10 Toilets from Around the World

The toilet is a universal necessity in every household, used regularly by family members everywhere, from California to Dubai. Cultural traditions, customs, daily habits, and convenience all shape a society's perception of what defines a "toilet." Even though we rarely think twice about it, the toilet is often taken for granted in our daily lives. It’s no surprise, then, that many travelers are taken aback when they encounter their first international toilet. You might be shocked by some of the toilets around the world, both public and private, that await the curious traveler.

Around the world, toilets have evolved according to cultural practices. Each country approaches hygiene, access to disposable paper, and water availability differently, leading to a wide range of toilet designs and solutions for our most natural functions.

While many complain about the condition of airline bathrooms, setting off on an international journey might reveal that the airplane toilet is the last place you’ll find your hometown bathroom expectations. However, you’ll also soon learn that the world provides countless inventive ways to "get down to business." So, prepare yourselves, travelers, for a global exploration of toilets.

10: The Porcelain Throne – As American as Apple Pie and Baseball

Though known for their boldness and loud personalities, Americans are surprisingly particular about their toilets. With a vast number of nicknames for their toilets, they tend to expect one specific image when they enter a bathroom to answer nature’s call: a white porcelain bowl, about 16 inches (40.6 cm) high, with a rim, seat, and an easily accessible flush lever, paired with a soft, fresh roll of toilet paper.

Indoor plumbing and the basic toilet have been commonplace in much of the Western world since Thomas Crapper played a pivotal role in popularizing the water closet in the late 1800s. Perhaps that’s why even a remote outhouse in the United States typically features a raised seat and a few magazines nearby. Additionally, portable toilets, commonly found at construction sites and other work areas, are often chemical toilets that come with odors not fit for polite conversation, but they remain familiar to the Western eye.

From a hygiene standpoint, however, some travelers are hesitant to place their bare skin on an unfamiliar (though polished and porcelain) rim or seat. The toilet bowl is filled with water (though Americans are reducing water usage by opting for more "eco-friendly" dual-flush toilets), and splash-back is an occasional occurrence.

9: Squat Toilets – The Ultimate Pit Stops

Widely used around the world, squat toilets are likely to be encountered if you're traveling somewhere without a McDonald's in sight. While the pit you squat over might vary, the basic concept remains the same. From a hygiene perspective, only your feet, positioned on either side of the hole, do the dirty work. Your bottom doesn't touch anything, though in Peru, it’s wise to watch out for sloths. They’ve been hanging around local squat spots for the past 25 years, munching on nature’s leftovers [source: Walker].

Toilet paper becomes a concern for squatters depending on what the squat drop lands into:

Occasionally, toilet paper may be provided, though outside of Europe and the United States, it might feel more like sandpaper and often comes with a cost [source: Style]. If none is available, keep an eye out for a hose, faucet, or small red bucket [source: Whitehorn]. Don’t hesitate or complain, as the squat toilet is just as beneficial for your intestines, even if it’s not the ideal spot for solving the Sunday crossword puzzle [source: Rane and Corstiaans].

8: Bidets – Water, Water Everywhere

Don’t be surprised if you encounter water faucets in unexpected places while traveling abroad – many international toilets have bidet units integrated into the otherwise basic commode. From Europe to the Middle East, countries prefer bidet toilets for their hygienic benefits and the limited availability of disposable paper. If no toilet paper is provided, don’t use your own – plumbing and waste disposal systems vary worldwide, and you don’t want to cause a backup or upset the locals. Here are the three main types of bidet toilets you might come across:

7: Pay Toilets – Pay to Go

If you’re visiting Paris or other large European cities, bring some change if you’re not heading straight to your hotel. Using public restrooms, called sansinettes, will cost you (typically under $1, or the equivalent). Also, don’t forget your cell phone – in Finland, you must text the National Road Service to open a pay toilet remotely [source: Cellular-News].

These pay toilets are usually very clean, with many being sanitized automatically after each use. They’re often on timers, so don’t linger too long, or the door will open, and disinfectant sprays will begin to emit from the walls. Don’t try to sneak into a freshly vacated stall to save a few coins – it will only end in disaster, probably with you getting sprayed with disinfectant at the same time as la toilette.

The toilets themselves usually follow the Western style, although the water tank may be positioned above you or even integrated into the wall behind. Additionally, the flush mechanism can be tricky to find, often located closer to the sink than the toilet, so be sure to look around. These toilets often come from designs where the entire commode would retract into the wall during the cleaning cycle, getting hosed down automatically before returning to its original position. Very James Bond, though it’s hard to picture 007 in such a situation.

6: Luxury Commodes – Going in Style

Several Asian countries place great value on toilet culture, as seen with the World’s Most Expensive Toilet. After all, why would Taiwan have a hugely popular toilet-themed restaurant if it weren't a big deal? [source: Tso]

Japan stands unrivaled in its creativity and commitment to producing the most comfortable toilets. From the gentle Toto to models equipped with body scans, heated seats, and even remote-controlled functionality, Japan is the ultimate destination for luxurious latrines [source: AFP]. These designs are typically based on traditional Western models, but all the high-tech features are typically found in private homes rather than public spaces. Luckily, these fantastic toilets can be purchased online, so if you start yearning for the comfort of a cutting-edge toilet, just click a few buttons and say, 'There's no place like Japan!'

5: Open-Air Urinals – Private Parts

Who doesn't love a little fresh air while taking care of business? This next kind of toilet is mainly for men, but anyone passing by a public pissoir should stay vigilant. Open-air urinals are becoming more popular across Europe, many of them modern and thoughtfully designed, though in larger cities, you might still spot some charming antique versions. [source: The New York Times].

From a cleanliness perspective, these outdoor facilities help keep the streets spotless and dry. They also appear to have a lot of users, and most are free of charge. This trend has gained traction globally. In fact, an artist turned this concept into a unique creation with a two-way mirrored toilet outside the Tate Modern in London [source: BBC]. Furthermore, Beijing recently unveiled the world’s largest open-air toilet complex, which features a mix of Chinese urinals, Eastern squat toilets, and Western-style commodes all in one shared space [source: Associated Press]. Who says we can't all coexist peacefully?

4: Remote Locations -- Out of the Way

There are toilets designed for speed, efficiency, luxury, and even profit. But some toilets are built for no other reason than to prevent tourists from urinating on mountain sides and into pristine rivers -- which is actually a pretty good reason. Or perhaps these toilets exist just to give visitors something to share on Facebook. Regardless, these restrooms are constructed in such remote locations that they highlight the lengths one must go to just to relieve themselves.

The stilt toilets of San Bias, Panama, and the bamboo toilets in Papua New Guinea may appear precarious, but they make perfect sense when considering the ocean’s role in flushing away the waste. On the other hand, the port-o-john perched in the Swiss Alps seems more like a practical joke than a functional bathroom. Australia, however, boasts the world’s highest toilet [source: Hildebrand]. Additionally, due to unwanted 'calling cards' left on the immaculate mountainside, there’s now a toilet perched atop Mont Blanc in France. Not recommended for the faint-hearted, pranksters, or those with a fear of heights — these toilets might just give you a fright!

3: On-board Toilets -- Movements

Chances are, you didn’t travel halfway across the world just to remain stuck in your hotel room, so knowing what to expect from your travel toilets is essential. Whether you’re taking a train, bus, or flight, restrooms are typically available, though the design varies depending on your location and the type of transport. For instance, most airplanes are equipped with Western or American-style toilets, typically located at the back of the restroom. These flush using a vacuum system rather than water.

Trains remain a favored means of travel around the world, and while most trains offer restroom facilities, the type of toilet you'll find often reflects the local culture. For instance, when traveling through India or parts of rural Thailand, you're likely to encounter squat toilets, sometimes with a thrilling view of the tracks whizzing by. That said, some trains are more upscale, especially if you're traveling first-class [source: O'Neill]. Subways are a different story — be prepared to use station toilets instead. Reviews of these facilities aren’t always glowing, and in many European and Asian cities, using them may still come with a fee. Think ahead! Finally, be aware that older trains might not have toilets on board, so be sure to relieve yourself before embarking on a long journey.

2: Piggy Potties -- Food for Thought

Finally, here’s an ingenious way to reduce America’s bacon consumption: pig toilets. In parts of Asia, traditional squat toilets are cleverly equipped with a chute leading to a pen of hungry pigs. This eco-friendly design reduces toilet paper waste and water usage. Plus, there’s no messy cleanup unless you're the pig, and it cuts down on the need to buy or grow food for the pigs. However, no matter how daring you feel, it’s probably best to skip that ham sandwich.

1: Shelf Toilets -- Shelf of Speculation

Sigmund Freud, the renowned Austrian psychologist, once remarked, "A man should not strive to eliminate his complexes but to get into accord with them." He would likely have been an advocate for the peculiar toilet design found in Germany, Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands: the shelf toilet. This curious creation features a small, dry porcelain shelf suspended above the water level in the bowl, providing a moment of contemplation before the inevitable flush. Its sole purpose is to give people a chance to ponder their waste, as the design doesn’t actually conserve any water — the same amount is used for flushing as with regular toilets [source: Spiegel Online International].

At first, it might seem strange to find your waste left exposed, but the basic setup is a typical Western-style commode, with a single, solid flush to send everything down the drain. And if, like Freud, you enjoy introspective analysis, this toilet is truly for you.

For further exploration of toilets, plumbing, and everything related, check out the next page for more insights.