You want to spend your vacation sightseeing, trying new foods and getting immersed in the local culture… not searching for a bathroom. But, as any traveler knows, sometimes finding a clean public toilet when you’re traveling is easier said than done.
I’ve traveled to more than 70 countries as a well-hydrated solo female traveler, and through those experiences I’ve learned a few tips and tricks for quickly finding clean public toilets (preferably free ones!) everywhere I go. If you’re planning a trip and worried about washroom access, or in the middle of a trip and desperately Googling “how to find clean public toilets” on a street corner in London, then I’ve got you covered with these four tips!
#1 – Use the Toilet When You Get the Chance
I can’t emphasize this enough. It’s said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and an ounce of toilet that you already have access to is worth a pound of toilet that you have to seek out. You don’t have to pee? YES YOU DO.
Before you leave your accommodation in the morning, use the toilet.
Before you leave an attraction like a museum or a theater, use the toilet.
Before you leave a restaurant, use the toilet.
If you visit two restaurants and two attractions while you’re out for the day, that is four convenient opportunities to use a toilet. Add in your hotel room in the morning and evening and you’re up to six chances. If you take advantage of these facilities then you should be good for the vast majority of your trip.
#2 – Act Like You Belong
This is my go-to tip for finding a clean public bathroom when I travel. There are some toilets in private businesses that are open to their clients and customers… so play the role!
- Hotels – Small, family-owned hotels probably won’t have public washrooms, but big chain hotels are likely to have a hotel in the lobby or near the hotel restaurant. Walk in with purpose, like you’re heading straight to your room, and keep your eyes peeled for the washroom signs.
- Restaurants – Again, this probably won’t work at a small, family-run restaurant, but I have no shame about doing this at a chain restaurant. Walk up to the hostess and ask if they have a table for two. Say your friend is on the way (pretend to check your texts to make this even more believable) and then ask where the bathroom is. 99.99% of the time they’ll happily point you towards clean toilets.
- Museums – This one is hit or miss. Many museums have washrooms in the lobby, which you can access without purchasing a ticket. Again, walk in like you’re planning to visit and scan for signs.
- Department Stores – Free public toilets in department stores are often hidden in a back corner of the top floor, but in my experience they’re usually clean and not too busy. Look for signs by the elevators and escalators to help you find your way.
- Shopping Malls – Increasingly, shopping malls are charging for access to their washrooms (especially in Europe). However, they’re still a good place to pee in a pinch.
- Train Stations – This would be my last choice purely for reasons of cleanliness (and again, because they’re increasingly charging for access) but most long-distance train stations will have public washrooms available.
In any of these locations you may find the bathroom is staffed by an attendance whose job is to keep the facilities clean and stocked with toilet paper. $1 or €1 would be an appropriate tip for their services.
#3 – Download an App
To be honest, by following Tip #1 and Tip #2, I’ve never needed to follow Tip #3. However, I know that there are lots of people who swear by smartphone apps with maps of all the free public toilets in an area. A few with good reviews include:
You can often also find public toilets on Google Maps simply by searching for “public toilet”. Consider downloading the Google Map of your destination onto your phone so that searching for toilets doesn’t use up all your data.
#4 – Spend a Little Money (But Just a Little!)
Up to this point we’ve been focusing on finding a clean public toilet for free. However, sometimes you’re in a place where you have no option buy to pay.
In these situations, my preference is to support a small business like a coffee shop or bar. I will buy the smallest thing on their menu, like an espresso or a bottle of water, and use the washroom. However, before I make the purchase I will confirm that they have a washroom available for customers, as I don’t want to drink an espresso or buy a bottle of water and still not have access to a bathroom!
My personal absolute last resort would be to use one of the self-cleaning (or not!) public toilets in the street, like the ones in Paris. I’ve been traveling several months each year for the past fifteen years and I can’t recall the last time I used one, but I know other people see them as life-savers. Just make sure you have local coins on hand to pay for your entrance as they often cost $1 or €1 and don’t accept cards.
Tips for Using Public Toilets When You Travel
You need to assume that public toilets will be just that – a toilet. Anything else, like toilet paper, hand soap or paper towel is simply an added bonus.
So, make sure you have a small package of tissues in your bag that you can use as toilet paper. Bring your own hand sanitizer for afterwards. And if you might need pads or tampons, make sure you’ve got extras with you.
You may encounter places with unisex bathrooms (such as the Amsterdam International Airport). In these facilities, all of the toilets are completely separate individual stalls with doors that open into a highly-visible area with lots of sinks. These bathrooms are safe and the lines tend to move more quickly, so don’t be nervous!
Finally, I can’t believe this needs to be said, but no matter what you see the locals doing, do not pee in public places like roads, gardens or sidewalks. You’re a guest in the place that you’re visiting and you should treat their community with respect.
On a related note, you might be interested in my guide to traveling with a menstrual cup.
Or, check out my tips for saving money during your trip.
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