USA uses 110 volts. Spain uses 220 volts.
Many modern appliances are dual voltage 110 / 220-240 volts. Have a look at the appliance, it will say if it is dual voltage. Make a mistake and you could cause a fire or even kill yourself.
Amazon and Radio Shack sell plug converters and transformers. You may need both. If in doubt visit a geek electrical shop or contact your supplier.
Do not buy cheap adapters in Spain. The Spanish, Chinese shops here do not have what you want; they sell adaptors for Spaniards, not Americans. So buy at home. Multi adaptors are a waste of money.
As already mentioned, the plugs are the same throughout Europe (Except British Isles)
As for the Hair Dryer, IF it is dual voltage there will either be a slide switch or a small turn switch that you use a small screwdriver or knife blade to change. Most high wattage appliances are NOT automatically capable of adapting and require manual switching if they are capable at all.
Where to get the items? Definitely get them in the US, as they will be more likely to be setup with (female) US socket and (male) European plug. Get plug adapters for the low draw stuff that is 220 capable, and get a transformer that is rated for the correct wattage for the high draw stuff like your hair dryer, curler etc. if it is only 110. You can buy travel blow dryers with dual voltage pretty cheap.
As for the phone, be aware that unless you have a dual or quad band phone it will most likely not be of any use in Spain. They don't use the same frequency cell system we use. You can buy cheap phones or just a sim card for a phone if yours is compatible with the Spanish carriers. (Think Spanish version of Net10). Or you can use your Skype account or even an Ooma if you can get a good 'net connection.
Buen viaje (or in other words...Bon Voyage!)
They use SPANISH/Continental European plugs. You should get the smallest ones you can, as some older wall plugs won't allow the European ones, but most do.
Of course you'll need a converter if your appliances aren't dual voltage.
You know they are dual voltage if they said so on the package (many hair and shaving appliances are...and they are now automatically switched, so you must either look on the package, or it will say 110?240 on the chord or black box, if there is one. If it doesn't say that, you need to get something with enough wattage for your electronics). Also...many phones and computer chargers have dual voltage, marked in the same way.
Do you need something extra? That's how you know.
Oh, and, it's not that your items will use too much voltage...it's that the voltage coming out of their walls is too much, and will make your hair dryer/curling/straightening implements EXPLODE or burn your hair, or start a fire.
they have the right adapters in Spain, most chinese shops sell them so i,d wait till you get over then buy one then you know it,s the right one
I'm hoping to travel to Spain next summer, and want to know what plugs they use? I will need to charge phones, and use my blow dryer/straightener during the trip. Will I just need adapters, or will the blow dryer use too much power and need something additional?
I live in the USA, so I use USA plugs.
