UK Power Adaptors

The standard power plug and socket design used in the UK is the BS1363, which consists of two horizontal, rectangular pins at the bottom and a larger, vertical pin at the top. 

If your move to Oxford is an international one and you're planning on packing items such as your camera, mobile phone, laptop, hairdryer or electric shaver, don't forget to buy a couple of UK power adapters at the airport before you arrive. Depending on where you are traveling from, they can be much harder to find once you've entered the country and a lot more expensive!

The BS1363 design is also used in Ireland, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Botswana, Ghana and Zimbabwe as well as several of the former British Caribbean colonies such as Belize, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada.

Moving is stressful at the best of times, but relocating to a new country can take it to a whole new level. That said, there are lots of things you can do before you leave to alleviate these pressures and ensure that your move to Oxford is a smooth one. Check out The Oxford Freshers guide to Everything you need to know before you arrive, for lots of helpful tips.

The Oxford Fresher's Relocation Guide

   

The Oxford Fresher is now very 

pleased to provide a FREE downloadable 

sample of our Relocation Guide 

Download your copy here

.............................................

After flipping through its table of contents, 

learning more about the author and reading the first chapter, 

"Everything you need to know before you arrive," 

we're sure you'll soon be back for the full edition! 

Still not sure? Check out our Customer Reviews 
 

(The term 'fresher' is usually reserved for college students, but I use it broadly throughout this guide for anyone new to Oxford).

Getting the most out of your luggage

When arriving in a new country with nothing but a suitcase and the 
clothes on your back every centimetre and kilogram counts!  

 

Is it time to put your suitcase on a diet?

When was the last time you weighed your suitcase? Probably before your last big trip, right? 

How many of you have ever tried weighing it empty? After checking your airline's maximum weight allowances, you might be surprised to see just how many valuable kilograms you've lost before you've even begun.

 

Lightweight suitcases

If you don’t already own a suitcase, or can afford to buy a new one, I highly recommend shopping around for the lightest one you can find. Be sure to keep your airline's maximum baggage dimensions in mind and remember that as far as luggage is concerned, bigger is not always better. There’s no point having an enormous suitcase, if filling it will tip the scales. 

 

After doing a quick search online, the lightest check-in-size case I could find was the Samsonite Cubelite Upright 74cm (74 x 50 x 33), which weighs just 3.2kg. It's by no means the cheapest on the market, but just think of all the extra shoes you could pack!   

 

Antler Liquis International Cabin Case Colour: Graphite Size: 56 x 35 x 23 cm Weight: 2.0kg

  

Lightweight cabin cases 

If you’re planning on doing lots of travel when you arrive, I also recommend buying a small, lightweight cabin case. Not only are they perfect for mini breaks, they’ll allow you to get the absolute most out of your carry on allowance when you first arrive.

 

Before moving to Oxford, I purchased an Antler New Size Zero 2011 Super Lightweight Cabin Suitcase, which weighs 2.4kgs, but it has since been outdone by the Antler Liquis, (pictured above). Not only does the Liquis have the added benefit of having 4 wheels, it weighs just 2kg!  While the debate continues over which is better, 2 wheels or 4?  I think four-wheeled suitcases are far easier to pull through crowded airports and subways. Which do you prefer?