Tipping around the world

One of the most commonly asked questions when travelling is whom to tip and how much should I tip my guide and porters. Tipping should always be discretionary and outside of North America should be a reward for good service. Here are the tipping practices in the most travelled countries around the world.

If you have a tour leader, please verify with him/her if tips for auxiliary staff such as bellhops and cleaning staff are taken care of by him/her.

We give prices in US$ as this is normally a more stable currency than local money. Tips are however normally given in local currency (unless there is a very disadvantageous exchange rate and a thriving black market). You can convert the amounts below using a currency converter like this one.

Antarctica & Arctic cruises

Tipping on-board depends on the ship you are on. Some include on board gratuities in the cost of the trip - double check your pre-departure information. If tips are not included add it to your on board account to be paid at the end of your trip. We recommended US$10 per guest per day.

Argentina

Simple restaurants: no tip is expected

Nicer restaurants: tip the waiter 10 percent of the bill

Hotels: small change for bellhops and room attendants

Bars & cafes: 10% for table service. Bar keepers will appreciate a tip but do not expect it.

Bag handlers: your smallest bill

Tour Guides: 10% of the cost of a day trip. On Multi-day trips, $2-$4 per passenger per day.

Private Guides: $10 per passenger per day

Tour drivers:$1-2 per passenger perday

Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest peso

Australia

Tipping is still a widely discussed subject in Australia and tips are not always accepted. If you wish to tip, use the following as a guideline:

Restaurants & cafes: no more than 10%

Bars: round up the bill Hotels: $1-5 per day for room attendants; 10% for room service Bag handlers: $1 per bag Tour Guides: $2-5 per passenger per day Private Guides: $5-15 per passenger per day

Tour drivers: $1-3 per passenger per day

Taxi drivers: small change up to 10% of the fare

Belize

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up the bill

Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill

Hotels: small change for porters and room attendants

Bag handlers: small change

Tour Guides: $2-4 per passenger per day

Private Guides: $5-10 per passenger per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per passenger per day

Taxi drivers: none

Botswana

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up the bill

Nicer restaurants: if no service charge has been added, please add 10%

Bars & cafes: small change

Bag handlers: small change<