European Pay Toilets Bring Cultural Shock

Two summers ago, at the Dijon train station in France, Pauline Frommer, co-president of a travel guide publishing company, hurried to an ATM to withdraw cash urgently because she needed one euro to use the restroom. As temperatures rise across Europe, tourists need to stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke, which inevitably increases the frequency of restroom visits. This necessitates familiarizing oneself with Europe’s restroom culture, which may come as a cultural shock.

“Paying to use the restroom is quite surprising!” said Frommer. Public toilets are typically operated by local governments or municipal authorities. Tourists can find these facilities at train stations, bus stations, parks, gardens, and tourist areas. During a recent trip to Europe, I discovered many public restrooms that required a small fee, such as at the train stations in Berlin and Zurich, near the ticket booth at Lake Zurich, and public restrooms near the beach in Positano, Italy.

The fees for these restrooms are usually used for facility maintenance, hygiene supplies, and personnel services. In EU countries, public toilets typically charge 50 euro cents to 1 euro per use, while in the UK, the fee ranges from 20 pence to 1 pound. Restrooms with additional facilities, such as changing rooms or showers, charge higher fees. Many places are moving towards a cashless economy, with more restrooms accepting credit cards, but some still require coins.

Many European cities have established free toilets. For instance, London train stations offer free public restrooms, Copenhagen abolished toilet fees in 2013, and Paris has 400 free public toilets. As of 2023, Berlin has reintroduced 100 refurbished free toilets. Martin, the managing director of the British Toilet Association, advocates for free and inclusive restrooms. However, without government oversight, using public toilets can be risky, lacking safety and hygiene supplies. Martin noted that, unfortunately, some vandals take pleasure in making restrooms dirty and disorderly.

Using restrooms in private establishments like restaurants, cafes, or shops can be trickier. Some businesses, especially in busy tourist areas, post signs saying “Restrooms for customers only.” However, cities with high tourist numbers and a shortage of public restrooms are encouraging businesses to open their restrooms to the public.

The latest news reported that Germany introduced the “Toilet Sharing” initiative, where the government subsidizes restaurants and shops with $64 to $107 per month to allow tourists to use their restrooms. These establishments display a red sticker with a smiling face on their doors. In London, some businesses have launched the “Community Toilet Scheme,” allowing people to use their restrooms for free. Fortunately, many tourist boards and information kiosks print or display maps showing the locations of restrooms. Some cities also provide this information online or through apps, such as Rome, which has published a list of public restrooms. Many maps highlight accessible toilets for disabled visitors.

If you’re traveling on a budget, plan your restroom breaks. Use the restrooms at every museum and cultural site you visit; if needed, use them twice, as the ticket price includes restroom fees. At train stations, try to use the station’s restrooms. After every meal, make a restroom stop. To be safe, carry some change and a pack of tissues. Avoid using too much toilet paper, as Europe’s old plumbing systems are prone to clogging. Bob, who runs the online resource “World Toilet,” said, “Americans have a notorious reputation for using half a roll of toilet paper in one go.”