How much to tip abroad

How much to tip abroad

  • Find out where it can be considered rude to offer a tip
  • Country-by-country list of how much to tip in restaurants, hotels and taxis
  • Our tipping checklist will help you to avoid an awkward faux pas

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This article, How much to tip abroad, was last updated on 08 October 2008 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Money articles.

Not sure who you should reward and how much to give? 

Strictly speaking, a tip is defined as a small personal reward given to someone who has provided a good service beyond the amount paid for the task. 

But try explaining that to US service workers, even when they don’t cut the mustard.

Then what about when you tip where it’s not expected? In Japan, for instance, tipping is considered offensive.

Checklist

  • Make sure a service charge hasn’t already been included before you leave any extra money. It may be listed on the bill under ‘grat’ or ‘s/c’

  • If your credit card slip is left open with space left for a gratuity, don’t assume that service hasn’t already been charged, check before you sign

  • Double check that you’re not paying a percentage of the tax as well – the tip should be based on the pre-tax bill

  • Give a tip in person, rather than adding it to a reception desk or giving it to a tour rep to distribute

To tip or not to tip?

Cruises

Check the tour operator’s brochure first. Some tour ops include tips in the price, but the majority recommend tipping at the end of a trip. The cruise brochures usually give recommended gratuities, but the system varies even on ships of the same standard. 

Expect to add around £85 per passenger on a two-week cruise. Many operators also add a 15% charge to any bar bill and some add £5 a day to a general kitty.

Coach trips

The tip given to the guide and driver is usually up to the discretion of the passenger.

As a general rule, the gratuity is divided equally between the guide and driver, although some tour ops recommend the guide receives a slightly higher amount. For a two-week tour suggested figures were between £5 and £30 per passenger.

Two coffee cups and a tip on a cafe table

In France, if you see ‘service non compris’, tip 15%

All-inclusive holidays

One way to avoid worrying about tipping is to go on a holiday that’s all-inclusive.

The all-inclusive providers we spoke to, including Airtours, Cosmos, First Choice, Kuoni, Thomas Cook and Thomson, told us tips are not necessary, but a small tip in the à la carte restaurant is appreciated.

Tipping abroad by country

  • Australia - Restaurants: for good service tip 10%. Hotels: no tip. Taxis: no tip.
  • Austria - Restaurants: 12.5% service charge is included in the bill – leave €1-€2 for good service. Hotels: bills include a 10% service charge, leave a small tip for good service. Taxis: tip 10% of the fare.
  • Belgium - Restaurants: 15.5% service charge is included in the bill, leave a small tip for good service. Hotels: no tip. Taxis: round up the fare.
  • Cyprus - Restaurants: 10% service charge is included in the bill, leave a small tip for good service. Hotels: bills include 10% service charge, leave a small tip for housekeeping and porters. Taxis: no tip.
  • Denmark - Restaurants: for exceptional service tip 10%. Hotels: no tip. Taxis: no tip.
  • France - Restaurants: 15.5% service charge is usually included in the bill – this must by law be shown on a menu as ‘service compris’. A discretionary €1.50 may be left for good service. Where you see ‘service non compris’ and no service charge is added, tip 15%. Hotels: leave a discretionary tip of €1.50 for housekeeping and porters. Taxis: tip 10%-15% of the fare.
  • Germany - Restaurants: leave a discretionary tip of 10%-15%. Hotels: leave a discretionary tip of €2-€3 for housekeeping and porters. Taxis: tip 10%-15% of the fare.
  • Greece - Restaurants: 4%-8% service charge is included in the bill, tips are discretionary. Hotels: bills include 4%-8% service charge – tips are discretionary. Taxis: no tip.
  • Hungary - Restaurants: leave 8%-15% tip. Hotels: tip the concierge 400Ft, porters 400Ft per item, housekeeping 200Ft. Taxis: tip 8%-15% of the fare.
  • Italy - Restaurants: 10% service charge is included in the bill, add a 5%-10% tip. Hotels: tips are discretionary, around €3 for porters. Taxis: no tip.
  • Malta - Restaurants: tip 10%-15%. Hotels: tips are discretionary – housekeeping Lm5, porters Lm1. Taxis: tip Lm1-2.
  • Netherlands - Restaurants: 10% service charge is included in the bill. Hotels: tips are discretionary. Taxis: tip 5% or round up your bill.
  • Portugal - Restaurants: leave a 5% discretionary tip. Hotels: 5%-19% service charge is usually included in the bill, where there is no service charge tip the concierge and porters €2. Taxis: tip 5%-10% of the fare.
  • Spain - Restaurants: tips are at your own discretion. Hotels: tips are discretionary. Taxis: round up the fare.
  • USA - Restaurants: tip 10%-20%. Hotels: tip housekeeping $1-$2 and porters $1 per case. Taxis: tip 10%-15% of fare.
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