TIPPING CHEAT SHEET

Many countries do not have tipping as part of their culture (eg. Netherlands); therefore. tipping is not really required but often appreciated. Other destinations, such as Hungary, it is considered rude not to tip. This can get confusing especially if you are travelling through a number of countries on one trip so it appears that 10% is a good rule of thumb. In North America, up that norm to at least 15%. But be very careful in Asia as it is often considered rude to tip and you may offend your server!
Also remember when tipping, it is imperative to have a good grasp on the exchange rate.
Below is a quick cheat sheet for tipping for many popular travel destinations.
| Country or Area | Tip Per Cent (Before Tax) |
|---|---|
| United States | 15-20% |
| Canada | Min. 10 %, usually 15-20% |
| Mexico | 15% |
| Caribbean islands | 15% |
| Peru | 10% |
| Ecuador | 10% |
| Argentina | 10%* |
| Brazil | 10%* |
| Colombia | 10-15%* |
| England, Scotland & Wales | 10-15%* |
| Ireland | 10-15% |
| France | 15%* |
| Germany | 5-10% |
| Switzerland | 10% |
| Hungary | 10% |
| Czech Republic | 10% |
| Netherlands | 10% |
| Norway | 10-20% (no tips for taxis or hotel cleaning) |
| Sweden | 5-10% |
| Finland | 10-15%* |
| Iceland | 10% |
| Spain | 5-10% |
| Portugal | 10% |
| Italy | 5-10% |
| Croatia | 10-20% |
| Greece | 10-15% |
| Turkey | 10-15% |
| India | 10% |
| Egypt | 15% |
| Israel | 12-15% |
| Dubai, SAE | 10-15%* |
| South Africa | 10-15% |
| Philippines | 10%* |
| Vietnam | Tour guides, hotel cleaners, etc. US$1-3 |
| Cambodia | Tour guides, hotel cleaners, etc. US$2-4 |
| China | Upscale restaurants may include the tip; otherwise $0 |
| Japan | Do Not Tip. may be considered rude |
| New Zealand | 10% |
| Australia | 10% |
| French Polynesia | Not expected |
The above are guidelines only. If you get exemplary service by all means tip more – except where no tipping is the cultural norm (and often considered insulting).
*Some countries or areas such as the United Kingdom actually add the gratuity to your bill so tipping on top of this is just for extra-great service (check the per cent amount you are being charged); however, with this convenient “gratuity added to your bill”, you have no choice for poor service: you are still paying the tip.
A great article on the subject of tipping on your travels: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/international-tipping-confusion
Article first appeared on Real Travel Experts.