You know the moment. You’re at a café in Lisbon, the espresso was perfect, the custard tart downright divine… and then the bill arrives. Panic sets in. Do you tip? How much? Is it offensive to leave change? Should you pull out a calculator? Should you just run?

Welcome, traveler, to the Gratuity Gauntlet.

Tipping While Traveling

Tipping isn’t just a matter of dollars and cents—it’s a cultural tightrope walk. In some places, it’s expected. In others, it’s frowned upon. Sometimes it’s already included. Other times, not tipping makes you “that tourist.” And if you’re anything like me, Robert, the Experience Curator behind Epic Explorations, you’ve stood in more than one foreign lobby holding a handful of local coins, wondering if you’ve just overpaid for someone to smile at you.

This guide—equal parts practical, punchy, and packed with real-world country tips—is here to help you tip with confidence, grace, and yes, a little humor.

North America: The Land of the Tip Jar (and Venmo Handles)

United States & Canada

If you’re not tipping in the U.S., you’re essentially committing social arson. Tipping is expected almost everywhere—restaurants, bars, hotels, rideshares, even the coffee shop where your barista remembers your name (and silently judges your lack of oat milk).

Standard Tips:

• Restaurants: 15-25%

• Bars: $1-2 per drink or 20%

• Hotels: $2-5 per night for housekeeping, $5+ for bellhops

• Uber/Lyft: Round up or 15-20%

Pro tip: If they hand you a square card reader and spin it toward you, that’s your cue to tip… and maybe make peace with your budget later.

Western Europe: The Subtle Art of the Discreet Tip

France

In restaurants, service compris means the tip is included. If it’s not, 5–10% will do. At cafés, rounding up or dropping coins is appreciated.

Italy

No need to go big. Round up or leave €1–2 for exceptional service. The coperto (cover charge) is not a tip—it’s just the price of sitting down.

Germany

Tipping is called Trinkgeld, and it’s a personal transaction. Say the amount out loud when you pay: “Zwanzig, bitte” (20, please) on an €18 tab means you’re tipping €2.

Portugal

Tipping isn’t obligatory, but it’s appreciated—especially in tourist areas.

• Restaurants: 5-10% or rounding up

• Hotels: €1–2 for bellhops/housekeeping

• Taxis: Round up to the nearest euro

It’s more about respect than the size of your wallet. And if someone hooks you up with secret fado club recommendations, maybe go the extra mile.

The Balkans: Cultural Nuance Meets Hospitality

Croatia

Tipping is customary but casual.

• Restaurants: 10% if you’re happy

• Cafés/Bars: Round up

• Hotels: €1–2 per bag or day

Serbia

Tipping isn’t expected, but 10% in restaurants is generous. Small change for cafés and casual eateries works too. If someone pours you rakija, a few extra dinars is a nice gesture.

Montenegro & Bosnia

Follow the Croatian lead—round up or leave 5–10%. Currency is tight and service is personal, so tipping often leads to heartfelt thanks and excellent stories.

Scandinavia: Fair Wages, Low Stress

Sweden, Norway, Denmark

Tips are not expected—wages are already solid.

• Restaurants: Round up, or leave 5–10% for exceptional service

• Hotels: Not required, but a small tip for standout service is welcome

Save your kroner for that $25 open-faced sandwich.

United Kingdom: Mind the (Tip) Gap

In the UK, tipping is polite but restrained.

• Restaurants: 10–12.5% if service isn’t included

• Pubs: No tipping at the bar

• Taxis: Round up

• Hotels: A few pounds for porters and housekeeping

If you try to hand a bartender a tip, they might just stare at you like you offered to pay their rent.

Eastern Europe: Tip Like a Local, Not a Tourist

Czech Republic

Tip around 10% in restaurants—hand it directly to your server. Leaving money on the table can be seen as impolite or confusing.

Hungary

Similar to the Czech Republic. Tip 10% if not included in the bill, and do it in cash.

Latin America: Gratitude with Gusto

Mexico

Tipping is expected—align with U.S. norms.

• Restaurants: 10–15%

• Hotels: $1–2 per bag or day

• Taxis: Round up

• Tour Guides: $10–20 for a full-day tour

Colombia

Restaurants often include a 10% propina voluntaria. Double-check your bill.

• Restaurants: 10% if not included

• Hotels: 5,000–10,000 COP per day

• Taxis: Round up

Argentina

• Restaurants: 10%

• Hotels: Small bills for housekeeping and porters

• Taxis: Rounding up is the norm

Across the region, tour guides especially rely on tips—especially in more rural or emerging destinations.

Asia: Know Before You Go (or Bow)

Japan

Do. Not. Tip.
It can be seen as rude or confusing. Exceptional service is the cultural baseline. If you must, use an envelope—but truly, a bow and sincere thanks go much further.

China

No tipping in local restaurants. In high-end or tourist areas, small tips are appreciated—but not expected. For guides and drivers, a modest tip is welcomed.

Thailand & Vietnam

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but small amounts go a long way.

• Restaurants: Round up

• Hotels: $1–2 for housekeeping and porters

• Taxis: Round up or 10 baht (Thailand)

India

Tipping is expected in most settings.

• Restaurants: 10%

• Hotels: ₹100–₹200/day for housekeeping, ₹50–₹100/bag

• Drivers & guides: Tip at the end of your stay or day

Africa: Tipping with Impact

South Africa

Tipping is customary and often vital.

• Restaurants: 10–15%

• Hotels: 10–20 rand per day for staff

• Safari Guides: $10–20 per day, per person

• Parking attendants/gas station workers: Small change expected

Egypt & Morocco

Tipping (baksheesh) is widespread. Carry small bills or coins for just about everyone—from hotel staff to museum guards.

Middle East: A Cultural Gesture of Generosity

United Arab Emirates

Tipping is appreciated, especially in luxury tourism.

• Restaurants: 10–15%

• Hotels: 5–10 AED per bag or night

• Taxis: Round up or 5 AED

Israel

Restaurants: 10–15%, unless included. Guides and drivers should be tipped based on service and length of engagement.

Australia & New Zealand: Relax, Mate

Tipping is not obligatory. Service staff earn fair wages.

• Restaurants: 10% for good service

• Hotels: A couple of dollars for porters

• Taxis: Round up

Leave the tipping stress behind, and focus on your tan and tim-tams.

Your Tipping Survival Kit

1. Carry Local Currency: Coins and small bills are essential.

2. Use Envelopes in Hotels: Leave labeled tips for housekeeping or concierges—it avoids confusion and shows thought.

3. Ask Your Guide or Concierge: They know local customs and can help you avoid faux pas.

4. Don’t Tip Out of Guilt: Tip for service, for effort, for kindness—not because someone stared you down at the buffet.

5. Adapt Quickly: What’s rude in one country is expected in the next. Stay humble, stay curious, and be generous in spirit.

Final Thoughts from the Tip Jar

Tipping while traveling isn’t about the size of the note—it’s about the size of the gesture. A thoughtful tip delivered with cultural awareness and genuine gratitude can bridge language gaps, brighten someone’s day, and maybe even earn you a local secret or two.

When in doubt, tip discreetly and respectfully. And remember: in a world this diverse, kindness is the only currency accepted everywhere.