Travel Showers: Freshen Up On The Go (2024)

Taking a shower while travelling can be challenging, especially if you're on a road trip or living in a van full-time. However, there are several options available to keep yourself clean and fresh. Here are some suggestions for places where you can take a shower when you're on the move:

- Gyms: Signing up for a gym membership, especially at a chain with multiple locations, can give you access to shower facilities across different cities or regions. Some gyms also offer free trials or day passes.

- Community Swimming Pools: Public swimming pools often have shower facilities and can be a more affordable option compared to gym memberships.

- Truck Stops and Service Stations: Many truck stops and service stations have shower facilities, catering to truck drivers and travellers. These usually come with a fee, but can be convenient if you're near a major highway or interstate road.

- Campgrounds and Campsites: Campgrounds often provide access to shower facilities, either included with the camping fee or for a small additional charge.

- Hostels and Hotels: Renting a room in a hostel or hotel gives you access to their bathroom facilities. Some hostels may even allow you to pay a small fee to use the shower without needing an overnight stay.

- Public Restrooms: In some cities and counties, public restrooms or recreation centres may offer free or low-cost access to shower facilities.

- Airports and Train Stations: If you're passing through an airport or train station, you can take advantage of the shower facilities available for travellers, usually for a small fee.

Gyms

If you're travelling and need to take a shower, gyms can be a great option. Many gyms have shower facilities, and some even offer additional amenities like spas and saunas. This can be a great way to relax and unwind after a long day of travelling or exploring. Here are some tips for using gyms to shower while on the road:

• Consider getting a gym membership: If you're planning a lengthy road trip or travelling across different cities, investing in a monthly membership at a gym chain can be a cost-effective option. Planet Fitness, for example, offers a "Black Card" membership that provides access to their locations nationwide for less than $30 a month. This not only gives you access to clean showers but also includes other benefits like WiFi and free haircuts at some locations. Keep in mind that some gyms may not provide towels, so bring your own.
• Take advantage of free passes: If you don't want to commit to a monthly membership, you can sign up for free introductory passes at local gyms. These usually allow you to use the facilities for a week or so, and you may be able to visit different gyms as you travel to new places. This can be a great way to save money while still enjoying the benefits of a shower and other gym amenities.
• Day passes: If you've exhausted your free pass options, some gyms offer day passes for a fee. YMCA, for example, sets its own policies and prices for day passes. While day passes may be less cost-effective in the long run, they can be a good option if you only need to take a shower once or twice.
• 24-hour gyms: Opt for gyms that are open 24 hours, like 24 Hour Fitness. This gives you the flexibility to shower at any time of day, especially if your travel schedule is unpredictable.
• Don't feel awkward: If you're only using the gym for its shower facilities, you might feel a bit awkward or out of place. However, many people do the same, and gym staff are usually unfazed by it. Remember that you're paying for the service, and using the shower is one of the benefits included in your membership or day pass.
• Combine with a workout: If you want to feel more comfortable using the gym's shower facilities, you can always spend a few minutes on a treadmill or do some stretching before or after your shower. This way, you're utilising more of the gym's offerings, and you might even get some exercise during your travels!

Public beaches

If you're travelling along the coast, public beaches will often have showers available for free. However, these may not be warm or private, and you'll need to wear a bathing suit. If you're travelling inland, look for public beaches on lakes or rivers.

In Southern California, around 100 out of nearly 300 beaches have shower facilities. These include:

• Imperial Beach City Beach
• Silver Strand State Beach
• Ocean Beach City Beach
• Mission Beach
• Mission Point Park
• Bonita Cove Park
• Ventura Cove Park
• Crown Point Park
• De Anza Cove Park
• Tecolote Shores Park
• Tourmaline Surfing Park Beach
• South Casa Beach
• Children's Pool Beach
• La Jolla Cove Beach
• Seascape Sur Beach
• Fletcher Cove Beach (Pillbox)
• Tide Beach Park
• Cardiff State Beach – Seaside Beach
• San Elijo State Beach
• Swami’s Surf Beach
• Moonlight State Beach
• South Ponto Beach
• South Carlsbad State Beach
• Tamarack State Beach
• Robert Frazee State Beach
• Oceanside Boulevard Beach
• Wisconsin Street Beach
• Tyson Street Beach
• Breakwater Way Beach
• Oceanside Harbor Beach
• San Clemente State Beach
• Calafia Beach
• San Clemente Pier City Beach
• Capistrano Beach Park
• Doheny State Beach – South Beach
• Dana Point Harbor Beach (Baby Beach)
• Dana Strand Beach
• Salt Creek Beach Park
• Thousand Steps Beach
• Aliso Beach Park
• Main Beach in Laguna Beach
• Rockpile Beach
• Picnic Beach at Heisler Park
• Diver’s Cove Beach
• Crescent Bay Beach
• Pelican Point Beach at Crystal Cove State Park
• Treasure Cove Beach at Crystal Cove State Park
• Little Corona Del Mar Beach
• Corona Del Mar State Beach
• Newport Municipal Beach
• Huntington State Beach
• Huntington City Beach
• Huntington Dog Beach
• Bolsa Chica State Beach
• Sunset Beach
• Seal Beach
• Granada Beach and Rosie’s Dog Beach
• Belmont Shore Beach
• Long Beach City Beach
• Alamitos Beach
• Colorado Lagoon Park
• Cabrillo Beach – Harbor Beach
• Cabrillo Beach (Ocean Beach)
• White Point Beach
• Royal Palms Beach
• Torrance Beach
• South Redondo Beach
• Redondo County Beach
• Hermosa City Beach
• Manhattan County Beach
• El Porto Beach
• El Segundo
• Dockweiler State Beach – South Beach
• Dockweiler State Beach
• Playa Del Rey Beach
• Marina Beach (Mother’s Beach)
• Marina Peninsula Beach (Charlie Beach)
• The Venice Pier Beach
• Venice City Beach
• Santa Monica State Beach – South Beach
• Santa Monica State Beach – North Beach
• Will Rogers State Beach
• Sunset Point Beach, aka Sunset Beach
• Topanga Beach
• Malibu Surfrider Beach
• Paradise Cove
• Westward Beach
• Zuma Beach
• Nicholas Canyon County Beach
• Leo Carrillo State Park – South Beach
• Leo Carrillo State Park – North Beach

In St. Petersburg, Florida, most of the beaches on Gulf Blvd have showers, as do most hotels on St Pete Beach. The Tradewinds hotel has an indoor shower in the family bathroom behind the small tiki bar. Madeira Marina also has indoor showers. Indian Shores, Redington Shores, and Madeira Beach all have outdoor showers. Clearwater Beach has outdoor showers. Fort DeSoto has showers in the campground area. Honeymoon Island has an indoor shower inside the men's restroom. Pass-a-grille has outdoor showers at the entrance of each of the public beach paths. Paradise Grill has a larger shower.

In Palm Beach County, Ocean Ridge Park (Boynton) and Oceanfront Park in Boynton have private indoor showers.

Campsites

If you're camping and looking to take a shower, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, you could book a campsite with shower facilities. Campsite showers are usually basic, with individual cubicles, and are available on a pay-per-use basis. Remember to bring your own toiletries and shower shoes, and be prepared to queue at peak times.

If you're on a road trip, you could stop off at a truck stop or service station with shower facilities. These are generally clean and well-maintained, and you'll usually be given a code to access the shower after paying.

Another option is to bring your own portable camping shower. These range from pocket-sized to free-standing units and typically involve a bag that you fill with water (usually solar-heated) and a hose and spray. Hang yours from a tree, at least 200 feet away from any bodies of water if you're using soap, and let the sun warm the water during the day.

If you're looking for a more basic option, you could try a sponge bath. Find a private spot away from other campers and bodies of water, and use a bucket, sponge, and some soap and water to wash yourself.

Finally, if there is a safe body of water like a lake or river nearby, you can take a quick dip to wash off the grime from the day. Just be sure not to use any soap or shampoo, as these can harm the fish and other creatures.

Truck stops

To use a truck stop shower, go to the front counter and tell them you would like to purchase a shower. The cost is typically between $10 and $15, and you will receive a ticket with a number and a code to enter the room. You may have to wait for a while if the rooms are full. Some truck stops have a small lounge with games to keep you entertained while you wait, or you can wander around the store or get a meal.

When your number is called, you will be shown to your shower room and can enter your code to get in. It is recommended that you bring your own shower caddy with toiletries, as the complimentary shampoo and soap provided may have been tampered with by other customers. You may also want to bring shower shoes, a hairbrush, a contact lens case, and a change of clothes.

Some popular truck stop chains with shower facilities include:

• Flying J: With over 750 locations in North America, Flying J offers professional and delightful shower facilities. They also have a rewards program where you can earn free shower credits by fuelling over 1,000 gallons in a month.
• Love's Travel Stops: With locations across the United States, Love's provides hot showers and has a rewards program that gives you a free shower credit for every 50 gallons of fuel purchased.
• TA/Petro: Another large chain with similar facilities, TA/Petro's UltraONE rewards program gives "UltraCredits" for fuelling over 60 gallons, which can be used for showers, meals, or parking.
• TravelCenters of America: This truck stop chain has locations across the United States and offers shower credits for members who buy up to 1,500 gallons of fuel.

Truck stop showers are a convenient and relatively affordable option for travellers looking to freshen up on the road.

Hostels

What to Expect

You should prepare yourself for shared bathrooms, though private rooms may have an en-suite. Hostel bathrooms usually start the day clean, but you may be sharing with many other people who do not share your bathroom habits, hygiene practices, or cleanliness standards. The toilet may be semi-sloppy, and the shower temperature unpredictable.

In some hostels, you may not even be on the same floor as the bathroom. For example, some hostels have just one bathroom for five floors of travellers and may require you to walk up several flights of stairs in the middle of the night to use the toilet.

With so many people staying in a single hostel, hot water can run out, so expect some lukewarm showers. To make sure you get a hot shower, either aim for first thing in the morning or in the afternoon after exploring, as these times are less popular.

The quality varies wildly. Some may be visions from a circle of toilet hell, while others are nice and modern. To know what to expect, make sure to take a look at recent reviews. If the hostel bathrooms are disgusting, too few, or lacking in hot water, there will be plenty of reviews mentioning it.

Tips for Using Hostel Bathrooms

• Wear flip-flops in the shower to protect your feet from fungus and bacteria.
• Shower quickly during peak times (8-10 am and 6-8 pm) to avoid angering your dorm-mates. If you like long, hot showers, wait until off-peak times.
• Be patient if others in your dorm want to shower at the same time as you.
• Take your towel and clothes into the bathroom with you.
• Take everything with you when you leave—don't leave your shampoo or shower gel in the bathroom, as it may be used up or stolen.
• Buy a hanging toiletries bag to keep your things all in one place, dry, and easily accessible.

Frequently asked questions