Which plug does the UK use, and will Thai devices work?

The United Kingdom uses Type G sockets and plugs, which have three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle, on a 230 V, 50 Hz supply. Thailand uses 220 V at 50 Hz, so most Thai devices only need a plug adapter. Always read the rating label on each device before you plug it in.

What does a Type G plug look like?

A Type G plug has three flat pins: the longer top pin is the earth, and the two lower pins carry the current. The plug body is thick and contains a fuse. VisitBritain lists this three-pin plug as the standard in the UK, and Visit London gives the supply as 230 V at 50 Hz.

Can you use Thai devices in the UK?

Almost everything works if its label shows a 100-240 V range, but you still need an adapter for the pin shape. The gap between 220 V and 230 V is small, and devices rated only for 220 V often cope, yet follow the manufacturer's guidance to be sure.

• Usually fine: phone, tablet and laptop chargers, cameras and power-bank chargers marked 100-240 V.
• Check first: hair dryers, straighteners and electric shavers, since some are single-voltage.
• Avoid chaining cheap multi-way extension leads onto an adapter.

What are wall socket switches and shaver sockets?

Most UK sockets have their own on/off switch for safety, and it must be on before power flows. Hotel bathrooms often have a shaver-only socket that supplies low power, so do not plug in a hair dryer or any heating appliance there.

Which adapter should you pack for the UK?

1. 1Read every labelFind the Input line, such as 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz. That range is safe for 230 V.
2. 2Choose a Type G destination adapterBuy one made for Type G, which normally has a built-in fuse. Avoid adapters that need odd pin tricks.
3. 3Consider a multi-port USB modelA model with USB ports lets several phones charge from one socket in rooms with few sockets.
4. 4Test before you flyTry it at home with the devices you will carry, to see whether the fit is loose.

Where can you buy an adapter, and what should you check in your room?

Type G adapters are easy to buy in Thailand before you go, and airports such as Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) have travel shops too. Buying at home lets you test the fit with your own devices. In the room, check the sockets on day one, because older hotels may have few sockets or ones far from the bed.

• See whether the room has built-in USB sockets, which reduces the need for adapters.
• Ask reception for an extension lead if you must charge several devices.
• Unplug the adapter when idle, and never charge under a pillow or blanket.
• In a short-let apartment, ask the host whether a main switch or fuse unit needs to be on.

How do you keep your phone charged for maps and eSIM data?

In the UK your phone runs maps such as Google Maps, Citymapper and TfL Go, train tickets on Trainline and one-time codes all day, so the battery drains quickly. Charge overnight and carry a power bank, because searching for signal in rural areas costs extra battery on networks such as EE, O2, Vodafone and Three.

• Download offline maps beforehand to cut data and battery use.
• Turn on battery-saver mode on long trips between cities.
• Carry a short USB-C cable and a spare Type G adapter; the guide “Power plugs by country: which travel adapter do you actually need?” covers other destinations.
• Pick a data plan that lists the United Kingdom by name, since a Europe plan does not always include it; see “Best eSIM for the UK 2026: for visits and for study”.

Most airlines require power banks to travel in cabin baggage rather than the hold, so check the rules of your own carrier and charge fully before heading to the airport. On intercity trains, not every seat has a working socket, so a charged power bank is the safer plan. Wi-Fi at stations and cafés is useful, but it is not a replacement for your own mobile data.

Voir les forfaits eSIM pour le Royaume-Uni