You may think: how much is there to say about toilets? But if you haven’t traveled that often, you may be surprised. So this is the ultimate traveler’s toilet guide you didn’t know you needed! Because toilets around the world may be a lot different than what you’re used to. And come with a little knowledge on how to use them. Just the flushing alone needs to be done in different ways.

Here are the most need to know things about toilets all over the world.

Flushing toilet paper

In a lot of countries, the plumbing is poor and their septic systems can’t handle toilet paper. Most of the time there will be a sign on the toilet door, which states that you can’t flush the toilet paper. When there isn’t a sign, the wastebaskets with used toilet paper will give it away. These small wastebaskets is where you should place your toilet paper in, along with everyone else’s. Also sanitary women items need to be disposed off in there, so it’s not as hygienic as we are used to in Europe and the US.

Always carry tissues

Especially when you’re on the road or traveling in smaller cities and villages and going to a small public restroom, there isn’t always toilet paper provided or available. Always make sure you carry tissues with you. I’ve already made a lot of women grateful when I could hand them out some of mine, because they didn’t bring any.

Squad toilets

Some people like them, some people hate them. If you haven’t encountered a squad toilet before, the first time will be a bit of a shocker. But in general, it’s really not that big of a deal. And most of them are pretty clean.

Like the title says, you have to squad in stead of sitting on a toilet seat. A squad toilet is like a hole at ground level. You place your feet beside it, squad, and do your thing.

A lot of them have a flush. But if they don’t, there will be a bucket with water, and you have to flush it yourself by poring water in the hole to ‘flush’ it.

No toilet paper

In a lot of countries around the world, toilet paper isn’t used to wipe yourself with. They have a small hose attached to the side of the toilet. You take it off and aim it at where you would normally wipe your toilet paper and then spray. I’ve never used it myself, but I’ve heard that it actually get’s much cleaner.

No toilet brush

In stead of a toilet brush, there is yet another hose that is being used. This one is also attached to the side of the toilet. And you can use it to spray with into the toilet, to flush away your remains. This one I find very useful and hygienic and secretly wished we had at home.

Carry small change

In a lot of restrooms you have to pay when you want to go to the toilet. So I always carry small change. But keep in mind, just because you have to pay to go to the toilet, this doesn’t mean you can expect nicely cleaned toilets. It can still be pretty dirty toilets. But hey, when you have to go, you have to go. And you just pay, no questions asked.

Bidets

Besides the hose attached to the toilet, to use in stead of toilet paper, there’s also another phenomenon called a bidet. In some European and high end hotels outside of Europe you can find a bidet in the bathroom. I remember the first time I every saw one, it was in France and I was a little girl. I thought it was a weird thing and didn’t quite know how to use it. Of course I laughed when my parents explained it to me. But besides the funny factor, it actually can be very useful to get your nether regions clean, without the need for toilet paper.

Not everybody locks their door

In the years of traveling, we’ve noticed that there are people who never lock their toilet door. In our experience, these were all Asian women. So be aware and always carefully check if a booth is available. Otherwise it can provide you with some unwanted holiday memories.

Traveler’s Diarrhea

When you’re on a holiday and traveling, the last thing you want is to have to spend a lot of time of your vacation on the toilet. To prevent traveler’s diarrhea, there are a few things you can do (or shouldn’t do):
– Drink a lot of water. This will get rid of any bugs;
– When eating street food, be careful what and where you eat. Don’t eat food that has laid in the sun all day or has been washed with tap water or is undercooked. Also, choose busy street vendors (preferably with a queue);
– Don’t drink tap water (or fruit/salads/food that have been been washed with tap water. Or shakes which are made with ice cubes made from tap water);
– Always wash your hands after toilet visits and before eating;
– Use hand sanitizer.

Toilet locator apps

When you’re wandering the streets, visiting monuments, shopping at markets, there comes a point when you have to go to the toilet. To find a toilet near you, just download one of these Toilet Finder app. It could come in handy!

– Toilet Finder; App Store or Google Play
– Flush; App Store or Google Play