Public Toilets in Edinburgh

Need a public toilet in Edinburgh and want to find the nearest loo right now? Below is a live map and a full list of public toilets across the city, followed by a guide to the best places to go - at Waverley Station, around the Royal Mile and Princes Street, in the free museums, and in the parks and gardens.

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Full list of public toilets in Edinburgh

Here is a regularly updated list of public toilet locations across Edinburgh. Tap any name to open it in Google Maps for directions.

Public toilets in Edinburgh

Where to find public toilets in Edinburgh city centre

In the city centre, the most reliable options are the toilets at Waverley Station (main concourse, between the Old and New Town), the free toilets in Princes Mall / Waverley Market, the new St James Quarter, St Andrew Square (and the bus station), and the Central Library on George IV Bridge. The City of Edinburgh Council also runs free public conveniences across the city.

Public toilets near the Royal Mile and the Castle

One thing visitors quickly notice: the Royal Mile itself has very few public toilets. The most reliable nearby options are the National Museum of Scotland (free, on Chambers Street), the Museum of Childhood, the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, and the shopping centres just off the route. Edinburgh Castle has toilets for ticket holders.

Public toilets in Edinburgh's parks and museums

Edinburgh's parks and free museums are reliable spots: Princes Street Gardens, Holyrood Park (below Arthur's Seat), The Meadows, Inverleith Park, Bruntsfield Links and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh all have public toilets, usually open during daylight hours. The free national museums and galleries - the National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery - have toilets too.

Are public toilets in Edinburgh free, or do you have to pay?

Most council-run and park toilets are free - Edinburgh has dozens of free public conveniences. Some toilets at stations and a few busy locations charge a small fee (typically 20-40p, often by card or contactless). Carry a little change or a contactless card just in case.

Public toilets during the Edinburgh Festival

During August, the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe bring huge crowds to the Old Town and the Royal Mile. Extra temporary toilets are usually provided around the main festival areas, but they get busy - the museums, shopping centres and station remain your most reliable options.

Accessible toilets, RADAR key and Changing Places in Edinburgh

Many accessible toilets in Edinburgh are fitted with a National Key Scheme (RADAR) lock - you can buy a RADAR key online or from the council to use them independently. There are dozens of wheelchair-accessible toilets across the city, and Changing Places toilets (with a hoist and an adult-sized changing bench) are available at major venues including the National Museum of Scotland and the bigger shopping centres.

Where can I find a toilet in Edinburgh open now or late at night?

Late at night, your best bets are Waverley Station, hospitals, large hotels, and 24-hour supermarkets and fast-food branches. Park and street toilets usually close after dark, so use the live map above to find one that is open near you right now.

Which places in Edinburgh have public toilets you can use?

When a dedicated public toilet isn't nearby, these everyday places around Edinburgh almost always have one. A small purchase is sometimes expected, and some keep the door locked - just ask a staff member.

Stations and transport

Waverley and Haymarket stations have toilets, and the Edinburgh Trams, Lothian Buses and the St Andrew Square bus station connect the rest of the city. Ocean Terminal in Leith has facilities too.

Shopping centres and department stores

Free, clean toilets are easy to find in the St James Quarter, Princes Mall, Ocean Terminal (Leith) and the Fort Kinnaird retail park, and in department stores such as John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

Museums and galleries

Edinburgh's major museums and galleries are free to enter and have free toilets - the National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and the Museum of Edinburgh.

Pubs, cafes and fast food

Pubs and cafes nearly always have toilets for customers, and chains such as Greggs, McDonald's, Pret a Manger and Costa are all over the city. Many also take part in a community toilet scheme.

Supermarkets

Larger branches of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Lidl and the Co-op usually have customer toilets, as do most supermarket cafes.

Libraries and hotels

The Central Library and other Edinburgh libraries, plus hotel lobbies, are quiet, free options.

Men's, women's, accessible and baby-changing toilets in Edinburgh

Most public toilets in Edinburgh have separate men's and women's facilities - sometimes signed as ladies and gents - and larger venues such as Waverley Station, the museums, the shopping centres and the big parks also offer unisex, wheelchair-accessible, baby-changing and Changing Places toilets.

This page covers public toilets in Edinburgh. Need a toilet in another city? Visit the home page of Public Toilet Near Me at publictoiletnearme.com to find a place to go near you right now.