Top Ten Toilet Tips When Traveling

Let’s be honest—when nature calls, it doesn’t care if you’re exploring the Louvre, hiking the Alps, or enjoying tapas in Barcelona. But before you assume European restrooms are just like the ones back home, think again! Here are my top 10 toilet tips for Europe—because the last thing you want on vacation is a bathroom blunder.

1. Public Toilets May Cost Money

Yes, you might have to pay to pee. In many European cities, public restrooms charge anywhere from €0.20 to €1.00 for entry. Some places even have turnstiles or attendants collecting fees at the door.

Pro tip: Keep small coins handy—because when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Also, some restaurants and cafes charge non-customers to use their facilities. So if you’re in dire need, consider grabbing a coffee to “earn” your bathroom pass.

I learned this the hard way while walking through St. James Park in London. I found a restroom, only to discover it charged 20p for entry. The problem? I didn’t have any cash. In sheer desperation, I begged strangers for toilet money, and thankfully, one kind soul came to my rescue. Moral of the story? Always carry a few coins—you never know when you’ll need them!

2. Unisex Facilities

No, you didn’t accidentally walk into the wrong restroom—many European restrooms are unisex. Often, the sinks are shared, while stalls remain private.

If this catches you off guard, channel your inner European coolness and go with the flow (pun intended).

3. Flushing Mechanisms & Bidets

In the U.S., we expect a simple handle or button. But in Europe, flushing can be an adventure. You never know if you'll get a button, pull chain, or a mystery mechanism that requires some detective work!

Flushing mechanisms can include:

• Wall-mounted buttons (often with two sizes for water conservation).

• Chains or levers (for vintage vibes).

• Automatic flushers that may activate prematurely (or not at all).

And let’s talk about bidets. If you’ve never encountered one, it’s a mini-sink for your backside. Found mostly in Italy, Spain, and France, bidets are meant for personal hygiene—but if you’d rather stick to TP, no problem—they’re usually optional!

4. Bring Your Own Supplies

Toilet paper? Not always guaranteed. Soap? Maybe. Hand dryers that actually dry your hands? If you’re lucky.

Be prepared: Carry a small pack of tissues, hand sanitizer, and maybe even wet wipes for emergencies. You’ll thank me later.

I learned this firsthand in Annecy, France. After a long search for a restroom, we finally found a public toilet—only to discover that it had no toilet paper. Worse, while we could wash our hands, there were no paper towels or dryers. The toilet had a self-cleaning cycle, which meant walking in after someone left you with a wet seat. Moral of the story? Always come prepared!

5. Signs & Labels Can Be Tricky

European bathrooms often use different signage than what you’re used to.

Look for:

• “WC” (Water Closet).

• “Toilettes” (French).

• “Restrooms” (rare, but occasionally seen).

In Ireland, be extra careful:

• “M” = Mná (Women).

• “F” = Fir (Men).

Many unsuspecting tourists have walked into the wrong restroom—don’t be one of them! If you’re traveling to a country where the language isn’t your own, learning how to say and read "toilet" is necessary language prep.

6. Cultural Differences

Some plumbing systems, especially in Greece, Turkey, and parts of Eastern Europe, can’t handle toilet paper. Instead, used TP goes in a bin next to the toilet (yes, even after #2).

Also, you may encounter squat toilets—requiring, well, squatting. If you’ve never used one before, brace yourself for a leg workout you didn’t sign up for!

7. Restaurant & Café Bathrooms Are for Customers Only

If you need a restroom in a pinch, restaurants and cafes usually have them—but they’re often reserved for paying customers. If you’re desperate, politely ask if you can use the facilities. If the answer is no... it’s time to buy a coffee.

I had surgery to remove my gallbladder and, just two weeks later, I decided international travel was a great idea. If you’ve had this surgery, you know—when nature calls, it’s not a polite request; it’s a full-blown, code-red, DEFCON-1 emergency.

There I was, strolling through a touristy area, when suddenly—uh-oh. My body hit me with the "we’re going NOW" warning.

A kind store clerk saw the panic in my eyes, took pity on me, and unlocked a gate so I could go upstairs and ask to use the bathroom.

I bolted up the stairs, desperation in full force, only to be met with:

"We’re closed."

"But the clerk downstairs sent me up to ask if I could please use the bathroom."

"No."

"It’s an emergency."

"No. We’re closed."

"Pleeeeease?"

"No."

Clearly, this lady was not the Good Samaritan of public restrooms, and I was running out of time. So, we speed-walked (okay, I waddled) all over trying to find a bathroom and finally located a public restroom.

Victory!

Except… there was a line.

At this point, I was mentally preparing my "please forgive me" speech for anyone around me.

Eventually, I made it inside (no accidents, thank you very much), only to realize—the door wouldn’t lock.

Did I care? Absolutely not. It was either go now or star in my own personal horror movie. I embraced the risk, made my peace with fate, and just hoped for the best.

8. Eco-Friendly Restrooms

Europeans love their sustainability!

You’ll find:

• Water-saving sinks.

• Dual-flush systems (small and large flush options). The small side is for only #1s and the large flush side is for #2s...

  

  Do your part: Only flush toilet paper (if allowed), and don’t waste water!

9. High-Tech Toilets Are a Thing

Many countries are taking their bathroom game to a whole new level with self-cleaning toilets. These futuristic restrooms are popping up in cities everywhere, and the best part? They’re often free to use! You step in, take care of business, and when you’re done, you press a button. Then, the door locks behind you (hopefully with you on the outside), and within moments, you'll hear the glorious sound of a cleaning cycle—like a car wash for toilets!

I absolutely love these high-tech facilities—they always feel so squeaky clean! But, I’ll admit, there’s a slight element of fear. I’m usually holding my breath, hoping the door won’t open to the public while I’m, well, in the middle of things. And let’s not even talk about the horror of being locked inside while the cleaning cycle kicks in.

You might also come across:

• Sensor-based flushing.

• Automatic hand-washing stations.

It’s all very high-tech… until it isn’t. Malfunctions happen, so always double-check before walking away—you don’t want any surprises!

10. Finding a Restroom When You Need One

When urgency strikes, don’t panic! Here’s where to look:

• Train stations.

• Large department stores.

• Tourist attractions.

You can also use apps like Flush Toilet Finder or SitOrSquat. Or, search “public restroom near me” in Google Maps—but be warned, these results aren’t always reliable.

If all else fails, ask a local. They’ll usually point you in the right direction!

Final Thoughts

European restrooms may have a few quirks, but once you know what to expect, you’ll navigate them like a pro. Just remember: carry coins, bring tissues, and when in doubt, ask!

Now go forth and explore—comfortably and confidently.

Have any funny European bathroom stories? Share them in the comments below!