Are public toilets free in the UK?
Updated November 2026
Mostly, yes. Of the toilets in our data where we know whether there’s a charge, 89% are free (5,821 free, 752 paid).
How much do paid toilets cost?
Where a toilet charges, the most common prices in our data are 20p, 40p, 50p. More and more paid toilets take contactless payment, but carrying a few coins is still wise.
Why do some toilets close or charge?
In England, councils don’t have a legal duty to provide public toilets, and they get no specific funding for them. When budgets are tight, some councils close toilets or start charging. In Wales, councils must publish a local toilet strategy. Campaigners, including the British Toilet Association’s “Legalise Loos” campaign, want a legal duty everywhere.
Community toilet schemes
Many councils pay local businesses, such as pubs, cafés and shops, to let anyone use their toilets without buying anything. Look for a sticker in the window. On ToiletSearch.uk, toilets that are only for paying customers are labelled Customers only, so you know before you go in.
Where to find a free toilet
- Libraries, museums and galleries: usually free during opening hours.
- Large railway stations: toilets at the big stations run by Network Rail have been free since April 2019. A few stations run by train companies still charge.
- Shopping centres and big supermarkets.
- Parks and beaches, often seasonal, so check the opening hours.
Turn on the Free filter on any town page, or on “near me”, to see only free toilets.
Sources and further help
- LocalGov: Government told to spend a penny on public toilets
- British Toilet Association: Legalise Loos campaign
- Swansea Council: local toilet strategy (Wales)
- MoneySavingExpert: toilet charges scrapped at major train stations (2019)
- ToiletSearch.uk data (OpenStreetMap)
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.