Researching cultural customs before you travel to a new place should always be part of your travel planning; this is how to tip when travelling – wherever you are in the world.
Tipping is a custom that can seem so insignificant in some countries, a daily part of life in others, or offensive and frowned upon in another. In some countries, tipping is considered rude as it can be interpreted as looking down on your waiter, the restaurant, or the business. In others, it’s custom, and you’ll want to avoid that awkward pause or stare after a porter delivers your bags to your room, or the surprise when your server asks how much you’d like to tip on your takeaway coffee.
To help out, we’ve compiled a guide on when to tip when travelling around the world, and when not to.
USA & Canada
Cash or Card? Card. Cash is largely optional
Should I Tip?
Yes! Tipping plays a big part of pretty much every purchase you’ll make in the USA. As tips make up employees’ wages in many hospitality spots, it’s custom to tip 15 to 20 per cent of the bill (at minimum) in restaurants, either with cash or adding it to your final card payment. Tipping is common in restaurants around the world, especially after an indulgent dinner, however, the same goes for cafes and bars in North America too, although custom tips here fall closer to 10 to 15 per cent. Expect to tip at a bar after a round of drinks, as well as at cafes, even when grabbing your morning coffee to go. The same goes for Canada too, where you’ll be flashed a screen asking what percentage of the bill you’d like to tip to servers and staff.
In the USA, if you leave the tip section of a restaurant bill blank, it’s usual for restaurants or bars to charge your card with the customary tip amount when they process every receipt at the end of the day, so don’t be surprised if your card is charged more than you anticipated. It’s also custom to round up when paying for taxis, and to pay a 10 to 15 per cent tip on top of your fare.
Central America & The Caribbean
Cash or Card? Cash is king
Should I Tip?
While cash and tipping rules vary from island to island, make sure you withdraw as much as you think you might need before a trip to the Caribbean. Especially if you are travelling to Cuba where, although most transactions are cash-based, ATMs are not readily available (make sure you avoid offers to trade currency outside of official banks, as this is illegal), and you might find your access to your bank account is blocked due to the ongoing government restrictions on foreign currency and trade embargoes. It may feel daunting travelling with lots of cash on you, but consider hiding it in different places across your luggage in case anything is misplaced or stolen, and using the hotel safe. Plus, generally speaking, the Caribbean is a safe place to visit and welcomes millions of tourists every year. You’ll also want to pack cash with you when travelling around Mexico and Central America, as most local businesses and markets are cash-based.
Be ready to tip a standard of 10 to 15 per cent of the bill at restaurants and 10 to 15 per cent of the fare for taxis. Overall, expect to hand out a small cash bill whenever someone provides a service or helps you out and always round up. With largely tourism-based economies, generosity is always appreciated if you are able to stretch further.
South America
Cash or Card? Cash is king.
Should I Tip?
South America is quite similar to Central America and the Caribbean when it comes to tipping. Expect to rely heavily on cash in most areas – especially in more remote places – though you’ll often find that tourist hotspots offer card payments too. Whenever you pay a bill, it’s standard to leave 10 per cent as a tip, or offer for sellers to keep the change when you pay for items at a market or from a local maker. In the tourism sector (for example, tour guides) tips are heavily relied on, so bear this in mind when booking.
Europe
Cash or Card? Card for capital cities, cash is largely optional. Southern Europe and more remote villages or islands outside of the capital cities will require cash.
Should I Tip?
Lots of restaurants, bars, and shops across cities in Europe (especially in capital cities) are now cash-free (accelerated by the pandemic) meaning you’ll need to make sure you have a working bank card when you travel, one that doesn’t charge you extortionate exchange rates and fees. However, for those moments where cash is preferred (tipping in restaurants or buying souvenirs, for example) there are normally plenty of ATMs around for withdrawing the amounts you need. But carrying a few “just in case” notes of cash around with you is never a bad idea, especially if you are planning to do a guided tour of the city, as a cash tip is sometimes custom.
In Scandinavia it’s not custom to tip, as most bills will include a standard service charge (usually 10 to 15 per cent of the bill) when needed, just like the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and so on. However, it is common to leave an additional service tip in restaurants, cafes, and bars when you can and when you feel like it. Italy (as well as other places across Southern Europe) can be slightly different with their “coperto” addition to the bill. This translates to “cover” and literally covers the cost of the table offers (e.g. olive oil, bread, olives) but unlike a service charge, doesn’t incorporate a service tip for the staff, so it’s usual to tip 10 per cent or so of the bill on top of this.
For those smaller towns and more remote islands – no matter how touristy – cash is often your safest bet. It’s also useful for leaving a cash tip in cafes and bars (usually a few euros or your spare change will suffice, depending on the amount of your bill).
The Middle East
Cash or Card? Both
Should I Tip?
Generally, yes. Across countries in the Middle East, 10 per cent tip is custom, though in the UAE and Saudi Arabia this often starts at 15 per cent or more. In Dubai, a 10 per cent service charge within service industry (hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars) has been made mandatory by the government. However, this doesn’t count as a “tip” and so you’ll need to allow for 10 to 20 per cent on top of this too. The same goes for tours, you’ll want to make sure you tip your guide at least 10 per cent of your ticket, however it is also custom to tip higher, up to around £50 in local currency. When visiting mosques and religious temples, although in most cases these are free of charge for tourists to visit, ensure you have cash on you to hand out to tour guides, and to the people handing out modest clothing.
East Asia
Cash or Card? Both
Should I Tip?
No! Generally speaking, in Japan, China and South Korea, tipping is perceived as rude, so much so that offering a tip after a meal or to a taxi driver can result in embarrassment on both sides and the turning down of the gesture. This is because tipping can be seen as arrogant, or as looking down on the restaurant you are in and the people serving you. Service and quality is always carried out with pride here, so good service does not need to be commended, it is normal.
That being said, these cultural customs have gradually relaxed with an increase in tourism, so you may still find that service charges are added to your bill in large cities or that people are more willing to accept a tip in tourist hotspots.
Central, South, and South East Asia
Cash or Card? Cash
Should I Tip?
While tipping in South East Asia was never typically considered rude (like it was in China, South Korea, and Japan) it was also never common practice to leave a tip when travelling around countries like Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia. However, now that South East Asia’s tourism is booming – and especially popular amongst backpacker routes – many places will now welcome a tip of at least 10 per cent in restaurants, bars, taxis, and hotels, though it’s not mandatory.
The same goes for Central Asia (for example, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) where tips are welcomed, appreciated, and have become normal, but are not custom. Similarly, in South Asia (for example, India and Sri Lanka) it’s not rude if you don’t leave a tip (like it would be in the USA) however, it has become common practice, especially in areas popular with tourists. Consider the cost of living where you are travelling, as this will help inform the amount you should tip, and also how rounding up the price of something can often go a long way.
Africa
Cash or Card? Cash
Should I Tip?
Just like the USA tips are often relied on to bolster – or even fund – employee wages. Tipping might be presented as optional, but it’s custom to offer at least 10 per cent. When eating in local restaurants expect to leave at least 10 per cent of the bill, or a few notes and coins after a drink in a local bar.
In busy cities like Marrakech, locals will often approach you asking if you need directions or help getting around. While this may be a very welcome offer when you’re totally lost and overheating in the souks, a cash payment will always be expected afterwards. On safaris, tips are generally not included in the price of your trip. It is not obligatory to leave a tip, but if you particularly enjoyed your holiday with your guides and game drivers, or the food by the chefs, a generous tip will certainly not go amiss. The same goes at hotels.
Australia & New Zealand
Cash or Card? Card. Cash is largely optional
Should I Tip?
Both Australia and New Zealand feel similar to Northern Europe when it comes to tipping. Where a tip or service charge is custom, it will be added to the bill, however if you have particularly enjoyed your service and the food, or thought the restaurant, cafe or bar was particularly good, you can leave an additional tip which will always be welcomed.
You’ll get by just fine with only an exchange fee-friendly card in your purse, but it’s always a good idea to have a few back-up notes of local currency, just in case.
Lead image credit: Amanu SS25
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Any Questions or Tips to add?