Travelling to a new city for the first time can be exciting but you may also feel a bit anxious, especially if you don’t know where to find an accessible toilet. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of five cities that rank highly for their number and/or quality and accessibility of toilets to help you navigate the world.
Paris
Paris has the most public toilets per square kilometre out of any European city. With 6.72 public toilets per km2 it’s far ahead of Zurich, in second place with 2.90 per km2 and Copenhagen in third with 1.46 per km2. But how accessible are the numerous public toilets in the City of Love? To start with, the public toilets known as sanisettes are free to use and they are all designed to be accessible for people with disabilities. Most are open from 6am to 10pm however 150 out of the 400 sanisettes are open 24 hours a day. They are also self-cleaning ensuring a more hygienic and pleasant experience. You can find the locations of the sanisettes and their opening times on this interactive map.
Tokyo
Tokyo has even more public toilets than Paris with an estimated 8 per km2 though not all of them are accessible to people with disabilities — traditional squatting toilets are still a common feature. However, this could be set to change in the not-too-distant future with the Tokyo Toilet project. Launched ahead of the 2020 Olympics, the initiative aims to modernise Japan’s public toilets prioritising cleanliness, space and accessibility. 16 creators from all over the world were invited to create innovative public toilets in the Tokyo neighbourhood of Shibuya, they are as architecturally stunning as they are accessible. These aren’t the only accessible toilets available though.
Most train or subway stations, tourist attractions and larger supermarkets have accessible toilets known colloquially as daredemo toire or “everyone toilet”. As the name suggests they are designed to be used by anyone including disabled people, older people and parents with young children. They are gender neutral and spacious to allow for prams and wheelchairs as well as a carer in case the person requires assistance. They also offer surfaces to place your supplies on and a special sink for ostomates which is larger and deeper than an ordinary sink and positioned lower to make emptying your bag easier. If you’re travelling to Tokyo you can download the Toilet Journey app (available for Android and iOS) to help you find the location of public toilets and information on the facilities available.
Sydney
With 3.64 public toilets per km2 toilets are not as numerous in Sydney as they are in Tokyo or Paris. However, since The City of Sydney’s Public Toilet Strategy was published in 2014 they have made accessibility a priority with plans for innovative automated toilets. These will be self-cleaning and wheelchair accessible with plenty of space and surfaces for supplies. Although these toilets are still in the planning stage existing accessible toilets can be found with The National Public Toilet Map. This interactive map shows the locations, available facilities and opening times of public toilets all over Australia. On that note, accessible public toilets are often not open 24 hours a day but locked toilets can be accessed using a Master Locksmith’s Access Key (MLAK). These are available to purchase from the Master Locksmiths’ Association of Australasia.
Zurich
Zurich is close behind Sydney in terms of public toilet density with 2.90 per km2 however not all of them are accessible or free. This interactive map shows the location of all the public toilets in Zurich including those that are accessible. The facilities information is in German so if you’re looking for a free toilet look for the word “gebührenfrei” under Gebühren. Some will say “Eurokey Gratis” which means that they are free to use with a Eurokey which is similar to a Radar key in the UK. Eurokeys can be used in countries other than Switzerland including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. You can order a Eurokey and view a map of Eurokey accessible locations in Switzerland on the eurokey.ch website.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen has fewer public toilets per square kilometre than other entrants on this list with 1.46 per km2 and like Zurich not all of them are accessible. Out of the 177 public toilets in the city 100 are accessible to people with disabilities and 77 are open 24 hours a day. This interactive map shows all the public toilets in Copenhagen and when they are open. Those labelled with an “H” are accessible. However, unlike Zurich all the public toilets in Copenhagen are free to use. All the public toilets are cleaned several times a day with what are known as supervised toilets cleaned after each visit.
If you’re travelling abroad this summer there are apps that can help you find a toilet wherever you are in the world, like Flush. Available on both Android and iOS, it has over 200,000 public toilets in its database located all over the world. Not only does it tell you where to find them but also if they’re accessible. If you’re holidaying closer to home you can use Toilet Map, an interactive map that shows you where you’re nearest accessible or Radar Key public toilet can be found anywhere in the UK.
Whether you’re exploring bustling cities or relaxing in scenic towns, knowing where to find a clean, accessible toilet can make a huge difference to your travel experience. So, wherever your next adventure takes you, a little planning—and the right app—can ensure comfort is never out of reach. Safe travels.