Tipping in the U.S. and Abroad: The Latest Etiquette

Tipping while on vacation is a necessary but commonly overlooked expense. Whether we like it or not, tipping is just part of the culture here in the U.S. and is becoming more common abroad. We all know to tip at a restaurant in the U.S., but there are other situations that aren’t always so clear. Don’t let tipping leave you anxious. Here’s a rundown of the latest tipping guidelines for great – or not so great – service, and how to tip gracefully.

Restaurants: In the U.S., Canada, and tourist spots in Mexico (except all-inclusives – more in this below), 18-20% of the pre-tax tab for standard service is typical. For exceptional service, 20-22% is appropriate. You’re fine not leaving a tip at a fast-casual restaurant, but $1-2 or 10% is always appreciated for great service.

Restaurant tipping gets trickier abroad. Tipping is not common in Australia, New Zealand, China, or Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland), and is actually frowned upon in Japan. In most of Europe, though, a 10% tip is appreciated but not required. Sometimes the prices already include a small service charge – this is common in France, Italy, and Greece. In places like Germany, leaving change on the table is considered slightly rude. To tip gracefully, hand your server the cash or tell them to keep the change when paying. Finally, know that most restaurants in Europe do not have a tip line on the credit card receipt, so carry cash if you plan to tip.

Hotels: Tipping at hotels is more common throughout the world, though you should avoid it in Japan. It’s acceptable to tip less or not at all in Australia, New Zealand and Europe (though it’s always appreciated), and more in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Housekeeping: Housekeepers work hard to keep your room fresh and clean. We recommend $3-5 (or the local currency equivalent) per day of their services. Leave the tip in a visible place such as the nightstand or by the coffee machine.

Luggage attendant: It’s appropriate to tip $1-5 or equivalent per bag, rounding up if there is a large amount of luggage or they make multiple trips.

Valet: A couple dollars or equivalent is appropriate when your car is returned to you. If you plan to enter and exit several times, you might consider giving the valet attendant $10 or so, and explaining your plans. There’s a decent chance they’ll park your car where it’s easily accessible.

Cruises: Many luxury cruises include gratuities in your cruise fare. Other cruise lines may offer booking promotions that include pre-paid gratuities, meaning you don’t need to worry about tipping the cruise ship’s staff. If tips are not pre-paid, the cruise line will add a set amount to your onboard account per day/ per person. Even if tipping is pre-paid, an extra tip to a waiter or bartender can go a long way to excellent service and snagging a good table. However, if there truly is a no tipping policy, make sure to honor it.  Tipping tour guides OFF the ship are NOT included in your ship gratuities unless your cruise line states so.

Tour guides: You have a lot of discretion on how much to tip your tour guide, but it’s common to tip 10-20% of the tour’s cost, especially for good service on a multi-day tour. Don’t forget your driver either, typically a few dollars per day are appropriate to show appreciation.

Taxis: In the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico, your driver should receive around 15-20% for good service ($5 minimum), adjusted upward or downward for a particularly pleasant or unpleasant ride. In Europe, rounding up to the next euro or next 10 euro for a long trip is considered polite. 

All-inclusive resorts: Tipping is generally not necessary at all-inclusives, but check to see if gratuities are part of your package price. Note, however, that off-resort tour guides and drivers are often not part of the all-inclusive package. Check to see if gratuity is included in the cost of the tour. If it is not, you should tip your guide $5-25 per person for a half or full day tour. On private tours, especially if your guide went above and beyond, they deserve to be tipped on the high end.

Airports: In general, no tipping is needed or even allowed for employees hired by and working for a specific airline. This includes flight attendants, employees at the regular check-in counter, gate agents, pilots, or employees at club lounges. The same goes for folks at the rental car counter. If service is excellent, a friendly compliment is more than enough. On the other hand, you should bring some dollar bills with you for the following circumstances especially in the U.S. and Canada:

Skycap: Unlike the general check-in counter, a skycap is a tipped porter employed at an airport to handle luggage, perform curb side check-in, and assist passengers needing wheelchair assistance. Tipping $2-4 per bag is generally expected. Consider $3-5 per bag for particularly heavy or oversized luggage.

Wheelchair or special needs attendant: Tip around $2 if they spend minimal time with you. For extra time and attention, including helping you catch a connecting flight, wheeling you to your gate, and taking you on/off the plane, consider up to $20 for their effort depending on the level of service.

Airport shuttle service: If a rental car or remote parking shuttle is helping you load heavy suitcases, or if they were particularly pleasant or give you advice on what to see and do at your destination, it’s polite to tip $1-2 per bag. If you’ve forgotten your dollar bills it’s not the end of the world, but tipping for short shuttle rides is still a nice gesture. For longer shuttle rides, around $5-10 per person is considered polite.

One more piece of advice: when abroad, alleviate any anxiety by bringing small bills in the local currency. That way you’ll have tip money ready to go and will avoid that uncomfortable feeling of digging around in your wallet or purse and coming up short. Also don’t assume that U.S. dollars are widely used abroad. When in doubt on tipping customs, it helps to chat with a local or follow what they’re doing.

As your travel expert, we hand you a report that includes the local custom for tipping in each country. If you have any questions about tipping in specific situations, drop us a note on Facebook or contact us on the website and we’ll be happy to help!