Unusual Toilets: A Guide to the World’s Worst Restrooms
Traveling the world opens your eyes to incredible landscapes, fascinating cultures, and, occasionally, some of the worst bathrooms imaginable. While most people worry about language barriers, unfamiliar foods, or travel safety, few discuss the real fear—encountering a truly terrible toilet. Whether it’s a squat toilet in Korea, a shitty toilet in the middle of nowhere, or an open-air jungle outhouse, every seasoned traveler has at least one bathroom horror story to tell of unusual toilets.
For those who have yet to experience unusual toilets, let me offer a warning: public restrooms in remote locations will test your endurance, creativity, and ability to hold your breath. Some are little more than a hole in the ground, while others come with unexpected challenges like missing doors, questionable plumbing, or a complete lack of privacy. If you think you’ve seen it all, just wait until you encounter a communal squat toilet or an outhouse that hasn’t been cleaned in decades.
The World’s Worst Toilets: A Traveler’s Rite of Passage
Nothing quite prepares you for the reality of a squat toilet, especially when faced with one in a dimly lit outhouse or a public restroom disaster. Some of the worst offenders include the communal wooden shed toilets found in rural villages, where the overpowering bathroom stench hits before you even step inside. The moment you close the door, you’re trapped in a cloud of human waste fumes, and suddenly, you find yourself questioning every life decision that led to this moment.
Another nightmare scenario is the backyard outhouse, a staple in Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. While outhouse toilets might seem quaint at first, the reality is far from charming. If you’re lucky, there’s a basic ventilation system; if not, it becomes an endurance challenge where you either hold your breath or suffer through it. For women, the experience is even worse, as the lack of proper facilities often means improvising in ways no one wants to discuss.
In parts of Asia and the Middle East, squat toilets are the norm, and for travelers accustomed to sitting toilets, the adjustment can be rough. Beyond the awkward positioning, many public squat toilets lack toilet paper, making travel bathroom essentials like wet wipes and sanitizer a must-have. Squat toilets in Korea and China are notorious for their simplicity—just a ceramic hole in the floor and a bucket of water to “flush.” Some are fine, while others look like they’ve been in use since ancient times.
Appealing? A pretty good restaurant, Luang Prabang, Laos – Hole in the ground, Belarus.
Personal Bathroom Horror Stories: Learning the Hard Way
I’ve had my fair share of bathroom fails while traveling, but two moments stand out as true toilet nightmares.
The first happened in Romania, at a house party in a rural town. After too many drinks, I stumbled across a dark yard toward what I thought was a normal bathroom. What I didn’t realize was that the “bathroom” was nothing more than a deep hole in the ground, and I was moments away from stepping right into it. At the last second, I managed to grab onto the flimsy walls of the hut and stop myself from taking the worst plunge of my life. Let’s just say it was the fastest I’ve ever sobered up.
The second was in Belarus, where I stayed with family in a traditional village home. The only toilet option was a small wooden outhouse, and the smell was so overwhelming that I physically could not stay inside long enough to do my business. Holding my breath didn’t work—I made it about 30 seconds before I had to escape. After a few failed attempts, I gave up and found a nearby tree, which honestly seemed like the better option.
How to Survive Terrible Toilets While Traveling
No matter where you travel, sooner or later, you’ll come across a shitty toilet experience. Here are a few ways to make the ordeal slightly more bearable:
- Always Carry Toilet Paper and Wet Wipes – Many public restrooms, especially in Asia, the Middle East, and rural areas, do not provide toilet paper. Always have travel bathroom essentials on hand.
- Master the Squat Toilet Technique – If you’re heading to Korea, China, or the Middle East, get comfortable with squat toilet etiquette before you’re forced into a high-pressure situation.
- Choose Your Bathroom Breaks Wisely – If you’re on a long bus or train journey, use the bathroom before departure. The onboard facilities can be truly horrifying.
- Stay Sober in Rural Areas – A drunk toilet trip can end in disaster—as I almost learned in Romania. Get familiar with your surroundings while you’re still clear-headed.
The Strangest and Most Unusual Toilets Around the World
While shitty toilets are a common travel struggle, some bathrooms are so bizarre that they deserve special mention:
- Gold-Plated Toilet (Hong Kong) – This 24K gold bathroom is one of the most expensive toilets in the world, making even the fanciest hotel bathrooms look basic.
- See-Through Public Toilets (Japan) – Designed with glass walls that turn opaque when locked, these high-tech toilets are great—unless the mechanism fails.
- Cliffside Toilet (Norway) – A small wooden outhouse perched on the edge of a massive cliff. One wrong move, and you’re in for the fall of a lifetime.
- Ice Hotel Toilet (Sweden) – Everything in this bathroom, including the toilet, is made of solid ice. Not exactly ideal for a comfortable experience.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Toilet Troubles of Travel
At some point, every traveler has to face bathroom horror stories head-on. From squat toilets in Korea to rustic outhouses in Eastern Europe, dealing with unusual toilets is an inevitable part of off-the-beaten-path travel. While they might be uncomfortable (or downright traumatic in some cases), these moments become funny travel stories later on.
So, next time you find yourself staring down a shitty toilet in the middle of nowhere, take a deep breath (or maybe don’t), and remember—it’s all part of the adventure.
Slums, Shanty Towns, the Poor Areas of Mumbai, Bombay, Mumbai, India, – Factory Urinals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the worst toilet experience travelers commonly face?
Many travelers encounter horrible restrooms, including squat toilets, unclean public facilities, and poorly maintained outhouses. The most common complaints include lack of toilet paper, overwhelming smells, and confusing flushing systems in different parts of the world.
2. How do you use a squat toilet properly?
Using a squat toilet requires positioning your feet on either side, squatting low, and maintaining balance. Always carry toilet paper or wet wipes, as many places don’t provide them. In some regions, flushing involves using a bucket instead of a flush handle.
3. What are some of the most unusual toilets around the world?
Some of the most unique toilets include glass-walled bathrooms in Japan, gold-plated restrooms in Hong Kong, and even cliffside toilets in Norway, where the experience comes with a heart-racing view!
4. How can I avoid bad toilet experiences while traveling?
Plan ahead! Use restrooms in hotels, restaurants, or airports whenever possible. Carry a travel bathroom essentials kit with toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes. If in a rural area, try to use the restroom before long journeys.
5. What’s the biggest challenge with using public toilets in different countries?
Cultural differences! In Asia and the Middle East, squat toilets are common, while some places don’t offer toilet paper or flushing systems. Public restroom etiquette also varies—some locations charge a fee, while others require you to bring your own supplies.
6. Are squat toilets more hygienic than sitting toilets?
Many consider squat toilets to be more hygienic since they prevent direct skin contact. However, public squat toilets can be messy if users aren’t careful. Proper squat toilet etiquette includes aiming correctly and using water instead of paper where required.
7. What’s the best way to stay clean after using a questionable toilet?
After using a less-than-ideal restroom, wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer. If water isn’t available, wet wipes or disinfectant spray can help. Some travelers even carry a small bar of soap for extra hygiene on the go.
