Restrooms in busses

The buses have bathrooms, but they are tiny. There will be rest stops for the longer trips. I suggest contacting the RS tour office directly with questions or concerns.

The forum is other travelers, not Rick Steves staff.

Rick Steves tours don't have their own buses, so the ones they use vary. Most have toilets, but often they are emergency only. The tours have frequent stops, sometimes for something to visit, and sometimes just a toilet break. Generally speaking, there are stops in the 1.5 to 2 hr. range.

Arlene I assume we are speaking or RS Tours. In the nine we have done we have been encouraged to reserve the bathroom for emergencies only. The bus rides have always had stops within a reasonable period of time. Plus I believe the drivers can only drive for a limited time without stopping. Plus your guide will advise you in advance. RS rule is “go when you can not when you need too.

Yes, the drivers are required to be given a break every two hours. Sometimes those breaks are just a quick rest stop, but they can also be a wine-tasting lunch for the tour group while the driver is getting a longer break.

I like to drink two cups of coffee every morning which of course, unfortunately makes me need to go more often just in the morning. For tours, I either get up earlier and have a cup in my room and then a smaller one with breakfast, or I wait to have my second cup in the afternoon.

The bus restroom is for emergencies. There is zero chance of you riding in the bus longer than 1-1/2 hours 2 hours max before a pit stop. Believe me Rick knows his clients. No worries. The bus drivers are required to take breaks. You will stop multiple times for restroom breaks.
We’ve taken 3 RS tours. Also, 5 hours on the bus doesn't necessarily mean 5 direct hours. There could be stop to visit a site, a stop for lunch, and multiple restroom stops.

Reading your question I realize you addressed you question as if you are wanting to ask the Rick Steves office and not this forum. You can contact them directly via email.

Restroom in a bus is an over statement. Think of it as a half size, may be a quarter-size portapotty on wheels. It is serviceable but you weighing less than 200 lb is helpful. It is for emergency usage only because bus driver has to clean it. And that is not high on his list of preferred duties.

You will stop every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. After 12 tours, I’ve only seen the toilet (and that’s all it is) on a bus used one time. It’s normally in the space by the stairs midway back on the bus and not easily accessible. You are asked to use only in an emergency. On these tours, as someone else mentioned, you learn to take advantage of a restroom when one is available not wait til you need to go. And the only time we’ve been on the bus longer than 2 hours (and it was only minutes) was on the southern Italy tour when the whole highway stopped because of an accident, our bus driver was panicking because the fine is quite hefty if he didn’t take a break.

Have taken RS tour in Greece and Italy. Never had more than 2 hours between a stop. The door to pottytorium on the bus made an airplane restroom door look huge. Never saw the inside but with the frequent stops there was never any need to consider it being needed.

No idea which Italy trip you are looking at but a 5 hour day in the bus will have at least 2 stops along the way.

Just want to chime in a say that, although everything mentioned here is true about the rides always stopping every 2 hours or less, people can and do use these bathrooms. Let's face it - a lot of us are older travelers and have some health issues that we never wanted but carry with us, nonetheless. Bladder issues, for some, is a real thing and I understand. No one wants to use the tiny toilets but I am here to say that if you need to go, please don't be in pain - just use the toilet. I wouldn't want anyone to be incredibly uncomfortable (and that is the situation for many with medical issues) because the word 'emergency' may mean different things to different people.

Here is a previous discussion on toilets on RS tour buses:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/restroom-stops

When you called the RS tour office, what did the representative on the phone tell you when you asked?