Tipping can be a tricky topic for travelers. How much should you tip? Who should you tip? When should you tip? And what if tipping is not expected or even considered rude in some countries?
To help you avoid any awkward or embarrassing situations, we’ve compiled a guide to tipping etiquette for some of the most popular destinations around the world. Whether you’re dining at a restaurant, staying at a hotel, taking a tour, or riding a taxi, here are some tips on how to tip like a pro when traveling abroad.
London
London is a bustling and diverse city that offers a lot of attractions and experiences for travelers. Tipping is not mandatory or expected in most cases in London, but it is becoming more common due to the influence of international travelers. However, tipping can also vary depending on the type and quality of the service you receive.
- Restaurants: Most restaurants in London will add a 10-15% service charge to your bill, which goes to the restaurant owner, not the staff. So you don’t need to tip anything extra. However, if there is no service charge or if you are very happy with the service, you can leave 10-15% of the bill as a tip. Be careful of tourist traps that charge extra fees for bread, water, cover charge, etc. These are not tips and you don’t have to pay them.
- Hotels: You don’t need to tip anyone at hotels in London, including the doorman, the front desk staff, the bellhop, and the housekeeper. They are paid well and take pride in their work. If you want to show your gratitude, you can write a thank-you note or give a small gift from your home country. You can also tip the concierge if they help you with reservations or tickets. A tip of 5-10 pounds (GBP), which amounts to about 6-12 USD, is reasonable.
- Tours: You don’t need to tip your tour guide or driver in London, but if you enjoyed the tour, you can tip them 10-20% of the cost of the tour as a thank you. Give it to them at the end of the tour in an envelope or discreetly.
- Taxis: You don’t need to tip your taxi driver in London, but you can round up the fare or leave some change as a courtesy. Be sure to use licensed taxis with meters and avoid illegal cabs that may rip you off.
Paris
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and also one of the most expensive. But don’t worry, tipping is not mandatory or expected in most cases. Here are some general guidelines for tipping in Paris:
- Restaurants: A service charge of 15-20% is usually included in the bill, so you don’t need to tip anything extra. However, if you are very satisfied with the service, you can leave a few euros or round up the bill as a gesture of appreciation.
- Hotels: You don’t need to tip the doorman or the front desk staff, but you can tip the bellhop 1-2 euros per bag and the housekeeper 1-2 euros per day. You can also tip the concierge 5-10 euros if they help you with reservations or tickets.
- Tours: You don’t need to tip your tour guide or driver, but if you enjoyed the tour, you can tip them 5-10 euros per person as a thank you.
- Taxis: You don’t need to tip your taxi driver, but you can round up the fare or leave some change as a courtesy.
Rome
Rome is a city full of history and culture, and also full of tourists and touts. Tipping is not required or expected in Italy, but it is becoming more common due to the influence of American travelers. Here are some tips for tipping in Rome:
- Restaurants: A service charge of 10-15% is usually included in the bill, so you don’t need to tip anything extra. However, if there is no service charge or if you are very happy with the service, you can leave 5-10% of the bill as a tip. Be careful of tourist traps that charge extra fees for bread, water, cover charge, etc.
- Hotels: You don’t need to tip the doorman or the front desk staff, but you can tip the bellhop 1-2 euros per bag and the housekeeper 1-2 euros per day. You can also tip the concierge 5-10 euros if they help you with reservations or tickets.
- Tours: You don’t need to tip your tour guide or driver, but if you enjoyed the tour, you can tip them 5-10 euros per person as a thank you.
- Taxis: You don’t need to tip your taxi driver, but you can round up the fare or leave some change as a courtesy. Be aware of taxi scams that overcharge tourists or take longer routes. Always use official taxis with meters and license plates.
Tipping can be a confusing and stressful part of traveling, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these tips, you can tip like a pro and avoid any faux pas when traveling around the world.
