Tipping Worldwide: How Much Where?
Tipping rules vary massively from country to country. While in the USA it is often over 20%, in Japan it is considered an insult. This guide shows you how much is customary in 50+ countries - and where you should be cautious.
Why Tips Are So Different
Tipping is a cultural topic - not just a calculation. In some countries, it is a fixed part of the income of service workers (USA), in others, fixed percentages apply (Germany), and sometimes tips are simply declined (Japan, South Korea).
The three most important questions before you reach for your wallet:
- Is tipping culturally expected or optional?
- Is a service charge already included in the bill (then: tipping is optional)?
- How much is appropriate - in percentage or as a fixed amount?
USA & Kanada - Tipping as a Component of Wages
In the USA and Canada, wages in the service sector are often lower than the minimum wage stipulates - because tips are included. Without tips, waiters effectively earn nothing. It is socially expected, not optional.
- Restaurants: 18-22 % (20 % is the standard) on the net amount before tax
- Bars: 1-2 USD per drink or 15-20 % on the bill
- Taxi/Uber: 15-20 %
- Hotel Housekeeping: 2-5 USD per night, left on the pillow
- Bellhop/Luggage Carrier: 1-2 USD per piece of luggage
- Valet Parking: 2-5 USD upon pickup
- Hairdresser/Spa: 15-20 %
Many US restaurants automatically add an 18 % 'gratuity' for groups of 6 or more. Check the bill - double tipping is not necessary.
Europe - fair, but modest
In most European countries, tipping is optional and moderate. Service is usually included in the price, but a small extra is appreciated.
Germany, Austria, Switzerland
- Restaurant: 5-10 %, usually rounded up
- Hotel: 1-2 € per luggage piece for the bellboy
- Taxi: Round up to the next euro amount
- Hairdresser: 5-10 %
France, Italy, Spain
- Restaurant: 5-10 % - Service compris/servizio/servicio is often included
- In Italy, there is often a 'coperto' (1-3 € per person cover charge)
- Cafés/Bars: Leave the small change
- Hotel: 1-2 € per service
UK, Ireland, Netherlands
- Restaurant: 10-12.5 %, often already included as 'service charge'
- Pubs: NO tipping - instead 'buy the bartender a drink'
- Taxi: 10 %
Scandinavia
- In Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, tipping is not expected
- Rounding up the bill is common, nothing more
- Wages are high - service is fully paid
Asia - Big Differences
Japan & South Korea - No Tipping!
In Japan and South Korea, tipping is not customary and can even be perceived as an insult. Good work is rewarded through salary - a tip signals that the service is seen as begging.
- No tipping in restaurants, taxis, hotels
- If you want to give something: in an envelope, formally - but better: leave it
Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines
- Restaurants with upscale service: 5-10 %, or round up
- Street food: not required
- Hotel housekeeping: 20-50 THB/VND equivalent per night
- Taxi: round up, Grab/Uber not necessary
- Thailand Note: 20 Baht note as a thank you is common in good restaurants
China & Hong Kong
- In Mainland China: tipping is uncommon and often declined
- Hong Kong: 10 % service charge often on the bill, extra ~5 % optional in good restaurants
- Hotels: small amounts accepted for butler service
India, Sri Lanka, Nepal
- Restaurants: 5-10 %, if not already 'service charge' on the bill
- Trekking guides & porters (Nepal): fixed daily amounts are part of the income - 10-15 % of total tour costs
- Drivers on multi-day tours: 500-1000 Rupees per day
Caribbean & Latin America
Caribbean (Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico)
- Restaurants: 10-15 %, often included as 'propina' or 'gratuity' already at 10 %
- All-Inclusive Resorts: 1-2 USD per bartender drink, 2-5 USD per day for maids
- Taxi: 10 %
- Excursion Guides: 10 % of the tour price
Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru
- Restaurants: 10 % standard, in Peru often 'propina sugerida' 10 %
- Trekking Guides (Machu Picchu, Patagonia): 100-200 USD for multi-day tours
- Taxi: round up, not percentage
In Latin America, it is often best to pay with small change in local currency - USD as a tip seems well-intentioned, but is often hard for employees to exchange.
Africa & Middle East
Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia
In North Africa, the baksheesh system is deeply rooted - small tips for almost every service. This is not 'begging', but part of the economic structure.
- Restaurants: 10 %
- Hotel porters: 1-2 EUR/USD per piece of luggage
- Tour guides: 10-15 % of the tour
- Smaller services (photos, advice): 1-5 LE (Egypt), 5-10 MAD (Morocco)
South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia
- Restaurants: 10-15 %
- Safari guides: 10-15 USD per day per guest (lodge tradition)
- Safari trackers: 5-10 USD per day
- Lodge housekeeping: flat 5 USD per night in collective fund
UAE (Dubai), Saudi Arabia, Oman
- Restaurants: 10 %, often 'service charge' 10 % included
- Taxi: round up
- Hotel butler/porters: 10-20 AED
Special Cases: Cruise, Tour, Safari
Cruise Ships
Most shipping companies have fixed daily amounts for service personnel that are automatically charged:
- International shipping companies (MSC, Royal Caribbean, NCL): 14-18 USD per day per passenger
- German shipping companies (AIDA, Mein Schiff): Service charge often already included in the price
- Bar staff: Cocktail bills often have 18% 'gratuity' automatically
Guided Tours (Europe, Asia, Latin America)
- Tour guide: 3-5 EUR per day per guest
- Bus driver: 1-2 EUR per day
- On the last evening often a 'group envelope'
Safari (Africa)
Safari tips are an important topic - many guides depend on them. The lodges usually have recommendation guidelines:
- Ranger/guide: 10-15 USD per day per guest
- Tracker: 5-10 USD per day per guest
- Lodge team collected (housekeeping, cook): 5-10 USD per day per guest
- At the end of the safari handed over in envelopes
Tipping Etiquette: 5 Global Basic Rules
- Always cash: even with card payment on the bill, tip should be given in cash - this way it really reaches the service staff
- Collect small change: in many countries, small bills are worth their weight in gold. Get some change before your trip
- Check service charge: If 10-15% 'service charge' is on the bill, extra tip is optional
- Adjust culturally: In Japan not, in the USA generously, in Europe moderately
- If unsure: ask a local couple or hotel concierge - it's not embarrassing
Häufige Fragen
Do I have to tip in Germany?
Tipping is not legally required in Germany, but 5-10% or rounding up is socially expected - especially in restaurants.
How much to tip in the USA really?
20% is the standard in restaurants. Less is interpreted as dissatisfaction. For very poor service, you can go down to 15%.
Why no tipping in Japan?
In Japan, good service is expected as standard, not as an extra. Tipping can be perceived as implicit criticism that the salary is not enough.
How much to tip on an all-inclusive vacation?
Despite all-inclusive, in the Caribbean and Mexico, $1-2 per drink and $2-5 per day for the maid is appreciated - unless the hotel explicitly prohibits it.
Tip in cash or by card?
Cash is almost always better - this way the person receives it directly. With card payments, the tip often goes into a pool or to the operator.
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