Tipping culture: when to tip and how much is too much?
Tipping culture in one country can be very different from another. If you want to know when to tip, when to skip, and how much to give – we’ve got you covered
Navigating tipping culture when you’re travelling can be tricky. Whether you’re on a luxury break in one of the world’s most popular cities, or heading off on a cheap last-minute holiday, knowing when and how much to tip can make all the difference in your budget.
Between flight bookings, travel insurance and finding the best travel money rates, you’re already swamped with travel admin, so why bother about something so seemingly insignificant? But when you’re on your holiday the last thing you want to do is get it very wrong and become persona non grata by offending someone when leaving a tip.
So how do you get tipping right? We dig into tipping cultures around the world so you can travel with confidence.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
What is the rule for tipping?
There isn’t one unanimous rule to follow when it comes to tipping, and that’s why it’s easy to get confused about what to do. While tipping is most commonly a form of expressing gratitude for the service, in some places like the US, tipping is always expected, in the most unexpected of places, otherwise it could be seen as a cheapskate move.
How much you tip depends on the setting, service provided, and where you are. On average, a tip of about 15-20% is the norm for most things. When in doubt, it’s always best to do a little research before heading to a new destination.
When should you not tip?
You may be surprised to learn that there are some situations where tipping isn’t just unnecessary, but could also be considered rude. Take Japan for instance – where tipping is seen as an insult – implying that the person you’re tipping needs financial aid to do their job.
Some restaurants in the UK and the rest of Europe also include a service charge in your bill, in which case you don’t really need to leave a tip. Since service workers are seen as professionals and are typically paid a living wage in countries like Italy, Australia and New Zealand you’re not expected to tip there either.
But it’s worth noting that over time, an automatic service charge is becoming more common, especially in high-end restaurants and tourist-heavy areas. If you see a service charge on the bill, you don’t need to leave a second tip (unless the service has been impeccable).
Tipping around the world
Knowing how tipping works in each country can save you some awkward encounters. Here’s a quick overview of tipping cultures around the world, though remember that what works in one country or city might not be the norm.
How much to tip in the UK
Recommended: 10-15%
Starting on 1 October, a new tipping law came into effect, meaning workers now get to keep 100% of the money they have earned through the form of tips, gratuities and/or service charges. The new
The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act will benefit around three million workers in England, Scotland, and Wales, and crack down on businesses carrying out unacceptable tipping practices.
Ben Thomas, CEO of TiPJAR, said: “Our hospitality and service industries are powered by a wonderfully diverse and exceptionally talented workforce. For the first time, these millions of workers can trust that tips employers collect on their behalf will always be passed to them.”
Despite the new law, the UK has a more relaxed approach to tipping compared to most countries. VisitLondon says it’s customary to leave a 10-15% tip when eating out, but that’s only if a service charge hasn’t already been included (typically 12.5%).
As for taxi drivers – like black cabs, mini cabs, Uber and Lyft – we’d suggest tipping around 10-15% or rounding up your payment to the nearest pound. You don’t need to pay a tip for fast food, self-service, takeaway, bars, and pubs.
How much to tip in Europe
Recommended: 5-10% but can go up to 15%
Tipping across Europe isn’t as straightforward as you think. While you do tip in Europe, the practices vary depending on where you travel.
David Moralejo, head of content at Condé Nast Traveler Spain told the magazine how the Spanish culture around tipping is changing. “It’s becoming more usual to tip if the service is excellent or the team is especially nice to the customer. The Spanish customer can be very exacting regarding food, so making sure you reward waiters offering friendly service will be appreciated.” Condé Nast Traveler recommends a tip of between 5-10% of the total bill, but make sure that it hasn’t already been added.
Is this also the case in other European nations? Travel expert Justin Chapman at Go2Africa said, “In countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, your restaurant bill will often include a service charge, but leaving 10-15% tip can be expected if the ‘coperto’ [per-person cost in Italian restaurants] isn’t included.
“But in other countries, like Belgium, Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, tipping is less common – although rounding up bill to the nearest euro or leaving some change is a good way to show your appreciation.”
But should you leave a tip in cash or by card? Richard Nahem, owner of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, told Travel + Leisure, “Most restaurants and cafes are not equipped to add a tip to your credit card bill, so it's best to have some coins with you. Hand the cash tip to the server, rather than leaving it on the table.”
How much to tip in North America
Recommended: 20-25%
Is tipping mandatory in the US? Simple answer, yes. Tipping is ingrained in the American culture, mainly due to the low minimum wage paid to service industry workers, who then have to rely on tips to supplement their income. In recent years, this has led to tipping culture getting out of control, with tips on self-checkouts, in coffee shops and even in fast-food chains. Tips are expected at bars, around $1 per drink is normal.
So what does this mean for tourists? The rule of thumb is to tip at least 20%. According to Condé Nast Traveler, in some New York restaurants, anything below 20% is seen as rude, while 22% is considered to be the norm. Simon Calder, travel correspondent at The Independent, breaks down the value of a meal in New York if you count around 18% in tips, and the 8.875% sales tax on restaurant meals. “If you order a burger and a drink for two at a menu price of, say, $39 each in Manhattan, the total you would pay is over $100.”
In Canada, expect to leave around 10-15% of your restaurant bill, while if you’re in a bar, around $1 per drink is normal.
How much to tip in South America
Recommended: 10-15%
Unlike in North America, waiters don’t rely as much on tips down in South America. But even then, tipping, of around 10-15%, is the norm in restaurants. In Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica, there might be a cover charge or “cubierto”, which is a table charge and not a service charge.
How much to tip in Asia
Recommended: Depends on the country
Tipping isn’t a huge part of Asian culture, regardless of where you go – whether it’s Hong Kong, Singapore, India or Maldives. However, it’s slowly gaining popularity in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam (probably due to American tourists!), where a 10% tip is now considered to be a nice gesture. And money-transfer service Wise suggests that a rule of thumb when tipping in Indian restaurants is between 10-15%, depending on where you go.
However, on the flip side, in China and Japan, tipping can be seen as unnecessary and even rude.
How much to tip in the Middle East
Recommended: 10-15%
According to Emily Frost in Lonely Planet, a 10-15% tip is expected at the end of a restaurant meal in the UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. In Dubai, despite a government-mandated 10% charge to restaurants, hotels, and bars, you are expected to tip anywhere between 15-20%.
If you’re planning to visit a mosque or a temple, Frost recommends leaving a local currency equivalent of £1 to the person who hands out robes or scarves, and around 50p to those who look after your shoes.
How much to tip in Africa
Recommended: 10-15%
A customary tip of 10-15% is recommended on top of your restaurant bill, but it’s worth checking if a service charge is already included.
Chapman also suggests, “When on safari, you would tip back-of-house staff, like cleaners, cooks, and guards, as well as front-of-house staff like guides, spotters or trackers, transfer drivers, and waiters or waitresses. Some lodges and camps will have a communal tip box, or you can leave your tip with the manager, where your tips can be evenly distributed amongst the staff, or you can give cash to individual staff members.
“Expect to tip $15 [£11] per day for general staff at the lodge or camp, $20 [£15] per day for a guide, $15 [£11] for a tracker, and around $10-20 [£8-£15] for a guided city tour. There can be extras to remember too, depending on where you are – like tipping boat skippers in Mozambique, golf caddies in South Africa, and Maasai dancers in Tanzania and Kenya.”
How much to tip in other situations
We’ve curated a tipping guide for a wide range of services, from restaurants to coffee shops, bars, hotels, deliveries and much more.
Restaurants, bars and coffee shops
As mentioned above, it’s normal to tip between 10-20% in restaurants, depending on the quality of service, where you dine, and the location or culture of the place you’re in. But regardless of all these factors, if you’re paying a gratuity to service workers cash is the preferred mode.
Only ordering drinks? In that case, it’s a good idea to leave around £1 equivalent of the local currency for each drink, or £2 for each of your complicated, yet delicious cocktails, according to Food & Wine.
What about if you’re on your coffee run? Should you tip £1 per coffee (or the local equivalent) to the place you’re visiting? Professional etiquette coach Maryanne Parker told People, “I think that $1 [£1] is actually a little offensive these days,” Parker says. “At least $2 [£2] per drink. That’s the minimum.” However, Parker says that if you’re grabbing a coffee to go, you shouldn’t feel the need to leave a tip at all (easier said than done… it’s not remotely easy to avoid the auto-tip function that pops up at the machine when you pay in these places).
Hotels
When it comes to tipping hotel staff, there are no hard and fast rules. Generally, tipping isn’t really expected in UK hotels unless you stay in a four or five-star hotel. If you do, then consider adding a tip of about 10% to your total bill when you check out. Tipping the door staff or valet is also optional. Leave a tip for the housekeeping staff is usually appreciated. Leave a tip of around £1-2 per day, more if you’ve been especially slovenly, as gratitude.
Taxis
If you’re taking a cab around a city or are travelling to or from the airport, it may be tricky to decide if you should tip the driver. The general rule is to round up to the nearest pound or £5, according to The Getaway Guide. If you’re taking an Uber, Bolt or Lyft, you can always tip through the app. For those who pre-book a cab for longer journeys or with a lot of luggage a 10% tip will be appreciated and 10% is the minimum expected as a tip for a cab journey in the USA.
Salons and spas
Natasha Humphreys, a senior stylist at Hershesons, told British Vogue about tipping practices in salons. “I don't think tipping is necessarily expected any more, especially if you're seeing a more senior colourist or stylist - though it is of course appreciated. I would say that tipping whoever washes your hair a few pounds is a nice thing to do as they're on a lower salary.”
Delivery
Whether you’re getting food or any parcels delivered, the app you order through is most likely to have a tipping feature, with different tipping suggestions. In such cases,
If you’re ordering food or any parcels, such as through Uber Eats, Doordash, or Amazon, you can most likely tip within the app. Delish suggests giving close to 15-20%, depending on how much you order, delivery distance, whether it’s a big holiday, and how bad the weather is.
As tipping cultures continue to evolve, it’s worth understanding international etiquette so you can travel with confidence, especially with how accessible it’s becoming to go from one part of the world to another. While it’s always a bonus to do your research, you might find that the best way to navigate these things is by simply asking a local.
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Oojal has a background in consumer journalism and is interested in helping people make the most of their money.Oojal has an MA in international journalism from Cardiff University, and before joining MoneyWeek, she worked for Look After My Bills, a personal finance website, where she covered guides on household bills and money-saving deals.Her bylines can be found on Newsquest, Voice Wales, DIVA and Sony Music, and she has explored subjects ranging from politics and LGBTQIA+ issues to food and entertainment.Outside of work, Oojal enjoys travelling, going to the movies and learning Spanish with a little green owl.
-
Is property investment still as safe as houses? Why golden era could be overThe golden era of property is over and investors are better off in the stock market, new research suggests
-
What Santander’s takeover of TSB means for customersSantander is set to buy rival TSB for £2.65 billion. What does it mean for customers, and could we see the TSB brand disappear from the high street?
