Pay Toilets in Europe — How Much They Cost & How to Avoid Them

By Toiletrix Editorial Team · Malta

Published: 2025-04-15 · Last updated: 2026-10-04

If you've traveled in Europe, you've encountered them: the coin-operated turnstile, the stern attendant with a saucer, or the automated cubicle demanding exact change. Pay toilets are a European institution — but they don't have to drain your travel budget.

What Does a Toilet Cost in Europe?

Prices vary widely by country and location:

  • Germany: €0.50-1.00 at train stations (Sanifair), free at restaurants with purchase
  • France: Free (Sanisettes), €0.50-1.50 at train stations, free at museums with entry
  • Italy: €0.50-1.00 at tourist sites, mostly free at restaurants/cafés with purchase
  • United Kingdom: Free in most public buildings, 30-50p at some train stations
  • Netherlands: €0.50-0.70 widespread, even at some restaurants
  • Spain: Generally free — Spain is one of Europe's most toilet-friendly countries
  • Switzerland: CHF 1-2 at train stations — the most expensive toilet visits in Europe

Germany's Sanifair System

Germany's Autobahn rest stops and major train stations use the Sanifair system — automated, self-cleaning cubicles costing €0.70. You receive a €0.50 voucher valid at participating shops and restaurants. Love it or hate it, Sanifair facilities are consistently clean and well-maintained. Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Munich Hauptbahnhof, and Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof all use this system.

Paris — 400 Free Sanisettes

Contrary to the "pay toilet" reputation, Paris has over 400 completely free Sanisette street toilets. They self-clean after each use, are wheelchair accessible, and open from 6am to 1am. Use Toiletrix to find the nearest one — we've mapped them all near major tourist attractions including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Champs-Élysées.

The Free Toilet Playbook for Europe

You can travel Europe without ever paying for a toilet. Here's how:

  1. Shopping malls — universally free across Europe. Every major European city has a mall with clean, free restrooms.
  2. McDonald's & Starbucks — order the cheapest item (espresso, small coffee) and use the facilities. Still cheaper than a pay toilet.
  3. Museums & galleries — once inside, restrooms are free. Many European museums have free entry days.
  4. Department stores — Galeries Lafayette (Paris), El Corte Inglés (Spain), Selfridges (London) all have excellent free facilities.
  5. Churches & mosques — many large churches and all mosques have free restroom facilities.
  6. Public libraries — an underused but reliable option in every European city.

The "Café Culture" Trick

In Southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece), café culture is your best friend. A standing espresso at an Italian bar costs €1.00-1.50 — cheaper than many pay toilets — and grants you full access to the café's restroom. In Spain, most cafeterías don't even require a purchase to use the facilities.

Coins to Carry

If you do encounter a pay toilet, you'll need coins. Keep a small stash of: €0.50 and €1.00 coins (Eurozone), 50p coins (UK), CHF 1 coins (Switzerland). Many modern pay toilets now accept contactless payment, but coins remain the safest bet at older facilities.

The Toiletrix Solution

We tag every toilet in our database with a "Free" or "Paid" label, including the exact cost where known. Use the "Free Only" filter in the Toiletrix app to see only free options near you — no more fumbling for coins at a turnstile when you're in a hurry.

General information, not medical advice. See our Medical Disclaimer. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).