Use of toilets in train stations

[tannedfrog]

It costs a lot to spend a penny.

30p in some London stations
50 cents in Belgian stations
80 cents in some German stations, even 1 euro


If you watch the station staff (including shop workers) going to the loo (at least in the London stations), you will see that they will manage to not pay even when there is no attendant.
They just move the barrier towards them and they can get through.

Personally I'm not sure I agree with paying to spend a penny, especially when I have a valid train ticket and if the toilet on the train is not fit for purpose.

How seriously can someone be reprimanded by British Transport Police for not paying for the use of the toilets?

In Belgium it may be different as the money for the toilet is in theory an optional gratuity, I think.

 

[Tom B]

A little local knowledge can help (eg at King's Cross there's a handy McDonalds just outside the station); I wouldn't mind paying 20p to use the station loos if they were well kept.

 

[tannedfrog]

actually for Kings Cross there is a better solution - St Pancras has nice, free toilets

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Just like Manchester Pic has free toilets

 

[taxidave]

London Bridge has free toilets on platform 6 and at Paddington the "Mad Bishop & Bear" has good facilities.

 

[yorksrob]

Just like Manchester Pic has free toilets

Out of interest, where are these? I'm only aware of the pay ones at the front.

 

[me123]

I'd rather see a set-up whereby rail ticket holders had free access to the loos. However, I reckon that no one would need pay for them, so the whole idea just goes out the window!

I have no problem paying for good toilets. If it means that they're well maintained and clean then it's worth the expense in my opinion. And some of the pay-to-pee ones have taken the experience to a whole new level. And, to be fair, the ones in Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley are actually very good. However, the last time I was in Queen Street's toilets (Scotrail operated) I was rather shocked at how bad it was.

In Belgium it may be different as the money for the toilet is in theory an optional gratuity, I think.

I passed through Belgium by coach recently, and was charged 30c each time I wanted to use the ones in the service station. Rather than a machine, it was a case of handing your money over to someone (usually an older person) who sat outside the toilets. A rather crap job, if you'll excuse the pun. There was a sign up requesting 30c, and I didn't see the point in trying to dodge it (they may have been old, but they looked tough), so I'm not sure if it was optional or mandatory. The standard was really poor, though.

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Out of interest, where are these? I'm only aware of the pay ones at the front.

Down by the trams, there are toilets there

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The price in Paris is €0.50 and the turnstiles are watched over by fierce looking female attendants, whose job it is to collect the cash and issue tokens where necessary - and watch that the cash goes in on the direct feed turnstiles!

 

[D6700]

Down by the trams, there are toilets there

Ta - useful gen. I've been there hundreds of times, but didn't know that.

Another alternative for many stations is to check the departure boards and find a retention tank fitted train that isn't going to depart before you've finished!

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Another alternative for many stations is to check the departure boards and find a retention tank fitted train that isn't going to depart before you've finished![/QUOTE]

Done that a few times

 

[scotsman]

Another alternative for many stations is to check the departure boards and find a retention tank fitted train that isn't going to depart before you've finished!

Doesn't work!

I tried it on a Voyager and watched to my horror as the emergency open handle was turned from the outside!

Cue a loud expletive and hasty zipping of my trousers!

Feel sorry for the cleaner, he went in, saw me, went "Agh! Sorry, sorry, sorry!" and left.

 

[yorksrob]

Down by the trams, there are toilets there

Many thanks - handy information

 

[sheff1]

Last weekend, on the main staion in Poznan, at the entrance to the gents there was a sign showing a charge of 1zl, but no attendant. A friend entered then, as he was in full flow (as it were), he was tapped on the shoulder by a fierce looking female. When he did not immediately produce any money, she grabbed his arm and tried to drag him away .

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Last weekend, on the main staion in Poznan, at the entrance to the gents there was a sign showing a charge of 1zl, but no attendant. A friend entered then, as he was in full flow (as it were), he was tapped on the shoulder by a fierce looking female. When he did not immediately produce any money, she grabbed his arm and tried to drag him away .

LMFAO, dragging him while peeing

 

[Fred26]

Another alternative for many stations is to check the departure boards and find a retention tank fitted train that isn't going to depart before you've finished!

Done that a few times

I do that. I've been at Kings Cross and had to pay though, when there's been nothing in 0-8. Or at least nothing open.
I wonder if the Kings Cross toilets will be FOC once the refurbishment is completed.

 

[Lampshade]

Many thanks - handy information

Or you could go to the ones up by platforms 13/14, move the turnstile back an inch or two then lip through the gap

I'd rather see a set-up whereby rail ticket holders had free access to the loos. However, I reckon that no one would need pay for them, so the whole idea just goes out the window!

They have that at Wigan North Western, you have to press a buzzer and show your ticket to a camera next to the door although it's very much open to abuse.

 

[route101]

Last weekend, on the main staion in Poznan, at the entrance to the gents there was a sign showing a charge of 1zl, but no attendant. A friend entered then, as he was in full flow (as it were), he was tapped on the shoulder by a fierce looking female. When he did not immediately produce any money, she grabbed his arm and tried to drag him away .

Reminds me when i got chased in Krakow last year. In Belgrade in was 10p to use the toilets and in Berlin it was a euro.

 

[tannedfrog]

1 zloty is 22p and the Polish earn much less than we do
I suppose I should be grateful that our train stations charge not more than 30p and often nothing
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
One euro in Berlin - crazy

it's as if going to the toilet is a luxury. If I had the courage I'd p*ss outside the entrance just to make a point (well I wouldn't but I can see why a homeless person would)

 

[Wyvern]

actually for Kings Cross there is a better solution - St Pancras has nice, free toilets

Interesting. You used to have to pay at St.Pancras. Before it was restored(?)

 

[Deerfold]

Interesting. You used to have to pay at St.Pancras. Before it was restored(?)

But now it's full of eateries which don't have their own loos - That's my guess as to why they're free.

 

[cuccir]

I'm right in thinking it's only the Network Rail operated stations which charge isn't it? Do they charge at all of them except St Pancras?

 

[philjo]

At Leeds you have to pay to use the toilets by the main concourse.
those on Platforms 8 & 12 are Free.

 

[route:oxford]

Until a couple of years ago, Marylebone was free.

I understood, at the time, that Chiltern saved a lot of money on train servicing as customers would wait until they arrived to use the (well kept) stationary facilities rather than use the on-train facilities.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Just like Manchester Pic has free toilets

I use Manchester Oxford Road's free toilets last week and they needed no turnstiles or attendants, they were their own deterrent!

 

[trentside]

Once had an argument with a turnstile at Birmingham New Street when trying to use a toilet. After it had taken my money and refused to let me go through, I then saw a member of station staff who just skirted round it and into the toilets. Fair enough, I though - and did the same.

I'm not sure I totally agree with pay toilets, especially when I've paid to find them in a disgusting state!

 

[John Webb]

As one of the tens of thousands of the UK population who suffer from Crohne's disease (a horrible little bug in the gut that can result in a very urgent need to get to a toilet) I am unhappy at having to pay, particularly as this can delay getting into the toilet. (Some of the worst sufferers do qualify for disabled toilet access.)

Some preserved railways now insist on 'platform tickets' for non-travelling visitors. While visiting the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway this year I found they had introduced such a charge, although they refund the £1 if you spend £5 or more in their excellent bookshop at Embsay. Chatting to the volunteers in the shop it transpired that they had introduced the charge to discourage casual visitors; apparently they had had increasing numbers of people stopping off at the station, using the toilet facilities and dashing off again without making any contribution to the railway!

 

[DarloRich]

I think it is a disgrace to be asked to pay to leave a deposit! - They should be free.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Munich Hbf has two sets of loos which charge, 80c and €1 for the nicer ones. However, there is another set of rather tatty loos hidden by U-bahn lines 1 & 2 which are free

 

[WillPS]

I'm happy to pay up to 50p so long as I can expect an immaculate, constantly cleaned toilet.