If we were to show you one picture of a luxury hotel bathroom and one picture of an NYC subway bathroom, surely you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, right?
We’re just kidding, there likely has never been an easier guessing game ever invented. In the same vein—and this will come as a surprise to absolutely no one—a recent report confirms what New Yorkers have long suspected: NYC’s subway bathrooms are, to put it mildly, not exactly up to expectations. Flickering lights, peeling paint, questionable plumbing… it’s the kind of “luxury” experience that no one actually wants.
For those who didn’t even know the subway had bathrooms in the first place, here’s a fun fact: there are actually a staggering 125 of them spread across the entire system. That’s 125 opportunities to experience what some might generously call “unique” plumbing.
And, listen, it may come as no surprise that the cleanliness factor of a subway bathroom is subpar. But you’d also probably expect a bathroom to have things like, well, soap and toilet seats. That is once again where you’d be mistaken in the curious case of subway bathrooms.
As reported by the office of the MTA Inspector General, an audit conducted between December 2024 and April 2025 looked closely at 32 of these bathrooms, and spoiler alert: the results were…mixed.
Most were relatively clean and functional, though five were completely closed. Of the open bathrooms, nearly all were missing at least one basic feature, whether that’s toilet paper, soap, or a proper toilet seat.
Some had graffiti, litter, or broken locks, meaning your “private moment” might not feel so private after all. And yes, those gleaming metal toilet bowls without seats? Technically, they violate plumbing codes and are a legitimate public health concern. So while you might think you’re just taking a quick pit stop, you could actually be rolling the dice.
It’s little wonder that most commuters often avoid these bathrooms entirely.
For most New Yorkers, the risk–to–convenience ratio just doesn’t add up. Bathrooms did start reopening in January 2023 after COVID-19 closures, and the MTA has pledged to fix some of the glaring issues—like installing missing toilet seats and improving communication about which facilities are actually open. A few stations, like Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center, even offer fully stocked, functional bathrooms, though these are the exception rather than the rule.
So next time nature calls while you’re underground, you might think twice—or at least lower your expectations.