Are there free public toilets in Switzerland?
A traveler named HeleneZ is planning a trip to Switzerland and wants to know if finding free public toilets is still a challenge, as it was when she visited in 2018. Many toilets typically require a small fee, and she's looking to prepare in advance since she often doesn't carry cash.
- Most public toilets in Switzerland still cost a small fee, so it's wise to carry coins for emergencies.
- Guests at coffee shops and restaurants can use their toilets for free, so consider stopping there when possible.
- Train stations and attractions often have clean, free toilets, making them a good option during travel.
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I was last in Switzerland in 2018 and finding a public toilet was a problem- or at least a free one—they often required a coin.
Is this still the case? As with many people I often do not carry cash so I would like to plan ahead.
thanks for your help!
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Hi HeleneZ and welcome to MySwissAlps.com!
I believe that the public toilette situation hasn’t changed since 2018 in Switzerland.
So yes, you can find public toilets but usually, they are for a small fee. Not in every case but I think it is better to be prepared.
Guests of coffee places and restaurants can use their toilettes too, but only the guests.Take care,
Ildiko
Thank you! Yes, I recall being ‘forced’ to consume a lot of ice-cream to be able to use the toilet!
Switzerland has probably the cleanest public toilets in the world. Traditionally you have needed a 50 cent (1/2 franc) coin for most public toilets (we always make sure we have a stash!) That is still the same as far as I know
We travelled by train and visited many attractions in May 2017. We used toilet in train and attractions. They were free and clean. We have not paid a single CHF for use of toilet. We were on budget and travelled 5 of us. So this was a useful hack for us
When I was last in Switzerland (2018) I found that many stations had free (and generally exceedingly clean) toilets. I hope this still the case for my next trip in September.
This applied to large or intermediate-sized places such as Spiez, La Chaux de Fonds, Gstaad, Appenzell, Aigle, Kandersteg, Martigny and the RhB station in Tirano (Italy). Even some stations in small villages had a WC, immaculately kept – I remember Langwies on the Arosa branch, Filisur, and the much lamented, now closed, Leissigen and Dārligen near Interlaken. Larger stations sometimes made a charge – I think Buchs SG and perhaps Brig. By contrast, it cost one euro at Domodossola (Italy) and the place was disgusting.
In the UK, perhaps surprisingly, toilet charges at all major stations were dropped quite recently.
Thanks to everyone for responding.
The reason I asked this was MY experience was NOT having a coin and being desperate in a Zurich station!
I will be prepared this time.
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