Ultimate Guide to Swiss Toilet Codes & Free Restrooms (2026)

Q: Can I use a restaurant toilet without buying anything?

It depends on the venue. Independent cafés and restaurants sometimes allow restroom use if you ask politely, especially during off-peak times. Fast food chains commonly lock toilets with rotating codes to prevent non-customers from entering. The most reliable method is to buy a small item so the code prints on your receipt, or ask staff if you are in a pinch.

Q: Are Swiss public toilets accessible (wheelchair-friendly)?

Many major station toilets and modern public facilities in Switzerland are wheelchair-friendly, with step-free access and accessible stalls. In some locations, accessible toilets are operated via Eurokey and are free of charge for Eurokey holders. Look for the accessibility symbol and follow station signage for accessible WC facilities.

Q: How to get a Eurokey in Switzerland for accessible toilets?

The Eurokey is a universal key used across Switzerland and several European countries to open dedicated accessible toilet cubicles and other accessible infrastructure. In Switzerland, you can order it through Pro Infirmis by phone (+41 58 775 31 08) or via the official Eurokey website. The cost is approximately CHF 25 to CHF 30.

Q: What does "Gebührenfrei" mean on a Swiss toilet sign?

"Gebührenfrei" means free of charge. If you see it on a Swiss toilet sign, you can enter without paying a fee. Always check for any posted opening hours, especially in parks or municipal buildings.

Q: Why do some toilets have separate doors for men and women, and some do not?

Layout depends on building age, available space, and design choices. Older facilities often have separate entrances for men and women. Newer facilities sometimes use a shared sink area with individual lockable stalls to improve capacity and reduce queues. In busy stations, you may also see separation between urinals and stalls for efficiency.

Q: Where else can I find free toilets?

Reliable free options include onboard train toilets, museum lobbies, university buildings with public corridors, hotel lobbies (walk in confidently and look near reception or the bar), and municipal park toilets. The guide also recommends cemeteries during daylight hours, since many offer public restrooms. In Zurich, Theaterstrasse 18 is a little-known free option: take the escalator to the top floor during business hours.

0 Shares

When nature calls in Switzerland, the last thing you want to see is a locked door with a keypad.

It happens to everyone. You are half-way into your stroll along the Rhine, the Aare, or the lakefront in Geneva, and suddenly you need a bathroom. I've helped countless tourists find a loo. Because as a Swiss local, I know the system...

Trust me when I say that Switzerland has some of the cleanest public toilets in the world. But clean comes with a cost, and access often comes with a four-digit code, a CHF 1.50 coin, or knowing exactly which door to push.

My ultimate guide tells it all: City-by-city breakdowns, insider tips like cemeteries, toilet codes, train toilets, and hidden gems. It's the kind of insider knowledge you will want to bookmark for your next trip to Switzerland.

Swiss Toilet Guide Switzerland Mountain Toilet in Graubünden

About Public Toilets in Switzerland

Switzerland does not have one single toilet system. Essentially, there are three types of toilets available in this small country - not counting Mother Nature. Understanding which system you are dealing with saves time and stress.

Paid train station toilets

Big train stations, such as Zurich HB, Geneva Cornavin, Bern, or Basel, charge between CHF 1.00 and CHF 1.50 per visit. You pay at a turnstile via coin, card, or toilet entry card. The facilities are staffed, cleaned constantly, and genuinely excellent.

Insider tip for Bern: Head to the "Welle 7" mall above the train station. The "2theloo" facilities on the ground floor charge CHF 1.00 for a superior experience!

Code-locked fast food toilets

McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, and Starbucks across Switzerland use rotating four-digit codes to stop non-customers using their toilets. The code is printed on your receipt when you buy anything. If you need the toilet without ordering, ask the staff politely; they almost always help.

Free public toilets in Switzerland

Swiss cities and towns operate free public toilets in parks, squares, and along lake promenades. These are managed by municipal services, cleaned regularly, and marked on official city maps. No coins, codes, or access keys required.

Paid Train Station Toilets in Switzerland

"Why is there a fee to use toilets in train stations?" This is a question I hear often. Well, Swiss station toilets charge fees because they are genuinely staffed and maintained to a high standard.

You'll notice that attendants clean these facilities constantly, wiping down surfaces after every use. Some locations offer showers, baby-changing rooms, and accessible facilities.

The fee is typically CHF 1 to CHF 1.50, so I think it's a legitimate fee for what you're getting. At Zurich HB, the McClean facilities on the in-between level by the lockers also offers showers for CHF 12 and family changing rooms. They are run by Vebego AG.

Accessible toilets with are free of charge for those with a Eurokey.

McClean Toilet Facility at Zurich Main Station — Copyright Wikimedia Commons

The Eurokey Offers Free Access for People with Disabilities

Speaking of which: The Eurokey is a universal key used across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and several other European countries. It opens:

Dedicated accessible toilet cubicles at public facilities and train stations
Accessible lifts in public buildings
Accessible parking barriers
Some changing rooms and rest areas

The key fits around 12'000 locks across Europe. In Switzerland, you can order one through Pro Infirmis (+41 58 775 31 08) or via the official Eurokey website. The cost is approximately CHF 25 to CHF 30.

Pre-Loaded Toilet Entry Card

For those of you who don't carry cash, I can highly recommend buying a toilet entry card. These are available in Selecta vending machines near any major station toilet.

The card comes preloaded with CHF 1, CHF 1.50 or CHF 15 of credit. Swipe its magnetic strip at the reader and the door opens. The card is valid for five years and works across all SBB-managed station toilets in Switzerland. It costs the same as paying directly. I carry this card in my wallet because I don't usually have change when I need it...

Free Station Toilets with the Swiss Travel Pass

Here's a very cool, and likely most underused tip for accessing public toilets in Switzerland.

If you hold a valid Swiss Travel Pass or a valid SBB train ticket, you can scan it at the entry gate of most major station toilets for free access.

The pass also gets you free entry into museums - and museum lobbies almost always have clean, accessible toilets. The Bern History Museum, the Museum of Art and History in Geneva, and the Swiss National Museum in Zurich are just a few museums you could enter for free to use the toilet facilities.

Toilets in Swiss Cities - My Collection of Guides

I'll be honest: I was tired of Googling for toilets whenever I travel to a Swiss city like Bern, Lucerne, or Geneva. So, I came up with a series of ultimate guides listing free public toilets, Nette Toilette partners, and even some fast food restaurant codes. Along the way, I gathered lots of local tips (cemeteries!) and jotted down my own secret spots...

Check out my neatly curated, individual Swiss city guides:

A Swiss flag waving in the Old Town of Bern, Switzerland

Free Toilets in Bern & Toilet Codes (2026 Guide)

Free Toilets in Geneva & Toilet Codes (2026 Guide)

Lucerne Chapel Bridge - The Path to Free Public Toilets in Lucerne

Free Toilets in Lucerne & Toilet Codes (2026 Guide)

Zurich Old Town with Limmat River and Grossmünster

Free Toilets in Zurich & Toilet Codes (2026 Guide)

What to Do When You Need a Toilet ASAP

Switzerland has plenty of (nearly) free toilets, if you just know where to look! Here are some of my insider tricks on how to use toilets in Switzerland without spending a single franc. So, if you really gotta go, go down this checklist of places and spaces that offer toilets:

Look for "WC" signs

The Swiss sign their public toilets clearly with "WC". This abbreviation stands for "water closet" and is used throughout the country at train stations, squares, and parks.

Scan your train ticket or Swiss Travel Pass

At any major station, your valid SBB ticket or Swiss Travel Pass opens the gate to the toilet facilities free of charge.

Board any train

Every train has onboard restrooms. If you’re near a platform, look for a standing train with a departure time of several minutes out. Hop on, use the toilet and step right off before departure. This tip is especially useful at terminal stations where trains lay over for cleaning, such as Zurich HB, Geneva Cornavin, Lucerne and Bern.

Swiss Toilet Guide - Onboard SBB Train Toilet

Find a department store

Department stores like Manor, Globus, Migros, or Coop City usually have well‑maintained toilets. Look for toilets on the top floor or in the restaurant section.

Manor toilets are typically on the top floor near the restaurant.
Globus toilets in Zurich and Geneva are at basement level.
Coop City toilets in Bern and Geneva are at ground level or one floor up.

Check your receipt

If you are near any fast food restaurant, buy a small item. The toilet code will be on the receipt. Also check our individual city guides linked above for current toilet codes.

Find a museum lobby

Museum lobbies often have gift shops, so it is legitimate for anyone to enter and have a look around. As such, there is almost always a public toilet as well. What a surprise!

Bern: Bern History Museum (Helvetiaplatz 5)
Geneva: Museum of Art and History (Rue Charles-Galland 2)
Lucerne: Rosengart Collection lobby (Pilatusstrasse 10)
Zurich: Swiss National Museum (Museumstrasse 2)

Enter a university building

Switzerland does not have walled campus universities. Buildings are scattered through city centers and most are publicly accessible. The University of Zurich (Rämistrasse 71), the University of Geneva (Rue du Général-Dufour 24), and the University of Bern (Hochschulstrasse 4) all have free toilets in their public corridors. Walk in, follow the WC signs, and avoid interrupting classes.

Find a hotel lobby

Walk into any four-star hotel lobby with purpose. Do not hesitate but give a nod to the concierge - it works wonders. Toilets are usually located just past reception, near the bar, or on the floor with seminar rooms.

When in Zurich, head to Theaterstrasse 18

Psst! Here's one of the best-kept secrets: Enter the building, take the escalator to the top floor, and you will find a free public toilet. It is open during business hours and almost no one knows about it. No purchase or codes required, either!

If all else fails, look for a cemetery

Yes, you read this right: Most cemeteries in Switzerland offer restrooms that are open during daylight hours.

Bern: Bremgartenfriedhof (Bremgartenstrasse 1), a beautiful park cemetery with facilities near the entrance chapel
Geneva: Cimetière de Plainpalais (Rue des Rois 18), Geneva's oldest cemetery and a listed historic monument
Lucerne: Friedhof Friedental (Friedentalstrasse 70), follow the main path to the chapel building
Zurich: Friedhof Fluntern (Zürichbergstrasse 189) or Friedhof Sihlfeld (Aemtlerstrasse 151)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need coins for Swiss public toilets?

Yes and no. Most station toilets now accept credit cards, but toilets at smaller stations still require coins. Just in case, carry CHF 1 or CHF 1.50 in coins. Public park toilets operated by the city are free and require no coins. For fast food, you need a receipt code, which means you have to buy something small.

Can I use a restaurant toilet without buying anything?

In smaller, independent cafés, ask politely to use the "WC". Swiss hospitality is genuine, and most places will let you use the toilet without a purchase. In fast food chains, it's easiest to buy something small to figure out the toilet code.

Are Swiss public toilets accessible (wheelchair-friendly)?

Yes, at least at major facilities such as train stations. Look for the international accessibility symbol. Accessible cubicles are locked and require a Eurokey, which is free to use once you have the key. Older park facilities may not be accessible, though. I recommend checking the city's official toilet map before heading out.

How to get a Eurokey in Switzerland for accessible toilets?

To get a Eurokey in Switzerland, you can order it online at https://www.eurokey.ch for CHF 45 (plus CHF 5 shipping), or purchase it in person at authorized issuing agencies, such as Pro Infirmis.

A disability certificate or doctor’s letter confirming your need is required, as the key is for individuals with specific impairments.

What does "Gebührenfrei" mean on a Swiss toilet sign?

Ha! This is German and means "free of charge." Or in other words, this toilet requires no coins, codes, or access keys. You will often see this word on city-operated park toilets and municipal WCs.

Why do some toilets have separate doors for men and women, and some do not?

Switzerland is increasingly moving toward gender-neutral toilet facilities, especially in new builds and university buildings. Older municipal toilets still separate by gender. In any case, both the older and newer toilets are clearly signed.

Where else can I find free toilets?

The short answer: In train carriages, department stores, university corridors, museum lobbies, church porches, public parks, and cemeteries. As expensive as it is, Switzerland has more free toilets than most visitors would expect; they are just not always obvious.

Swiss Toilet Guide - WC Door for "Herren"

0 Shares

Ultimate Guide to Swiss Toilet Codes & Free Restrooms (2026)