Scotland's most disliked major station toilets are Glasgow Queen Street - and here's why
But Glasgow Central’s loos scored far better
Glasgow Queen Street has the most disliked major railway station toilets in Britain and the third most unpopular in Europe, according to analysis of Tripadvisor reviews.
A total of 69 per cent of the 32 reviews of the toilets at Glasgow’s second busiest station, which is run by ScotRail, were negative.
They only opened five years ago as part of a major redevelopment of the station and passengers have to pay 50p - exact cash only - to use them.
ScotRail has yet to introduce contactless payments there despite bus stations such as Buchanan in Glasgow and Inverness providing it at their toilets.
One reviewer wrote in 2024: “50p to use the dirtiest toilets in Glasgow. Disgusting”, while another the same year objected to “expensive lavatories (50p for a pee!)”.
Inverness station’s toilets - also run by ScotRail and with a 50p cash-only admission charge - were next worst in Scotland, with 46 per cent of the 52 reviews negative.
However, the turnstiles are out of use while parts are awaited to repair them.
The toilets were followed by Edinburgh Waverley’s, run by Network Rail, with 42 per cent of its 38 reviews negative.
By contrast, those at Glasgow Central - Scotland busiest station - which are also run by Network Rail - had only 37 per cent of the 97 reviews negative.
The rail body scrapped charges at the stations and all the other major stations it runs seven years ago.
Toilets are free at some ScotRail-run stations, such as Edinburgh Haymarket, but they cost 50p to use at Aberdeen and Fort William stations.
ScotRail customer operations director Phil Campbell said: “We know how important it is that our stations are clean, comfortable, and welcoming places for customers.
“Our dedicated teams work hard every day to maintain high standards across both our stations and trains.”
A spokesperson for Network Rail Scotland said: “We're committed to maintaining high standards at our stations, ensuring facilities are clean, safe and available for passengers to use.
“The majority of toilet-related reviews at both Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central were positive.
“We listen carefully to all customer feedback and regularly review our facilities to identify opportunities for improvement where needed.”
Europe’s best reviewed station toilets were at London Victoria, with 23% negative reviews, with users praising the clean, well-kept facilities, with one describing them as "spotless and cleaning all the time".
Digital marketing agency Dark Horse, which analysed nearly 3,400 reviews in June, said paying to use toilets was the most common complaint, mentioned in nearly two thirds of negative reviews.
It ranked the 52 busiest stations across Europe, with Milano Centrale worst with 71 per cent negative reviews followed by Paris Gare du Nord with 70 per cent.
They were followed by Napoli Centrale, Marseille Saint-Charles and Manchester Victoria.
Several reviewers highlighted the shortage of cubicles and admission charge at Milano Centrale.
One 2025 review said: “Is it normal that one of the busiest stations in Italy has only ONE toilet – and closed at night?”
At Paris Gare du Nord, one visitor in 2025 found “no toilet paper in any of the stalls”.
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