travel potty mumsnet

Which Travel Potty? 7 Of The Best

For this page, I have put together a collection of the best travel potties currently available. For more top picks and best buys see my newborn baby checklist .

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall Potette Plus 2-in-1 Compact Universal Potty and Toilet Training Seat
• Best Budget Buy Pourty Easy-to-Pour Potty
• Best Eco-Friendly Hippychick Tron Disposable Travel Potty
• Best To Carry My Carry Potty

As a parent you know that when they’ve got to go, they’ve gotta go right!

If you are at a stage where you are potty training your toddler, it can be a hard task finding a toilet quick enough if you are out and about or even travelling.

Long car journeys, flights and other situations where you may not have quick access to a toilet can make you feel like reaching for a nappy….but what if there is an alternative solution that will give you the confidence to carry on the potty training, even though you’re not in the comfort of your own home?

Table of Contents

How We Selected

A travel potty or seat with liners can be a great solution to potty training on-the-go. We’ve searched the market to find the best ones available.

All of our recommendations have been tried, tested and loved by parents. We only recommend products which have plenty of 4-5/5 star reviews and positive feedback.

Also see my top pics for the best potty , baby carrier and changing bag .

Take a look at some handy tips on how to potty train over at the NHS website .

Let’s get started!

Potette Plus 2-in-1 Compact Universal Potty and Toilet Training Seat

• This cleverly designed product can be used as a standalone potty with the legs locked in place, or in the open position with the legs used to create handles that securely sit over a toilet seat (ideal for in the home or a public toilet).
• The legs can also be completely detached to make cleaning easier.
• A triple pack of super absorbent, gently fragranced disposable liners come with every purchase.
• Contains a clever pad that turns liquid to gel.
• Up to 3 liners can be stored on the folded potty ready for immediate use.
• The foldaway design allows it to be easily stored in most changing bags or tucked under your pushchair.
• Pros: Can be used as a potty or a toilet seat, foldaway design for easy storage.
• Cons: Fiddly to clean.
• Consumer Score: This travel potty is popular with 82% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.

Hippychick Tron Disposable Travel Potty

• This potty is completely disposable, recyclable and eco-friendly.
• It will fit easily into your handbag or changing bag and it is lightweight and small.
• It contains a highly absorbent, biodegradable pad which quickly eliminates odours and absorbs 250ml of liquid within 30 seconds.
• Although it is disposable, it is durable and can withstand up to 30kg!
• Perfect potty for camping, the beach and festivals.
• Pros: Eco-friendly, eliminates odours.
• Cons: Expensive and disposable.
• Consumer Score: This travel potty is really popular with 84% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.

Pejoye Foldable Potty Toilet Training Seat

• Foldable frog design and very compact potty seat.
• Will help toddlers feel more secure when sitting on a proper toilet.
• The anti-slip silicone mat material and no-gap design ensure a firm and tight grip between the trainer and actual toilet seat.
• The trainer seat is designed to fit standard toilet sizes.
• Fold up and take with you anywhere.
• Pros: Compact, foldable.
• Cons: Only suitable if your child is ready to sit on a proper toilet.
• Consumer Score: Parents like this travel potty with 73% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.

Pourty Easy-to-Pour Potty

• This is a great potty to use at home and can also be used on the go as, although it’s not a travel potty, it is lightweight and has an easy carry handle and clever ‘pour away’ channel, to easily dispose of its contents.
• Its sturdy comfortable seat will help toddlers to feel secure on it.
• Pros: Easy to empty, sturdy.
• Cons: Bulky to carry.
• Consumer Score: This travel potty has great reviews with 74% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.

BYETOO Portable Travel Potty/ Urinal for Boys and Girls

• These small and compact travel potties/urinals are available for boys or girls.
• They are great for long car journeys or skipping toilet queues when your child just needs to go for a wee.
• They are lightweight and easily portable.
• Can be reused after cleaning.
• Pros: Suitable for car journeys, emergencies.
• Cons: Only able to hold a small amount of liquid.
• Consumer Score: Really popular with buyers with 82% giving it 5 stars out of 5.

OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty for Travel

• This 2-in-1 go potty opens quickly and easily so it can be ready in snap, whether you need a standalone potty to use with disposable bags, or a potty seat to use in a public toilet.
• Three disposable bags with absorbent pads are included, and refills are available.
• The small seat is sized perfectly for little ones and the generous shield prevents splatter.
• The smooth surfaces of the potty are easy to clean, and the legs fold in to fit the potty in the travel bag which is included.
• Pros: Can be used as a potty or toilet seat.
• Consumer Score: Parents love this with 81% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.

My Carry Potty

• Great animal design carry potty which will make potty training fun.
• This has a unique carry handle that can be used when out and about.
• It has a secure locking mechanism to prevent any spillages, non-slip feet and a large bowl which shows maximum level mark.
• Plus an extra tall splash guard to prevent any mess.
• Pros: Looks great, easy to carry.
• Cons: Quite big and bulky.
• Consumer Score: This travel potty has great reviews with 83% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.

What is a travel potty or seat?

It is essentially a potty which is more portable than a standard potty that you would buy for home use.

It is usually easy to carry or comes in a case which you can take with you when you are out.

Alternatively you can take a potty seat which clips over the top of a toilet seat to make it easier for a little one to use a public toilet.

Travel potties can help support your toddler’s potty training and give you the confidence to carry on with it even when you are on the go or travelling. 

Tips for using a portable potty or seat

• Get into the habit of taking a travel potty with you everywhere so that you are not caught short
• Let your little one use the travel potty or seat at home first so they are used to it before you venture out with it
• Don’t worry about using the odd nappy or pull-up in certain situations where you can’t really carry a potty around, like say a theme park 
• Pack spare clothes just incase. Accidents will happen
• If you are potty training, let everyone who looks after your child know so that they can help with the process
• Regularly check in with your toddler and ask them if they need to go to the toilet. A little reminder should they need to
• Try and keep to a routine

FAQ’s Travel Potties

A travel potty is a portable toilet intended for young children that are learning or have just learned to potty train.

Little ones who are still toilet training usually experience last-minute emergencies when they are out and about. A travel potty can help to make you and your child more relaxed if you are caught short and there isn’t instant bathroom access.

Cheap Travel Potties & Today’s Bestsellers

Final Thought

My top pick is the Potette Plus 2-in-1 Compact Universal Potty and Toilet Training Seat as it doubles up as both a potty and toilet training seat.

Perfect for on the go, it can be used with or without liners. 82% of buyers gave it 5/5 stars and excellent reviews.

I hope this guide on travel potties was helpful.

If you think I left any out that should be included or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.

Last Updated: January 2022

• Added ‘How We Selected.’
• Updated image.
• Added Top Picks.
• Added link to NHS website.
• Added Internal links.
• Added Pros/Cons on all products.
• Added Consumer scores.
• Added FAQ’s.
• Added Alternative Retailer.
• Added Final Thought.

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Tippitoes Travel Potty (currently unavailable)

• This travel potty is small and compact and comes in its own PVC bag, handy for storage and taking with you anywhere.
• It includes 10 disposable liners.
• The potty is made from strong, durable, wipe-clean plastic, designed with practicality and simplicity in mind.
• Pros: Has a handy storage bag, wipe clean.

Minnebaby Disposable Potty Liners (currently unavailable)

• I’ve included these potty liners in this article as they are universal and work with many types of potties.
• The pack of 30 liners can be used to reduce the need to constantly clean and sanitise your child’s potty or can be thrown away when on the go and using a travel potty seat.
• They soak up liquid and waste so that there is no messy clean up and they are also odourless.
• Pros: Disposable, they soak up any mess.
• Cons: Not essential.

Nicola Horgan

• potty training

The best potties for potty training 2023

Pote Plus My First WC

My Carry Potty

mi-potty The Worlds Most Hygienic Potty

Fred And Flo Steady Potty

The Potette Max

Nuby My Real Potty

Summer Infant My Size Potty

Kids Potty Training Toilet Seat with Splash Guard 

Toilet training seat chair toddler 

Potty Training Toilet Seat Training Potty Portable Car

If you're on the hunt for the best potty for your tot on the market, you've no doubt noticed the signs that your child is ready for potty training .

If they're stopping in their tracks or hiding whenever they need to go or taking more of an interest in the toilet, then they're ready for a potty. Depending on what stage of potty training they're at, there are many different potties and potty training products and seats you'll want to consider.

While you're potty training , the potty is going to go with you everywhere; to friends and family's homes, to the shops, on walks in the woods, and to cafes. That's why you'll want to consider everything from how easy the potty is to empty, the size, how simple it is to transport and how easy it is to clean.

All parents will agree that a potty is an essential part of toilet training, and it's important both you and your toddler are happy with the potty you choose. That's why our mum testers have put the best potties for potty training to the test, taking into account how easy their toddler found using it, cleaning and emptying and value for money.

Editor's choice:

• Best for being portable: The Potette Max – Buy now on Amazon • Best for sound effects: Pote Plus My First WC – Buy now on Amazon

The best potties for 2023

1. pote plus my first wc, best for sound effects.

Rrp: £ 34.99

Description

Award: Mother & Baby Award Gold Winner 2023 for the Best Potty Training Product.

Want to really engage your little one with toilet training? Get them their own mini toilet! This Pote Plus My First WC looks just like an adult toilet - it even has a flusher (although obviously not plumbed in) and a wipes storage compartment. It really helps tots feel that sense of independence and helps them learn how the real toilet will work.

Mum tester Hannah said:  "This potty is great as it looks and sounds like a real-life-size toilet. It is easy to empty and clean and even sounds like a real toilet with a flush button. My little boy had a traditional potty that he would not go near for some reason and now loves going to the potty like a big boy. It comes in three different colours and is the perfect size for toddlers."

Read our full Pote Plus My First WC review

• Bowl is removable for easy cleaning
• Realistic flush sound button with lights
• Too big to carry around.

2. My Carry Potty

Best travel potty.

www.mycarrypotty.com

Award: Mother & Baby Award Silver Winner 2023 for the Best Potty Training Product

Developed by toilet training expert Amanda Jenner, My Carry Potty contains all the step-by-step instructions you and your toddler need to guide you both through your potty training journey. It prides itself on being the world's only leakproof potty that you can use in and out the home and wherever you go, offering your child consistency in training.

Our mum tester said: "I loved that it did what it said and was leakproof. I tested it with water first and not a drip came out. It has been amazing in situations where its not easy to empty immediately, such as when we were at the park without a toilet, we could just use it in a discreet place and then shut it and empty it at home."

Read our full My Carry Potty Training System review

• Lightweight for travel
• Not much storage

3. mi-potty The Worlds Most Hygienic Potty

Best for hygiene.

www.mipotty.com

Award: Mother & Baby Gold Award 2022 for the Best Potty Training Product

If you're looking for an affordable potty option that does the job, then the mi-potty The Worlds Most Hygienic Potty might be just what you're looking for. The clever surface of the mi potty is proven to reduce the growth of germs by up to 99.9% – that's a world first for potties. It's also 100% recyclable which makes it a great choice for eco conscious parents.

Mum tester Chelsea said: **"**It is a good size to take anywhere, easy for my son to use by himself and has a good size 'bucket' part so it can handle if my son does big wee’s etc. It is an easy material to keep clean and is travel suitable. It is lightweight so if my son doesn't like where I put it, he can move it to wherever suits him at that moment in time."

Read our full mi-potty **** review

• Very hygienic
• Might not fit in a bathroom sink

4. Fred And Flo Steady Potty

Best for comfort.

www.tesco.com

Award: Mother & Baby Award Shortlist 2021 for the Best Potty Training Product

The Fred & Flo Steady Potty has been Shortlisted in the 2021 M&B. The design is practical, with a high back for comfort, non-slip base for safety, and it's lightweight, so it is easily portable. This potty is also one of the most affordable potties on the market.

Mum tester Maryam said:  "This is compact and light, so I find that it is very portable. I recently took it on holiday as I did not want my daughter to have a break in her potty training. I also take it to nursery when my daughter goes there as my daughter likes the colours and patterns on it and wants something familiar to use at nursery."

Read our full Fred & Flo Steady Potty review

• The width and shape of the edges make it difficult to pour wee out

5. The Potette Max

Best for portability.

We like The Potette Max's 3-in-1 design. It has a hard liner for use at home - simply empty down the toilet. Then you can use it as a travel potty , with biodegradable liners and a travel bag. Plus, you can also fold it flat as a toilet training seat to sit on top of a toilet. It's great that it does all three things, as it means you only have to buy one potty - rather than a potty, a travel potty, and a seat.

Mum tester Sikha said:  "As the mum of a recently potty trained toddler, and a slightly older child too, this product is brilliant. We use it primarily as a child seat for the toilet when we're out and about, and both kids find it comfy and ready to use. It is ready to clean and packs up really small. The carry bag is useful. We have also used as an emergency potty when we've been caught short and had to pull over while driving."

Read our full Potette Max review

• 3 in 1 design
• Two colours to choose from
• Quite bulky to carry

6. Nuby My Real Potty

Best toilet-like potty.

Award: Mother & Baby Silver Award 2020 for the Best Potty Training Product

This won Silver in the M&B Awards 2020 in the Best Potty Training Products category. The Nuby My Real Potty is another favourite of ours, imitating a real toilet, even with a real flushing noise. There's also a handy place for storing wipes at the back, which is great for getting your tot into the habit of flushing.

Mum tester Sally said:  "This potty really is amazing! It is such a lovely addition to any bathroom/living room or wherever in your house a potty needs to be! It looks very comfortable, and my little one was very happy with it. The flushing is a great feature and such a fun thing for the children to be able to do as a reward after they do their business, just like a big person!"

Read our full Nuby My Real Potty review

• Suitable for babies and toddlers from 18 months
• Removable toilet bowl
• Some found the flushing sound very loud

7. Summer Infant My Size Potty

Best for cleaning with ease.

Award: Mother & Baby Bronze Award 2020 for the Best Potty Training Product

This won Bronze in the 2020 M&B Awards in the Best Potty Training Products category. Imitation adult toilets are all the rage at the moment - this Summer Infant My Size Potty features a flip-up seat, a realistic flush and a place to hold wipes. Available in pink or white (but not blue?), it has a removable, easy-to-clean bowl and a clip-on splash guard for boys.

Mum tester Jade said:  "This potty is fantastic! My little boy absolutely loves it and shows it to everyone who visits our home. Before this potty, I was struggling to convince him that he should go to the toilet on our very simple potty, and he could not understand why we used toilets and he used a potty. Now he has fully taken to attempting to potty train because he has his own mini toilet."

Read our full Summer Infant My Size Potty review

• Realistic design
• Two colour options
• Splash guard can fall down easily, better for girls than is for boys

8. Kids Potty Training Toilet Seat with Splash Guard 

This lightweight toddler and baby toilet is portable and very easy to use. The lid opens and shuts, and the bowl is detachable for easy clean-up. The splash guard for boys is also included, making using the loo comfortable, giving them a realistic experience combined with fun designs and creativity. 

One reviewer said: "Lovely little piece of equipment and child was really excited to sit on it."

• The lid opens/closes, & the bowl is removable for easy clean-up.
• A splash guard for boys is also included.
• Splash guard at the front which gets in the way when said child sits on the product.

9. Toilet training seat chair toddler 

This easy to carry potty for toddlers comes in handy as your child grows older and wants to be able to use the toilet independently. The seat can be removed and transfered onto regular toilet seats, which will help them upgrade to using the adult toilet. In addition, the fun, bright designs, a pretend flush handle, and a retractable toilet roll holder wil give your little one a sense of realism, which will boost their confidence.

**One reviewer said: "**Really recommend and we have had various types of potty and This one is the best by far . Super sturdy and doesn't move about which helps child to feel secure . Easy to clean . Not flimsy at all.'

• Kids will love using this potty chair. In addition to its fun and bright design.
• The potty toilet has a removal bowl which can be detached and washed separately.
• Not much left in stock.

10. Potty Training Toilet Seat Training Potty Portable Car

This colour and attractive car seat potty, is anti-skid strip at the bottom, which helsp to prevent slipping and the cosy soft gasket keeps your baby's buttom warm in winter and cool in warm weather.

One reviewer said: "Grandaughter loves it easy to empty. Price very good."

• The potty training seat comes with handles, to stop your child worrying about falling.
• Made of high-quality environmentally friendly materials and is wear-resistant.
• Not many colours to select from.

Choosing the right potty for your toddler and you

Weight – Some of these potties are much heavier than others. If you want your child to be able to carry their potty independently, then opt for a lighter option. Alternatively, if you want to leave the lifting of the potty to the grown-ups (it's understandable why), then you might be better off going for a heavier potty.

Size – As potties will most likely be used when your toddler is around the age of two, it's important to make sure it's small enough for them to use in terms of the seat. You'll also want to consider how big your space is, as if you want to put the potty in the bathroom, you'll need to think about how much space you have for a potty.

Comfort – No toddler will sit somewhere they aren't comfortable. Especially when it comes to having a number two, it's important for your toddler to want to sit for a while.

Ease of use – While many parents and children prefer a basic plastic potty, there are so many clever options on the market now, some even have an artificial flush feature or removable bowls.

Cleaning – With the more basic potties, you simply need to pour out the waste and clean the bowl which you can do in minutes. These suit sitting down well but if you're potty training a boy , you may prefer a potty with a splash guard to avoid any messy accidents.

Toddler appeal – It's important that your toddler gets excited about their potty. From cute designs to the added reward of being able to flush and feel very grown up, finding a potty they're excited to use is essential. You may also want to add an extra incentive by introducing a potty training reward chart .

Portability – Whether you're always travelling or your tot spends a lot of time at their grandparents, keeping portability in mind is important. You might also want to opt for a second potty to live at caregivers' homes.

Types of potty

Potty training toilet seat – If you're keen to get them used to using the real toilet and getting to grips with the bathroom space then you might be better suited to a seat that goes on the toilet seat.

Plastic potty – The most basic form of a potty you're probably most familiar with and often the most affordable. If you're keen to have a few potties around the home, then a budget plastic potty might be the best option for you.

Travel potty – Whether you're planning a family holiday or you're always on the road with your toddler, a potty that you can easily travel with is a must-have.

Removable bowl potty – With multiple parts, these potties have a removable bowl which you can take out and clean. Some have a separate potty training toilet seat which can sit over the toilet for when they get a bit older.

Why use a potty instead of a toilet?

As a small child, the toilet can look like a very big place. Not only is it hard to climb up on, the seat is often far too large for little bottoms and the seat can also feel quite cold and uncomfortable at first. Until they're confident on the potty and know how to flush without getting frightened by the loud noise, then it's a good idea to stick to a potty.

How did we choose the best potty?

There are loads of potties on the market to buy today, but which one should you choose?

To help you decide, we've rounded up the best ones - including the potties that have featured in our annual Mother&Baby Awards . Every year, we have a massive panel of real mums who test new products thoroughly with their own children, writing in-depth reviews of the products that help us decide who deserves those coveted Gold Awards.

Find out more about how we test and what considerations we take into account in our testing process.

So you can rest assured that the potties we've listed here have been tested and reviewed thoroughly - not just by the mums and experts in Team M&B but also by real-life mums putting these potties through their paces.

Our verdict on the best potty

Our favourite potties are the Potette Max and the Fred & Flo Steady Potty. They're very different potties but with massively different price points. If you want an all-singing, all-dancing potty, then plump for the Potette Max; however, the (much) cheaper Fred & Flo potty does what it says on the tin - it's a potty. You can pee and poo in it, you can empty it easily, and it doesn't cost the earth.

Emily Gilbert   is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.

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8 best potties to crack toilet training

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So, you’ve got to the stage where you need to potty train your toddler, and like most of us, you’re probably unsure of where to start. While every child reaches this point at different stages (some take a few days while others take a few weeks), the right potty is essential.

We asked Grace Tindall, founder of Scandiborn, for her best advice on choosing a potty. “Potty training can be a stressful experience for some but having the right kind of potty for your child will mean toilet training can be a breeze,” she says. “There are really three types of potties: a simple potty, one with a removable bowl, or a travel potty”.

Grace also advises asking yourself a few questions such as do you want a potty that is easy to clean? If so, choose a potty with a removable bowl, or if you want one that’s fun but fits in with your home decoration, go for a simple potty. Always on the move? You’ll need a travel potty that is lightweight and easy to take out with you.

“Having the right potty can make the whole experience go smoothly,” Grace continues. “When potty training has been mastered, transition to a toilet trainer which provides a sense of comfort and security, and much needed when a toddler first starts using an adult toilet”.

How we tested

We tested a range of potties to suit different stages including those that can be folded away in the bottom of the pram, and those that feature removable seats to go on top of the main toilet. We’ve even found biodegradable options for toilet emergencies in the wilderness. Rest assured, there’s no potty-training situation we haven’t thought of.

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The best potties for 2021 are:

• Best overall – Bumbo step and potty: £49.98, Scandiborn.co.uk
• Best for encouraging potty training – My Carry Potty: £21.95, Direct4baby.co.uk
• Best for days out – Pottiagogo potty: £14.99, Direct4baby.co.uk
• Best design – Scandiborn liewood Jonathan potty: £29.95, Scandiborn.co.uk
• Best for long walks and outdoor events – Hippychick tron disposable potty: £8.50 for a pack of three, Hippychick.com
• Best for making potty training fun – Nuby my real potty: £29.99, Boots.com
• Best for every eventuality – Potette max 3-in-1 portable folding travel potty and toilet trainer seat: £24.95, Direct4baby.co.uk
• Best for price and value – Fisher-Price 3-in-1 potty: £24.94, Amazon.co.uk

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Bumbo step and potty

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

If, like us, your toddler has nailed potty training and is transitioning to using the toilet, the Bumbo step and potty is ideal. It has a convertible design that can be used initially as a potty and later switched to become a comfy child’s toilet seat and step. Our children are very much in the “I can do it by myself” stage but aren’t quite big enough to hold themselves comfortably on the toilet. So, we found this to be a really helpful way of granting them a bit more independence without worrying about them falling in the loo.

My Carry Potty

Best: For encouraging potty training

Rating: 9/10

The My Carry Potty is designed in the style of a mini case that opens up to reveal a potty inside. It’s award-winning for many reasons including its leak-proof, hygienic and easy-to- carry design that’s as cute as it is convenient. We found that this potty was also a great way of getting our toddlers excited about going to the toilet, so we didn’t have to keep reminding them to go quite as much. And that, in all honesty, is half the battle.

Pottiagogo potty

Best: For days out

Rating: 8/10

One of the trickiest parts about potty training is venturing into the outside world and finding a toilet on time. Pottiagogo is designed to help avoid any accidents, with a lightweight plastic design that folds flat (ideal for slipping into the bottom of the pram) and opens up to create a comfy seat. You simply hook the liner bag over the sides of the potty, and then remove and throw away once your little one has used it. For us, it took so much anxiety away from potty training and the common issue of what to do with number twos when out and about. It’ll remain safely stowed away in our prams for future toilet emergencies.

Scandiborn liewood Jonathan potty

Best: Design

This potty is made from bamboo fibre and melamine and shaped with cute bear ears at the front. We have to admit that it makes a nice change to plastic and looks very sweet in the bathroom – we also didn’t feel the need to hide it like we do other potties. It’s easy to clean and feels hygienic, and comes with a cut-out at the back to make picking it up easier. It also comes in a nice range of colours if you wanted to match it to your bathroom’s scheme.

Hippychick tron disposable potty: £8.50 for a pack of three

Best: For long walks and outdoor events

Rating: 7/10

Whether you’re trying to avoid public toilets at the moment or like the reassurance of always having a potty on hand, the Hippychick tron is a great essential to keep in your bag when you’re out with the kids. Each biodegradable potty comes flat packed and pops up to create a seat. It then collapses, once your little one has used it, and can simply be discarded. We used ours at an outdoor event where the only toilets available were Portaloos (which our toddlers refused to enter) and saved a whole lot of stress. We’ll definitely be purchasing more of these for winter walks and car trips (they can also be used for travel sickness) but we marked them down a little, simply because each potty is single use.

Nuby my real potty

Best: For making potty training fun

If you want to bring some fun to your potty-training journey, the Nuby my real potty is a very cute option. It’s designed to look like a miniature toilet with a potty bowl that sits beneath the loo lid and a button at the back with a flushing sound effect. There’s also an integrated splash guard, anti-skid base and back tank that can be used to hold wipes. If we had one criticism it would be that our toddlers loved the novelty of this potty, but we did struggle at times to make them understand that it wasn’t a toy, and only something to be used in the bathroom.

Potette max 3-in-1 portable folding travel potty and toilet trainer seat

Best: For every eventuality

If you’re looking for an all-round solution, the Potette max 3-in-1 is one of our favourites. Lock the legs in to use it as a standalone potty or leave it in the open position using the legs to create handles that sit over a toilet seat. It also comes with disposable liners if you’re using it outside and has thoughtful details such as a wee guard for boys. It also folds down flat so you can stow it in the bottom of your pram or car boot. We like that this potty can be used at home and on the go, so is ideal for children who get attached to certain things (like potties) and prefer consistency.

Fisher-Price 3-in-1 potty

Best: For price and value

This cute three-in-one potty is designed to start as a potty chair. The potty ring can later be removed and placed on your toilet seat to help your little one feel more secure as they transition to using the main toilet. You can also use it as a stool which is great for placing in front of the toilet or sink so preschoolers can enjoy some independence. We also used ours to cushion our knees when bathing the kids – and reaching the top of the cupboards. It’s a very similar product to the Bumbo step and potty, and a great price too. We gave the Bumbo a higher score, however, because it feels like a better-quality product overall.

The verdict: Potties

The Bumbo step and potty was our winner because, while slightly pricey, is brilliantly designed, easy to clean, and has longevity. If you have multiple children in your household, you can use it as a potty for smaller tots, and as a step and seat for older preschoolers. This transitional quality makes it well worth the money and means you won’t need to buy different products for each potty-training transition.

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Best travel potties for toddlers that are great for when you’re on-the-go

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Congratulations, you’ve done it!

You’ve finally cracked potty training your little one and made it from the suffocating confines of your own home, where your toddler has run around completely naked from the waist down for the last few days, to emerge into the great outdoors.

Now the only problem is how to ensure your toddler still manages to go to the toilet in the potty rather than resorting to a seemingly never-ending stream of accidents. The answer? Invest in a travel potty.

Nothing strikes fear into a parent’s heart quite like hearing their little one announce, “I need a wee!” as soon as they’ve left the house. Generally, this tends to happen the moment you’ve set off in the car, or find yourself halfway down the street without a toilet in sight.

Luckily these days, there’s no shortage of clever gadgets designed to take the hassle out of going to the potty while out and about. From foldable travel potties that double up as toddler training seats to portable eco-toilets and disposable options, there’s something to suit every age, stage and situation.

Here we’ve rounded up the best travel potties to invest in to ensure you never get caught short while out and about.

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Potette Plus

This clever option from Potette is one of the most versatile travel potties around and can be used in multiple ways. When you’re on-the-go, it’s easy to unfold quick as a flash and the disposable liners are super absorbent and come with the added bonus of being biodegradable. You can use it as a regular potty at home (simply pop in the reusable liner rather than using a disposable one and empty the contents down the toilet), and it also transforms into a toilet trainer seat that you can use on the loo (just fold the legs down flat).

It’s the little details that make this three-in-one option a winner with both parents and toddlers alike, including side handles for extra stability and a built-in ‘wee guard’ for boys. They’ve recently brought out a new portable potty bundle too, which comes with a pack of Baby Sign potty training flash cards, designed to help develop skills of communication from as early as six months.

Kiddiwhizz Whizzer™ Kids Eco-Toilet

If you’re a fan of Dragon’s Den , you might have spotted this innovative product on the show. There, it impressed the Dragons, and it’s not hard to see why. Billed as the ‘world’s first handheld toilet’, the Whizzer fits into any bag and doesn’t look like a potty, making it one of the most discrete options we’ve come across.

The clever design can be assembled in seconds and comes with a detachable privacy-shield spout for boys and girls, which ensures there’s no mess (even with, ahem, unpredictable aim). We were worried it might be a bit fiddly to use, but our tester got the hang of it really quickly, though I would probably recommend it be used for slightly older toddlers who are more likely to grasp the concept straight away. And do practice at home first before taking it out and about, just to make sure you’ve got the technique down.

It’s not just for tiny ones, either – despite its small size it can hold 250ml, the quantity of an average eight-year-old’s bladder. You’ll never get caught short again.

My Carry Potty

It’s likely you’ve spotted these cute-as-a-button designs at the playground or in the park, where you’ll find mums and dads toting around bright-pink dragons, ladybirds and foxes in a bid to make going to the toilet al fresco more appealing. And here’s the thing – it actually works.

Our tester was more than happy to pee in the great outdoors as long as it was in her trusty My Carry Potty, and she then enjoyed proudly carrying it around afterwards. It’s very sturdy and leak-proof once closed, with a vacuum seal that ensures there won’t be any unwanted spillages. It doesn’t come with any liners, and cleaning it can seem a bit fiddly at first as the lid isn’t detachable, but you soon get the hang of it and the lack of liners means it’s ready to use at a moment’s notice. If your little one is a fan, you can also buy a matching trainer seat and step stool, as well as coordinating training pants.

Hippychick Tron disposable travel potty

If you’re looking for a super lightweight and compact travel potty, this is the one for you. Hippychick’s clever disposable potty is one of the best we’ve seen on the market, thanks to the fact that it’s so practical and easy to carry around.

It folds up super small, which means it can be stashed in a handbag or changing bag, as well as in the bottom of the buggy or the car. Inside, there’s a highly absorbent pad which can hold up to 250ml of liquid within 30 seconds – pretty impressive given its size.

While at first we were worried it might be a bit flimsy, once folded out, it felt reassuringly sturdy and it’s been designed to withstand up to 30kg. It certainly didn’t seem to have any problem holding our toddler tester. Best of all, once they’re finished with it, you can simply throw it away rather than having to worry about cleaning it out. Obviously, it’s not the most eco-friendly of options due to its one-use nature, but it’s a great travel potty to have with you if you’re going to a festival or need a super light option for a long day out.

Pottiagogo folding travel potty

This potty prides itself on being one of the easiest to open and set up, thanks to its ingenious ‘one-handed flick’, and our tester certainly found it quick to assemble – and we all know how vital those precious seconds can be when nature calls. Once open, it’s reassuringly sturdy, with a special safety lock that ensures it stays upright and won’t collapse when being used.

Our tiny tester found this one of the more comfortable options around, thanks to the smooth seat, which was modelled on a realistic toilet seat (and is therefore said to make the eventual transition from potty to toilet easier). Relatively compact and made enitrely from recyclable plastic, this is a reliable and affordable travel potty to stash at the bottom of your pram for days out and about.

Badabulle foldable training toilet seat

Ok, so this isn’t technically a training potty, but if you happen to have a child that doesn’t like doing their business in the great outdoors, or in front of all their friends in the park, this is a great option to have tucked away in your bag. Small, lightweight and discrete, this toilet training seat folds up into four and comes with its own carry bag, making toting it around super easy.

It’s also a great option for when you’re transitioning your toddler from the potty to the toilet, and kids love it thanks to its cute design and the fact that it’s super comfortable to sit on. With special non-slip rubber, it fixes securely onto any toilet bowl, so there’s no worry about little ones slipping around on it. It’s also really easy to clean, which is definitely a plus point.

DdLuck foldable potty

This foldable potty is a great option for taking out and about, as it folds up relatively small and stashes away in a neat little bag. The main selling point of this folding potty versus other ones is that it feels more secure and sturdy than some other options, and also sits a little higher off the ground, which can be handy if your toddler is tall for their age.

It’s easy to fold and unfold in one simple step and the bags are simple to put in and remove afterwards. It’s built for durability and can even take the weight of an adult, so you don’t need to worry about it wobbling or tipping over while your little one is on it.

Pourty Flexi-Fit Toilet Trainer

You’re probably familiar with the Pourty Potty , the award-winning potty design which makes it easier than ever to pour away the contents as quickly as possible without having to faff with separate inner bowls. Now father-of-two Jon Rathbone has come up with a new innovation – the Flexi-Fit toilet trainer.

With a unique squeeze flex action and adjustable prongs, it can be adjusted to fit securely over any toilet seat – a godsend if your little one is particularly sensitive to a wobbly seat (which, in the early days, they all are). Other plus points include a firm, comfortable seat, and a full splash guard above and below the seat. On the downside it doesn’t fold, making it a little bulky to carry about on a daily basis. We’d recommend this one if you’re going on holiday and looking for something to make the accommodation toilet feel a little more inviting.

Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Travel Potty

We trust Fisher-Price to make everything from our toys and walkers, to playmats and jumperoos - so why not trust them with our potties too? This 2-in-1 travel potty has been designed to use both at home and on-the-go. Its neat design means it folds out into a potty in a matter of seconds, helping your little go both at home and out and about.

It also features a removable folding potty ring (with a removable splash guard), which can be used to help your little one adjust to using the big toilet. When you’re not using it, it can be stored in a machine-washable carry bag, and it’s really easy to clean in between uses. Simple, no fuss and gets the job done – what else would you expect from Fisher-Price?

Our top pick would be the Potette Plus , which we love for its versatility – this potty is just as useful on-the-go as it is at home, and will take your little one through multiple stages of their potty training journey. For something a little different, we love the discrete, lightweight nature of the Whizzer , which can be used long after your little one outgrows the potty.

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My Carry Potty review – ladybird travel potty

I can’t imagine the number of hours I’ve spent changing nappies, trying not to be kicked in the teeth by a small unwilling girl along the way. That’s before I consider counting the pounds spent.

So I never thought I’d miss them once we started potty training. I know I’ve been fortunate with how smoothly it’s gone but at times I’ve wondered how we can ever leave the house between toilet stops [ Non-parents, this post may not be for you… ].

review product/contains affiliate links *

A travel potty was always going to be essential – not just for longer journeys, but for days out, trips to see friends and even jaunts to the park.

In the end, the decision came down to two. There was the Potette Plus, which had the advantage of converting into a toilet seat, but also had plenty of reviewers cursing its fiddliness, expensive bag attachments and fondness for pinching fingers.

Then there was My Carry Potty  which appealed to me more and seemed to have unfailingly good reviews. And after they sent me one to try, I can understand why.

My Carry Potty review

Bottom line, I needed something practical, to make our lives easier while we’re out and about. This couldn’t be much simpler – simply twist the catch to open it, then it’s just like an ordinary potty, so no worries about strange or offputting designs or fumbling to get it set up before she has an accident.

If you can’t empty it wherever you are, the potty is also leakproof and odourproof when you close it. I know, not a situation anyone would actively look forward to but if we’re miles from a toilet, I need a girl-friendly solution. A tree will not suffice.

It’s also very lightweight at under 700g, with a little handle, so that even Minnie can carry it around.

And that brings me to the next plus. Not as essential as ticking the boxes on the practical side perhaps, but it looks cute. I’m not sure anyone will necessarily be fooled into thinking it’s a bag or lunchbox, but it’s not that far off.

As well as various colours, they’ve also got two animal print designs – cow and ladybird. We have the latter, as part of our increasing collection of ladybird-themed toddler kit, and Minnie loves it. So much so that at one point she attempted to insist she only wanted to use that potty rather than the ones we have at home…

In just 10 days we’ve taken it to relatives’ houses, we’ve taken it to swimming, it’s been tucked under the buggy and just about crammed into the change bag (having taken all the nappies out).

And while I’m hoping we’ll move towards using a toilet as soon as possible, at £24.99 it’s not so expensive that I begrudge using it for a short time – besides, given the convenience, I’m guessing it’s going to get plenty of use even after ‘big’ toilets become an option.

The verdict for this travel potty

The verdict? Absolutely brilliant. This is one I’m definitely saving space in hand luggage for.

UPDATE: As a toddler travel potty, this was one of the most useful products we owned – and even after the potty training stage, it lived in the boot of the car for years… just in case.

Available from Amazon , Boots  and JoJo Maman Bebe .

Disclosure: I was sent this for the purposes of review. All opinions in this My Carry Potty review are, as ever, my own. Contains affiliate links: any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a few pennies.

Images courtesy of My Carry Potty

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

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Best Travel Potty

Traveling with young children can be a challenge, especially when it comes to potty training. Whether you’re on a road trip, camping, or staying in a hotel, finding a bathroom in a hurry can be difficult. That’s where a travel potty comes in handy. A travel potty is a portable toilet that can be used anywhere, anytime.

When it comes to choosing the best travel potty, there are a few things to consider. First, you’ll want to think about the size and weight of the potty. It should be compact and lightweight enough to carry around easily. Second, you’ll want to consider the type of potty. There are several types available, including foldable, inflatable, and disposable. Each type has its pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs.

After researching and testing several travel potties, I’ve highlighted the ones that are the most convenient, easy to use, and durable. Whether you’re traveling by car, plane, or train, these travel potties will make potty training on the go a breeze.

Table of Contents

Best travel potty seat, most durable travel potty, most convenient toddler travel potty, best travel potty for all ages, travel toilet buying guide.

As someone who has traveled with young children, I know how important it is to have a reliable and convenient travel potty. Whether you’re on a road trip, camping, or just out and about, having a portable potty can make all the difference. After researching and testing various options, I’ve compiled a list of the best travel potties on the market. These potties are easy to use, portable, and comfortable for your little (or big!) ones. Check out my top picks below.

OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty

I highly recommend getting this travel potty if you are always on the go with your little ones and want something durable. OXO is a top household brand, and you can feel the durability of this convertible toddler potty seat too.

• Opens quickly and easily for on-the-go potty emergencies
• Can be used flat on toilets; legs lock open for use as a standalone potty
• Legs fold in for compact storage in cars, strollers or diaper bags
• Disposable bags need to be purchased separately
• Not suitable for older children
• May not fit all toilet seats

I love how easy it is to use this travel toilet. It opens quickly and easily, and can be used flat on toilets or as a standalone potty. The legs lock open at the ideal height for growing tots, and the soft, flexible flaps hold disposable bags securely in place. The potty also comes with three disposable bags with absorbent pads and a travel bag for storage.

The smooth surfaces of the potty are easy to clean, and the generous shield prevents splatter. The legs fold in for compact storage in cars, strollers or diaper bags, making it perfect for parents who are always on the go.

However, the disposable bags need to be purchased separately, and the potty may not fit all toilet seats. It is also not suitable for older children.

Overall, the OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty is a great investment for parents who are always on the go with their little ones. It is easy to use, easy to clean, and compact enough to store in a diaper bag or stroller.

MCGMITT Portable Potty Seat

I love the convenience of this travel potty for toddlers. It comes with a travel bag, can convert into a toilet seat cover, and if it’s being used as a separate toilet you can use the included potty bags.

• The potty seat can be used as a stand-alone bedpan or as a little toilet seat cover in combination with most toilets.
• The non-slip design ensures the stability of the toilet seat, allowing your child to gain more confidence while using the toilet as a beginner.
• The portable potty seat is easy to use and comes with disposable drawstring potty bags, which makes potty mess-free.
• The expanded size of the seat is 13.8 x 12.6 x 3.2 inches, which may not be suitable for larger children.
• Cleaning the potty can be a little messy.
• The bowl is a little small, which may not be ideal for children who need to go frequently.

This travel potty seat is easy to use and comes with disposable drawstring potty bags, which makes the whole ordeal mess-free. Plus, the non-slip design ensures the stability of the toilet seat, allowing my child to gain more confidence while using the toilet as a beginner.

One thing to keep in mind is that the expanded size of the seat is 13.8 x 12.6 x 3.2 inches, which may not be suitable for larger children. Additionally, cleaning the potty can be a little messy, so make sure to bring wipes or paper towels. The bowl is a little small, which may not be ideal for children who need to go frequently.

Overall, I would recommend this for anyone looking for a portable potty seat for their little ones. It’s convenient to use, easy to carry around, and comes with everything you need to make potty training on-the-go a breeze.

YUNHECAM Toddler Portable Potty Training Seat

I recommend this portable toilet if you would want to possibly use it with older children or adults.

• Suitable for different ages as the weight limit is 220 lbs.
• It’s so easy to snap into place an use quickly
• It includes 60 disposable bags and is an easy seat to clean
• May not fit in some small diaper bags
• Disposable bags need to be purchased separately after the initial 60 are used
• May not be suitable for larger children or adults over 220lb

This travel potty is suitable for children of different ages, and it’s also sturdy enough to support the weight of an adult up to 220lb. The installation is very easy, and it folds up nicely for storage in the car or backpack.

The disposable bags that come with the product are very convenient for cleaning, and they are easy to find in local supermarkets. However, after the initial 60 bags are used, you will need to purchase more separately. One thing to note is that the potty seat may not fit in some small diaper bags, but it does fold up small and put in the car.

Overall, this travel potty is a great investment for parents who travel frequently with their family of older children and adults.  I highly recommend this product to anyone who wants to make their life easier while on the go.

When it comes to choosing the best travel potty, there are a few things to consider. As a parent, I know how important it is to have a reliable and convenient potty for my child while on the go. Here are some features to look for when choosing a travel potty:

Portability

The whole point of a travel potty is to be able to take it with you wherever you go. Look for a potty that is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry. Some potties even come with a carrying case or handle for added convenience.

Travel potties need to be able to withstand frequent use and transport. Look for a potty made of sturdy materials that can hold up to wear and tear. Consider the weight capacity and age range of the potty to ensure it will work for your child.

Ease of Use

The last thing you want is a complicated potty that is difficult to set up and use. Look for a potty that is easy to assemble and disassemble, with simple instructions. Consider the size and shape of the potty, as well as any extra features like a splash guard or removable bowl.

Travel potties can get messy, so it’s important to choose a potty that is easy to clean and sanitize. Look for a potty with a removable bowl or liner that can be easily emptied and washed. Some potties even come with disposable liners for added convenience.

Compatibility

Finally, consider how the travel potty will fit into your overall travel plans. Look for a potty that is compatible with the type of travel you will be doing, whether it’s by car, plane, or train. Consider the size and weight of the potty, as well as any additional accessories or supplies you may need.

Now you know when choosing a travel potty to look for a portable, durable, easy to use, hygienic, and compatible potty that meets your child’s needs.

Ready Aim Travel is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission to help keep the site free for everyone. We do not accept money for any reviews provided, and the views, opinions and recommendations are our own.

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10 of the best potties for toilet training toddlers

Which potty could make toilet training less stressful and what features are important - our expert guide includes parents' feedback to help you make the best choice for your toddler

• Anna Richardson Taylor
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Potties (portable toilets) help toddlers make the exciting step from using nappies to being toilet trained. They come in a surprising variety of styles and sizes, from standard potty seats to those that look like a throne or even ‘flush’. Aside from potties for at home you can also have potties to take with you on your travels. Travel potties are compact and are made to be portable and easy to carry about and empty out.

Potty training for child doesn’t have to be super stressful. Granted, it can mean a frustrated or confused toddler, a worried parent and lots of mess to clear up! But get the timing and tools right and things can go more smoothly, so we’ve chosen the best potties tried and tested by real parents and their children to help make the journey easier. There are also lots of resources out there to help guide you with this process, such as potty training books, podcasts and even educational videos for parents to equip themselves and their toddler.

In my own personal experience, I was sure my son would never learn to use the toilet! We tried and failed and tried and failed again, until we simply decided to wait until he was ready and in no time, he just asked if he could use the toilet one day and the rest is history.

Best potties at a glance:

• Best potty for easy emptying: Pourty Easy-to-Pour Potty, £9.99
• Best for taller toddlers: Strata Deluxe Lining Potty Chair, £11.99
• Best budget potty: Ikea Lilla Children's Potty, £3.50
• Best 3-in-1 potty: Bumbo Step 'n' Potty, £56
• Best flushing "toilet": Venture UK Pote Plus My First WC, £19.99
• Best for a high back: Ikea Lockig Potty, £7.50
• Best non-slip potty: BabyBjörn Smart Potty, £30
• Best potty for toddler appeal: Fisher-Price My Potty Friend, £49.99
• Best for cause and effect: Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends Rewards Potty, £53
• Best for home and away: My Carry Potty, £26.99

What to look for when choosing a potty

Size – Depending on where your potty will be situated most of the time, your home layout and other logistics, this will determine the size of potty you get. You may need one by your toddler's bed or in the living room in addition to the bigger one in the bathroom upstairs, for instance. Plus, knowing whether your child likes to use a little potty or one that resembles a real toilet is another thing to bear in mind with size.

Suitability – Toilet training a boy differs from toilet training a girl and vice versa. The potty you select has to be able to accommodate your child's gender in order to prevent mess and for your child to be comfortable learning how to use the potty. Picking a potty with a splash guard or high front will be a good option for boys.

More like this

Versatility – Some potties do more than just what it says on the tin: we have some potties on our list that convert into a step and have seats that can be detached from the potty and used on the toilet so you have more use out of it as your child's confidence grows.

Comfort – Comfort can also play a key role in toilet training. Some toddlers don’t like to feel too exposed when sitting on a potty. In these cases, a potty with more of an armchair feel may work better.

Cost – There's a surprising variety and choice of potties with prices to match. You can get standard potties with simple features and no bells and whistles but you can also find easy-clean potties, fancy flushing potties, potties that look like thrones and even disposable potties. Our list ranges from £3.50 to £45 but different products offer different advantages with a range of practical and innovative features.

Care – Some potties are easier to clean than others - and you’ll certainly be doing a lot of emptying and cleaning. Potties that have a removable insert can be emptied and cleaned more easily than most one-piece potties.

Practical or fun – A jazzy or entertaining potty can add a sense of play and joy to the whole experience, so they’re ideal for toddlers who are nervous about this new phase or possibly scared of toilets. Children love emulating their grown-ups so a miniature toilet with flush and lid can be a good option.

When should you buy a potty?

The key thing is to take a gently-gently approach – don't force your toddler if they don't feel ready. The tell-tale signs that let you know your toddler is ready include:

• Showing an awareness of when they are going to the toilet in their nappy
• Staying dry during nap times
• Going at least 2 hours in the day with a dry nappy
• Complaining as soon as they have filled a nappy

Try to avoid comparing your little one with their peers (we know it’s easy to do). Whatever you opt for, try not to put yourself and your toddler under any pressure – and if things don’t go well, don’t hesitate to call the whole thing off and wait a while to try again. There’s no rush - you might all surprise yourselves by how smoothly everything goes if you get the timing right. There are also some fantastic tools that can help you keep the whole experience stress-free and fun. If your toddler responds well to incentives, you might want to choose a potty training rewards chart geared specifically towards potty training.

Here's our pick of the 10 best potties tested by toddlers and parents...

1. pourty easy-to-pour potty, £10.95, – best for easy emptying.

Described as ‘the potty that pours’, the idea for this Easy-to-Pour Potty came when father-of-2 Jon Rathbone became frustrated with the messy business of emptying a standard potty. So he went on to design the ‘potty pouring spout’.

This award-winning design, with a handle at the front to pour the contents out the back, makes the Pourty super easy to empty without having to faff around with two separate pieces. MFM reviewer Sarah loved this well thought out feature, adding “the Pourty Potty does exactly what it says on the tin – no fuss and no mess – for a very reasonable price”. Due to its simple design it is quite hard and low to the ground but there's a good splash guard for boys and it's very lightweight.

It's a simple and straightforward design which focuses on practicality rather than novelty features that appeal to toddlers. However, it does come in a vibrant choice of colours to suit every preference, so you can at least let your child choose the colour they prefer. If you want a simple yet user-friendly basic option, this is the one for you.

Pros: Easy to clean, affordable, no extra parts, high splash guard Cons: Low to the ground, not the most comfortable

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Pourty Easy-to-Pour Potty

Available from: Amazon and John Lewis

2. Strata Deluxe Silver Lining Potty Chair, £14

– Best for taller toddlers

Parent tester Nikki's son is tall and used this potty, and she commented, "I chose it because it seemed more comfortable than a standard potty and it’s a bit higher (my son is tall) I also liked that you just remove the bowl to empty it which made it really easy to clean." Parent tester Chelsea chose this as she was looking for a "comfortable potty seat that our toddler (girl) wouldn't mind spending time sat on reading books when we were training. We bought 2, one for upstairs and downstairs. That's a good tip for training. I'd recommend that potty."

As well as being a good height to accommodate longer legs, this affordable potty is generously-sized with arm rests and has a wide seat that out testers felt was comfortable for their kids. It has a practical removable insert that allows parents to empty contents smoothly, without any spilling.

Pros: Higher seat, arm rests for comfort, removable bowl for quick emptying Cons: Takes up a lot of space, may not be suitable for smaller toddlers

Available from: Amazon and OnBuy

3. Ikea Lilla Children’s Potty, £5

– Best budget buy

Ikea is great for bargain buys that perform well without costing the earth. If you’re not planning on using a potty long before progressing to the big toilet, or you’re thinking about putting a potty in every room of the house (never a bad idea with distracted toddlers), you can’t argue with the price of this neon green, high-shine Ikea Lilla children’s potty.

Its key features are impressive for such a low-cost buy: it has a non-slip base and gently curved shape perfect for mini bottoms. Although it doesn't have the pour spout of the Pourty potty, it's actually a very similar design with a handle at the front and an angled back for easy emptying, but may be slightly trickier to clean than some models.

This is also a great affordable option if you're at the early stages of toilet training and still figuring out what your toddler prefers to be trained with – a potty or the toilet. It coordinates with other Ikea toilet training items, such as the training seat and the step stool .

Pros: Great value, simple but effective design, splash guard Cons: Only available in one colour, low to the ground, harder to clean

Available from: Ikea and Amazon

4. Bumbo Step ‘n Potty, £56

– Best 3-in-1 potty

Award: Gold – Potty & toilet training product, MadeForMums Award 2022

Many parents know and love the Bumbo seat that helps their babies sit up for the first time, and this is the popular brand’s answer to potty training. It is a good quality design that cleverly combines a number of uses – you can use it as an easy-to-clean potty to start your kid off, and as your child gets more confident the top detaches into a trainer seat for your adult toilet with the bottom turning into handy step by attaching the lid that's hidden in the base.

This will please those who love integrated design and a product that adapts to different scenarios. It is one of the more expensive options on the market, but should last a number of years. One big selling point is the soft seat: unlike most potties that have plastic seats, this one is made from a firm but comfortable foam that feels warm and soft and can really help if your child won't stay on the potty for long.

The 3-in-1 design was also a hit with our testers. Parent tester Tina pointed out “whichever way your child prefers to potty train you are covered, and it also makes the transition to big toilet easier.” Parent tester Alice commented, "It was a potty, seat and step all in one. We still have the step now 5 years on!"

Some parents have reported that this potty is more suited to girls than boys, explaining that because the seat is detachable, leaks may happen when boys spray forwards. MFM Consumer & Commerce Editor Gemma uses this potty with her own son and hasn't experienced this issue, but did find it took a few attempts for him to find the right sitting position as the opening at the top of the seat is smaller than some others.

Pros: Works as a potty or a training seat and foot stool, soft comfortable seat Cons: Some parents report leaks with boys, expensive compared to other potties

Available from: Scandiborn

5. Venture Pote Plus My First WC Potty, from £29.99

– best flushing "toilet".

Award: Bronze – Potty & toilet training product, MadeForMums Awards 2022

This miniature toilet is a fantastic product to entice your child towards potty training if they want to be just like mum or dad. It is a cute version of an adult toilet, with a button that conjures a nice flushing sound – ideal for enticing stubborn toddlers (batteries are required). There's also detachable compartment that you can store wipes in, with a hole at the back that allows you to pull one through. Although it's a novel idea our testers found using this was a bit tricky in reality, and found keeping toilet paper close by was both easier and better for the environment.

If you have a toddler that needs a bit more privacy, despite its size this potty is also very easy to move around the house. Best of all it is very easy to clean, as it has a handy removable insert. It is one of the most affordable toilet-like potties on the market, which really impressed our testers and judges at the MadeForMums Awards 2022, who crowned it the Bronze winner. Parent tester Ruth loved the design of the Pote Plus, praising its quality and practicality. “It's a fun design for toddlers and practical for parents,” she says. “So a win both ways”.

Pros: Mimicks a real toilet, easy-clean bowl, good value Cons: Wipes storage is a bit fiddly, requires batteries, take up a lot of space

Available from: Amazon and Venture UK

6. Ikea Lockig Potty, £8

– Best for a high back

This is the ideal product for when your toddler has to go ‘right now’ - wherever you are in the house. It’s lightweight, leak-proof and has a removable insert for easy discarding and cleaning.

Although it's a few pounds more than Ikea's bargain Lilla potty, the extra features may be worth it, especially if you have boys. The high front creates a good barrier to splashes, but it also has an extra-high back – this will support your child if they happen to be sitting on their potty for a while, but also gives you the option to use the potty back-to-front for boys who need that extra protection. These do make it larger overall so you'll probably need a separate travel potty.

Parent tester Celia commented, "We have the Ikea potty as we were told a high back and front are good for boys." She added that, "the separated middle part is very helpful from a parent's perspective."

Pros: High back for support, removable insert for easy cleaning Cons: Only one colour choice, quite large and not suitable for travel

7. BabyBjörn Smart Potty, £30

– Best non-slip potty

It’s not often that you get to call a potty stylish, but this one fits the bill. Designed in cool pastel colours, the BabyBjörn Smart Potty size is light and compact, so it’s easy to carry from room to room. What we particularly like is the non-slip base, which prevents the potty slipping underneath impatient and active toddlers. With soft edges, a decent splash guard and a detachable bowl with a handle for easy pouring, it has all the essential features you need in a potty.

Made from BPA-free quality plastic, it’s also very quick to empty and clean, thanks to the removable insert and no nooks or crannies for dirt to collect in. Parent tester Andrea tried a number of potties with her daughter and commented, "Overall I’ll say the most effective one was the Baby Bjorn one. She liked because it was pink. I liked it because it’s very sturdy but not massive. Also you have the detachable inside so it’s very easy to clean and she can help with that. She was reluctant first time we tried any, so we wait a few months and tried again. She was potty trained in less than a week by herself."

Pros: Non-slip base, removable bowl with handle, nice colour options Cons: Quite expensive compared to similar models

Available from: BabyBjörn and Amazon

8. Fisher-Price My Potty Friend, £50

– Best for toddler appeal

There’s nothing like an incentive to get potty training off to a good start and the Fisher-Price My Potty Friend will reward your child with a song every time they sit on it – a brilliant way to get bums on seats!

My Potty Friend is one of the more expensive options, but it offers quite a few extras that other products don’t. As well as a flush and a built-in toilet roll holder, it has five encouraging phrases and two songs to entice kids.

Parent tester Amy said, "We used the Fisher Price singing toilet and my little boy was out of nappies within a week of having it at 2 years old. My little boy loved it as it sang a song every time he went." In addition, the design of the potty allows the seat to be clipped onto a regular toilet, so it’s longer-lasting and makes the transition to an adult toilet easier.

We love the fact that this is so toddler-friendly and that some potty-weary parents found that My Potty Friend instantly took away the hesitation and reluctance from toilet-averse children. Parent tester Iman commented, "We picked it as it looked the most interactive as it made noises, had a toilet roll holder and a flush. I loved that it had a removable bowl in the toilet which made it really easy to empty without needing to take the whole potty upstairs."

Pros: Appealing to toddlers with sounds and pretend flush, converts to toilet trainer seat Cons: "Toy" style design may not appeal to all parents, requires batteries, takes up a lot of space

Available from: Amazon and Argos

9. Thomas & Friends Rewards Potty, £45

– best for cause and effect.

The Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends Rewards Potty is a great option for children who may be a bit apprehensive about potty training and need extra encouragement. Similar to the Fisher Price potty, it uses sounds to help build confidence. The potty creates rain sound effects and sings the hit show's theme tune when it has been used.

Parent tester Kimberley praised, "The Thomas the Tank Engine potty is great for cause and effect as it plays the tune when she has done a wee or poop in there and that becomes a celebratory sign for her (along with praise) she sits very comfortably and even shouts potty and sits on it when she doesn't need to go!"

The potty has removable bucket to discard of any waste easily and not only that, the seat is all removable too, so you can place it onto the toilet when your child is ready to upgrade and feels more confident. When the lid is folded down the potty also transforms into a step so your child can use it when washing their hands by the sink or to get onto the toilet.

Pros: 3-in-1 design with trainer seat and step, plays music that encourages toddlers Cons: Toy-like design not right for all families, large, requires batteries, very expensive

10. My Carry Potty, £28.99

– best for home and away.

With 10 colourful designs to choose from, including a ladybird, cat, bee and penguin, My Carry Potty looks less like a potty and more like a cute travel bag, and our home testers report that most toddlers absolutely love carrying it about.

Designed as a travel potty, it's also just as good for home use, especially if you want something you can easily move around the house. If you'd rather keep expense to a minimum this offers the best of both worlds for home and away. Our reviewer Sarah found that her 2-year-old daughter was thrilled to carry it around, and praised its sturdiness: “The plastic outer is very durable and can be dropped, kicked and knocked about without worrying.” Once the potty is closed and the vacuum seal is engaged it's completely leak-proof and has a handle for easy carrying.

While it’s not the most compact of travel potties – and it’s one of the more expensive ones – it is small enough to fit into the basket of most buggies and as a bonus there’s no need for bags or liners. Emptying and cleaning in a small space can be slightly fiddly as the lid doesn't come off, but you soon get the knack.

If you like everything to match, it coordinates with a trainer seat and step stool , and there are even training pants to complete the set.

Pros: Works for travel and home, leak-proof, no need for liners or bag Cons: Can be hard to clean / empty with fixed lid, low to ground, quite expensive

Available from: John Lewis , Amazon, JojoMamanBebe and Kidly

How did we choose our 10 of the Best?

Read more....

• All you need to know about potty training
• The best travel potties and seats
• Best potty training reward charts

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

READ OUR CHEAT SHEET

Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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11 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Moscow, Russia

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Despite all the places I have visited during and after my time living in Moscow, everyone wants to know what is it like to live in Russia. When I accepted a teaching job at an international school in Moscow I knew very little about the country. Of course I did some research, but the United States presents a very skewed view of life in Russia today. Moving abroad is always an emotional experience, but anyone from the USA planning on living and working in Moscow might be surprised about what is and isn’t a challenge in Russia.

After a year living in the country I can say that I didn’t love living in Russia, but I did love the new cultural experience. I already wrote about what it is like to live in Russia in general. In this post I go into the logistics and details of moving to and living in Moscow, Russia.  If you are debating whether or not you should move to Moscow, Russia here are 11 things to know before you pack your bags.

1. The Visa Process is a Hassle

When I was living in Moscow I came across an article about the hardest visas for US citizens to obtain. Russia was one of the top five. Go figure, I decided to move to Russia!

The US embassy website says it best, “The Russian government maintains a restrictive and complicated visa regime for foreigners who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian Federation.” I may not agree with the US government on a lot of things, but they are correct on that!

A Russian-based sponsor is always required in order to obtain a visa. I’m not going to go into details on the process, that could be a whole different post. It’s unlikely that you could move to Russia without a work/school sponsorship, so your new employer/school should help you through the steps. Before accepting a position that is something to check into!

After receiving sponsorship and your invitation letter you will need to apply for the visa and get an HIV test done. Be aware it needs to be the formal blood drawn test that gets sent to a lab and not just a finger prick instant test. I found that out the hard way!

2. Registration is Required Every-time you Return to Russia

Within a specific period of time when returning back to Russia from another country you or your company needs to register you using the migration card you are given at customs. For most of my time in Moscow this was within 3 days, during the World Cup this needed to be done within 24 hours. One guy from my school did not give his migration card to HR within the required amount of time and had to leave the country and then immediately return in order to avoid issues. 

You will need your migration card in order to leave the country. Needless to say keep it in a safe spot!

3. Documentation Needs to Be Carried at All Times

When walking the streets of Russia you need to carry your papers at all times. This includes your passport, visa, and migration card. A police officer can ask you for these for no reason and you can be detained if you do not have them on you. According to the HR department at my school you can also have an officially stamped copy of your passport and visa instead of your originals.

4. The Cost of Living is Low

If you are coming from the USA or Western Europe you will most likely find the cost of living low. My phone bill was about $15 a month and my internet was about $20 a month. I had a monthly membership at one of the nicest two story gyms with various classes and a pool for $58 a month. Taxis cost only a few dollars for 10 – 20 minute rides. Overall if you compare costs to what you paid back ‘home’ you will be pleasantly surprised.

Retail shopping was the one thing I found more expensive than in other parts of Europe or the US. The prices of both familiar worldwide brands and unfamiliar Russian brands seemed pricier. Coming from NYC I didn’t think the restaurants were too expensive, but many of my colleagues thought they also had higher prices.

5. Bill Paying is an Odd Process

It took me awhile to figure out how to pay my phone and internet bills. In the US I always had a set monthly fee due on a specific date. I could easily set up bill pay. In Moscow the way I found out that my phone and internet bill was due was when they stopped working. For my internet I wouldn’t be able to use it on a random day and had to enter my credit card information to pay for the next month. Without having access to the internet to translate this page I had no chance of figuring out the form correctly. Not to mention, it was a guessing game of figuring out how much I owed. Initially I was confused about the conversion rates so I didn’t even know in the ballpark what monthly internet cost.

Oh my goodness did I struggle with my phone in Moscow! The data wouldn’t work. Sometimes it was because I had to ‘top up’ my payment. Similar to the internet, I didn’t know how much I owed or when. There was some other issue with my phone that took three visits to the phone store with Russian colleagues to resolve. I still don’t know what the issue was because according to my co-worker who translated I would have to pay for them to tell me what they had to fix on my phone. I didn’t have to pay for them to fix it, but I would have to pay if I wanted to know what they fixed??? Welcome to life in Moscow! 

I loved how cheap internet and phone service was, but sometimes I wished I could pay a little more just to simplify using them.

6. Many Online Sites are Blocked

Internet and WiFi in Moscow usually work really well. That is unless the site is blocked. Some sites you would never guess would be blocked like Target.com. I found many American online store websites blocked. Also many important financial sites are blocked. M y US bank’s entire website was blocked online, as well as my credit card company. TV shows direct from the networks are often blocked. No watching American Ninja Warrior on NBC or Amazing race on CBS. Hulu is also blocked. Your best bet is through youtube.com or VPN blockers. 

7. Transferring Money is Not Fun

My school set me up with Raiffeisen Bank. It worked well except for when I needed to transfer money. As I mentioned above my bank (Capital One) couldn’t be accessed online and wouldn’t except transfers from Russia. Before moving to Russia make sure you have a bank back home that you can transfer money to if you plan on doing that. It was very difficult to set up once out of the country. Luckily my parents set up a Chase account that was able to except money from Russia. They then transferred the money to my US bank account.

8. Hardly Anyone Speaks English

The hardest part of all the challenges I have listed above is that most people don’t speak English. It’s one thing being a tourist and trying to communicate at an attraction while traveling. It’s another thing to attempt banking, bill paying, grocery shopping and everything else that living and working in Moscow entails. 

Some Russians speak a little English in the city center, but don’t count on it. In other outlying neighborhoods, like mine, it was rare that someone spoke English. I had so many experiences when people would just speak more Russian to me when I didn’t understand. Unlike a lot of countries that attempt to put more things in English for tourists, Russia seemed to have the attitude of, it is your problem, figure it out. 

Have Yandex Translate or Google Translate at the ready if you don’t speak Russian. Also set your web browser to translate web pages into English.

9. Learning Russian is Hard

I knew that learning Russian would improve my life in Moscow a great deal. If you know me personally, you know I am a pretty persistent person. If I set my mind to something, I will do it…..except for learning Russian . My Russian teacher would say a word and I couldn’t remember it two seconds later to repeat it. To be fair I did learn the alphabet, how to count to ten and a few greetings and other nouns.

10. Getting Around Moscow is Easy

The Moscow Metro is very nice, cheap and easy to use. It follows the same basic system of metros around the world. If you are considering learning Russian start with the alphabet, it will help you use the metro. Not all the stops and stations are in English. Have a metro map downloaded on your phone in English. You can use it to help you figure out the stop names in Russian. The metro runs from about 5:30am to 1am.

I took the metro whenever I could, but on off hours, going to the airport or when traveling somewhere not on a metro line I used Yandex taxis . They are the Uber of Moscow and very cheap. Most drivers don’t speak English, so this is a good time to have a translator app handy.

11. Hot Water is Shut Off for 10 Days Every Year.

Between May and August almost all of the apartment buildings have an assigned 10 days when the hot water is shut off for maintenance. You can check online at Oaomoek to see when it will be shut off for your apartment building. If you have a new building you may not have to deal with this (most buildings are old though). 

As an American moving to Moscow, Russia I definitely had an adventure! If you have moved to Moscow let me know in the comments below what your experience has been like. Feel free to leave any questions about moving to Russia below as well. 

More About Russia

• Moscow Things to Do: The Must See Sights , Unique Things to Do ,  Spartak Stadium
• Moscow Markets:  Izmailovsky Market , Danilovsky Market
• Moscow Museums: Moscow City Museum , Victory Museum , Museum of the Patriotic War in 1812 , State Historical Museum ,
• Moscow Life: Malls , Christmas in Moscow , Metro , Learning Spanish , My Russian Apartment , What is Life Really Like in Russia , FiFa World Cup , Russian Winters , and more posts about life abroad in Russia .
• St Petersburg: City Guide , The Hermitage Museum , Kayaking the Rivers & Canals , Peterhof Palace

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33 comments.

The hot water thing happened to me while living (and teaching english too) in Prague! I had no idea that was a thing! Luckily it was for 3 days.

Interesting, I didn’t know it happened in other countries too!

Thank you for such a great article! Moving to a new country is always a stressful process no matter how prepared you are and knowing these little ins and outs of the process really helps. Having to get an HIV test before moving kind of surprised me and registering every time you return to Russia seems like a hassle! I have heard that Russian is a very difficult language to learn. I tried learning the basics when I was travelling through Eastern Europe and the Balkans and almost immediately gave up because I found it incredibly difficult to teach myself from free online resources. I’ve heard that Moscow has some of the most beautiful metro stations in the world and would love to see them one day!

You’re welcome, thanks for reading! I’m terrified of needles, so I really hated having to do an HIV test. Also we had to do them a couple times of year at the school I worked at. I found Russian really hard to learn when I had a private teacher. I can imagine it would be even more difficult to try to teach yourself. Yes, the metro stations are beautiful!

Tell me about it (the visa progress, internet, hot water shut off!), I lived for a while in Moscow many years ago and the paperwork was a nightmare and by the sounds of it, nothing has changed. I learnt Russian pretty fast (had no choice) but I did enjoy my time there. Would I go back? Maybe….

It’s great to hear from someone else who lived in Moscow! That’s awesome that you learned Russian really quick, I’m impressed!

I had heard about a lot of things about Russia and turns out most of them are true! They have this strictest Visa process and paperwork. One of my acquaintances arrived in Russia after visiting some other Central Asian countries. He was apparently deported with no proper reason. He was told if you want to visit Russia, come directly from your country and not through any other country! It was good to know a lot about Russia and Moscow in general from your blog. I hope you had a good and exciting time there.

Oh wow that’s quite the scary story! I traveled to other countries quite a bit when I lived there and luckily didn’t have any problems going back to Russia.

First off – kudos for having managed in this city. It does seem like a challenge to get here and more importantly stay here. The amount of documentation and forms. And to not be able to pay your bills in a jiffy. Oof! Russian only and no English can be hassle if you are staying there for long term. The last point totally put me in a bind – no hot water for 10 days in a cold country! Brrrr….

Hahaha the visa the visa the visa!!!! I was had planned for my trip in December 2019… The hardest part was figuring out how to get an invitation letter when staying at an Airbnb. That took me quite a while to figure out and was a bit costly about $65 but the Airbnb was affordable so the costs balanced out. On arrival don’t be in a hurry, it took about 3 hrs to be cleared at immigration as a first time tourist to Russia. But once that was done i really enjoyed my stay. I love how beautifully decorated it is in December and the fireworks on 31st. Being an African I was a tad cautious but boy are those people kind and friendly… I got so many hugs and numerous people eager to find out more about what I think of Russia and where I’m from. I’d definitely go back. Oh and I visited Voronzeh by bus… Small nice and really affordable town but not as much to do as Moscow though..

The Fearless Foreigner

The visa process and the invitation letter are quite the hassle. Glad you had a good experience in Russia overall though!

This really opened my eyes to some of the things we take for granted in the US, like consistent WiFi, phone service and hot water. And paying bills sounds as though it would be very frustrating. As someone who has a tendency to misplace things, I was relieved to hear an officially stamped passport and visa copy would be accepted. Imagine losing the originals? Ugh. All worth it, I’m sure, to have this incredible opportunity to experience Russia as a resident. These tips are very helpful and I do hope to visit in the near future. Thank you!

That’s so true, we do take a lot for granted in the US. Moving to Moscow was a challenging experience, but still rewarding!

Sheriannekay

I am hoping to visit Moscow in the fall. I know it won’t be my easiest trip and have put off research. This is a great starting point. The tips for apps are greatly appreciated. I didn’t realize language would be as huge a barrier as it sounds so I will do extra prep. Thanks for the heads up on carrying papers with me at all times, I don’t usually do that

As a tourist you will hopefully have an easier time with the language barrier and your hotel will send you the invitation letter to start the visa process. It still is a hassle and takes more planning than other countries though. I have several other Moscow posts, I hope you check them out and let me know if you have any questions!

Most of the “rough” things mentioned are truly in the eye of the beholder – and a matter of simple adjustment. WI-FI is a lot more consistent and readily available in Russia’s big cities than in cities of comparable size in the US. As to cell phones – the vast majority of plans is “prepaid” vs “pay-as-you-go”, which essentially means you can hypothetically run out of money. That said, internet banking is a lot more developed in Russia – so “topping up” your phone is a matter of a couple of clicks on your phone (or, alternatively, and “auto-payment” from your bank account as soon as you hit a certain limit). Back in 2018, I went for 7 days in Moscow and Spb without any cash or credit cards at all – paying for everything with my phone (Samsung Pay, Google pay, etc).

Hot water – yes, that’s something I had a hard time getting used to. Luckily, most rental apartments have a back up water boiler (or in-line water heater) to help you through those 10 days 🙂 If not – you can always get one (costs about $70, no electrical license or skills needed to install – it’s a simple plug and play. Plug and shower, rather 🙂

As to visa – well, yes, it’s a bit of a pain. To give you some perspective, though – the wait times for a (mandatory) visa interview at the US embassy in Moscow back in 2018 started at 1 year (yes, that’s 365 days), and Russians have to travel to the US embassy, regardless of where in the country they reside. If they happen to live, say, in Petropavlovsk, they need to fly into Moscow (a 9-hr flight across 9 time zones)

Linda (LD Holland)

Wow! A move to Moscow is certainly adventurous. I know that visiting requires a whole big process. So I am sure residency is a degree of magnitude harder. I am not surprised that internet is blocked. But the process for paying bills is just bizarre. And I am not sure how to deal with no hot water for 10 days. Some great tips for people wanting to do a longer stay in Russia.

Moving to Moscow was an adventure! Some people tough it out and take cold showers for 10 days. I heated up some water and took showers at my gym some days.

Bhushavali N

Oh wow! That’s quite an experience. Language barrier when you move to a country is indeed difficult, unlike being a tourist for a few days. I know that feeling, coz I’ve been through that! Interesting to know that the cost of living is cheaper than USA or EU! I wonder if the situation of money transfer is difficult only with banks of USA or with any other country! Just like China, I’m not surprised that many sites are blocked in Russia as well!

Most of my co-workers were from the UK or other countries around the world. I talked with them about the money transferring and none of them seemed to have any problem. So I guess it is more of an issue with US banks!

Victoria immigration expert

Thank you for sharing your experience. This is very valuable. I think it is the language barrier that causes many inconveniences. Good luck to you!

Yes, the language barrier was one of my biggest challenges! Thank you.

I loved reading this! I am SO curious about Russia right now. It’s somewhere I really really want to go but as you mentioned, the visa process is a bit tricky. It’s just such an unknown place to me, I don’t really know anyone who has been there. I think it’s very cool that you taught English there! I appreciated your honestly about how you didn’t technically love it nor hate it, it seems like there were many challenges but a great experience overall!

Russia is an interesting place! It is a hassle to get a visa, but if you are intrigued you should visit! It’s unique because it is Europe, but doesn’t feel like the other European countries, yet doesn’t feel like Asia either. Let me know if you have any questions about visiting!

Anton Vasilyev

Just read your article and having traveled to Russia multiple times I think you made it sound a bit too complicated. First, the visa issue – Google an online Russian visa support site and they will do it for you for a modest fee. You all seem to mention that 7- 10 day hot water maintenance. It does take place in the middle of the summer so it’s not that dramatic. When searching for an Airbnb make sure it comes with a water heater. That way you don’t depend on centrally supplied hot water. Most local apartments come with a tankless water heater installed to avoid this exact situation – just ask. And I’ll just ignore your other complaint that English is not widely spoken in Moscow. I actually enjoy that there are not that many English speaking tourists in Moscow and St Petersburg.

Living in a country and traveling in a country is very different.This post is geared to expats moving to Russia and people who like to know all the pros and cons of moving somewhere, even if they are minor inconveniences. For the most part our companies choose where we live and we have no control over the apartment (no AirBnBs). That’s great that you enjoy that many people do not speak English. As I said that is the point of this post, for people to determine if they would like to live in the country or not. Anything that does not pertain to your situation or needs you are free to ignore!

Hey Elizabeth! I came across your blog after participating in the collab about teaching abroad, with Monica from This Rare Earth! I resonated with what you said here — many of the same things happen in China where I work. It is definitely an adventure 🙂

Thanks for stopping by! That’s very cool that you are teaching in China! I’m sure there are a lot of similarities….teaching abroad is an adventure for sure 🙂

It was interesting to read, so let me give you Russian point of view. As for visa, I really can not understand what’s the purpose of such hassle – if I was responsible for Russian visa policy, I would make visa-free regime for the majority of countries. We had quite nice experience during the World Cup 3 years back, so I hope things will be changing. Even now, they introduced new e-visa policy, at least for various European countries. However, they always state that all visa policies should be reciprocal, though it doesn’t make sence for me at all. As for passports I strongly disagree with you – you don’t need to carry it all the time, at least in Moscow. It is not required by law and normally no one will ask it as well, at least if you’re not looking like people from Caucasian & Central Asian republics. Attitude towards foreigners from “rich countries” from police is mostly much better, than towards any Russian. As for internet, it amazes me that you found it problematic. Wi-Fi is all over Moscow, Apple Pay can be used almost everywhere, and the unlimited internet package I have on my tablet is less than 10$ per month – i never found anything like that in other countries, though I am travelling a lot. As for blocked sites – there are some, but target.com is blocked not by Russians, but by target.com itself, because it does not accept our cards and doesn’t provide any services to us. Absolutely same situation applies to Ukraine – you will not open it there either. However, absolutely nobody in Russia uses and even knows about that site, we use other websites for shopping, both local and international. In general, we use local sources – we have our analogues of Facebook, Netflix, Spotify etc, and in some cases they are really much more convenient. In general I am happy to read you report – visit us again!

Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!

Thank you for sharing so many details living in Moscow ,and i am gald that i have read this article before i go to Moscow ,yes i will study in Moscow for few years and i don’t know what is the life will be there ,i am nervious and at mean time don’t know if it is right for me to live in Moscow ,because i know they have low salary too ,so maybe it’s hard for a student to find a good part time job,anyway ,i will start to my life in Moscow soon,hope everything will go smoothly,thank you for sharing this again!

You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy your time in Moscow.

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Is your child ready for potty training at nursery? Here's the place for all your toilet training questions.

Potty training

Child doesn't care if she has an accident.

DrivingMePotty123 · 17/04/2024 21:25

We started potty training DD, who is aged 2 years 8 months, on Monday. We thought she was ready because she kept asking to use the potty, and can use it well. The first day, everything was great. She was excited and asked to use the potty a hundred million times. Then suddenly, she didn't seem to care anymore. She will use the potty, but only if we initiate it. She doesn't care if her Huggies pull-ups are wet. She doesn't care if she has an accident. Earlier I asked her how she feels when she has an accident, and she said, "I feel happy." She also keeps peeing on the step we have for her to reach the sink. She told me she does this on purpose because she likes peeing on there. While I don't want to create shame around accidents, I feel like it would be so much easier if she didn't like them! We've tried to motivate her with books and a sticker chart and she loves them, but the potty is still an optional extra for her. I'm now doubting myself and thinking that, if she doesn't mind being wet, maybe she's not ready. Should I give up? Or is this normal?

She's very young. Look at the Eric website, they have lots of information about toilet training. I've heard a tip for a child to just wear pants, or pants under a pull up so that they actually get wet when they wee. As pull ups absorb it they won't understand that they've wet

Have you thought about changing to reusable pull-ups? The disposables are almost too comfy because of all the high tech wicking materials.

Probably if she recognises the urge to go to the toilet she should be in big girl pants- sorry if she is already just you mentioned Huggies pull ups. If not done already go to the shop - get them together with nice characters on that she likes and wants to look after. When trousers and pants are wet get her to help with putting them in the washing and explaining that we need to keep clothes clean. If she likes peeing on a step remove it for now and lift her up for hand washing to break that habit. Sticker after every wee in the toilet and once she gets X stickers get a small treat. Keep going :)

Thank you all for your encouragement- I'll keep going. Interesting points about the pull-ups. We've been using the disposable ones which are supposed to feel wet, but DD either doesn't notice or doesn't care. So I'll probably switch to either the re-useable pull-ups or big girl pants. She hates getting her clothes wet when drinking or hand washing, so hopefully that will help.

DrivingMePotty123 · 17/04/2024 21:57

Give that a try and see how it goes :) mine still did have accidents - he wansnt an easy one! But when in big boy pants he recognised the accident more and while we didn't villanise it he found it inconvenient having to change out of all his clothes and put new ones on. We also tried really hard in that stage to get him doing his clothes himself so it was something a bit time consuming and labourious for him if he needed to stop play to start taking most of an outfit off and in the washing, and putting another one on. Seemed to help in him making more of a personal effort to stay dry/clean

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