Foreign Tipping Guide by Country & Region
Jun 4, 2014, 11:38 pm
#481
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
http://blog.sfgate.com/hawaii/2014/0...d=hp-hc-travel
"So here’s what the experts from the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau recommend:
Airport porters: $5 per person, more for large/heavy bags
Taxi drivers: 15 percent of fare, more if they handle baggage
Hotel bellhops: $5 per person, more for large/heavy bags
Hotel housekeeping: $1-$2 per night
Other hotel staff: $1-$2 per service rendered (e.g. concierge desk, doormen)
Valet service: $2 plus parking fee
Restaurants: 15-20 percent of meal cost
Tips are also suggested/expected for activities—guided tours, snorkeling cruises, zipline tours, etc.—10-15 percent is often about right, depending on the cost of the excursion, or a minimum of $10 per person."
"So here’s what the experts from the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau recommend:
Airport porters: $5 per person, more for large/heavy bags
Taxi drivers: 15 percent of fare, more if they handle baggage
Hotel bellhops: $5 per person, more for large/heavy bags
Hotel housekeeping: $1-$2 per night
Other hotel staff: $1-$2 per service rendered (e.g. concierge desk, doormen)
Valet service: $2 plus parking fee
Restaurants: 15-20 percent of meal cost
Tips are also suggested/expected for activities—guided tours, snorkeling cruises, zipline tours, etc.—10-15 percent is often about right, depending on the cost of the excursion, or a minimum of $10 per person."
Aug 13, 2014, 2:21 am
#483
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SYD
Programs: QF
Posts: 490
I don't know if anyone has posted this before but it's a pretty handy infographic.
http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/ult...t-infographic/
http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/ult...t-infographic/
Aug 13, 2014, 5:29 am
#484
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
I don't know if anyone has posted this before but it's a pretty handy infographic.
http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/ult...t-infographic/
http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/ult...t-infographic/
Aug 16, 2014, 9:02 pm
#486
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
never tip in Australia or NZ !!!
[Lengthy quote, unnecessary to member's post, deleted by Moderator.]
You never ever need to tip in Australia or NZ. Anyone who says otherwise is being conned.
You never ever need to tip in Australia or NZ. Anyone who says otherwise is being conned.
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Aug 17, 2014 at 9:30 am Reason: See note above.
Aug 17, 2014, 9:54 am
#487
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 184
I had put South and East Africa first but with what is happening don't see it till next year .
Aug 20, 2014, 12:40 pm
#488
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
The UK advice seems to be London based. In general tipping is not expected and many do not tip, and it would be very rare for someone to be challenged. For a tourist area outside London:
Hairdressers, barbers, beauticians: £1-£2 unless particularly complex or long.
W/W: 10% in high end restaurants. Not expected elsewhere but tip for exceptional service or if they have provided something special. In casual restaurants/gastropubs saying keep the change or rounding up is often done if service has been good. No tipping in cafés, fast food etc.
Pubs: Tips not expected but it is good manners to offer a drink by saying “and one for yourself” if you’ve been chatting or you have a big order, and not expect change. In this case the change is often taken rather than a tip. It is increasingly common in chain pubs for staff to refuse this as they are not allowed.
HP: rare outside London except in high end hotels. £1-£2 in total or politely refuse. In B&Bs, cottages and small boutique hotels help will often be offered out of politeness. The correct responses is “that’s fine, I’ll manage”.
Maids: Uncommon to leave tips in high-end properties unless special requests have been catered to/lots of mess. Up to £5 in this case. No tips expected elsewhere.
B&Bs: Common to leave a tip £10-£30 dependant on length of stay or a small gift (flowers/chocolates) if you’ve had significant personal contact with owner.
TD – Round up or offer to keep the change if it’s only a couple of quid.
Rambling guides/outdoor instructors/private boat pilots/private tour guides: £10-£50 in most cases e.g. if part of a big outdoor group of strangers £10, if given a personalised experience for whole day £50.
Group tour guides (e.g. with strangers) £3-£5 but not if it is a tour offered to all (e.g. at national trust properties).
Coach drivers: Quite common to have a ‘whip around’ particularly if it is one group on a coach - £2-£5 each family/couple. Otherwise £5 discretely passed to driver on way out (it is rude to give change in this situation so a note really should be used hence £5). Don’t tip on National Express/Mega bus type coaches which are public transport.
Theatre staff: No need to tip unless they proactively move you to better seats.
Bus drivers on public transport: common in the north (outside of major cities) and in rural areas to say thank you when getting off. Not strictly tipping but good etiquette.
Hairdressers, barbers, beauticians: £1-£2 unless particularly complex or long.
W/W: 10% in high end restaurants. Not expected elsewhere but tip for exceptional service or if they have provided something special. In casual restaurants/gastropubs saying keep the change or rounding up is often done if service has been good. No tipping in cafés, fast food etc.
Pubs: Tips not expected but it is good manners to offer a drink by saying “and one for yourself” if you’ve been chatting or you have a big order, and not expect change. In this case the change is often taken rather than a tip. It is increasingly common in chain pubs for staff to refuse this as they are not allowed.
HP: rare outside London except in high end hotels. £1-£2 in total or politely refuse. In B&Bs, cottages and small boutique hotels help will often be offered out of politeness. The correct responses is “that’s fine, I’ll manage”.
Maids: Uncommon to leave tips in high-end properties unless special requests have been catered to/lots of mess. Up to £5 in this case. No tips expected elsewhere.
B&Bs: Common to leave a tip £10-£30 dependant on length of stay or a small gift (flowers/chocolates) if you’ve had significant personal contact with owner.
TD – Round up or offer to keep the change if it’s only a couple of quid.
Rambling guides/outdoor instructors/private boat pilots/private tour guides: £10-£50 in most cases e.g. if part of a big outdoor group of strangers £10, if given a personalised experience for whole day £50.
Group tour guides (e.g. with strangers) £3-£5 but not if it is a tour offered to all (e.g. at national trust properties).
Coach drivers: Quite common to have a ‘whip around’ particularly if it is one group on a coach - £2-£5 each family/couple. Otherwise £5 discretely passed to driver on way out (it is rude to give change in this situation so a note really should be used hence £5). Don’t tip on National Express/Mega bus type coaches which are public transport.
Theatre staff: No need to tip unless they proactively move you to better seats.
Bus drivers on public transport: common in the north (outside of major cities) and in rural areas to say thank you when getting off. Not strictly tipping but good etiquette.
Aug 21, 2014, 11:01 am
#489
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,476
B&Bs: Common to leave a tip £10-£30 dependant on length of stay or a small gift (flowers/chocolates) if you’ve had significant personal contact with owner.
Rambling guides/outdoor instructors/private boat pilots/private tour guides: £10-£50 in most cases e.g. if part of a big outdoor group of strangers £10, if given a personalised experience for whole day £50.
Rambling guides/outdoor instructors/private boat pilots/private tour guides: £10-£50 in most cases e.g. if part of a big outdoor group of strangers £10, if given a personalised experience for whole day £50.
Bus drivers on public transport: common in the north (outside of major cities) and in rural areas to say thank you when getting off. Not strictly tipping but good etiquette.
Aug 22, 2014, 2:58 am
#490
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 9
They are based on my experience. For B&Bs I'm not talking about the run down Blackpool types, more the country B&B in the Peak District or Lake District, where you get a few personal touches. Based on the nightly cost which in my experience is between £60-£80 a night, £10 is less than a 10% tip for a weekend, and £30 is less than 10% for a week's stay. If leaving a tip I'd personally be embarrassed leaving less than a tanner.
As for the guide tips, I was lucky enough to work as an outdoor instructor for a while and have many friends still in the industry and so my figures are based on what I got and have heard others getting. My lowest package was just shy of £100 for doing an easy ramble for up to 3 people and I'd often get £10-£15 on top as a tip so around 10%. You can easily get £40-£50 when providing a bespoke climbing trip especially if multi-day.
As for the guide tips, I was lucky enough to work as an outdoor instructor for a while and have many friends still in the industry and so my figures are based on what I got and have heard others getting. My lowest package was just shy of £100 for doing an easy ramble for up to 3 people and I'd often get £10-£15 on top as a tip so around 10%. You can easily get £40-£50 when providing a bespoke climbing trip especially if multi-day.
Aug 22, 2014, 4:46 am
#491
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
Aug 24, 2014, 6:28 pm
#492
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 184
They are based on my experience. For B&Bs I'm not talking about the run down Blackpool types, more the country B&B in the Peak District or Lake District, where you get a few personal touches. Based on the nightly cost which in my experience is between £60-£80 a night, £10 is less than a 10% tip for a weekend, and £30 is less than 10% for a week's stay. If leaving a tip I'd personally be embarrassed leaving less than a tanner.
As for the guide tips, I was lucky enough to work as an outdoor instructor for a while and have many friends still in the industry and so my figures are based on what I got and have heard others getting. My lowest package was just shy of £100 for doing an easy ramble for up to 3 people and I'd often get £10-£15 on top as a tip so around 10%. You can easily get £40-£50 when providing a bespoke climbing trip especially if multi-day.
As for the guide tips, I was lucky enough to work as an outdoor instructor for a while and have many friends still in the industry and so my figures are based on what I got and have heard others getting. My lowest package was just shy of £100 for doing an easy ramble for up to 3 people and I'd often get £10-£15 on top as a tip so around 10%. You can easily get £40-£50 when providing a bespoke climbing trip especially if multi-day.
Aug 24, 2014, 7:43 pm
#493
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Guide books have their place as well, and are sufficient for some destinations.
In Italy on our recent trip, we tipped 10 Euros (total) for the two of us for each guide. A couple of truly exceptional guides we tipped higher than that.
Aug 25, 2014, 6:15 am
#494
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,476
Sorry, that doesn't make for a reliable and impartial source of advice for what foreign travellers should tip you or your friends, especially as we only learned this after challenging the quoted values as way over the top.
Aug 25, 2014, 7:02 am
#495
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
These seem enormous. Have you misplaced a decimal point ?
Possibly because, unlike the rest of the country, London buys its buses with the entrance by the driver but a separate exit towards the back. However, even here should you use the front door on the way out, saying Thank You is common.
Possibly because, unlike the rest of the country, London buys its buses with the entrance by the driver but a separate exit towards the back. However, even here should you use the front door on the way out, saying Thank You is common.