Tips on Tipping:
Know Before You Go

If you’ve holidayed abroad before, you’re probably aware that tipping culture varies depending on where you go. It can be a tricky business, so it’s a good idea to carry some extra cash in the local currency so that you can leave a little extra.

However, what might be considered generous in one country can be a huge no-no in another, so it pays to do a little research. That’s where we come in! Here are some basic guidelines on tipping to get you started.

Europe | North America | Central & South America | Asia & Oceania| The Middle East | Africa

EUROPE

Restaurants
Like in the UK, you should aim to tip about 10% of your restaurant bill. However, always double-check your receipt, to make sure a service charge hasn’t already been applied.

Taxis
Round up the fare and let the taxi driver keep the change.

Hotel Porters
A euro or two per bag won’t go amiss!

NORTH AMERICA

Tipping is generous in North America due to a low minimum wage - those extra dollars are vital, and often relied upon to pay the bills.

Restaurants
20% is perfectly normal if you’re eating out in the USA, and in some places this can hit 25%. It’s also not unusual to leave an additional dollar per drink if you’re at a bar or coffee shop.

Taxis
Drivers would expect you to tip them 10-15%, or at least to round up the fare.

Hotel Porters
Housekeeping, luggage porters, valet parking workers and the like, generally appreciate a few extra dollars for their assistance.

CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA

It hasn’t always been normal to tip in Central or South America, but it’s become more common with the rise of tourism, especially in Mexico.

Restaurants
As in Europe, the 10% rule is generally followed in restaurants. You might see a ‘cubierto charge’ on your bill, but this isn’t a service charge - it’s more like table rent.

Taxis
Drivers wouldn’t usually expect a tip, but it’s a nice gesture if they’ve been particularly helpful. Bear in mind that the fare itself can be high, so it’s not unusual to haggle a bit.

Hotel Porters
Again, as with most other countries, two or three quid doesn’t go amiss. But leave a note to explain what it is, or hand it to the staff member directly.

Tour Guides
With tours and guided excursions found left, right, and centre, you should think about tipping the guide. Around a tenner per person isn’t outside the realm of what’s expected.

ASIA and OCEANIA

The whole ‘tipping’ thing is turned on its head the further right across the map you go. Some East Asian countries hold a strict ‘tip-free’ culture, so in China or Japan it can often cause offence. In Southeast Asian countries however, tipping isn’t expected but you won’t feel bad if you do. Other countries like India and Thailand are catching onto tipping in a minimal and modest way.

In the Pacific Islands, tipping isn’t really part of the culture either. And in Australia and New Zealand, it’s not expected since staff are paid well—though they certainly won’t refuse a tip if you offer one! 

A good rule of thumb? When travelling Asia or Oceania, try to follow the locals' lead or just skip the tip altogether to avoid any cultural faux pas.

THE MIDDLE EAST

Restaurants
A service charge is quite often added to a bill if you’re dining out, but depending on the restaurant and locality a monetary gesture can go a long way. For somewhere more upmarket, like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, tipping is more similar to North America, so think 20%.

Taxis
It’s absolutely not mandatory to tip your taxi driver, however it can be  a nice gesture (and sometimes easier) to round up the fare.

Hotel Porters
Although not as widespread as Western culture, tipping is still a way to commend good service. In a part of the world where hospitality is a big deal, handing a few pounds to helpful staff is a mark of appreciation.

Tour Guides
The amount you might tip tour guides can also be dependent on locality, due to guides in some areas relying upon them as a source of income. Higher tips are generally expected in places like Jordan or Turkey as opposed to the UAE or Saudi Arabia.

AFRICA

It’s pretty normal to tip in Africa, and most tourists tend to follow the tipping habits from their home country. If you’re in doubt, or have received good service, 10-15% is a good go-to. Be aware that most people in the service industry count their tips as part of their earnings. Low wages and high unemployment rates might mean staff are supporting larger families on their own. 

Make sure to give your tip with a smile and a thank you - we all know how good it feels to be valued.

BY HOLLY GARWOOD, 27TH AUGUST 2024