1. United States
In the United States, adding a tip is considered common courtesy. However, practices and rates for tipping around the world vary from country to country. Before you read about gratuity practices in other countries, the generally accepted tipping rates in the United States are below:
- Taxi: About 20%.
- Hotel: $1-2 per bag, and a few dollars extra for housekeeping.
- Restaurants: 18-20% for table service, $1 per drink at the bar.
- Tour: 10-20% for a full day tour.
- Currency: USD.
2. Argentina
In Argentina, leaving a tip is seen as a reward for good service. Tipping rates are slightly lower in Argentina than in the United States, however it is still recommended. Change shortages are possible, so make sure to carry smaller notes and coins as business may not be able to break large bills. Here are the suggested rates:
- Taxi: 10%.
- Hotel: 25-45 pesos for a porter.
- Restaurants: 10%.
- Tour: 150-300 pesos for a full-day guide.
- Currency: Pesos.
3. Canada
Although servers in Canada make around $11 an hour, the tipping percentages in Canada are similar to those in the United States. Some provinces expect a bit more generosity, and won’t be shy in letting you know if you’ve missed the bar (looking at you, Quebec). Here are the guidelines for tipping in Canada.
- Taxi: 10-15%.
- Hotel: $1-$2 per bag, a few dollars for housekeeping.
- Restaurants: 18-20% for table service, $1 per drink when ordering at the bar.
- Tour: $10-$15 per day.
- Currency: Tipping in USD is acceptable, CAD is preferred.
4. Chile
Travelers should know who to leave gratuity with when they are tipping around the world. In Chile, this is easy. It is suggested that from the grocery bagger to the maid, everyone who offers service receives a tip. You may be surprised to learn that in Chile it is acceptable to tip in American dollars, however, if you have the local currency on hand you should use that instead.
- Taxi: Round up the fare.
- Hotel: $1-$2 per bag, $2 per day for housekeeping, either directly or in a clearly marked envelope.
- Restaurants: The bill will include 10%. You can add 5-10%. Higher-end restaurants may sometimes charge a sit-down fee of 5%.
- Tour: $10-$25 per day depending on how many people are in your group.
- Currency: Tipping in USD is acceptable. Leave gratuity in the local currency.
5. China
Tipping around the world is not always seen as a gesture of appreciation. While in the United States it is considered rude not to tip, in China the opposite is true. It is best to avoid tipping in restaurants and on public transportation. However, the culture is changing to encourage tipping for some services. In higher-end hotels, bellboys may get a tip of $1 per bag. Tipping your tour guide is also becoming common practice.
- Taxi: Unnecessary.
- Hotel: 10 yuan per bag.
- Restaurants: China has a no-tipping culture. Local restaurants and hotels with heavy domestic traffic & travel do not expect (or sometimes allow) gratuities. As in Chile, nicer restaurants may add a 5-10% service fee, but don’t anticipate anything further than that. If you are compelled to tip, be discreet.
- Tour: Equivalent of $10 USD per day.
- Currency: Yuan.
6. France
Service compris, or service included, makes eating in France a breeze. Your tip may be included in your restaurant bill, but you should still tip the hotel staff, and tour guides, generously. Some people may leave extra gratuity on bills where the tip is included. It’s not an obligation, but certainly a gesture of appreciation for a job well done.
- Taxi: Unnecessary, but you can round to the next euro and then some if your driver has helped you make a meeting, flight, or train.
- Hotel: One euro per bag, and one euro a night for housekeeping.
- Restaurants: Typically included, but you can leave up to two euros for every twenty euros if the service has been really good.
- Tour: About 25 euro per person per day for guides, up to 50 euro for a nationally certified guide.
- Currency: French establishments accept the euro. USD are not.
7. Germany
Heading to Germany for Oktoberfest? Make sure to bring tip money! Gratuity culture in Germany has lower standards than the United States, which will leave some room in your budget for an extra liter. Still, it is polite to leave a small amount.
- Taxi: Round to the next euro.
- Hotel: Two euros per bag.
- Restaurants: You can tip 10% for a full meal, or round up to the nearest five for beers and small items. Don’t leave change on the table–you can give your tip directly to the waiter. Bedienung means gratuity has been included.
- Tour: 30 euro per day per person.
- Currency: Euros preferred.
8. India
Tipping around the world often requires that travelers pay attention to whether including gratuity within the cost of the service is part of the culture. In India, this is common. Double check that the tip has not already been included, and if it hasn’t, make sure you follow these guidelines.
- Taxi: You can tell them to keep the change.
- Hotel: 50 rupees per bag, 200 rupees a night for the housekeeping. Ask your hotel about their tipping box, or leave a clearly marked envelope with the front desk.
- Restaurants: 10% is standard at nicer restaurants, though some now include it automatically. A few extra rupees (between 7-10% of a 300-1000 bill) are acceptable at lower-end restaurants. Gratuity is not customary for food stalls or street vendors.
- Tour: Around 400 rupees per day for a car and driver is acceptable. The price negotiated for a tuk-tuk or rickshaw includes the tip.
- Currency: You can tip in USD or Indian rupees.
9. Ireland
If you’re traveling to Ireland you’re bound to visit a pub or two during your stay. Lucky for you, tipping is not required for bartenders unless table service is provided. It is common for servers not to receive credit card tips, so if you can help it, leave your appreciation in cash.
- Taxi: No more than 10% for a great ride, but rounding up on your fair is the norm.
- Hotel: A euro or two is plenty for bag service. Your bill may include housekeeping charges.
- Restaurants: Sometimes restaurants include gratuity. At sit-down restaurants, 10% is standard. When the bartender provides table service, 1-2 euros per drink are in order.
- Tour: Unnecessary.
- Currency: Euros preferred.
10. Italy
In Italy, mass tourism has been causing a shift in the way tipping is practiced. Still, tipping at restaurants in Italy is not something that is required or expected. Workers in Italy receive a month salary, so if you do tip, it should be low. With transportation and tours, a small tip is fine. At the espresso bar, spare change is all that’s recommended.
- Taxi: If your ride is long, round to the nearest euro.
- Hotel: A few euros to the people who help you directly (porters, valets, or housekeepers).
- Restaurants: Never tip more than 10%. Coperto means the tip is included.
- Tour: For walking tours and boat guides, tipping isn’t obligatory, but it has become more common practice. Tipping a euro or two from each group member will be plenty.
- Currency: Italians prefer the euro. USD is accepted.
11. Japan
Japan makes tipping around the world simple. Even more so than China, tipping in Japan is a no-go. It is considered an insult, and should be avoided at all costs.
- Taxi: Tipping is an insult in Japan. Just don’t do it.
- Hotel: Seriously, don’t tip.
- Restaurants: They don’t want your money.
- Tour: If you have to tip, do not give outright cash. Put it in an envelope. But even then, just don’t.
- Currency: The Japanese use yen, but when it comes to tipping, you just shouldn’t.
12. Mexico
Like their northern neighbor, service industry workers in Mexico make very little wage and rely on gratuity to fill out their income. Tipping in Mexico is very similar to the United States. Foreign coin is often not excepted in Mexico, so make sure to tip in Mexican pesos. Resorts may often implement no-tipping rules while adding a 10% fee for staff to the final bill. As always, ask about the policy for your specific circumstance, and remember to carry change. Be sure to include gratuity for grocery baggers, as they often live solely off of tips.
- Taxi: Unnecessary, unless they provide an extra service like carrying bags.
- Hotel: 10-20 pesos per bag, 20-50 pesos per night for housekeeping, 100 pesos for the concierge.
- Restaurants: 10-15% cash preferred.
- Tour: 100-200 pesos for full day tour, 200-300 when they are also your driver.
- Currency: You can tip in USD or Mexican pesos.
13. Portugal
While most European countries require little or no tipping, Portugal will require a little bit more cash. Tipping is always appreciated, but rarely assumed in Portugal. In almost all service scenarios, rounding up to the nearest five euros can be a handy practice. Be sure to have a few extra euros on hand, and make sure to check your bill to see if service has already been added.
- Taxi: 10% or rounding up to the nearest euro.
- Hotel: 1-2 euro per bag.
- Restaurants: 10%.
- Tour: 5 euro per day per person.
- Currency: Euros preferred.
14. Spain
Spain makes your planned budget for tipping around the world just a bit smaller. While gratuity can be a little steep for tour guides, it is unnecessary for most other services. It is recommended that the smaller your group, the more you should give your tour guide. A good guide for restaurants would be to skip the tip when visiting inexpensive establishments, and aim for 10% on upscale experiences that venture into extraordinary. Use your budgeted tip money for some extra slices of jamón ibérico.
- Taxi: Tipping isn’t necessary, but you can round to the nearest euro.
- Hotel: You can tip a euro per bag at high-end hotels.
- Restaurants: Lower-end restaurants do not expect gratuity. In middle-to-high end restaurants, include 5-10%.
- Tour: 30 euro per person per day.
- Currency: Tip in euros.
15. United Kingdom
Pack some extra pounds for this trip! The currency, that is. Tipping is required for most services in the UK, so be polite during your stay. Some restaurants may include the service fee on a bill, but it is acceptable to deduct it from the bill and pay it in cash to ensure it directly reaches your server.
- Taxi: Small change.
- Hotel: One to two pounds per bag; one to two pounds as well for housekeeping. It is becoming more commonplace for hotels to add an option for a service fee.
- Restaurants: For sit-down meals, 10% is standard. You can also round up to the nearest five pounds.
- Tour: 20 pounds per day.
- Currency: Pounds preferred.
