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To tip or not to tip? Navigate international rules like a pro with our tipping guide

Tipping customs vary widely around the world, and it can be difficult to know how much or when to tip. We have created a comprehensive tipping guide to help travellers navigate tipping customs like seasoned traveller.

In the United States and Canada, it is customary to tip around 20% of the bill at restaurants. In Europe, tipping is also customary, but the amount of the tip can vary. In France and Italy, a standard tip is 10-15% of the bill. In Germany, a standard tip is 5-10% of the bill.

In Asia, tipping is not customary in most countries, and in some cases, it is considered rude. In Japan, tipping is considered rude, and it is best to avoid it altogether. In China, tipping is not expected, but it is not considered rude if you do tip.

For hotels, it is customary to tip the staff around £1-£2 per night for services such as assisting with bags. In India, it is preferred to provide a collective tip to hotel staff at the end of your stay rather than tipping throughout.

In most countries, tipping taxis or tour guides is not a requirement, however, offering 10% of the cost of a tour and rounding up a taxi fare is greatly appreciated. It is important to note that tipping a tour guide is the only acceptable time to tip in Japan but remember to offer the tip in an envelope to show respect to their customs.

When taking an all-inclusive holiday, it is important to check the tipping policy of the resort before you travel. Some resorts encourage guests to tip staff such as tour guides and butlers, whereas some resorts already include tips in the all-inclusive package.

The table below provides a guide to tipping in global destinations. The percentages listed are general guidelines, and the actual amount you tip may vary depending on the level of service you receive.

Tipping Guidelines by Country

Country

% Tip

Restaurants

Bars / Cafes

Taxis

Hotel Staff

Guides

Australia

10%

10%

Not expected, if desired $1-$2 dollars

Common courtesy to let them ‘keep the change’ / few dollars but not expected.

Bellman $1-2 per bag

Concierge $5

Housekeepers $2-5 per day

Not expected, if desired 10% of tour / few dollars.

Barbados

10%

10-15% (typically added on to your bill)

$1-2 per drink

10% tip if desired (Taxi’s not metered so agree fare beforehand)

Bellman $1 per bag

Housekeepers $2 per room per day

10% of the total cost of the tour

Belgium

10%

10-15% but restaurants often already charge 10-15% service charge.

Few euros / round tip to the nearest amount

Not expected, if desired round to nearest significant amount

5-10 euros for housekeepers

1 euro per bag for porters

10-15 euros for concierge

Not expected, if desired 10% of the total cost of the tour

 

Brazil

Usually, only tip for exceptional service at 10%

Often included in the bill if exceptional service 10%

Not expected, if desired round bill to next significant amount or a small tip.

Not expected but can round bill to next significant amount

BRL2.00 per bag for porters

Housekeeping not usually tipped

A few BRL for the concierge.

Not expected, if desired 10% of the total cost of the tour

Canada

15-20%

15-20%

$1 per drink

10-20% of taxi fare

Doorman $2 for calling a taxi

Bellman $2-5 per bag

Housekeeper $2-5 per day

10% of the total cost of the tour / 15% if excellent service

China

Not expected but becoming more common

Not expected but in high-end restaurants leave 10%

Not expected

Not expected

10-20 yuan Bellman $1-$2 a bag

$5 concierge

Not expected, if desired 10% of the total cost of the tour

Denmark

Not expected

Included in the bill by law around 10% can leave a small tip if desired

Not expected

Not expected but can round up to nearest even amount.

Not expected, but if happy with service offer 10-20DKK

Not expected

Dubai

10%

Service charge often included but if not 10-15%

Not expected, if desired 10%

5-10 AED / let them keep the change

AED 5-10 per night of stay

10-15% of the cost of the tour

France

10%

Service charge often included but if not 10-15%

Not expected

5% or let them keep the change

Bellman 2 euros per bag.

Housekeepers 1-2 euros

Concierge 5 euros

Not expected, but common to tip 2-5 euros per day per person

Germany

10%

5-10%

Round up nearest euro or two

Not common if desired round to the nearest euro.

Bellman – 1 euro a bag

Housekeeping 3-5 euros per night

Concierge up to 20 euros

Up to 10%

Greece

10%

Service charge of 10-15% often included in bill but leaving an additional 5-10% tip on top is customary.

(Coverage charge does not include gratuity)

Round up to nearest euro or leave a few coins on the table.

Not expected, if desired 5-10% of fare

Bellhop 1-2 euros per day (no more than 5 euros)

 

Housekeeper – 1 euro per night

 

Exceptional concierge 5-10 euros

Not expected but if desired, 2-5 euros per person per day for a group tour.

 

20 euros per person per day for a private tour.

India

10%

10% – sometimes added to the bill

10%

10% of the total cost of the fare

50 rupees for any service, but often ask you to leave a collective staff tip at the end of your stay

Customary, between 100-300 rupees per day depending on quality

Italy

10%

10-15%

A Euro per drink but not customary

Not expected, but standard tip would be a few euros.

1-2 Euros for simple services e.g., assisting with bags, housekeeper

Concierge 1-2 euros

Not required, if desired a few euros from each person.

 

For a private tour 10% gratuity

Japan

No tip

No tip

No tip

No tip

No tip

Not expected if desired, 2,000-5,000 yen in an envelope (may be refused)

Mexico

15%

12-18%

20 pesos per drink

Not customary unless they assist your with luggage if so, 10 pesos per suitcase

20-50 pesos per bag

20-50 pesos per night for housekeeping (if desired)

10-20% depending on the quality of the tour

New Zealand

Tipping not expected but usually 10%

10% for good service

Not expected , if desired a few dollars

Not necessary but if desired, $5 per ride

Not expected, but if desired:

Bellman – $1-2 per bag

Housekeeper – $1-5 per day 

Concierge – $10-15 at the end of your stay

Not expected, if desired, a small tip / 5% of total cost of tour

Norway

Not mandatory

Service charge usually already added, but common to round bill up to the nearest amount. If desired, tip about 10%

Not expected, if exceptional a few coins

Uncommon but if desired, round to the nearest 10 or 100 NOK.

Uncommon to tip at hotels

Not expected and often included in the cost of the tour, if not 10%

Portugal

10%

At least 10%

Spare change

Polite to tip 5-10% of fare or round up to nearest euro

Bellman – 1-2 euros per bag

Housekeepers 2-5 euros per day

Doorman 1-2 euros

Concierge 5 or more euros for personalised service

Customary to provide a small tip to your guide after the tour, at about 10-20 euros

South Africa

10-20%

10-20%

10-20%

10% of taxi fare

Bellman – $1 per bag

Housekeepers – $1 per day

Concierge $3-5 euros

At least R100 for a full day private tour.

 

Group tour tip R20-50

Spain

5-15%

10%

Not expected, if desired 5-10% of the bill

Not expected, if desired a few euros

Bellman – 1 euro per bag

Concierge 5-10 euros

Housekeepers up to 5 euros a day

Not expected but can tip a few euros per person.

Sweden

10%

10-15% (added to most bills)

Not expected

Not expected

Not expected

Not expected

Switzerland

Not usually a %, round the bill up to nearest even number.

“Keep the change” policy. If exceptional meal 10%

Not necessary but can round to nearest whole number

Round up to nearest franc. If excellent driver 5% of total fare.

CHF1-2 per bag for the bellhop

CHF1-2 per night to housekeeping

CHF5-10 for concierge

Not expected, if desired 10-15% of the tour

Thailand

10%

10-15% or 100THB per person

(No need to tip street food vendors)

Not expected but grateful for 50-100THB

Not expected, if desired 50-100THB

Not expected, but appreciated e.g. 20-50THB for bellman / 20THB to housekeepers

10% of the total cost of the tour

USA

20%

20%

$1-2 per drink/ 15-20% of bill

10% of the taxi fare

Concierge $5 for service

Bellman $1 per bag

Housekeepers $3-5 per day

10% of the total cost of the tour

Sources

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