Tipping while traveling through Europe can be difficult to figure out, as Europeans have different attitudes about tipping service workers. Depending on the European country that you are in, tipping may already be included in the bill or may not even be accepted. This Europe tipping guide should help you to figure out when it is expected, and when it is not, to tip during Europe traveling.
Europe Tipping Guide: Restaurants
The attitudes and beliefs surrounding tipping throughout Europe are very different than in the United States. In the U.S. it is common to tip most service workers, including waiters and waitresses, cab drivers and guides anywhere from 15% to 20%. This is not the case in Europe. As a general rule, when you are in a restaurant in a European country that has waiters and waitresses, 5% is a nice reward for good service and 10% is considered a borderline excessive tip. No tips are required or even expected when you order food from a counter or pub restaurant.
In France, as well as in many restaurants in the UK, the tip is already included in the price of the bill. Leaving just a couple dollars over the bill price is a good way to show that you were pleased with the service without being insulting. In other countries, if the tip is included it will be listed on the bill that service is included in the price. Throwing out an extra Euro or two will suffice if you want to go above and beyond the included amount. Unlike in America, servers in Europe are well paid and do not expect much from tips. They will not mistreat you or even think much about a tip that is low. They will look at you oddly, however, if you practice the usual American way of over-tipping.
Tour Guides
If you are on a tour that has a guide, usually tipping on Europe tours is included in the amount that you pay for the tour. This depends on the type of tour and how long you will be with your tour guide, as well as how much you paid. If you have a guide that will be showing you around Europe for the duration of the trip or for an extended amount of time, tip 10% at the start of the tour. This will cover you for the rest of the trip. If you go on a guided tour of an historic landmark or museum and have paid your admission fee, even if the guide holds his hand out afterwards no tip needs to be paid.
Cab Drivers
As a general rule, tipping cab drivers is not expected in Europe, but it is a nice gesture to round up the price of the fare to the nearest Euro. This is the European way to do it.
When In Doubt…
If you are not sure whether you should tip someone, ask your hotelier for advice. They can give you the specifics of the country that you are in and some basic advice for tipping while traveling in Europe.
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