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

Basic Camping Safari guides: US$1 per guest per day for guides/porters, $2-3 per guest per day for camping crew

Private Game Reserves: Ranger/Guide $10 per guest per day; Tracker $8 per guest per day; Butler $8 per guest per day; Camp staff $8 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare

Bhutan

Restaurants: small change

Hotels: small change for staff

Bars & cafes: small change

Bag handlers: 50 cents per bag

Guides: US$4-8 per guest per day

Tour drivers: US$2-5 per guest per day

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: 5-10% of the bill, depending on the level of service

Nicer restaurants: 5-10% of the bill, depending on the level of service

Hotels: bills are often rounded up but you can add $0.50 per day for room attendants

Tour Guides: 10% for exceptional service

Tour drivers: $1 per guest

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Bulgaria Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: $1-2 Nicer restaurants: tip 10% Hotels: porters: $1 per bag, house keeping $1 per day Bag handlers: tipping is not expected Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare

Cambodia

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest dollar

Nicer restaurants: $1 per diner

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters

Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day for a group tour, $5 per guest per day for a private tour

Taxi drivers: $1

Canada

Restaurants, bars & cafes: 15% of the bill

Hotels: $1-2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $5 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: posted rate or $1-2 per bag

Tour Guides: $10-15 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $5-10 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: 10-15% of the fare

Chile

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up

Nicer restaurants: if 10% is already added, add 5%; otherwise 10-15%

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, $2 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-25 per day depending on group size

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Expedition staff (i.e. trek in Patagonia): $10-20 per guest per day

China

Traditionally tipping is not required. However, It has become an expectation to tip the tour guide and driver. At more upscale hotels and restaurants catering to Westerners, staff have become used to receiving small tips in recognition of their good service.

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: no tipping is required

Nicer restaurants: if you are happy with the service, leave small change up to US$1-2

Tourist class hotels: no tipping is required

Better hotels: $1 per day for room attendants, $1 per bag for bag handlers

Group Tour Guides: no tipping is required

Private Tour Guides: $10-20 per day

Private Tour drivers: $5-10 per day, given directly to the driver

Taxi drivers: no tipping is required; leave small change up to US$1-2 for exceptional service.

Colombia

Please don't tip with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes. This is regarded culturally as an insult

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: leave the change

Nicer restaurants: 10% unless this has already been added

Hotels: hacienda staff $5 to $10 per person per night; hotels $1 per bag for porters and $1 per night for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $2-3 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: for group tours, $1-2 per guest per day; private drivers $5 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: small change if the driver was helpful; do tip around Christmas and New Year

Costa Rica

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: leave the change

Nicer restaurants: 10-15% , unless it has been included

Hotels: $0.5-1 per bag for porters and bellhops; $2 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $0.5-1 per bag

Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2-4 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: small change

Croatia

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: leave the change

Nicer restaurants: 10-15%

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, $1-2 per day for room attendants, $1-2 for breakfast staff

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $3-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: leave the change

Czech Republic

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10-15%

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, $3-5 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $5-10 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: Round up the fare if the driver was particularly helpful

Cuba

Clothing and toiletries are highly appreciated.

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10-15%

Hotels: $1 for porters, $1 per day for room attendants, $1-2 per day in total for Casa Particular staff

Bag handlers: $1

Tour Guides: $2-3 per guest per day

Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: $2-3

Ecuador & Galapagos

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10% unless it has already been included

Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1

Tour Guides: US$3-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: US$8-10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: round up the fare to the nearest dollar

Galapagos cruises: US$12-14 per guest day for the crew and US$8-10 per guest per day for your guide

Andean Treks: cook $5 per guest per day, porters $1-2 per guest per day, burro drivers $2-3 per guest per day

Egypt

The practice of bakshees (tipping) is not merely reserved for foreigners and Egyptians have to constantly hand out 'Baksheesh' as well - to park their cars, ensure fresh produce and pick up their mail. It is not compulsory but always welcome, though never enough (according to the recipient).

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: any service charge added goes to the restaurant; be sure to tip the waiter 5-10%

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $2 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $3-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day for group tours, $5-10 per guest per day for private tours

Taxi drivers: small change

France

Bars & cafes: no tip is expected but $1-2 is nice

Restaurants: tips are normally included but please add 10%

Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1

Tour Guides: $2-6 per guest per day

Private Guides: $30 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-3 for group tours, $10-15 for private drivers

Taxi drivers: 10-15%

Germany

Restaurants, bars & cafes: round up or add 10-15% for good service

Hotels: $1-4 for porters, bell hops; $4-6 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1-4

Tour Guides: 10%

Tour drivers: $5 per day

Taxi drivers: round up the nearest Euro with a maximum of 10%

Greece

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest Euro

Nicer restaurants: 10-15%

Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1

Tour Guides: $3-6 per guest per day

Private Guides: $25 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-3 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Hungary Door and bathroom attendants: $0.30 Spas: masseurs $1.50 and $0.30 for attendants and/or helpers Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $ Nicer restaurants: if no charge has been included, tip 10% Hotels: $2 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants Bag handlers: $2 Tour Guides: $2 per guest per day Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare

Iceland

Tipping is not common, except for:

Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day

India

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: if no charge has been included, tip 10%

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Rickshaw drivers: no tip is expected

Italy

Bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: round up to the nearest round number (e.g. EUR18 to EUR20)

Hotels: $5 for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $5

Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day

Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: not customary to tip, but you may round up

Gondoliers and vaporettos: not customary to tip

Japan

Tipping is uncommon, except in the following cases:

Ryokans: leave a small tip in an envelope

Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day, in an envelope

Private Tour drivers: buy their lunch

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Jordan

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 5-10%

Hotels: $1-2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1-2 per bag

Tour Guides: $3-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $25 per guest per day for groups of 4 or less, $10 per guest per day for larger private groups

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day for group tours, $15 per guest per day for groups of 4 or less, $10 per guest per day for larger private groups

Taxi drivers: round up the fare up to 10%

Desert Camp hosts: If you have a night camping included on your itinerary US$2-3 per guest per day is appropriate for the camp hosts.

Public toilet attendants: 20- 50 cents is appropriate.

Kenya

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10% handed to the waiter

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $2-3 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-15 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest KES100

Laos

Tipping is not expected, except in the following cases:

Nicer restaurants: 10-15%

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops

Tour Guides: $3-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-15 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day

Macedonia Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $ Nicer restaurants: if no charge has been included, tip 10% Hotels: tipping is not expected Bag handlers: tipping is not expected Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day Private Guides: $5-7 per guest per day Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day Taxi drivers: round up the fare or 10% of the fare

Malaysia

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10% is usually included - round up the bill

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day for groups, $3-5 per guest per day for private tours

Taxi drivers: no tip is expected or required

Morocco

Restaurants: 10% if it has not been added already

Hotels: $2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $2-3 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $2 per bag

Tour Guides: $2-3 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1 per guest per day as part of a group, $5 per guest per day in a private arrangement

Taxi drivers: round up to nearest 10DIR

Bath houses: $2-3 per guest

Myanmar

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 5% of the bill

Hotels: 50 cents $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: 50 cents $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1 per guest per day on group tours, $2-5 per guest per day for private drivers

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Namibia

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10% of the bill

Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Lodges: $5 per guest per day paid on check-out - it will get divided among the staff (safari guides are excluded from his communal tip, so please tip them separately - see below)

Bag handlers in super markets: some small change

Safari Guides on group tours: $5 per guest per day

Private Guides in safari lodges: $10-15 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Car guards in Windhoek: 50 US$ cents per hour

Nepal

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: a service charge will normally be included. If not, tip 5-10%

Hotels: 50 cents - $1 for porters, bell hops; for other staff there is often a tipping box - add $1-2 per guest per day

Bag handlers at stations & terminals: 50 cents - $1

Trekking Guides: $2-3 per guest per day

Trekking Porters: $2-3 per guest per day

Tour leaders: $3-5 per guest per day

Private guides: $10-15 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Netherlands Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $ Better restaurants: 5-10% for exceptional service Hotels: tipping is not customary Bag handlers: $2 Guides: tipping is not customary. Tip a few Euros for exceptional service Tour drivers: tipping is not customary. Tip a few Euros for exceptional service Taxi drivers: tipping is not customary. Tip a few Euros for exceptional service

New Zealand

Tipping is still a widely discussed subject in New Zealand 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

Norway

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill if the service was outstanding

Hotels: gratuities for service workers are included in your hotel bill

Tour Guides: a tip is not expected but for outstanding service you could tip $2-3 per guest per day

Private Guides: a tip is not expected but for outstanding service you could tip $5-10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: a tip is not expected but for outstanding service you could tip $1-2 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: a tip is not expected but you can round up the fare if the service was outstanding

Peru

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill

Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1

Tour Guides: $7-10 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $3-5 per guest per day for groups, US$5-10 per guest per day for private tours

Taxi drivers: no tip is expected as you negotiate a fare up-front

Inca Trail: each guest pays US$20 to $25 to a kitty which is then distributed among the cook, assistant cook, general assistant and porters. In addition each guest pays $6-8 for the assistant guide and $8-10 for the lead guide.

Poland

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: no need to tip

Nicer restaurants: 10 is the norm, 15% for exceptional service

Hotels: no tips expected but you can tip $3 per day for room attendants, concierge $5 if extra service was provided

Spas: 10% for exceptional service

Tour Guides: 10-15% for good service

Tour drivers: 10-15% for good service

Taxi drivers: 10% for good service

Portugal

Restaurants, bars & cafes: tips are not expected. Only tip for exceptional service (around 10%)

Hotels: $1-2 for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1-2

Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day

Private Guides: $5-10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: per guest per day

Taxi drivers: a tip is not expected but you can round up the fare as it is appreciated

Romania

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10% of the bill

Hotels: $1.50 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1.50 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1.50 per bag

Spas: 10-15% of the bill

Tour Guides: $3-6 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-15 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: $1.50

Russia

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: no need to tip

Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill

Hotels: $1-4 per bag for porters, bell hops; $2-4 per day for room attendants, concierge $10 if extra service was provided

Bag handlers: $1-4 per bag

Spas: no tip expected

Tour Guides: $10 per guest per day

Private Guides: $20 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $10 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: round up the fare and tip maximum 10%

Rwanda

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Restaurants: check if a 10% service charge has been included. If not, tip 10%

Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

For Gorilla Treks you tip as a group:

Porter US $10 per trek

Gorilla Trek Guide US $20 per trek

Gorilla Trek Assistant Guide US $10 per trek

Gorilla Trackers US $5 per tracker per trek (usually 3 or 4 trackers are used to find the gorillas)

Gorilla Security trekker US $5 per trek

Slovakia

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: 5-10% of the bill

Nicer restaurants: 10% of the bill

Hotels: no tips expected

Tour Guides: 5-10% is appreciated for exceptional service but not expected

Tour drivers: a tip is not expected

Taxi drivers: a tip is not expected

Slovenia

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up the bill

Nicer restaurants: 10% is appreciated but not expected

Hotels: no tips expected

Tour Guides: 5-10% is appreciated for exceptional service but not expected

Tour drivers: a tip is not expected

Taxi drivers: a tip is not expected

South Africa

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10-15% of the bill, paid to the waiter; for groups they may already have been added

Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1-2 per bag

Car park attendants looking after your car (ask for ID): $2

Tour Guides: $10 per guest per day

Private Guides: $20-25 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $5-10 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: 10% of the fare

Spain

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10%, in cash

Hotels: $1-2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $3-6 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1-2 per bag

Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day

Private Guides: $15-20 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: 10% or round up the fare

Sri Lanka

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10-15%

Hotels: 50 cents - $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: 50 cents - $1

Tour Guides: $2-4 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-2 per guest per day in a group or $5 per guest per day for a private tour

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Tanzania

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 5% of the bill or a few dollars per meal if your meals are included in your safari

Hotels: $1-2 per bag for porters, bell hops; $2-4 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1-2 per bag

Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day

Private Guides: per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2 per guest per day if in a group, $5 per day if you have a separate driver on your private safari

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Kilimanjaro crew: tip $5-10 per guest per day for the guide and $2 per guest per day for each porter.

Thailand

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10% unless a service charge has been included

Hotels: $1 for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants is appreciated but not expected

Bag handlers: $1

Tour Guides: $5 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-20 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Turkey

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: 10-15% in cash, unless it has been added already

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day

Private Guides: $20-30 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $2-3 per guest per day for groups, $35-50 per car for private tours

Taxi drivers:

Bath houses: 10-20% of the rate

United States

Restaurants, bars & cafes: 15-20% of the bill, more in top-of-the-line restaurants

Hotels: $2-3 per bag for porters, bell hops; $5 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: posted rate or $1-2 per bag

Tour Guides: $10-15 per guest per day or 10-15% of the tour cost

Tour drivers: $5-10 per guest per day

Taxi drivers: 10-15% of the fare

Vietnam

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: if 10% gratuity is included, add a little; if it is not add 10-12% in cash

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1-2 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Tour Guides: $3-5 per guest per day

Private Guides: $10-15 per guest per day

Tour drivers: $1-3 per guest per day if a tour group; $5-8 per day if in a private group

Taxi drivers: round up the fare

Cyclo drivers: a few dollars

Zimbabwe

Simple restaurants, bars & cafes: round up to the nearest $

Nicer restaurants: a 10% service charge is usually included. If not, tip 10%

Hotels: $1 per bag for porters, bell hops; $1 per day for room attendants

Bag handlers: $1 per bag

Safari Guide / Game Ranger game lodges : US$10 per guest per day.

Trackers at game lodges : US$7 per guest per day.

General staff at game lodges: US$7 per guest per day.

Taxi drivers: a 10% service charge is usually included. If not, tip 10%