Travel Tips & Trends

How much should you tip?

Did you know that tipping can be insulting in Japan? Were you aware that many European hotels and restaurants add the tip to your bill?

Tipping can be a puzzling experience for overseas travelers. It's commonplace in some countries, in others it's expected only in major cities, and in some it isn't done at all. The unwritten rules are also in a constant state of change, so what was appropriate the last time you visited may be inappropriate the next time you go.

Asia and the Pacific: Special care must be taken to insure that your well-meaning gesture is not taken as insulting. If you are unsure, it is best not to tip. If possible, observe the locals and follow their lead. Tipping is perceived as an insult in Japan. In many other Asian and Pacific nations, including Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Fiji, Brunei, Samoa, Thailand and New Zealand, tipping is simply not customary or expected in any situation. Australians tip 10% in fine restaurants only.

Europe: Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge to the bill. In most cases, an additional tip is unnecessary. If no service charge is added to your bill, 10% is the general rule for restaurant service.

Middle East and Africa: While your tip will not be seen as insulting, it may be unnecessary. Oman and the United Arab Emirates are non-tipping nations; in Morocco, restaurant patrons just leave a small amount of loose change. Other countries have customs similar to those of the USA, but with tipping amounts that range from 5% to 15%. Once again, the best bet is to observe the locals and do as they do.

Central and South America: 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.

Our Worldwide Tipping Guide is designed to advise travelers of common tipping practices in over 70 countries. Please remember, however, that it is only a guide — tipping is a reward for good service, and in the end the value is up to you.

Country	Restaurants	Porters	Taxis
Argentina	10%	$1	Round up taxi fare or small tip.
Armenia	10%	50 cents - $1 per bag	None
Australia	10% in fine restaurants only	$2 per bag	Round Up
Austria	5% above service charge	$1 - $2 per bag	Round Up
Azerbaijan	10%	50 cents - $1 per bag	None
Bahamas	10%	$1 per bag	10%
Bahrain	10%	$1 - $2 per bag	10%
Belgium	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Bolivia	10%	75 cents per bag	10%
Brazil	10 - 15%	$1 per bag	10%
Brunei	None	None	None
Bulgaria	10%	$1 per bag	Round Up
Canada	15%	$1 - $2 per bag	10%
Cayman Isles	15% if no service chrg	$1 per bag	10%
Chile	10% in addition to service chg	$1 per bag	None
China	3% in major cities	$1 - $2 total	None
Colombia	10%	75 cents per bag	None
Costa Rica	None	$1 per bag	10%
Cuba	$1 for special service	$1 for special service	$1 for special service
Czech Rep	5 - 10%	$1 per bag	Round Up
Denmark	None	$1 per bag	Round Up
Ecuador	10% if no service charge	75 cents per bag	None
Egypt	5-10% + service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
England	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	15%
Fiji	None	None	Round Up
Finland	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
France	5-10%	$1 per bag	Round Up
Germany	5-10%	$1 per bag	Round Up
Greece	5-10% in addition to service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Guatemala	10% in addition to service charge	$1 per bag	10%
Holland	5-10%	$1 per bag	Round Up
Hong Kong	10% in addition to service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Hungary	10% if no service charge	None	Round Up
Iceland	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
India	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Indonesia	10%	50 cents total	Round Up
Ireland	10 - 15%	$1 per bag	Round Up
Israel	12 - 15% if no service charge	$1 per bag	12 - 15%
Italy	10% in addition to service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Japan	Tipping is perceived as insulting	None	None
Kenya	5% if no service charge	50 cents per bag	None
Luxembourg	5-10%	$1 per bag	Round Up
Macao	10% in addition to service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Madagascar	10%	50 cents per bag	Round Up
Malaysia	None	None	None
Mexico	10-15%	$1	50 cents
Morocco	Leave loose change	50 cents per bag	Round Up
New Zealand	None	None	None
Nicaragua	10% for special service	$1 per bag	10%
Norway	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Oman	None	None	None
Paraguay	10%	75 cents per bag	10%
Peru	Up to 10% for special service	75 cents per bag	None
Philippines	10%	50 cents - $1 per bag	Round Up
Poland	10%	$1 per bag	Round Up
Portugal	10 - 15% if no service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Romania	Round Up	$1 per bag	Round Up
Russia	10 - 15%	$1 per bag	Round Up
Samoa	None	None	None
Saudi Arabia	10-15%	$1 - $2 per bag	10%
Scotland	10-15% if no service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Singapore	None	None	None
South Africa	10% if no service charge	50 cents total	10%
South Korea	None	None	None
Spain	7 - 10% in addition to service charge	$1 per bag	10%
Sweden	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	Round Up
Switzerland	Round up	$1 per bag	Round Up
Taiwan	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	None
Tanzania	10%	None	None
Thailand	None	None	None
Turkey	Round Up	$1 per bag	Round Up
Ukraine	10%	$1 per bag	Round Up
United Arab Emirates	None	None	None
United States	15-20%	$1 - $2 per bag	10 - 15%
Venezuela	10%	75 cents per bag	10%
Vietnam	None	None	None
Wales	10% if no service charge	$1 per bag	10%

Thanks to Magellan for this information. March 2007