Needing Coins in London

BP, I have stayed in London for periods as long as 10 nights, and I have never ever had to use a pay toilet. The odds of you needing coins for that will be low, and I’m sure whatever coins you have will suffice.

Keep in mind that a lot of the sites you’re going to, like museums and churches and other places will have bathrooms that you can use for free. So take advantage of that while you’re there, and then you will never have to pay for a toilet.

As Mardee says there are lots of free toilets available all over London so some judicious planning will cut down the need to use any pay toilets. All mainline railway stations, all the museums and galleries you may visit, restaurants and pubs will all have toilets free to use. I am very regularly in London visiting family and I can't remember having paid to use a toilet there in years.

There will be some toilets that you may come across that you need to pay for. These will have a set fee, which will vary so there is not one coin that you will need. It's very unlikely that you will get change. It's also quite likely these days that many will take payment by contactless card or device. There will not be anyone there to offer change - the whole point of the coin operated toilets is that they do away with the need for paid staff to be on hand.

I don’t recall paying for a toilet anytime in the last 10 years in London. Every museum and most tourist sights have free toilets. The major train stations have free toilets.

In the last 5 years, the only place that I needed coins was at a coin-operated laundry (and the attendant made change for me).

A few things to add:

-Some of our coins (like the pound coin) changed a few years ago, so depending on when you were last here the coins you have may no longer be accepted.
-I almost never use coins for anything. I think the only time I have used them recently is for tipping at the nail salon and now even that I do via bank transfer. So you are very unlikely to need any.
-There are a few pay toilets around London, such as the one in Regent's Park. These take contactless payment (card or phone).
-As others have said, you can find toilets free of charge in many places in London. In addition to museums and most tourists sites, you can find free ones in all major railway stations (and some tube stations). Of course restaurants and pubs all have toilets, too. If you can't easily find a toilet, but you can see a pub, you should feel absolutely fine going in and using it, even if you don't buy anything. A lot of pubs actually participate in the "community toilet scheme" where they explicitly agree that people can use them for this purpose.

It has been my observation--not only in England--that the most famous churches may have toilets, but churches not primarily known as tourist attractions may not (or they may not be in locations where you'll spot them).

Department stores virtually always have toilets--frequently in a hidden corner on the top floor (where you may also find a restaurant), so time-consuming to reach.

According to Mr. Google, most public toilets in London are free. The exception are those in the Royal Parks, Regent’s Park, St James’ Park, Hyde Park for example, which charge 20p to £1.

A bit of useless trivia on the same subject: the phrase “to spend a penny” meaning to use the toilet, comes from the Victorian period when most of Landon’s public toilets were built and it cost a penny to use them.

Take the coins!!!

I have needed coins on two separate trips to London (Oct. 2024 and Nov. 2025) because of credit card readers not working at the pay toilets.

I am returning to London next month and will bring some cash, including toilet coins.

It’s always better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them.

Have a great trip!! I’m looking forward to reading your trip report.

You have them, so take them.

I wouldn't bother with anything 10p and less, give those to the Grandkids.

Let them jingle in your pocket for a while, once your comfort level has risen, toss them in a donation bin at a museum, or in a buskers bin, though both would prefer a tap for one or two GBP with your phone.

I believe that all of the London railway termini have free toilets now.

Just spent 25 days in England, and like Laura, only needed coins at the launderette. That was also the only time I used cash.

Any coins I had I put in a donation box at the airport.

Depending on how much change you have, just spend it at the local Tesco, Sainsbury, etc. if you do have any of the old round pound coins, just donate them.

Last year on the South of England tour we only ran into one pay to pee toilet, 50p, somewhere in Cornwall. During the week I was in London pre tour, I didn’t run into any pay toilets.

Just a note for anyone going to Italy. I just got home from northern Italy. Toilets in train stations are now 1€ 20cents. That caught a lot of people off guard and struggling for change.

I ran into two cafes with squatty potties, one in Asti and the other in Vicenza. I hadn’t seen them since Leningrad in 1969! Not easy for older women; use only of you’re desperate!!

Wow, so many responses.

I can not answer them all so I will say a big thank you to everyone.

Cat, someone told me something similar to what you posted. The person had coins so old that they were not easy to use but they were allowed.

My coins all have the late Queen Elizabeth II on them. I was in London in 2023

I do want to use my coins for something.

And tomorrow I have an appointment and am going to try Citymapper.

If your coins are from 2023 then they will be fine. The vast majority of our currency, coins and notes, still has the late Queen on them.

I do know that there are some toilets in the City of Westminster which are chargeable, such as the ones at Westminster Pier (currently closed for refurbishment). Unfortunately the City list doesn't actually specify which are chargeable, cross referencing you to the Great British Toilet Map, which the city have populated-
According to the Map the next closest ones to the Pier are at Westminster station (Exit 6), which are apparently £1 currently, but there are other options available.
The list is interesting because until very recently the ones at Victoria Coach Station were chargeable (now free), so I always used the ones at Victoria Rail Station. I had never thought of going into Victoria Public Library, but apparently theirs are public toilets (as is every other library in the City of Westminster).
https://www.toiletmap.org.uk/

They also have a collection of temporary night time only toilets for weekend nights.

The City of London (the Square Mile) has a Community Toilet Scheme- not long ago I updated the City of London scheme on the Toilet Map, actually for someone on this forum.

The person had coins so old that they were not easy to use

Unless you have been hoarding coins since the early 90s, the only demonetized coin of concern would be the 1 GBP coin. The round ones were demonetized in 2017, last date of issue was like 2015. The new one has 12 sides, instead of round. So sort those out.

Another thank you to everyone who has responded.

I have butterflies in my stomach but I am also excited.

I always feel that I can not get everything done but somehow I get everything done.

I've been going to London for 6 decades and never had to pay to use a toilet. As already posted, pubs, fast food, department stores, free museums, train station are all available. Some places might have systems in place to restrict their use to customers.
The Wetherspoon chain of pubs are particularly easy to use and are all over the capital. The one in John Lewis on Oxford Street are absolutely spotless.
Use your coins for small purchases, Tesco meal deals for example. Or leave a couple of pounds tip if you feel the need, make sure you haven't paid a service charge first though, no need to tip twice.

Two years ago I needed to use the toilets at the north end of Trafalgar Square, which needed a coin (can’t remember which one.) I just told the attendant I didn’t have any cash and he let me in using a token he had attached to his belt.

That’s a great story, Golden Girl. I think people are very kind in England and are always willing to go out of their way for someone. I’ve mentioned this story before, but when I was in London in 1996, on my first visit overseas, I went to the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. I had to pee so bad by the time I got there because I’d been on a London Walks pub crawl and had one (or maybe two) pints. 😊

Of course, there are notices all over saying there are no public toilets, and they tell you ahead of time to make sure that you go, but I had not had any time to go, as I was worried I’d be late. In fact, I had to take a cab there from the last stop on the pub tour.

At any rate, I explained my predicament to one of the guards, and he was so kind and took me to his own private residence and let me use the toilet there. I will never forget that kindness and I thanked him profusely. Now, obviously, you can’t count on that happening today, but I still think that Londoners are kind and realize that having to pee is a force of nature, and sometimes you just really need to go.

Regarding peeing in the Tower of London, not a phrase I thought I would use today…
With my job if we had foreign guests we were able to attend the Ceremony of the Keys as special visitors and then go for drinks in the private on site bar. I think I went 5 times in all. Anyway the ladies toilets were outside the bar, opening into a court yard and we were told they had previously been jail cells and that the last man to be executed in the tower spent his last night in there. I have no idea if this was true or they were just winding us up but it certainly gave you something to think about while you were on the loo!

Emma, that is very interesting. Yes, definitely something to think about! I've seen some jail toilets before on TV and in photos, and hopefully they look better than those did. Although the UK may be a little bit more compassionate than the US with regards to prison cells and toilets.

Just got back from trip to London/Paris/Amsterdam and easily completed trip without any pounds or euros. If I needed to pay for a toilet, was able to scan a credit card on my phone to pay (lol and I was in a lot of bathrooms....).

I agree with Carrie--take the coins! Mardee you are right about the kindness. Last time I was in the UK I asked a charity shop volunteer if there was a toilet I could use. She saw the desperation in my eyes and let me use the toilet, which was not for the public...
No matter how proactive and well-planned...

Thank you everyone.

Had my shot in the knee today and did discuss future surgery.

Tomorrow, my Covid and flu

Practiced on Citymapper

If I needed to pay for a toilet, was able to scan a credit card on my phone to pay

I believe that’s what’s known as “Tap to Pee” - LOL.

I just got both Covid and Flu shots today, bostonphil7, both in the same arm, and I’m glad you’re getting your shots, too.

With the knee injection, you’re getting more and more prepared. We’re going to be in London in exactly 4 weeks, and I am bringing over a few coins that came home from the previous trip. Hope you have a fantastic trip!

Hi Cyn

Yes, I am getting there. I never think I will be prepared but in the end, I always am.

I am going to get one injection in each arm. CVS has reminded me that I am eligible for two more vaccinations but I do not think so for now. Two are enough.

I have also reported travel.

CVS is next door to a small Whole Foods and I think I will get my snacks today for the flight. However I might be tempted to eat my snacks before I even leave!

I do not know how people who travel a lot do it. It is such a production for me. Maybe the more that you travel, the more you have it down pat.

Speaking of public toilets. One of things I loved about the Queen's Gallery in Westminster Abbey was not only did they include an elevator for us golden agers or those with mobility issues, but they also had public toilets in the lobby of the gallery, so you didn't have to interrupt your visit to go find one. I'm pretty sure this is a correct memory, but in case I just dreamed how clever they were when creating this space, please feel free to correct me if you've been there recently.

Hi Laurie Beth

If I get to the Queen's Gallery, I will let you know.

Yesterday, I was watching a very long youtube video about a walk from PI Victoria and we walked by the Queen's Gallery.

Going to do some research on The Queen's Gallery.

The Westminster Abbey website confirms those toilets in the Queen's Gallery- https://www.westminster-abbey.org/faq

I’m kind of late to add anything to this thread, but I will say we (I mean my son) learned the hard way about having a few coins, (50p seemed to be the usual request).

At Westminster in 2023 there were no toilets that were free nor received cc payments. Maybe that’s changed now, but we ended up finding a Pret and paid for food so he could use the facilities. The problem was the line for the WC was 15 deep. Then the loo became mostly dysfunctional. It was bad. When we went to the Cotswolds just a few weeks ago, we saw most Toilets had a tap and pay to enter… but there were a few that did not and one that the tap and pay machine wasn’t working and you could enter with coins.

Just our experiences, but based on these occurrences, we will always have a bit of cash/ coins just in case when we return.

Looking forward to hearing about your trip, bostonphil! Enjoy!

No one is ever too late to add anything to my discussions. I appreciate all responses whenever they might come.

I will most definitely have coins. I want to use them and I do not want to come back with a bag of coins.

They might be used for toilets or they might be used for something else but they are going to get used even if I use them at the airport the day that I am leaving.

How much are the paid toilets these days? They are. a pound or less. right, but you can use your credit card to pay and do the tap and pay?

Sometimes on your return flight to US, the airline will offer to collect your foreign coins for a specific charity, as they know you can't exchange them for US$. It's strictly voluntary, of course.

The ones in the Royal Parks are 20p, but others you might encounter can be 50p, 60p (the usual charge in the English Lake District) or £1 at Westminster Station.

It just varies.

At Coniston in the Lake District those run by the National Park at the main car park/TIC office are 60p, walk literally a few yards over the bridge to those run by the local Council, and you pay 50p!!

So sometimes it pays to know such details.

Thus back in London if you were in Whitehall you have the choice of going to Westminster Tube Station (£1) or the ones opposite the back of Horseguards (20p) or if you can hang on those at Charing Cross Railway Station (free) as one example. [there are likely others in that general area, but an example].

I will always take loose change coins off anyone, I can always use it, but I'm not in London in the next few weeks!! I'm in the Manchester area, Thirsk (Yorkshire), the Lake District and maybe Inverness or Isle of Skye (yet to book).

Laurie Beth

What do you mean that they will take my coins on the flight home? Do I get anything in return?

isn31c

I might like to attend a service at Westminster Abbey.

My coins add up to several pounds. I know that I have pences but I believe I have a couple that are pounds

We usually fly British Airways, and for many years, coming home, the envelope that the earbud headphones come in also serves as a receptacle for spare coins. They used to have a “Change for Good” program that takes any and all change from anywhere in the world, and it went to UNICEF. Now, American Airlines has the Change for Good, and British Airlines’ is Flying Start, a charity program partnered with Comic Relief.

You get good feelings for helping out, and potentially a tax deduction, and you’re not hauling around extra coins when you get home.

bostonphil, yes, there are tap and pay type machines outside some of the WC doors. We saw separate ones outside each of the men’s and women’s doors, and occasionally one singular one before entering the facility. These were in addition to the attachment for cash/ coin payments.

As cyn said, if you fly British Airways about an hour before landing the flight attendants will collect any change - from any country- for charity. When we flew home with United, this wasn’t done, so maybe it’s just a BA program?

bostonphil7, I should have said they collect coins for a charity. I know it wasn't just British Airways because I've never flown with them. You don't get anything for it, like a free drink or something, but it does go to a charity.

What do you mean that they will take my coins on the flight home?

They collect them. It is voluntary. You don't need to give them. You don't have to take them out of your purse.

Do I get anything in return?

They are given to charity. You get to feel warm and fuzzy and happy you have helped - in return.

What do you mean that they will take my coins on the flight home? Do I get anything in return?

I haven't encountered the spare change collection on recent flights. However, it's relatively easy to find a donation box amongst the duty free shops or eateries as you wait for your departure at the airport.

I might like to attend a service at Westminster Abbey.

You should look into attending an Evensong service, offered most afternoons - it's free - you queue up outside near the gift shop - if you are near the front of the line, you should be able to sit with the choir in the stalls.

I will be in London in 4 weeks. I just picked up some GBPs and was surprised I still received bills with the Queen on them. Oh, well. Left over from past trips is exactly one coin...one pence. I'm sure that pence will be useful (eye roll, LOL)

It seems to me Italy is the only place I've ever paid to pee, and I appreciated the payment because they were so clean!

Boston Phil, Relax, you will love London.