kerouac

The automatic toilets on the streets in Paris have been free since February 2006. But you will pay to use them in other cities in France.

Many tourists duck into McDonald's or Quick to use the toilets, but certain restrooms are outfitted with a door code that is printed on the receipts. Most of the codes have been de-activated, however, probably due to the fact that the street toilets are free and non consumers are not much of a problem anymore.

jdraper

We have always been able to find toilets all over Europe that are free or the cost is very nominal, usually no more than one Euro and most of them much less. Stop in cafes for a rest and some refreshment and never leave without using the failities. The small amount you have to pay for a toilet with an attendant is money well spent as they are so clean, which is always nice with small children as they always seem to want to touch everything. Two of the things I notice immediatly upon returning to the United States after having been in Europe is the high volume of noise in public places and the filthy restrooms. Love those European restrooms by and large.

nbodyhome

We took a 2 1/2 week trip last year, and I only paid maybe twice (London, Paris, Edinburgh, Mont St. Michel). There were plenty of free toilets, I didn't realize that the street toilets in Paris were free.

Celiaanne

Toilets -- If they are "spotlessly clean," I don't think there is an amount I wouldn't pay for them!

Nothing worse than eating and then using a dirty toilet, with the exception of using a dirty toilet and then trying to eat!

annhig

The Venice blue [or is it red?] cards include the public toilets, which are E1 a "go"! They record the time when you first use the card [thus activating it!] and again each time you "go" in order to make sure you don't hand it onto a friend outside, i suppose. What you do if you aren't well and have to go again within a short time, i have no idea.

missypie

I work in downtown Dallas, very near the School Book Depository and the Grassy Knoll. There are always tourists there. I have no idea what those folks do for a bathroom. There are no fast food restaurants or gas stations nearby. I bet tourists would gladly pay a bit of money to have a clean public toilet in that area.

I will say that my own little suburb, when it was fixing up its historic downtown, added some nice, free, public access restrooms.

wally34949

I was in Perth, Australia, over a year ago and the biggest problem is trying to find a toilet on Christmas Day. Every restaurant, store, and public toilet was closed. I finally took the train back to my hostel--15 miles away, and found one of those street toilets just in time, about one mile from my hostel. I don't think I would have made it back to the hostel.

Sunday mornings, Holidays, check with the kids before you set out, or carry "depends."

missypie

One of our best Italy Vacation Stories came from the pay toilets in Pisa (at the leaning tower.) You pay a few cents. There is a boys' line and a girls' line. But there is a Toilet Manager who directs the traffic. If there is an empty stall on the mens' side and no men in line, he directs a lady to that stall. One lady came out of the stall and the Toilet Manager didn't hear a flush, so he asked the lady why she didn't flush! The two guys in our family were in and out quickly, but my daughters and I were in line for a while observing all of this. After a while, the Toilet Manager asked if the three of us were together. We said yes, and he directed us to the handicapped/family bathroom. As we exited, a lady started to help herself to that bathroom. The Manager would have none of that and made her get back in line. The Toilet Manager took his job very seriously.

Photobear

I wonder if there is a site that lists all the free toilets (outside street ones) in Paris.

It could be a good thing to carry around.

Eric_S

now that's a nice business idea, freetoiletsparis.com

carylspall

How about pay2pee.com!!!

basingstoke2

I am just happy that I haven't seen any of the hole in the floor, hose hanging from the ceiling, footprints painted on the floor to suggest where to put your feet toilets in recent years. After those, anything else is luxury and well worth the pee-fee.

halfpint

This fall was on a trip in Italy and IN LINE to use the potty and the fellow was actually making change for us as the charge was .79 Euro. This was much more than we had paid previously (this was no doubt HIGH CLASS) and the one sort of absent minded fellow with us SERIOUSLY inquired as to what we were going to SEE at this stop. We said we didn't know about him but the rest of us were here to pee. True story. Have a great day. halfpint

bilboburgler

If using a cafe or bar for a pee it is kinda nice to buy something.

kerouac

Regarding pay toilets, I don't think I have ever seen a price higher than 50 cents in France, and it is more usually 30 cents. I am amazed at these references to 1 euro toilets or even 79 cents in other countries.

FauxSteMarie

I always carry little packages of tissues in case some of the toilets do not have paper.

cassius

Some enterprising person has just opened a "luxury" ladies room just opposite Selfridges on London's Oxford Street. Price to enter, £5.00!!!! Apparently they offer fancy toiletries, manicures and massages.
Madness if you ask me.

halfpint

Wow, 5 pounds to use a restroom at that one place in London. That is almost $10.00 Enough to make one start wearing depends, ha ha. Halfpint

logos999

I've never thought or worried about this...
I must be rich

FauxSteMarie

Actually, if it really is a deluxe restroom and includes a lounge where people can rest their tired tootsies, the person might have hit on a niche business.

As with any business, you can patronize it or go elsewhere [pun intended].