FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
 

Message from a moderator (post#430):
"This thread is for tipping information throughout the world. It is not a commentary thread.
All future comments regarding tipping and one's feelings about the subject will be immediately deleted.
Thank you for your cooperation."

************************************************** *************
REGIONAL TIPPING TIPS

Asia/the Pacific: Special care must be taken to ensure that your well-meaning gesture is not taken as insulting. If you are unsure, it is best not to tip. If possible, observe the locals and follow their lead.

Europe: Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge to the bill. In most cases, an additional tip is unnecessary. See country list below for restaurant service (Europe is so large and diverse that impossible to have a general rule for all countries).

Middle East/Africa: While your tip will not be seen as insulting, it may be unnecessary. Once again, the best bet is to do as the locals do.

Central/South America: Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge to the bill, and an additional tip is unnecessary. If not, 10% is the general rule for restaurant service, and the equivalent of $1 per bag for a porter.
__________________________________________________ _____________

FOREIGN TIPPING GUIDE - BY COUNTRY
Abbreviations: W/W - waiter/waitress; P - porter; HK - housekeeping; RS - room service; TD - taxi driver

Please note:
- Tip in local currency in most countries so the locals will not need to pay forex fees and make trips to banks for currency exchange.
(A few countries prefer EUR, GBP or USD.)
- Never tip with foreign coins - they can rarely be exchanged, if at all.
- Amounts listed below are in US Dollars, unless otherwise specified.

Argentina
W/W: 10%
P: $1
TD: Round up taxi fare or small tip

Australia
W/W: None expected or required. Where small amounts of change are due, some opt to say "keep the change"
P: None, but some people may tip $1-2 per bag
TD: Round up (although sometimes the driver will round the fare down if that makes it easier for everyone; drivers of hire cars usually refuse a tip)

Austria
W/W: Appreciated but not at all expected. Some round up to the next Euro (or two), maybe a little more on larger bills if the service was very good.
P: $1 to $2 per bag
TD: Round up

Bahamas
W/W: 10%
P: $1 per bag
TD: 10% (15% actual per local FTer

Belgium
W/W: Appreciated but not at all expected. Some round up to the next Euro (or two), maybe a little more on larger bills if the service was very good.
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Brazil
W/W: 10% to 15%
P: $1 per bag
TD: 10%

Brunei
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None

Cambodia
W/W: not custom but 10% for good service OK
P: $1
TD: not customary, but round up or small tip for good service OK

Canada
W/W: 15% ranges from 10%-20% per local FTers
P: $1 to $2 per bag
TD: 10%

Cayman Islands
W/W: 15% if no service charge
P: $1 per bag
TD: 10%

Chile
W/W: 10% in addition to service charge
P: $1 per bag
TD: None

China
W/W: None expected or required.
P: $1 to $2 (according to local FTers, none)
TD: None

Colombia
W/W: 10%
P: 75 cents per bag
TD: None

Costa Rica
W/W: None
P: $1 per bag
TD: 10%

Czech Republic
W/W: 5% to 10% if no service charge
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Denmark
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None

Ecuador
W/W: 10% if no service charge
P: 75 cents per bag
TD: None

Egypt
W/W: 5% to 10% plus service charge
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Estonia
W/W: 10-15% for restaurants (in pubs toss spare change into big shared bowl for waitresses)
P: ?
TD: ?

Fiji
W/W: None
P: None
TD: Round up

Finland
W/W: Not expected, but accepted
P: None
TD: If you pay by credit card - not expected. If you pay with cash - not expected, but rounding up is acceptable to avoid hassling with coins.

France
W/W: Appreciated but not at all expected. Some round up to the next Euro (or two), maybe a little more on larger bills if the service was very good.
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Germany
W/W: Appreciated but not at all expected. Some round up to the next Euro (or two), maybe a little more on larger bills if the service was very good.
P: EUR 1 per bag, mainly in higher-end hotels.
TD: Round up

Greece
W/W: 5% to 10% if no service charge (but not mandatory)
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Hong Kong
W/W: Common not to tip. Locals sometimes leave a few coins.
P: None.
TD: Round up

Hungary
W/W: Definitely Not expected. Can round up, 5-10% if service really good.
P: None
TD: Round up

Iceland
W/W: Not expected, but accepted
P: Not expected, but accepted
TD: Not expected, but accepted
Note: contrary to rumor, tipping is not illegal, merely not customary

India
W/W: 10% if no service charge
P: $1 per bag (according to local FTers 50cents/bag)
TD: Round up

Indonesia
W/W: 10% if no service charge added (but not mandatory)
P: 50 cents
TD: Round up

Ireland
W/W: 5-10% if no service charge added (but not mandatory)
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Israel
W/W: 10% to 15% if no service charge. 10% is the standard, 12% usually equates good service, and 15% exceptional service (coins are fine; tip can sometimes be left on credit card, ask to make sure; no tip needed for bartender)
P: $1 per bag
Airport Service: $2-5 depending on level of service received (NIS 20 recommended when receiving wheelchair assistance from door to gate)
RS: 10% in nice hotels (leave on the bill)
TD: None, even when using the GetTaxi app! (anyone asking for a tip is because they know you're a tourist)

Italy
W/W: Appreciated but not at all expected. Some round up to the next Euro (or two), maybe a little more on larger bills if the service was very good.
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Japan
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None

Kenya
W/W: 10% - higher for outstanding service - directly to server (not left on table)
P: .50 to 2.00
HK: 1.00 to 5.00 a week
TD: round up; 1.00 if very helpful
Safari: see link

Laos
W/W: None, but some people may tip 10% in high end western restaurants only
P: None, but some people may tip $1-2 per bag
TD: Not necessary

Malaysia
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None

Mexico
W/W: 10% to 15%
P: $1
TD: None

Monaco
W/W: gratuity included in service charge; a few Euro for brilliant service OK
P: $1
TD: None (taxi drivers are self employed - the entire fare goes to them

Morocco
W/W: Leave loose change
P: 50 cents per bag
TD: Round up

Netherlands
W/W: Appreciated but not at all expected. Some round up to the next Euro (or two), maybe a little more on larger bills if the service was very good.
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

New Zealand
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None

Norway
W/W: Service charge included in the price. Some add up to even amount
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Oman
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None


Panama
W/W: Some restaurants add 10% service fee, in others this is included in menu prices
P: Generally nothing, with many bags 0.5-1$ per bag
TD: None

Peru
W/W: Up to 10% for special service
P: 75cents per bag
TD: None

Philippines
W/W: 10%
P: 50 cents to $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Poland
W/W: 5-10% if no service charge (but not mandatory)
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Portugal
W/W: Not the norm. Some tip up to 5%.
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Romania
W/W: Round up bill
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Russia
W/W: 10% if the bill does not include a service charge, optional if it does
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

Samoa
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None

Saudi Arabia
W/W: 10% to 15%
P: $1 to $2 per bag
TD: 10%

Singapore
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None

South Africa
W/W: 10% if no service charge
P: 50 cents
TD: 10%
Thread on tipping in South Africa

South Korea
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None

Spain
W/W: Optional if no service charge already added. Normally leaving an extra € or two or even just rounding up is considered perfectly acceptable.
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up to the next € maybe add an extra for the fixed fare from the airport.

Sweden
W/W: Service charge included in the price.
P: 0
TD: Service charge included in the price. CC pay - none needed. Cash pay - none needed, but rounding up is acceptable, and easier for both parts.

Switzerland
W/W: Round up
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up
No tip needed for lake cruises in Zurich

Taiwan
W/W: 10% if no service charge (none according to local FTer)
P: $1 per bag
TD: None

Tanzania
W/W: Locals rarely tip and it is not mandatory at all. When locals do tip, it is often in the range of TZS 1,000 to 3,000. Consider leaving e.g. TZS 1,000 (~$ 0.4) for a TZS 20,000 meal and TZS 5,000 ($ 2.2) for a TZS 100,000-200,000 bill ($43-86). However not more than TZS 10,000-15,000 ($ 4-6) tip for a meal, even on a very big bills for 10+ people at a restaurant.
P: In touristed areas, leaving TZS 500-2,000 ($ 0.2-0.8) for porter would be a nice gesture.
TD: None
Comment: In safari-parks where tourists are plenty, certain customs for tipping have become "common" for tourist guides, in large part due to American tourists. Locals however do NOT usually tip. So don't fall for them trying to push you to leave e.g. 10% tip, there is no obligations to do so. If you are to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, make sure you discuss tipping with your tour operator prior to your climb.

Thailand
W/W: None - see post # 33 in this thread for update by local FTer
P: None - see post # 33 in this thread for update by local FTer
TD: None - see post # 33 in this thread for update by local FTer

Turkey
W/W: Round up
P: $1 per bag
TD: Round up

United Arab Emirates
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None

United Kingdom
Probably at least half of UK patrons do not tip at all; it is a pleasantry rather than expected/demanded.

W/W: Up to 10% if no service charge; this latter is always stated on the bill at the bottom and is more common in London than elsewhere. Round off either above or below, and occasionally modify dependent on service standard. Small coins (under 20p) not considered appropriate. If it is not apparent from the cash offered whether change is required or not (e.g. bill is £17 and a £20 note is offered, a statement of "that's fine, thank you" confirms it.

Tipping is traditionally not done for breakfast in hotels. Tipping at bars without waiter service or self-service cafes is not normal, even where other staff clear your tables.

HP: £1-£2 per overall inwards trip, dependent on length and how heavy bags are. Tipping basis is more by the trip rather than by the bag. No problem with declining porter, with a "thank you, I'll handle them myself". If just arrived in UK with no change, a "thank you, I'll catch you later" is quite alright, you can tip the porter (making sure it's the same one) as you pass the front door in the future.

Room maid: Most UK business travelers do not tip, same for single-night family stays. If you have stayed several days, about £5 overall, left on the bed (which you therefore have to straighten !) on last morning as you leave.

TD: 10% or less, again rounded off.

Hotel doorman: £1 on departure when they get a cab (more if they have gone down the street looking for one for you), open the cab door, hold an umbrella for you, etc. Nothing on arrival - that goes to the porter.

Tour guide/tour coach driver: £2 per half-day, £3 for full day, for individuals, £3/£5 for a family, if they have been competent. If there is a guide, no need to tip driver as well, they split it afterwards.

USA
W/W: 15% to 20% of the post-tax amount
P: $1 to $2 per bag
TD: 10% to 15%

Venezuela
W/W: 10%
P: 75 cents per bag
TD: 10%

Vietnam
W/W: None
P: None
TD: None