Toilet Index: what to expect from toilets abroad
Sources: Agenzia per il controllo e la qualità dei servizi pubblici locali di Roma Capitale (ACoS), Veritas S.p.A. (water, waste and public-service company for Venice and its province)
Rome's own 2022 inspection of its central public toilets judged each one on its seat, flush and cistern. It found them complete and working in 80% of inspections of open toilets, and no toilet had disposable seat covers. The report does not mention squat toilets.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Rome: 70 public toilets in the central tourist areas, inspected September to November 2022
The rail network operator describes the Roma Termini station toilets as accessible, signposted and served by a tactile path.
Where this applies: Roma Termini railway station toilets
Veritas lists at least one accessible toilet at each of the 16 public toilet sites on its page for Venice and the lagoon islands, including 4 at Piazzale Roma. Two sites were listed as closed for works: Bragora until 22 January 2027 and Lido until 30 April 2027.
Where this applies: Venice historic centre and islands: toilets run by Veritas
If you need a seat: No source read gives a count of seated and squat toilets in Italy. Rome's 2022 inspection assessed public toilets by their seat and cistern. If you need a seat or more space, use the accessible toilet (disabili): the operators of Roma Termini and of Venice's Veritas toilets both list one.
Accessible toilets: not covered yet.
Rome's 2022 inspection found toilet paper in 80% of inspections of open public toilets. The market toilets were most often without. Carry a small pack of tissues for the other 20%.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Rome: central public toilets inspected September to November 2022
In the Venice area, the utility Veritas says toilet paper is made to dissolve in water and is what belongs in the WC, and that the WC is not a bin. The page does not cover other places.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Venice area served by Veritas; a utility's public message, not a rule for every building
Do not flush wet wipes or make-up pads: Publiacqua, a water utility based in Florence, says they do not break down in water. It also lists paper tissues and sanitary pads among things not to flush, because they clog drains.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Publiacqua customers (the company is based in Florence); household advice that a visitor can apply in public toilets
In Rome's 2022 inspection, liquid soap was present in 75% of inspections and paper towels or a hand dryer in 73%. Taps did not work in 15%.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Rome: central public toilets inspected September to November 2022
A 1975 national decree requires every dwelling to have at least one bathroom with a toilet, a bidet, a bath or shower and a washbasin, so a bidet next to the toilet is part of the standard home bathroom.
Where this applies: Dwellings (homes); the decree does not cover hotels or public toilets
Each of the three toilet areas at Roma Termini charges an access fee of 1 euro, according to the rail network operator's station pages. The pages are undated and the two language versions list different hours for one area.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Roma Termini railway station
At Italy's 14 major stations, which include Roma Termini, Milano Centrale, Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Venezia Santa Lucia, the station operator's charter lists paid toilets as a commercial service run by Grandi Stazioni Retail.
Where this applies: The 14 Grandi Stazioni railway stations
Carry coins. In Rome's inspection report of autumn 2022 (an older report, so check on site) only 34% of the public toilets were free. Card payment worked only at the underground tourist toilets (P.STOP) and the Fori Imperiali tourist infopoint, and change machines were rare, especially at metro and rail stations.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Rome: central public toilets inspected September to November 2022; findings are from that autumn-2022 report
In Venice, the only tariff found is from 2019: it set 1.50 euro for ordinary entry to Veritas toilets and 1.00 at Tronchetto and the Giardini Napoleonici. Prices may have changed since. The operator says entry is by coin in a coin acceptor. Check the current price on site.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Venice: public toilets run by Veritas; tariff dated 2019
In Venice, people with a visible disability and one companion enter Veritas toilets free, whatever their residence or nationality. Other discounts depend on the Venezia Unica card.
Where this applies: Venice: public toilets run by Veritas
Do not rely on a public toilet being open. Rome's inspectors found the toilets open in 61% of inspections and apparently abandoned in 24%, and opening hours were posted in only 7%.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Rome: central public toilets inspected September to November 2022
Venice's Veritas toilets close in the evening. Listed hours include Piazzale Roma 8:00 to 20:00, Rialto Novo 9:30 to 19:00, Diurno San Marco 9:30 to 19:00 and Giardini Napoleonici 10:30 to 18:30. Veritas says the toilets are staffed by cleaning staff while open.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Venice: public toilets run by Veritas; hours as listed on the operator's page on 10 November 2026
Grandi Stazioni says the toilets at Roma Termini are constantly attended. In Rome's 2022 inspection, no metro-station toilet had an attendant, so expect an unattended paid entrance there.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Roma Termini railway station; Rome metro stations
Seen something different in Italy? Email us what changed, where and when you saw it.
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