What type of batteries does your camera use? Mine doesn’t charge, it just used AA, but I guess you might have rechargeable ones. I always had to charge my diskman and lots of people had to charge their phones. There is usually outlets in the bedrooms of hostels. I’ve never had a problem locating these. You’ll need to bring a converter and adaptor in order to plug your camera into the wall (depending if you are going to a different continent. Look into this before you leave).

quote: You’ll need to bring a converter and adaptor in order to plug your camera into the wall

You probably will NOT need a converter — just adapter plugs to fit the outlet. Most camera chargers accept "inputs" up to 220 volts. Check the listed inputs on the charger.

quote:

"You probably will NOT need a converter — just adapter plugs to fit the outlet. Most camera chargers accept "inputs" up to 220 volts. Check the listed inputs on the charger."

While this is true (I do agree that you should check to see what it accepts) I did manage to fry and adaptor, a converter, and the charger for my diskman. Even with the converter and a charger that was supposed to be good up to 220 volts.

If you need a converter, make sure it’s a good one. Luckily the damage ended with my charger and my diskman didn’t take any damage. All I had to do is run it off of its AA battery adaptor for two more months.

I’ve always found outlets in the room. Even if the outlet is in a main room, it is unlikely someone would steal your charger and battery. If you are worried, hide it behind something.

I agree with intravelmode (sorry oldlady), I would NEVER risk frying my expensive electronics (mp3 player, camera, cell phone, etc) by using only an adapter, when, for a mere $20 or so, I could by a converter. At least if you are from North America.

When I went, I never had a problem finding an outlet in my room to charge my electronics. To be safe, I suggest you bring an extra set of batteries with you. I am assuming that your camera requires special batteries (Sony camera??) or else you could just buy generic AA’s or whatever. My MP3 player was like that. It took special Panasonic batteries, so I bought an extra set, and tried to always keep at least one of them charged. The problem with this was that those damn batteries were expensive! Just re-read your question Since you haven’t bought your camera yet, try finding one that takes generic replaceable batteries, not proprietary "brand" specific ones.

Cheers

www.europeanpilgrimage.com

Thanks for your help! I didn’t know that they took regular batteries. I am clueless when it comes to technology! On that note, does anyone have any suggestions on what kind of camera would be the best to buy for under 400 Canadian? Approx. how many batteries would a person go through in a month? And should I stock up on batteries here or are they around the same price in Europe? (Netherlands and Belgium) Thanks!

I would buy your batteries at home. When you are traveling, batteries tend to be really expensive. If you want you can buy rechargeable ones, but then you have to carry a charger.

How many batteries? Depends on the camera or what ever else you are using. Get to know it first before you leave. The last camera I went traveling with went through 4 AA batteries every week. It all depends on how many pictures you take, and how often you use the flash (and the age of the camera, my digital was old).

Cheers

Great backpacking advice www.europeanpilgrima…

Only one hostel I went to didn’t have outlets in the room. The guy at the reception was very nice to me and agreed to charge my camera battery for me. I had no problems.

like everyone else said, it’ll be cool don’t worry. There are outlets everywhere…and there will be so many times where you’ll have moments throughout a day that you can conveniently charge things…you might be on the net in the lobby of your hostel…and you can just charge it then…or if you’re chilling in your room for a midday break…or whatever…obviously, charging at night while you sleep is an option…I just mention the others in case you’re like really scared of someone stealing your stuff while you sleep haha…dont be though…it’ll be all good….there were so many times that there’d be an outlet right next to my bed…whether I was top or bottom bunk, so I could just plug it in…and then slide the charger underneath my bed…or an easily concealable place close to me….and you dont need converters either…things like cameras and phones are built to accomodate the various voltages.