different job entirely.
Most modern electronics, including phone chargers, laptop chargers and camera batteries, are dual voltage and only need a plug adaptor. Older single-voltage appliances, such as some hair dryers, straighteners and kettles, need a voltage converter as well as an adaptor, or they can be damaged or run at the wrong speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a universal travel adaptor or a specific one?
A universal travel adaptor covers the plug shapes used in most countries, including Japan, Vietnam and Europe. A single-country adaptor only fits one plug type, so it is a cheaper option if you are only visiting one region.
What plug type is used in Japan?
Japan uses Type A plugs, the same flat two-pin shape used in the United States, running on 100 volts.
Do I need a voltage converter for Japan, Vietnam or Europe?
Most modern phone, laptop and camera chargers handle a range of voltages automatically, so a plug adaptor is enough. Older appliances without dual voltage support, such as hair dryers or straighteners, may need a separate voltage converter.
Can I use the same adaptor for Vietnam and Europe?
Yes, in most cases. Most sockets in Vietnam accept the round two-pin Type C plug, which is also the standard plug across mainland Europe, so a Europe adaptor usually works in both. Some older sockets in Vietnam only take flat Type A pins, so pack a universal adaptor if you want a guaranteed fit.