Toilets on the road

Toilets in a Campervan: Finding Them, Using Them & Dealing With the Poo! 💩

Let’s get one thing straight early on:

Living in a campervan means you will talk about toilets. A lot.

Whether you’re parked up in the wilds of Scotland, cruising through Europe, or wedged between two white vans in a lay-by at 2am, toilet logistics quickly become one of the most important parts of van life.

So let’s talk toilets — finding them, using them, emptying them, and yes… dealing with the poo 💩

Finding Toilets When You’re on the Road

Even if you have a toilet onboard, there are times when using a “proper” loo is easier, and feels far more civilised (in reality they are not more civilised but…I get it…sometimes they “feel” that way) - and why not use one when they are available?

Best Places to Find Toilets While Travelling

• Supermarkets (large stores almost always have them)

• Motorway services

• Cafés & pubs (buy a drink — it’s good etiquette)

• Public car parks

• Beaches & promenades (seasonal, especially in Europe)

• Fuel stations

    •     Hotels - they often have toilets in the lobby.

    • Railway stations - smaller ones tend to be better as less barriers so you don’t need a ticket. But always worth a check

In Europe especially, public toilets are far more common than in the UK — sometimes paid, often spotless, and occasionally surprisingly fancy.

The Best Apps for Finding Toilets 🚽📱

These apps are absolute lifesavers when nature calls unexpectedly:

🚻 Flush Toilet Finder

• Shows public toilets worldwide

• Includes opening times and access info

• Simple, fast, and reliable

🧻 Toilet Finder (by BeTomorrow)

• Huge global database

• Includes cafés, shops, and accessible toilets

🚐 Park4Night

• Not just for parking — users often note nearby toilets

• Great for wild camping spots with facilities

🏕 Campercontact

• Excellent across Europe

• Often includes disposal points and service areas

🗺 Google Maps (Underrated!)

Search:

• “Public toilet”

• “WC”

• “Toilets near me”

Then check reviews — yes, people really do review toilets 😅

Using the Campervan Toilet: The Reality

Let’s be honest — everyone loves the idea of having a toilet onboard… until it needs emptying.

But having your own onboard toilet:

• Saves late-night dashes in the rain

• Is a godsend when wild camping

• Becomes essential in bad weather or remote areas

What Goes in a Campervan Toilet?

• Human waste

• Toilet paper (unless your system says otherwise - AND there are other ways of dealing with the paper. See below)

• Approved toilet chemicals (or eco alternatives)

What doesn’t go in - EVER! :

• Wet wipes (even “flushable” ones)

• Sanitary products

• Kitchen waste

Never put ANYTHING in the campervan toilet other than what is meant to be in there.

A lot of people do not put toilet paper in their camper toilet. This saves on “available space” and means your toilet is not filling up quite so quickly

You can adopt what I call ‘The Greek Method’ :

Anyone who has been to Greece will know that they actively discourage putting toilet paper down the loo - mainly because their sewage system can’t handle it.

Instead you put toilet paper in a BIN or plastic bag (like nappy or dog poo bags) and dispose of it in the GENERAL WASTE.

Dealing With Poo 💩 : Cassette Toilets vs Separation Toilets

Traditional Cassette Toilet (Thetford, Dometic, etc.)

Pros

• Simple

• Familiar

• Easy to use

Cons

• Smelly if not managed well

• Chemicals required

• You’re mixing solids and liquids (the worst combo)

Emptying usually happens at:

• Campsites

• Motorhome service points

• Some fuel stations in Europe

Rinse thoroughly, use gloves, and don’t rush it — spills are a rite of passage you only want once!

The Thetford Separation Toilet: A Game Changer?

Separation toilets (sometimes called composting toilets, though not all truly compost) are becoming hugely popular in van life.

How It Works

• Urine goes in one container

• Poo 💩 goes in another

• No water

• No chemicals

And yes — it’s far less grim than it sounds.

💦 Dealing With the Urine (Liquids)

• Stored in a sealed container

• Can be emptied every 1–3 days depending on use

• Dispose of at:

• Public toilets

• Campsite WCs

• Chemical disposal points (liquids only)

Many people pour down a normal toilet — simple and hygienic and perfectly legal and acceptable

💩 Dealing With the Poo (Solids)

This is where people panic — unnecessarily.

• Solids are collected in a lined container

• Covered with sawdust, coco coir, wood shavings or even cat litter!

• This dries the waste and removes odour

Emptying:

• Every 1–3 weeks (depending on use)

• Bag is sealed

• Disposed of responsibly in general waste (check local rules)

No smell. No slurry. No chemical soup

Pros of a Separation Toilet

✅ No chemicals

✅ No water use (increases onboard water!)

✅ Less smell

✅ Longer time between emptying

✅ More eco-friendly

Cons

❌ Higher upfront cost

❌ You must sit down properly (aim matters!)

❌ Requires good ventilation

Smells, Hygiene & Staying Sane

Regardless of toilet type:

• Ventilation is everything

• Clean regularly (don’t wait until it’s grim)

• Use gloves

• Keep spare bags, wipes, and disinfectant onboard

• Never overfill anything — ever

A well-managed van toilet should never smell inside the van.

Other Useful Campervan Toilet Tips

• IF you have the room - carry a portable backup toilet (especially if you wild camp often)

• Always know where your next empty point is. Try and plan ahead - use the apps for toilet finding (also useful emptying into)

• Keep emergency loo roll in more than one place

• In freezing weather, separation toilets perform far better

• Respect local rules — especially in sensitive wild camping areas

And remember:

If you wouldn’t do it in your own garden, don’t do it in a lay-by.

Final Thoughts: Talking a Poo and a Wee Is Part of Van Life (as it is in any walk of life)

Toilets aren’t glamorous.

They won’t get the Instagram likes.

But they will absolutely make or break your campervan experience.

Whether you’re team cassette or team separation toilet, understanding your setup — and dealing with it properly — means more freedom, more comfort, and far fewer emergency sprints into the bushes 🌲

Because van life is about adventure…

Not about desperately clenching your bottom cheeks at sunrise 😁😁😁