As Temperatures are rising in EuropeTravelers will need to stay hydrated to avoid heat-related illness. The more fluids they consume, the more times they will need to go to the bathroom. To avoid dancing like whistles, they should familiarize themselves with European toilet practices. Although the mechanics are similar, the experience can be a bit of a culture shock.
“It's a surprise to have to pay,” Frommer said.
Public toilets are often affiliated with the local government or municipality. Visitors can find these facilities at train and bus stations, parks and gardens, and tourist areas. Toilets can be traditional, with a row of stalls and a row of sinks, or a stand-alone stall with a foot-operated sink. Look for the universal symbols: a pair of male and female figures. “WC”, short for “water closet”, or a variation of “toilet” are also common.
During a recent trip to EuropeI found a bunch of public toilets that required a small amount of money — at the train stations in Berlin and Zurich, near a ticket office for a Lake Zurich cruise, near the beach in Positano, Italy, and near the main square in Ravello, also on the Amalfi Coast.
“Europe has more public toilets than we do,” said Kate Storm, a New York-based travel blogger who covers toilet culture on her site, Our safeguard clause“but you usually have to pay them if they are not owned by a private company.”
Pay toilets are usually serviced by an attendant or are self-cleaning. The fee, which covers maintenance, supplies and labour, is usually modest: 50 cents or one euro in an EU country, one or two Swiss francs or 20p in the pound in the UK. Toilets with additional facilities, such as changing rooms or showers, may be slightly more expensive.
Many destinations are moving toward a cashless economy, and an increasing number of restrooms accept credit cards. In those that don’t, you’ll need coins. Otherwise, you may find yourself stuck on the wrong side of the turnstile or the restroom attendant.
Fees for public toilets vary. Many cities have free facilities, such as London, which offers toilets in National Rail stations; Copenhagenwhich abolished fees in 2013; and Pariswhich has 400 “sanisettes”, or automatic public toilets. Since last year, Berlin has relaunched 100 renovated and free toilets, according to the city's official website.
Raymond Martin, CEO of the British Toilet Associationadvocates for free and inclusive toilets. However, without government oversight, he said, toilets carry risks, such as lack of safety, sanitation and functional equipment.
“Unfortunately, in this country, as in many others, we have evildoers… people who don't see anything bright and shiny,” he said. “Then things start to go downhill.”
Companies Adopt Open Restroom Policies
Using the restrooms of a private establishment, such as a restaurant, café or store, is more difficult. Some businesses, especially in busy tourist areas, discourage non-customers by posting “no public restrooms” signs. However, cities facing an influx of visitors and a shortage of public restrooms are encouraging businesses to open their restrooms to the general public.
A German initiative called Clean toiletOr Nice Toilet pays restaurants and stores a monthly subsidy of $64 to $107 in exchange for allowing them to use their restrooms. The program, which began in 2000 in the German city of Aalen, has spread to more than 200 cities and more than 2,500 businesses in Germany and Switzerland. Participants place a red sticker with a smiley face on their store window. Visitors can also find the locations on the Nette Toilet app.
In London, the Community Toilet Program is a collection of businesses that allow people to access their toilets without having to pay a fee. The card includes establishments such as the Old Doctor Butler's Head pub, Shaws Booksellers and a Nando's, as well as several UriLifts, a self-opening urinal.
Travel experts recommend shopping malls, restaurants and cafes that are so crowded or large that they won't notice you slipping inside to use the bathroom. In his book “Europe Through the Back Door,” travel guru Rick Steves He suggests restaurants with outdoor seating or fast food joints. He said there's no need to buy a soda or chip token, although sometimes the bathroom door code is printed on the receipt.
Frommer doesn't hesitate to enter an establishment and ask to use their toilet, baño, banheiro or loo.
“If I needed to go, I would go to a cafe or restaurant and ask,” she said. “I’ve never been turned away in Europe, especially if you learn the phrase in the language of the country you’re in.”
When you have to go, you don't really have time to waste time on a toilet scavenger hunt.
Fortunately, many tourist offices and information kiosks print or post maps showing the location of restrooms. Some municipalities also provide this information online or in an app, such as Oslo and Rome, which compiled a list of P. Stops that welcome tourists. Many maps also highlight toilets that are accessible to travelers with disabilities.
Toilet companies and tech entrepreneurs have created navigation tools for people looking for toilets. JCDecaux, which designs free public toilets in more than a dozen cities in Sweden, unveiled an app called ToaSverige in 2021. It lists 100 toilets in Stockholm alone. High Food claims more than 9,500 locations in the Netherlands.
Some applications, such as Bathroom Scout And Outcropprovide a broader view of the toilet landscape. However, crowd-sourced data may be outdated, so don't use it on a full bladder.
If you’re traveling on a budget, plan your bathroom visits. Use the bathroom (twice if necessary) at every museum and cultural attraction you visit—the entrance fee includes the bathroom. At the train station, wait and use the onboard latrines, even though they may not be as nice as the ones at the station. Listen to your inner parent and use the bathroom after every meal.
Martin explained that some British petrol stations on motorways and in railway stations offer a perk with toilet entry: a discount on a chocolate bar, a cup of coffee, a doughnut or other small snack. So, keep your receipt and cash in your coupon.
“I think only 20 percent of those tickets are used,” he said. “So it's actually a very clever scam.”
In some facilities, attendants replenish toilet paper rolls or hand out sheets. Places with less rigorous maintenance schedules may run out of paper. As insurance, Strong always carries a small pack of tissues.
“Bring change, toilet paper,” she said, “but don’t think about it too much.”
Also, don't overuse toilet paper. European plumbing can be old and you don't want to be the traveler who clogs up a public toilet.
“Americans are notorious for using half a roll of toilet paper at a time,” said Bob Cromwell, who runs Toilets of the worldan online resource.
You may see signs inside the restrooms warning visitors to be careful with toilet paper. Public service announcements are usually written in English.
