which would be better...

[Jordan]

Hey all,
I was wondering which would be a better or the best option.
A) Take a blow dryer from home & by an adaptor here to bring with me/
B) Buy a cheap little travel blow dryer in either England or France.
So I know it's girly & prissy to bring a blow dryer but sadly I can't lve with out one.
Any thoughts or advice?
Thanks

[Michelle]

I think that buying a blow dryer once you get there is the better idea... That way you don't have to worry about adapters and voltage. But from what I have read, the plugs are different in the UK than in France, so if you bought one in the UK, and then headed over to France you would still need an adapter. How long will you be in France and England for? Maybe if you are only in England for a few days, you could live without one, and then buy it when you get to France, or vice versa?? Anyone else have thoughts??

[LHR02]

I quit taking one with me years ago.....a cheap one there can be had as easily as here, and as Michelle mentioned there are no problems with voltage and such. You will need a plug adapter, but they are very inexpensive indeed. If you are in London first, go to Boots! They're everywhere and you'll find good prices on 'personal hygiene' stuff there, to include hair care. In Paris, try FNAC. But actually, you'll have no trouble at any little store finding an inexpensive dryer. My vote says....get it there and dump it before you come home.

[Eagle]

JORDAN, I agree with Dustoffmom -- it's not worthwhile packing it around! However, since you can't live without it my suggestion would be to buy a small dual-voltage (travel) Hair Dryer and a couple of Plug Adaptors (one for the U.K., one for Europe). My logic in suggesting this is that it would be useable not only for European travel but also for "domestic" travel or home use, therefore making it much more versatile and cost effective. I "cringe" at the thought of ditching something I've spent my hard earned money for!

I couldn't tell where you're located from your Profile, but you should be able to find one at your local "travel" store. I seem to remember seeing one at my local travel store last week. An alternative (if you have time) would be to order one from www.magellans.com, along with the plug adaptors. They have an "Ionic" Hair Dryer listed in a package with four plug adaptors. Their customer service is excellent, and shipments via FedEx don't take long at all.

Hopefully these few suggestions will be of some help. Good luck with this and happy travels!!!

[Jordan]

hmmm....so many things to consider! lol
I'm actually going to England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria & then back to France & England.
So I donno if it'd be able to just get on in France & then I'd be good. I'm staying with family in london so i'd be ok there.
does that sound about right?

[LHR02]

Eagle...the problem with buying a 'dual voltage' NA one is that once in Europe with 220v the 'high' setting does not work. Your options are low and low. If you buy it in UK or EU then you have both high and low speeds. It can be had for $10 or so here, 10 euros or so there...to my mind a no brainer.

[Eagle]

I suggested a dual voltage model as it would be useable on both sides of the pond (so to speak), whereas the UK / EU model would only work on 220 VAC. I wasn't aware that some speeds would only operate on one of the voltages. I would be interested to know if this applies only to some brands, or if this is a "universal" design problem with dual voltage appliances??? I'll have to "ponder" this for a bit.

Buying a 220 VAC model in Europe is certainly one option (especially if they're only £10.00). Probably cheaper than buying a voltage converter.

Cheers!!!!