Tipping While Traveling

They have cradled you in custom, they have primed you with their preaching,

They have soaked you in convention through and through;

They have put you in a showcase; you're a credit to their teaching -

But can't you hear the Wild? - it's calling you.

Let us probe the silent places, let us seek what luck betide us;

Let us journey to a lonely land I know.

There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us,

And the Wild is calling, calling...let us go.

~ The Call of the Wild (Last Verse) - Robert Service ~

Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian, China

For me, knowing how much to tip in various countries of the world, is one of the most confusing parts of travel.  In the United States you are expected to tip for almost everything anymore.  But in some countries it is not a common practice.  However, the more Americans go to those countries and tip, the more they expect it of us, even though they don’t expect their own people to tip.  When we were in China we were told that no one tipped at restaurants, but that may change as they become more accustomed to Americans who have become so used to tipping.  We did tip our tour guides, which was expected.  What we need to do when we travel is find out what the custom of that country is before we go, and try to tip as they do.  But even tour books vary on what they put in for rules on tipping.

Tipping in Europe isn’t as automatic and generous as in the U.S. and it varies from country to country.  But in general, I have found that these rules work for most of Europe:

Restaurants:  Tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have waiters.  If you order at a counter you do not tip.  Some restaurants in Europe include the tip on your bill, and it will usually be 10 to 15 percent.  Do not tip more if it is added to the bill, unless you received special service and want to reward that.  If it is not on the bill, then you should tip 10 -15 percent.  You should tip in cash and even hand it to the server if possible, otherwise they may not get it.

George having a beer at an outdoor restaurant in Hvar, Croatia

Taxis:  To tip a cab driver, you should figure 10% and then round up to the next Euro.  If they haul your luggage out or rush you somewhere then give them more.

Special Services:  Tour guides at public sights will expect a tip.  You are never obligated, but if you feel they have done a good job, it is appreciated, so give them a couple of Euros.  At hotels, give the porter a Euro per bag for hauling your bags, and you should leave some change for the maid if the room was kept clean.  Some places will have a bathroom attendant who keeps the place clean and she will expect a small tip, usually some change is acceptable. 

Always pay tips in the local currency, as exchanging U.S. money is not practical, and most people would not have a way to exchange our coin.


 Euros

In general, if someone performs a service for you and does a super job, a tip of a couple of euros is appreciated – but not required.  When in doubt you can always ask the concierge at your hotel what the tipping policy is for that area.


Tipping in Australia is very uncommon, although as more Americans travel to Australia it is becoming more common.  Tipping is not really expected anywhere, and historically has not been the norm because basic wage rates and overtime payments in the hospitality industry have generally been protected so that workers are making a decent wage.  In more expensive restaurants tipping of 10% is always appreciated and is shared with the entire staff.  In bars, tipping is also not expected, although many people simply leave some of their coin change on the bar after picking up their drink.  As for taxis, people will often tell the cabbie to keep the change.  



If you are traveling anywhere in Africa, then tipping is important. For most porters, safari guides and drivers, tips make up a significant percentage of their salary. Over tipping is less of a problem than under tipping, especially given the economic stresses many working Africans are under to make ends meet, buy school uniforms, get decent medical care etc. The rate for tipping in Africa is similiar to what I outlined for Europe.

Waiter on a cruise

If going on a cruise, most cruises will tell you ahead of time what you should give as a tip, and it will automatically be added to your shipboard account which you pay at the end of the cruise. That tip is split between all of the people who served you on the cruise. Usually the rate is somewhere between $10 and $12 per person per day.  So for a week cruise for 2 people, you should figure a minimum of $140 for tips. There are some cruise lines who do not allow tipping, but the majority do, and even encourage it.   And since most cruise ships hire their waiters and stewards from countries such as the Philippines or other third world countries, they are paying them less than minimum wage, and those people rely on tips to get by.

Again, if you are in doubt as to what you should tip, ask the concierge at your hotel what the normal tipping practice is for the country you are in, they will usually have the answer.  Happy travels.