British Columbia Travel Essentials
Everything practical you need before you go — power plugs, voltage, a quick adapter check, tap-water safety, emergency numbers and tipping for British Columbia.
⚡ Do you need a plug adapter?
Power plugsType A & B
Voltage / frequency120V · 60Hz
Tap waterTap water is safe to drink everywhere in Whistler — among the best quality in the world
Emergency911
TippingA generous tip is rarely expected, even for excellent service
Good to know
- British Columbia uses Type A & B sockets — the same round two-pin plugs used across most of mainland Europe — at 120V / 60Hz.
- Most phone, laptop and camera chargers are dual-voltage (100–240V) — you usually only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter. Type C and Type F plugs are standard here, the same as in most of continental Europe — but UK and North American plugs do not fit, so check the shape of your charger.
- Emergency services: dial 911 anywhere in British Columbia — one of the safest countries to visit, where the real risks are mountain weather and unfenced cliff edges, not crime.
- Need to pack for it? See our packing list generator.