6 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PUBLIC BATHROOMS IN SOUTH KOREA
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Public restrooms are maybe not the first thing you think about when planning a trip. But once in the country, they can be quite an important aspect on how your day goes!
If you have ever desperately looked for one in Italy or cut an excursion short to return to your hotel room because there were no restrooms around, you know exactly what I mean. No wonder one of the main features of any organized tour is various bathroom breaks!
So what can you expect on your trip to Korea? (Obviously, this post is geared to women though presumably most of it will also apply to men).
# 1 – They are everywhere!!!
The good news first – in Korea public bathrooms are everywhere! I have never been in any place with as many easily accessible, clean restrooms as in South Korea (other than Hong Kong).
Usually I try to point out public restrooms in my itineraries/posts because I know they can be hard to find. But I pretty much gave up on this for my South Korea posts because there is just no need.
Whether in Busan, Seoul, or on Jeju Island I never had to walk longer than 10 minutes until I came across a clearly marked public restroom.
Just as in most countries you will find public bathrooms at major tourist attractions and in malls/department stores. But they are also at every subway station and just sprinkled at short intervals along streets and hiking paths.
You will find restrooms anywhere and everywhere
# 2 – They are free
Obviously I saw only a tiny portion of public restrooms in Korea, but all of them were free. Coming from Germany, I really appreciate it as there most public restrooms do require you to pay.
While usually restroom fees are not high they do add up and even worse, sometimes require exact change or a credit card. So even if you finally found one you may not be able to use it.
None of this in Korea – you find one, you can just use it.
# 3 – They are usually in good shape
Even the more remote restrooms were at least decent
Now there are no guarantees and I ran across one or two that were a bit grungy, but overall public restrooms tend to be clean and in good shape. Just like everything else I saw in South Korea.
# 4 – To Squat or not to Squat
Lots of Asian toilets are traditionally squat toilets. While I understand the logistical and hygienic advantages of these, I am still not a fan. At all.
If you feel the same and are a bit concerned about how to deal with squat toilets, I can reassure you. While I have heard that they exist in Korea, I did not see a single one. I have read that there are some on hiking paths up Hallasan Mountain on Jeju (and presumably in more remote destinations), but most toilets seem to be the regular sitting down version.
As I spent about six weeks in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju and didn’t have to deal with a single one I think it is safe to say that you don’t need to worry too much about it. There is a chance you will encounter one but it certainly won’t be a regular thing.
# 5 – Don’t push the Emergency Button!
Years ago I used the restroom at a McDonalds in Chester, UK. For some reason I couldn’t find the handle to flush but I did see a red string with an attached handle. It seemed a bit strange but you never know and it is icky not to flush so I gave it a quick yank….
Let’s just say I will never do so again – the alarm went off LOUDLY. Until an employee came to turn it off everyone stared at the lady with a red face standing embarassed in the restroom door.
What does that have to do with Korea? Well, almost every restroom in Busan and Jeju (strangely less in Seoul) had an emergency button. I did NOT press this and there were usually signs warning you to use it only in a true emergency.
But be aware that these exist and do not push/pull the red button/string/whatever just to flush! Korea takes safety seriously and would not appreciate any false alarms.
# 6 – The Big Mystery – to flush or not to flush
So far public restrooms in South Korea seem a dream come true, don’t they? Well, there is one point that does add a bit of difficulty: What to do with the toilet paper.
As in many countries, not all pipes in Korea can handle toilet paper. So many restrooms require you to throw used toilet paper in the trash bin (yuck, I know) instead. However, some toilets CAN handle it.
The best way to deal with this (or at least what I did):
- First check for instructions
The majority of public toilets will have a sign stating either to flush toilet paper in the toilet OR to put it in the bin. In that case you know for sure – just follow the advice. - Check for a bin
If there is no instruction, I generally just look to see if there is an obvious bin inside the toilet stall with toilet paper inside. If so, I add mine. If not, I hope for the best and flush it.
Korea is a dream when it comes to restrooms
All in all, Korea is almost perfect when it comes to public restrooms. Aside of the slight difficulty with flushing vs. not flushing it is a dream for any tourist.
You will neither have to hold it for hours while running all over town nor will you have to beg a merchant or buy a drink you didn’t even want. Instead you will find free, clean restrooms in the most unlikely places!
Just one more reason why Korea is now one of my favorite destinations and a great place for a first solo trip!
