Who should you tip in Europe?

Generally speaking, restaurants include a service charge so feel free to round up and leave the change if you want. Taxi drivers and hotel employees also don't expect a gratuity, but if an extraordinary service is provided, leaving a small tip in cash at your could be considered appropriate.



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At bars in Europe, tips are not customary, but leaving change or a few euros is always appreciated, if not expected. For takeaway food or drinks, counter dining, or stand-up service, tips are also not customary.

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Your hotel will probably charge a 10% service fee. On top of this, give the hotel staff €1-€2 per bag and a small tip for housekeeping. A tip of 5-10% is expected, but many restaurants charge a service fee. Tip your tour guide a total of 10% of the cost of the tour.

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Round up to the nearest euro when you pay for services if you'd like, but beyond that, you don't need to tip anything in restaurants or hotels. It's not customary or necessary.

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If a bellhop brings your bags to your room, a tip of 2-3 euros per bag is the norm—and a bit more if they are very pleasant and helpful. For a spotless stay, you can leave 1-2 euros per night for the housekeeper.

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If you prefer dealing in cash, then by all means get some euros out before your trip. But actually, you'll find that debit and credit cards are widely accepted in most European cities. Paying by card can be easier and more convenient, without the potential security risk of carrying cash around you.

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At table-service restaurants, the tipping etiquette and procedure vary slightly from country to country. But in general, European servers are well paid, and tips are considered a small bonus — to reward great service or for simplicity in rounding the total bill to a convenient number.

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Tips are not usually accepted on credit cards and if they are, it's unlikely that your waiter will see any of it. It's a good idea to always be prepared with a few small bills and coins in the local currency and hand the tip to the waiter or leave it on the table after your bill has been settled.

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In Greece it's considered bad form to leave a single euro, even for a small total — if service isn't already included in the bill and it's for, say, €10, leave a €2 tip. Iceland is an emphatically no-tipping country.

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While tipping a cabbie is not always done up in Denmark, it is nonetheless good karma to tip drivers, according to Jørgensen. In fact, this is true in most European nations, where a gratuity isn't a necessity when catching a taxi but is often gratefully appreciated.

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Just as in Japan, it is not customary to tip in China. Tipping in China is generally uncommon and can even be considered rude or embarrassing in some circumstances so when taking a taxi, enjoying a refreshing drink or tucking into a delicious meal there's no requirement to leave any gratuities.

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No, tipping isn't considered rude in Italy. While not expected, a small tip shows appreciation for exceptional service and is generally well-received. Just remember that overtipping might be seen as unusual or unnecessary.

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Tipping isn't mandatory in Germany. Instead, it's seen as a gesture of appreciation for a good experience. A tip is always welcome, but in Germany, it's usually based directly on the quality of service. If you're satisfied, leaving a tip is a way to show it.

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Tipping is not considered etiquette by French people in French restaurants, but if you enjoyed your meal, it's nice to leave 5 - 10%. If you really enjoyed the meal, or plan on returning to the restaurant and want the wait staff to like you, 15% is a generous tip.

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Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.

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Tipping taxi drivers and private chauffeurs Tipping taxi drivers isn't required; however, locals often round up to the nearest euro or leave up to 5 percent. If the driver helps you with your bags (particularly if they're large), it's customary to tip one or two euros per bag.

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Leaving a Parisian Café Put a few coins on the bar or table (or tray, if it's still there) as a tip. Fifty centimes or a euro per person is fine. You don't have to tip, but it is has become commonplace in France and it's just a generally nice thing to do.

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