When travelling in Europe, it’s hard to remember sometimes that they don’t always have the home comforts you’re used to in your own hotels. When travelling from Australia, I’m used to kettles, microwaves, irons, ironing boards, a fridge, tea and coffee laid in the rooms. But expect this in Europe! Here are some travel appliances I usually pack for Europe!
When I am teaching English in Europe, I stay in hotels in several countries, but mainly Austria. It came as a complete shock that these things were not included in many hotel rooms, although occasionally you’ll come across one with a fridge.
It was because of this that I came to know and love travel kettles, travel irons and more!
*(This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission on any purchases made. )
1. Travel Appliances to Pack for Europe: Travel Kettle
I could not live without a travel kettle. In Australia they don’t have them! Occasionally you’ve come across a hotel room with a fridge, but it is extremely rare to find one with a kettle!
A travel kettle is a good idea to take with you anywhere, as kettles in rooms are sometime so badly kept that it’s impossible to use them. I had this experience on a recent trip to Ely, in the UK. When I went to boil their kettle, but the spout was caked with some sort of white build and things were floating in the bottom! It was filthy. And the manager seemed quite put out when I asked for another one!
There are a variety of foldable electric silicon kettles, as well as cylindrical ones, where you can not only boil water, but boil foods like eggs, soup and other things. Check what kind of plug they have. If you planning to use it in hotel rooms, you what a plug that fits into the sockets. Be aware that some fit car chargers.
2. Travel Appliances to pack for Europe: Travel Iron
There is a wide range of travel irons and clothing steamers. When I’ve asked for an iron in hotels in Austria, they tell me they’re not allowed in the rooms. They claim it’s because they short circuit the electricity. However, colleagues I’ve travelled with have never had this experience, and I’ve never had this experience either. That fact that they usually offer you their paid-for ironing service instead probably has something to do with it!
Some are very small and not powerful, but they still do the job. Check this Rowenta DA 1510 1150W Vertical Steam Travel Iron. It has a 110/220-volt switch and which you can use worldwide.
3. Travel Appliances to Pack for Europe: Portable Coffee Maker
For all of those coffee lovers who don’t want to make instant coffee with a portable kettle, you can get a portable coffee maker. It is compatible with both ground coffee or capsules. Have a look at the Outin OTEM-01 80 milliliters Espresso Machine.
Other Work-Arounds
There’s not much you can do about not having a fridge. Some European countries have them in hotel rooms and some don’t. You can often find them in Germany, but don’t count on it. Occasionally you get one in Austria, but it’s rare. Italy often has a fridge in even budget hotel rooms, but still no microwave or iron!
If you’re in a cold country in winter, you can put food on the windowsill or balcony to keep it cold overnight. If there’s no ledge or balcony, you can put food that needs to be kept cool in a bag and tie it to the window handle.
Hair dryers
Hair dryers are one thing you can find in just about any hotel or hostel. In a hostel, you can usually ask for one at reception, whereas in a hotel there’s probably one in the room.
Adapters
Of course, don’t forget your adapter plugs. The EU has the same kind of plug in most countries. When I was recently in Italy, they had a mixture of EU plugs and a small Italian style plug, which an EU plug doesn’t fit. However, if you have a multi plug adaptor, you should be fine in Italy.
Overall, when it comes to the comforts you might be used to in hotel rooms at home, it’s best to be prepared.
*This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission on any purchases made.
