Why Tipping Confuses Everyone

Tipping is one of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of international travel. Under-tip in the United States and your server may chase you out the door. Tip in Japan and you might genuinely offend your host. Leave too much in Italy and the waiter will think you made a math error. Every country has its own norms, and getting them wrong can range from mildly embarrassing to culturally insensitive.

This guide covers tipping expectations in more than 40 countries across every continent, broken down by service type. Bookmark it, reference it mid-trip, and stop second-guessing yourself at the end of every meal.

Understanding the Three Tipping Cultures

Before diving into country-by-country details, it helps to understand that the world broadly divides into three tipping philosophies:

Tip-expected cultures: The tip is a significant portion of the worker's income. The United States and Canada are the primary examples. Not tipping is considered rude and can genuinely affect someone's livelihood.

Tip-appreciated cultures: A service charge may or may not be included, and a small additional tip is welcome but not required. Most of Europe, Latin America, and parts of Africa fall here.

Tip-not-expected cultures: Tipping is either unnecessary because workers are paid full wages, or it can be considered condescending or confusing. Japan, South Korea, China, and several Scandinavian countries are in this category.

North America

United States

The US has the most aggressive tipping culture in the world. Tipped workers in many states earn a base wage as low as $2.13 per hour, making tips their primary income.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant (sit-down)	18-22% of pre-tax bill
Restaurant (counter service)	0-15% (optional, but increasingly prompted)
Bar (per drink)	$1-2 per drink, or 18-20% of tab
Taxi/rideshare	15-20%
Hotel housekeeping	$2-5 per night
Hotel bellhop	$1-3 per bag
Hotel concierge	$5-20 depending on complexity of request
Valet parking	$3-5 when car is returned
Hair salon	18-22%
Food delivery	15-20%, minimum $3-5
Tour guide	15-20% of tour cost
Spa services	18-22%

Important notes: Tipping on takeout was uncommon before 2020 but has become increasingly expected, with many point-of-sale systems now prompting 15-25% for counter orders. You are never obligated to tip on counter service, but many workers now expect it. Always check if a "service charge" or "gratuity" has already been added to your bill, especially for groups of 6 or more.

Canada

Canadian tipping norms are similar to the US but slightly lower. The minimum wage for tipped workers is higher in most Canadian provinces than in US states.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	15-20%
Taxi	10-15%
Hotel housekeeping	$2-5 CAD per night
Bar	$1-2 CAD per drink
Tour guide	10-15%

Mexico

Tipping is expected in tourist areas and appreciated everywhere else. Many service workers in Mexico earn very low wages, and tips make a meaningful difference.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10-15% (check if "propina" is already included)
Taxi	Round up to nearest 10 pesos, or 10% for longer rides
Hotel housekeeping	30-50 MXN per night
Tour guide	100-200 MXN per half day
Gas station attendant	10-20 MXN
Grocery bagger	10-20 MXN
Parking attendant	10-20 MXN

Europe

United Kingdom

A service charge of 12.5% is often added to restaurant bills in London. If it is included, no additional tip is necessary. If it is not included, 10-12.5% is standard. The UK does not have the same tipping pressure as the US.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant (no service charge)	10-12.5%
Restaurant (service charge included)	Nothing additional
Pub (drinks at bar)	Not expected
Pub (table service)	Round up or 10%
Taxi (black cab)	Round up to nearest pound
Hotel housekeeping	1-2 GBP per night (optional)

France

In France, a 15% service charge ("service compris") is included in every restaurant bill by law. This means the price you see on the menu already includes the tip. Additional tipping is purely optional.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	Service included; leave small change (1-2 euros) for good service
Cafe	Round up to the nearest euro
Taxi	Round up or 5-10%
Hotel housekeeping	1-2 euros per night
Tour guide	2-5 euros per person

Italy

Similar to France, a "coperto" (cover charge of 1-3 euros) and sometimes a "servizio" (service charge of 10-15%) are added to restaurant bills. If "servizio" is included, no further tip is needed.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant (servizio included)	Nothing additional
Restaurant (no servizio)	Round up or leave 1-3 euros
Cafe (espresso at bar)	Nothing
Taxi	Round up to nearest euro
Tour guide	5-10 euros per person
Hotel bellhop	1-2 euros per bag

Spain

Tipping in Spain is minimal. Spaniards rarely tip more than loose change at restaurants, and leaving 20% would be considered strange.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	Leave small change (rounding up 1-2 euros)
Tapas bar	Nothing or round up
Taxi	Round up to nearest euro
Hotel housekeeping	1 euro per night (optional)
Tour guide	3-5 euros per person

Germany

A service charge is typically included in German restaurant bills, but a small additional tip is customary. Germans tip by rounding up and telling the server the total amount they want to pay.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	5-10% or round up
Taxi	Round up or 10%
Hotel housekeeping	1-2 euros per night
Bar	Round up

How to tip in Germany: When your bill is 37.50 euros and you are paying with a 50-euro note, you say "Forty-two" to the server, indicating you want 8 euros back. This is the culturally correct way to tip -- you do not leave cash on the table separately.

Netherlands

Service is included in all Dutch restaurant prices, and additional tipping is genuinely optional. The Dutch pride themselves on paying fair wages.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	Round up or 5-10% for excellent service
Taxi	Round up
Hotel	Not expected

Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland)

Tipping is the least expected here of anywhere in Europe. Workers earn strong living wages through high tax-funded social systems. Tipping is appreciated for exceptional service but never expected.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	Round up or 5-10% for great service
Taxi	Round up
Hotel	Not expected
Bar	Not expected

Greece

Similar to Spain, a service charge is usually included, but leaving small change is appreciated.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	5-10% or round up
Taxi	Round up
Tour guide	5-10 euros per person

Portugal

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	5-10%
Taxi	Round up
Tour guide	5 euros per person

Czech Republic

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10-15%
Taxi	Round up or 10%
Bar	Round up

Poland

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10%
Taxi	Round up
Hotel	5-10 PLN per bag

Turkey

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10-15%
Taxi	Round up
Hamam (bath) attendant	20-30% of service cost
Hotel housekeeping	5-10 TRY per night
Tour guide	50-100 TRY per day

Croatia

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10-15%
Taxi	Round up
Tour guide	50-100 HRK per person per day

Hungary

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10-15%
Taxi	10%
Thermal bath attendant	300-500 HUF

Switzerland

A 15% service charge is included in all bills by law. Additional tipping is uncommon but rounding up is appreciated.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	Round up (service included)
Taxi	Round up

Asia

Japan

Tipping is not practiced in Japan and can be considered offensive. The Japanese concept of "omotenashi" (selfless hospitality) means that excellent service is provided as a matter of professional pride, not in expectation of a reward. Leaving money on a table may confuse or embarrass your server, and in some cases they will chase you down the street to return what they assume you accidentally left behind.

Exceptions: At traditional ryokan (Japanese inns), it is customary to give the nakai-san (room attendant) a small envelope containing 1,000-3,000 yen on arrival. The money should be placed in a small decorative envelope (available at convenience stores), not handed over as loose cash.

South Korea

Similar to Japan, tipping is not customary in South Korea and can cause awkwardness. Service charges of 10% are sometimes added at high-end international hotels and restaurants.

China

Tipping is not traditional in China and was historically considered insulting. However, in international hotels and tourist areas, it is becoming more accepted. Tour guides and drivers increasingly expect tips from foreign visitors.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	Not expected
Hotel (international)	10-20 CNY per bag for bellhop
Tour guide	100-200 CNY per day
Taxi	Not expected

Thailand

Tipping is not deeply ingrained in Thai culture, but it is appreciated in tourist areas and has become increasingly expected in Bangkok and resort towns.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant (tourist area)	10% or round up
Restaurant (local eatery)	Leave the small coins from change
Massage (1 hour)	50-100 THB
Taxi	Round up to nearest 10 THB
Hotel housekeeping	20-50 THB per night
Tour guide	200-500 THB per day

Vietnam

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	5-10% in tourist areas, not expected locally
Taxi	Round up
Tour guide	100,000-200,000 VND per day
Massage	50,000-100,000 VND

India

Tipping is expected in India, especially in tourist areas and at hotels. The word "baksheesh" encompasses tipping, charity, and sometimes bribes -- it is a complex cultural concept.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10% if no service charge
Hotel housekeeping	50-100 INR per night
Hotel bellhop	50-100 INR per bag
Taxi/auto-rickshaw	Round up
Tour guide	300-500 INR per day
Temple shoe-minder	10-20 INR

Singapore

A 10% service charge is added to most restaurant and hotel bills. Additional tipping is not expected or practiced.

Malaysia

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	Not expected (service charge usually included)
Taxi	Round up
Tour guide	10-20 MYR per day

Indonesia (Bali)

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	5-10% if no service charge
Massage/spa	15-20%
Tour guide/driver	50,000-100,000 IDR per day
Hotel housekeeping	20,000-50,000 IDR per night

Philippines

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10% if no service charge
Taxi	Round up
Hotel bellhop	20-50 PHP per bag
Tour guide	200-500 PHP per day

Middle East

United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)

A service charge of 10% is typically added to restaurant and hotel bills. Additional tipping is appreciated but not required.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant (no service charge)	10-15%
Taxi	Round up or 10%
Hotel housekeeping	10-20 AED per night
Tour guide	50-100 AED per person

Egypt

Tipping ("baksheesh") is deeply embedded in Egyptian culture and is expected for virtually every service interaction.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10-15%
Hotel housekeeping	20-50 EGP per night
Tour guide	100-200 EGP per day
Taxi	Round up
Bathroom attendant	5-10 EGP
Temple/site guard who offers info	20-50 EGP

Morocco

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10-15%
Riad staff	20-50 MAD per night
Tour guide	100-200 MAD per day
Taxi	Round up

Israel

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	12-15%
Taxi	10% or round up
Hotel	10-20 ILS per bag

Africa

South Africa

Tipping is an important part of the South African service economy, and many hospitality workers rely on tips significantly.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10-15%
Safari guide	100-200 ZAR per person per day
Safari tracker	50-100 ZAR per person per day
Car guard (parking)	5-10 ZAR
Gas station attendant	5-10 ZAR
Hotel housekeeping	20-50 ZAR per night

Kenya and Tanzania (Safari)

Service	Expected Tip
Safari guide/driver	$15-25 USD per group per day
Lodge/camp staff (communal tip)	$10-20 USD per person per day
Porter (Kilimanjaro)	$8-15 USD per porter per day

Ethiopia

Tipping is expected at restaurants (10%) and for guides. Note that Ethiopia uses its own calendar and currency, and tipping in local birr is preferred.

South America

Brazil

A 10% "taxa de servico" is usually included in restaurant bills. If it is not included, 10% is standard. Unlike in the US, this service charge actually goes to staff.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant (service included)	Nothing additional
Restaurant (no service charge)	10%
Taxi	Round up
Hotel housekeeping	5-10 BRL per night

Argentina

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10%
Taxi	Round up
Hotel bellhop	200-500 ARS per bag

Colombia

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10% (usually included as "propina voluntaria")
Taxi	Round up
Tour guide	20,000-40,000 COP per day

Peru

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10% if no service charge
Tour guide (Machu Picchu)	30-50 PEN per day
Hotel	3-5 PEN per bag
Taxi	Round up

Chile

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	10% (usually suggested on bill)
Taxi	Round up

Oceania

Australia

Australia does not have a tipping culture. Workers are paid living wages with strong labor protections. Tipping is appreciated for exceptional service but never expected or required.

Service	Expected Tip
Restaurant	Not expected; round up for great service
Taxi	Round up
Hotel	Not expected

New Zealand

Same as Australia. No tipping culture. Workers are well compensated. A small tip for exceptional service is appreciated but unusual.

Cash vs. Card Tipping

In many countries, cash tips are preferred because:

Card tips may be taxed before reaching the worker, reducing their value
Cash tips may not reach the worker in some restaurants that pool card tips and distribute them unevenly
Some payment systems do not have a tip option for card payments

Best practice: Carry small bills in the local currency for tips. In the US, ones and fives. In Europe, one and two euro coins. In Southeast Asia, small denominations of local currency.

Digital tipping: Some services now accept tips via Venmo, PayPal, or local equivalents. This is becoming more common for tour guides and gig workers but is not yet mainstream at restaurants.

When to Tip in Envelopes

In several cultures, handing over loose cash is considered inelegant. Use a small envelope (or fold the bills neatly) when tipping:

Japan: Always use a small envelope (pochibukuro) at ryokans
China: Red envelopes for special occasions
South Korea: If tipping at a high-end hotel, present it discreetly
Egypt: Folded bills handed discreetly

Common Tipping Mistakes

Tipping on the tax-included total in the US. Tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total after tax.
Leaving coins as a tip in the US. Leaving only coins (especially pennies) is considered insulting.
Tipping at McDonald's or fast food. Not expected anywhere in the world.
Double-tipping when service charge is included. Always check the bill for an included service charge before adding more.
Not having correct currency. Tipping in US dollars when the local currency is expected can seem presumptuous (exception: some African safari operations prefer USD).
Tipping the owner of a business. In the US, you traditionally do not tip the owner of a salon or restaurant, though this norm is evolving.

Let TripGenie Handle the Cultural Details

Navigating tipping customs is just one of many cultural considerations when traveling internationally. TripGenie builds customized trip itineraries that account for local customs, budget considerations, and cultural context -- so you spend less time stressing about etiquette and more time enjoying your destination. Our AI planner factors in local norms so your budget estimates are realistic and culturally appropriate.

Travel well, tip thoughtfully, and remember that when in doubt, a sincere smile and a genuine thank-you transcend every tipping culture on earth.

Tipping Customs Around the World: A Country-by-Country Guide