41 posts
jbhawtan,
I my most recent travels I encountered both two and three prong receptacles! The three prong plugs appeared in the toilet rooms and/or wet locations. These may indicate a dedicated ground to prevent or minimize elect shock hazards. I purchased an adaptor in shop in Montreaux for about 8 ChF. Perhaps you should travel with both adaptors just to insure that your devices and appliances can be used with either receptacle.
Safe Traveling!
15484 posts
The standard two prong plug as described on http://www.worldstandards.eu/ electricity/plugs-and-sockets/c/ works almost everywhere, except in bathrooms and kitchens with the 3 prong outlets. I have not stayed in a hotel yet where it did not fit. But if so, either the hotel or a local shop (even larger supermarkets) can sell you an adapter.
7567 posts
<<“The standard two prong plug as described on http://www.worldstandards.eu/ electricity/plugs-and-sockets/c/ works almost everywhere, except in bathrooms and kitchens with the 3 prong outlets.”>> I carry both, since I like the extra safety of the 3-wire with ground wire in wet places. I have several 2- wire and 1 or 2 – three wire.
Slowpoke.
72625 posts
Thanks all for your responses, very helpful.
72625 posts
>> I tried to search for what kind of power adapter is needed for iphone charging in Switzerland and I got mixed results……some say general europe power adapter works, some say need special 3 prong one in switzerland, so I’m confused. For interlaken/zuric area, what kind of adapter should I carry to charge iphone? <<
If you are charging an iPhone, you can plug it into a USB port. If the TV in your hotel room has a USB port, you could use that.
You can also buy plug-in USB ports with interchangeable prongs, and usually one of them will be the right type for Switzerland.
If you already have a round two-prong adaptor that is commonly used in Europe, you can buy an adaptor that you can use with it piggy-back fashion to fit the hexagonal Swiss power points. The InterDiscount store in the lower level shopping area of Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Zürich main station) sells them. They are open Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 8pm. (You mentioned you would be going to Zürich).
Hope this helps.
15484 posts
That’s a good tip Alpenrose666, thanks!