In dire times, finding a public toilet is difficult, especially when you are in an unknown city or country, and during odd hours, it becomes even more difficult. This situation is more concerning for women, children, and senior citizens. This read will discuss some easy methods to find a nearby public toilet or restroom, irrespective of where you are.
How to Find a Public Toilet or Restroom at Any Hour?
While restrooms are commonly available in public places, finding one at odd hours and during an emergency becomes tough. The below-mentioned methods will help you find one in an instant.
Method 1 – Use Google Maps
Google Maps is one of the easiest methods to look for a public toilet or restroom near you. Google has been working with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of India to enable people to discover a public toilet nearby, even at odd hours. In 2019, over 2.5 lakh searches were made for public restrooms every month in India. You can search for a restroom or public toilet near you as follows.
1. Launch Google Maps (Android, iOS) on your Android or iPhone, and ensure you have enabled location services.
2. Search ‘Public Toliet,’ ‘ Restroom,’ or ‘Sulabh’ near me.
3. This will list all nearby public restrooms, with a status if they are available, closed, or open 24/7.
4. You can get directions to navigate to the nearest public toilet.
Use Google Assistant
Alternatively, you can activate Google Assistant and ask the same command to locate your nearby public restrooms.
Method 2 – Use Apple Maps
Like Google Maps, Apple Maps can also help you find a nearby restroom in case of urgency. Here’s how it can be done:
1. Launch the Apple Maps on your iPhone or iPad, and ensure you have the location services enabled.
2. Search ‘Public Toliet’ or ‘ Restroom’ using the search bar.
3. This will list all your nearby public restrooms, including operational hours.
Use Siri
Alternatively, you can activate Google Assistant and ask the same command to locate your nearby public restrooms.
Method 3 – Use Mappls (India Only)
Indian users can also use Mappls, a navigation app like Google and Apple Maps, to find a nearby public toilet.
1. Launch the Mappls app (Android, iOS) on your phone, and ensure you have the location services enabled.
2. Search ‘Public Toliet’ or ‘ Restroom’ using the search bar.
3. This will list all your nearby public restrooms, including operational hours.
Though you can look for maps outside India, their navigation is limited to India only.
Method 4 – Call Toll-Free Numbers to Enquire About Nearby Restroom
You can also call the local toll-free service helpline for details about your nearest public restroom or toilet. Here’s a list of helpline numbers you can reach out to:
- India: 000 800 9191 000
- National Public Toilet Map:
- Australia – 1800 990 646
- Outside Australia – +61 3 6211 3211
- UK Bathrooms: +61 3 6211 3211
- Unbeatable Bathrooms (UK): 01782 636245
- American Restroom Association: 800-247-3864
Method 5 – Third-Party Apps
A few dedicated apps are available to locate a nearby public toilet or restroom in an emergency. Like Toilet Finder or Flush Public Toilet, let’s have a look at them.
Toilet Finder
The Toliet Finder app has collective data of over 150,000 public toilets listed in the app, and this list is constantly updated. It works across the globe. Here’s how to find a nearby public restroom.
1. Install the toilet finder app (Android, iOS) on your phone and allow location permission.
2. Tap the search icon at the top right and search the public toilet near me. You can also search for a specific location to plan, like a public toilet in CP or Manhattan, etc.
3. This will search the public toilets for you, and you can tap any available toilets to view details, like exact location, open hours, and more.
4. Tap the walking icon to find the best route.
Flush Public Toilets/Restroom
Another third-party app you can use to find a nearby restroom is the Flush Public Toiler/Restroom. It offers a quick near me button that automatically identifies your location and lists all available restrooms in your proximity. Here’s how to use it:
1. Install the Flush Public Toilets app and allow the location permission.
2. Now, you can scroll through the map to find public toilets.
3. You can tap the Near Me button to find the nearby public toilets.
Wrapping Up
So this is how you can find a public restroom or toilet in case of urgency, no matter where you are. If you cannot find a nearby public toilet or restroom, you can look for any public amenity, like hotels, petrol pumps, metro stations, etc., to use the washroom. Stay tuned to GadgetsToUse for more such reads, and check the ones linked below.
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