Tips for Tipping Around the World

Tips for tipping
Photo by Sam Dan Truong on Unsplash

One of the trickiest parts of international travel is figuring out how to adjust yourself to the customs of a new culture so you don’t unintentionally do or say something rude. And one way that this definitely manifests itself is in tipping, which is different from country to country. To avoid unnecessary etiquette stress, here are some tips for tipping around the world.

Argentina

Expect to tip 10% at restaurants and leave some coins for taxi drivers, hotel housekeeping, and porters.

Australia

Tipping in Australia is totally optional, but a 10% tip in a restaurant is okay if you just can’t resist.

Austria

While tipping isn’t too common in Austria, 5 to 10% at restaurants in cash to the waiter is fine.

Belgium

Tips are included at your restaurant bill in Belgium, but you can leave a few coins if the service blew you away.

Canada

Tipping between 10 and 20% for service staff in Canada is the norm, and a couple of dollars per day for porters, valets, and housekeeping. Taxi drivers expect around 10% tips.

China

Good news: you don’t have to tip anywhere in China.

Denmark

While it’s not customary to tip in Denmark, a 10% tip is always appreciated.

France

While service will be included in your restaurant bill, rounding up your bill is pretty customary. You can leave a couple of euros for housekeeping and porters, and 10% for taxi drivers.

Germany

In Germany, 5 to 10% in restaurants, 10 to 15% for taxi drivers, and a couple of euros for hotel staff is expected.

Greece

While taxi drivers don’t expect tips in Greece, 5-10% is expected at restaurants and a euro per bag to porters.

Ireland

If there’s no service charge included, tip between 12 and 15% at restaurants and hotels and 10% to taxi drivers.

Italy

Instead of tips, Italy will usually charge you a cover charge on top of your bill.

Netherlands

Like in France, rounding up the bill is more common than tipping outright, unless the restaurants don’t charge service, in which case it’s customary to leave 10%.

Russia

Restaurants in Russia may charge a service charge between 5 and 20%, but when they don’t, leave a tip between 10 and 25%. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips.

Singapore

Tipping is not allowed in Singapore, except for porters.

Spain

The Spanish have learned to expect tips from tourists, although it’s not necessary as service charges are common.

Thailand

It’s not customary to tip in Thailand, though more Westernised establishments are beginning to expect it.

United States

Tipping is absolutely necessary in the U.S., with restaurant staff and other service providers expecting 15-20%.