There’s something immoral about being forced to pay to use a bathroom. As a woman I have no other choice than to pay, but I only do so grudgingly. Unfortunately our travels seemed to always lead us to unkempt toilets that almost always lacked toilet paper and soap and more often than not, also lacked running water.
Without going into the details, these experiences were some of my least favorite of the whole trip. Ironically the cleanest public bathroom I used was in a Hutong in Beijing. Open to anyone on the street, the restroom was tucked into a residential neighborhood where traditionally people use communal facilities. It was sparkling clean thanks to a neighborhood cleaning crew. Go figure.
Perhaps we should do a Good, Bad, Ugly Bathroom edition to compliment our Signs from the Can article? What’s your experience with public bathrooms?
This photo was taken at our lodge in the Bolivian Amazon. Fortunately no one asked us to pay since we were staying there. Although I have to question their need for a sign given that we took a canoe up river for 5 hours to get there…I doubt they have any visitors besides the guests.
To see more of our favorite photos from around the world check out our travel photo page. Let us know your favorites and we’ll include them in our photo of the day series.
Adam says
Agreed, paying to use the bathroom is rather annoying, especially considering the cleanliness of most of the bathrooms. That is one of the main things I don’t miss about traveling long term–the bathroom situation. I really like not having to carry toilet paper with me everywhere and dreading our next pit stop.
jamie - cloud people adventures says
that annoys me too. although in some places, it gives someone an income they otherwise would not get, however small it is.
Jillian says
True. I wouldn’t mind paying if it was kept up regularly…
David @ MalaysiaAsia says
I assume Bano = Toilet? And 2 BS is?
Jillian says
Oops, should have translated that. Yup, Bano=bathroom, 2BS is 2 bolivianos (it’s about 7 to the USD right now)
Renee says
I agree, Jillian…that is almost a sin against nature. I have never understood who started this trend….shameful.
Roy | cruisesurfingz says
I only get upset when it’s something stupid like 1 euro to use the toilet (germany)
adventureswithben says
Paying to pee is wrong.
jade says
In Cinque Terre I had to pee soooo bad- like doing a jig bad- and there was a pay bathroom and I just went in and didn’t pay- it was that or I was going to pee all over the boardwalk! TMI- sorry! haha
John in France says
I like a clean bathroom, and don’t mind paying a coin! Have you tried the ones in Paris that self wash after use and have piped music even – I think they cost 1 Euro per use.
robin says
I’m surprised we don’t see more toilet posts – it can be such a major part of the travel experience!
inka says
Having to pay to pee is unfair but I resent it most when you have to do so in an airport or a bus station.
Laurel says
I don’t like having to pay either, but it really bothers me that you have to pay to pee in road houses in Germany and it’s now up to .75C. You can get .50C back if you buy something but still. Germany is a rich country and I’m sure the road houses are doing a good enough business as it is without charging to use the toilet.