zizz

For me in the US, it's easy to find a clean toilet: just look for the nearest Starbucks or bookstore. In Europe (namely London, Paris, Venice and Rome), how easy would it be to find public toilets as we walk the streets? And more importantly, how clean are these public toilets?

Natalie_Doh

Hi
its easy to find a public toilet here in europe in our starbucks, bookstores, mcdonalds, etc, i have been to london and paris and have found toilets to be accessible and clean, i suppose it just depends on the hygiene of the person who used it before! but yeah, its pretty easy to find a public toilet and the majority of them are clean. Have a nice trip wherever you decide to go x

francophile03

Fast food places like McDonalds' toilets are freely accessible. But the level of cleanliness will vary depending on the location. In Rome, the location at the Spanish Steps was not that well-maintained. But then there was a steady parade of people going through them when we were there. The Parisian branch on rue de Rivoli was very clean. And I have no idea about Venice if there even is a McDonalds.

You can also access public toilets around Notre Dame and other tourist spots, but you pay something like .40 eurocents to the attendant.

Rome and Venice I'm not sure about public toilets, but on the whole, you can always go into a cafe, buy something, and use the toilet.

AnthonyGA

In Paris, self-cleaning autonomous toilets (sanisettes) are available on many major streets. When they are properly maintained, they are very clean. They are free as well.

There are also free public toilets in various buildings around the city, often underground near Métro stations. These toilets are also very clean and have attendants.

The policy for places like restaurants and cafés varies widely. Some let you use their toilets, some don't (customers are always allowed to use toilets). Fast-food places sometimes have combination locks on their toilets; you receive the combination when you buy something. Some other restaurants and bars let anyone use the toilets, but they are pay toilets. Cleanliness varies a great deal, from spotless to filthy.

There are very clean pay toilets with attendants in a few locations, such as the Louvre shopping center, the Gare du Nord (McClean), and the Gare d'Austerlitz, among others. They usually charge 50 cent.

KimGM

I live in Europe (have lived here for 11 years now) and have rarely had problems finding clean public toilets. When in London or Paris, you can pop into department stores hotels to use public toilets.

I've never been to Rome (going there for the first time in July) but in Florence it was rather easy to find clean public toilets at museums, department stores and hotels.

blackduff

zizz
The wording of your post it implies that you haven't been here yet. Have a look yourself and find what you see. Than compare the US services.

Before you come to Europe, pass through some of the service station toilets. These are not the same level Starbucks, according to my visits.

We all would like perfect cleanliness in the toilets but it's not always in the reality.

Post back after you've visited to Europe.

Blackduff

ilovetotravel29

I have not tried the public toilets on the streets, but in a pinch I will go into a nearby big hotel, or even a restaurant and ask politely to use the restroom, of course offering to buy something as well.

xyz123

In some areas of Germany and Holland, you will quickly learn the meaning of the term dragon lady.

suze

There are public toilets in several locations for a small/coin fee. Easiest is to stop in a cafe and have a small bite to eat or beverage and use theirs. Yes there is a McDonald's in Venice.

TXgalinGA

Dragon Lady??? Please explain!

ilovetotravel29

Yes, please explain! In ethnic studies, Dragon Lady has a whole different meaning regarding stereotypical beliefs and historical racism and oppression than what I think the poster is discussing.

Please do explain!

xyz123

Dragon lady is a term I got from locals about the ladies who stand at the entrance to the toilets and collect the 0,20€ or whatever.

ilovetotravel29

Ooh, not such a good term to use I would think, especially considering its historical roots.

ilovetotravel29

Also, in Italy there was a man with a cash register who charged 50 cents to use the restroom and gave you a receipt.

cigalechanta

I tried several on the street ( are now free.) All were clean.

Randy

I do not feel that toilets are as easy to find in Europe as the USA. In Paris you really have to look hard and some are clean and some are not. I had difficulty trying to find a toilet at the train station in Montparnasse. Another thing that is hard to find in Europe is a drinking fountain. Looks like there is good money in selling water.

zizz

Oftentimes, I don't actually find McDonald's toilets to be all that clean. I prefer Starbucks or Barnes and Noble bathrooms. People talk about cafes (particularly the ones in Paris and Italy) all the time here that I guess I failed to realise that Starbucks do exist in Europe (really? as many as they have in the US per street?)

Forgive my ignorance: I was in certain parts of Europe ten years ago for a business trip. I was therefore blessed with hotel and office toilets after every meeting. And I don't think I even knew Starbucks existed then.

AnthonyGA

Starbucks didn't exist in Paris a few years ago. There are around two dozen of them now.

There are plenty of public toilets in Paris. Sanisettes are to be found somewhere on every major street (there are several hundred of them all together). There are also a dozen or so toilets with attendants. Most railway stations have toilets that are easy to find and sometimes very clean, although Montparnasse is a difficult case.

jsmith

I won't vouch for all London RR stations but the one in Victoria does charge via turnstile. Always be prepared with coins.

francophile03

As one can't really be so choosy about public toilets in Europe as they are in the US, McDonalds' toilets are fine when it's really necessary. As I mentioned already, some locations may be cleaner than others, but when you really need a toilet you can depend on them.