For many tourists in Europe, standing in line is as much a part of the vacation as sightseeing. Savvy travelers have learned, however, that for many popular attractions, from the Louvre, to the Tower of London, to the Vatican, tickets can be purchased in advance to save time standing in line.
Now add one more to that list: pay toilets in Venice.
No joke.
Venice has long had a shortage of public toilets, and restaurants in general try to turn away non-paying customers who want to use the facilities. Public toilets currently have a one euro fee. But as of yesterday, tourists can buy one-day or one-week advance passes online at Veniceconnected.com.
A one-week pass will be available for the discounted low season rate of five euros. A daily pass, good for unlimited one-day visits, will be one euro. (In high season, the rate will go up to seven euros for a week, one-and-a-half euros per day.) But depending on the situation, having these passes in advance, as the Mastercard ad says, could be priceless.
Veniceconnected.com also sells more typical tourist items such as transit and museum passes. All orders must be placed at least 15 days in advance. Although it is not clear why, as the site says orders will be filled by delivery of a “Unique Passenger Code” – aka PNR -
For transport and toilet services, you need to show your PNR at the Venice Connected Points you find at the city gates: airport, train station, and the car terminals of Tronchetto and Piazzale Roma.
For visiting museums or accessing the municipal car park, just show your PNR when you enter.
Despite the inevitable jokes, this toilet pass is likely to be a win-win for the city. They are not expensive enough to make anyone rethink their Venice travel plans, they can only speed up potential lines, and it’s extra upfront money into the city’s coffers. There is no mention on the site about potential refunds for unused passes either.
If the idea catches on, wonder what European city will try the idea next? Or for that matter, which U.S. airline? (If you are reading this, don’t tell them.)
