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 |