Every couple of years, we put this out again to help our clients figure out how to tip when they are traveling around the world.

Americans are used to tipping for services rendered but that isn’t the case for every country around the world.

  • Did you know that by tipping in Japanese restaurant, you will insult the waiter?
  • Did you realize that many European hotels and restaurants add the tip to your bill?
  • In turn, many Europeans don’t feel it’s necessary to follow American tipping suggestions when traveling in the US.

Tipping can be confusing for overseas travelers.

While it is expected and commonplace in some countries, in others it’s implied only in major cities, and in some it simply isn’t done. The rules are always changing, so what was appropriate the last time you visited might be different the next time you go.

This world wide tipping guide can help you out in many countries around the globe.

Country Restaurants Porters Taxis
Argentina 10% $2 Round up taxi fare or small tip.
Australia 10% in fine restaurants only $2 per bag Round Up
Austria 5% above service charge 1-2 euros per bag 10% or Round up
Bahamas 15% $1 per bag Round Up
Belgium 10% if no service charge Included in your bill Round Up
Bolivia 5-10% 75 cents per bag Not expected unless it’s a full day- then 10%
Brazil 10% is routinely included in the bill $2 per bag Round Up
Bulgaria 10% $1 per bag 10%
Cambodia $1 per diner $1 – $2 per bag $1
Canada 15-20% $1 – $2 per bag 10-15%
Cayman Islands 15% if no service charge $1 per bag 10%
Chile 5-10% in addition to service charge $1 per bag Round Up
China None $1 – $2 total None
Colombia 10% in addition to the service charge $1 per bag None required
Costa Rica Service charge is included $1 per bag Round up
Croatia 10 – 15% $ 1 per bag Round up
Cuba 10% if not service charge is included $1 per person 10%
Czech Rep 15 % $1-$2 per bag Round Up
Denmark None None None
Ecuador 10% if no service charge $1 per bag None required
Egypt 5-10% + service charge $1 per bag 10-15%
England/United Kingdom 10-15% if no service charge $1 – $2 per bag Round Up
Estonia 5-8% $1-$2 per bag Round Up
Fiji None None Round Up
Finland Round up or 5-10 euros 5-10 euros Round Up
France 10% $1-$2 per bag 10-15%
Germany 10-15% $1-$2 per bag Round Up
Greece 5-10% in addition to service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Guatemala 10% if no service charge $1-2 per bag Round up
Holland (Netherlands) 5-10% 1-2 Euros per bag Round Up
Hong Kong 10% in addition to service charge $2-5 Round Up
Hungary 10% if no service charge $1-$2 per bag Round Up
Iceland 10% in addition to service charge None Round Up
India 10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Indonesia 10%- 15% if no service charge $ 1 total 10 %
Ireland 10 – 15% if no service charge 1-2 euros Round Up
Israel 10 – 15% if no service charge $1 per bag 10 – 15%
Italy 10% in addition to service charge $1-$2 per bag Round Up
Japan Tipping is perceived as insulting None None
Kenya 5-10% if no service charge 50 cents per bag None
Malaysia 10 – 15% in addition to service charge $ 1 per bag None
Mexico 10-20% (cash is preferred) $1-2 per bag Round Up
Morocco 5-10% if no service charge $2 per bag Round Up
New Zealand 10% – 15% in fine restaurants only $1 – $2 per bag $ 5 for cab drivers
Nicaragua 8-10% for special service  50 cents per bag 10%
Norway  5-10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Oman None None None
Paraguay 10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round up
Peru 10% – 15% for special service $1 per bag None
Philippines 10% if no service charge $1 per bag 10 %
Poland 10% if no service charge $1 per bag 10%
Portugal 10 – 15% if no service charge 1-2 euros per bag Round Up
Romania 5-10% $1 per bag Round Up
Russia 10 % $3 – $5 per trip 10%
Samoa None None None
Saudi Arabia 10-15% $1 – $2 per bag 10%
Scandinavia None None None
Scotland 10-15% if no service charge 1-2 pounds per bag Round Up
Singapore 10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
South Africa 10-15 % if no service charge $1 per bag 10%
South Korea None $1 per bag Round Up
South Pacific None unless exceptional None None
Spain 7 – 13% in addition to service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Sweden 5-10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Switzerland 5-10% None 5-10%
Taiwan 10 – 15% if no service charge $2-$3 per bag 10%
Tanzania 5% if no service charge $1-2 [er bag Round up
Thailand $ 1 per diner $1 – $2 per bag $ 1
Turkey 10% $1 per bag Round Up
Ukraine None or round up $1 None or Round up
United Arab Emirates None None Round Up
United States 15-20% $1 – $2 per bag 10 – 15%
Venezuela 10% 75 cents per bag 10%
Vietnam 10% if no service charge None None
Wales 10-15 % if no service charge 1-2 pounds per bag Round Up

General Tipping Information

Asia and the Pacific: Always take care to insure that your well-meaning gesture is not taken as insulting. If you are not sure about whether to tip or not, don’t.  Try to observe the locals and follow their lead.

Europe: Many hotels and restaurants will add a service charge to the bill. In those cases, an additional tip is unnecessary but if no service charge is already added to your bill, a 10% is the general rule for restaurant service, a dollar per bag will be appreciated.

Middle East/Africa: Although your tip may not be seen as insulting, it may be unnecessary. Once again, follow the lead of the locals.

Central/South America: As with Europe, 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 a dollar per bag will be appreciated.

Let the experienced team of travel professionals at My Vacation Lady help plan your next vacation or your dream honeymoon!

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