Plug adapter for the United Kingdom from South Africa
What travellers from South Africa need to charge and power their devices in the United Kingdom: plugs, voltage and frequency, with the rest of the trip basics below.
Plug adapter
Needed
Bring a Type G adapter.
Voltage
Same
South Africa 230 V → the United Kingdom 230 V. No converter needed.
Frequency
Same
50 Hz → 50 Hz.
Your plug, their socket
does not fit
It does fit the Type M sockets also found in the United Kingdom, but you can't count on finding one.
does not fit
In the United Kingdom: Type G is the standard socket. Types D and M survive only on special circuits (switched lamps, stage lighting); bathrooms may have a two-pin shaver socket.
Your devices in the United Kingdom
Look for the “INPUT” line on the charger or label. A range such as 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz means the device adapts by itself and needs only a plug adapter.
| Device | Usually | In the United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, tablet and laptop chargers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Camera and power-bank chargers, e-readers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Electric shavers, toothbrushes | often 100–240 V; check | Works with the adapter |
| Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons | single voltage | Works with the adapter |
| Kettles, irons, travel cookers | single voltage, high power | Works with the adapter |
The rest of the trip basics
- Time
- The United Kingdom is 2 h behind of South Africa right now (UTC+0 vs UTC+2).
- Money
- The British Pound (GBP): 1 ZAR = 0.04472 GBP (ECB reference rates, 2026-10-30). Everyday prices are about 213% of South Africa's.
- Driving
- On the left, as at home.
- Advisories
- US: Level 2 Exercise increased caution. Details
- Next holidays
- 25 Dec Christmas Day · 26 Dec Boxing Day · 28 Dec Boxing Day (observed) All 7
- Calling code
- +44