Knowing how and when to tip while traveling can be tricky. In high-end establishments, it’s not just a customary gesture, but an art form — a subtle way to acknowledge excellent service and foster lasting relationships. However, different destinations bring their own expectations. Tipping practices can vary significantly from one place to another, and what may be customary in one country could be considered inappropriate in another.

In this travel tipping guide, we'll unravel the mysteries of gratuity customs around the world, empowering you to express appreciation for exceptional service wherever your adventures take you.

Africa

Africa is a diverse continent where tipping customs can vary from country to country. That said, we’re going to explore tipping etiquette in the context of one of the more common styles of vacation — the safari.

Staff at lodges, porters, guides, drivers and other people providing services to travelers are all hopeful of receiving tips. While generosity is always well-received, some suppliers warn against overtipping as it can actually erode the relationship between locals and international travelers.

Of the many people providing services to you during your safari, guides are one of the most important. It’s recommended to provide a gratuity in the range of 10 USD per guest per day. Assistant guides, trackers and rangers can be given around half of that amount. If you are a part of a private group that’s on the smaller side, it’s suggested to give a little bit more.

For transfer drivers, suggestions range from 5 USD per couple to 10 USD per hour depending on the length of the ride and size of the group. For lodge staff, many properties operate a staff tip box. The gratuity range is also 5 to 10 USD per guest per day.

Finally, tipping is more substantial for trekking staff, such as those on Mount Kilimanjaro or gorilla trekking experiences. Guidelines and/or requirements are usually provided in your trip paperwork.

Some suggestions to make tipping easier — especially when out in the bush and away from local resources — include bringing small bills (either in USD or local currency) and dividing up gratuities into envelopes (either per day or per accommodation) for easier tracking.

Europe

While Americans are used to tipping culture, it’s a very different experience in Europe. It’s expected for services provided by private guides and drivers, but less so for routine services — like dining out.

In many European countries, service charges are often included in the bill at restaurants, cafes, and bars. This means that tipping may not be necessary or expected, especially if the service charge is clearly stated on the bill. However, if exceptional service is provided, it's still common to leave a small additional tip as a token of appreciation. A general guideline is to tip around 10% to 15% of the total bill in restaurants where service charges are not included. In countries where tipping is less common, like as Denmark or Sweden, rounding up the bill or leaving a small gratuity is appreciated.

Exceptional service should always be rewarded, regardless of where you are in Europe. If you receive outstanding service from a waiter, bartender, or tour guide, consider tipping more generously to show your appreciation for their efforts.

However, cultural differences play a significant role in tipping etiquette across Europe. In some countries, such as France or Italy, tipping is more customary, while in others, like Germany or Switzerland, it may be less common. Be mindful of cultural nuances and strive to express appreciation in a manner that aligns with local customs and sensibilities.

For taxis, it’s suggested to round up a euro or to the nearest 10 for a longer ride. For hotels, a euro per bag is customary. The same goes for guides giving public tours — a euro or two gets the job done.

For private transfers, guides or chartered yachts, a larger gratuity is appreciated, but when in doubt, 10% of the final bill is a solid choice. Across Europe it’s considered fair to generous, and likely won’t offend.

Hotel Esencia in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Caribbean

While tipping culture can vary from island to island, customs in the Caribbean are similar to those in the United States, with gratuity expected in a variety of situations. These may include:

Restaurants: In restaurants and bars, tipping between 10% to 15% of the total bill is customary if service charges are not included. Be sure to check the bill to see if one has already been added before deciding on the tip amount.

Hotel Staff: Tipping hotel staff, such as housekeepers, bellhops, and concierge, is common in the Caribbean. A gratuity of $1 to $2 per day for housekeeping and $1 to $2 per bag for bellhops is standard practice. Around 10-20% of the service charge is acceptable for spa services.

Tour Guides: If you participate in excursions or tours during your stay, tipping your tour guides is customary. The amount may vary depending on the length and quality of the tour, but aiming for 10-20% of the total cost is a good rule of thumb.

Avoid This Common Misconception:

“You don’t need to tip at all-inclusive resorts.” Just because a resort is all-inclusive, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t reward exceptional service or the honoring of special requests. What can also lead to confusion is that some resorts incorporate gratuities into their rates, while others don’t. If you’re unsure of the property’s policy, check with the staff or your trusted travel advisor.

In short, while service charges are common and all-inclusives can wrap gratuities into their rates, it’s important to keep in mind that exceptional service should always be acknowledged with an additional gratuity.

To Know Wherever You Go:

There are some situations involving gratuity that leave travelers scratching their heads no matter where in the world they are — villas and butler service. Luckily, we’ve gathered some tips on how to appropriately address these special types of situations.

Villas

More and more, travelers are seeking the exclusively of villas for their vacations. There’s no question it’s an excellent choice for couples or families who desire privacy, customized luxury, and maybe just some peace and quiet. However, when it comes to tipping the owner and/or staff, that’s where things get complicated. Some experts recommend tipping on the entire stay, others say to tip on food and beverages, and others yet recommend $50-$100 per villa staff. The answer? It depends. Every villa is different. If you’re unsure what is required or expected, consult your host, reach out to your trusted travel advisor, or look over your booking paperwork — sometimes it’s right there in the fine print.

Bulter Service

Just because you’ve tipped the “back of house” staff, doesn’t mean that applies to butler service. If you’re staying at a property that provides a high level of butler service, the customary gratuity is between $25 and $75 per day. This is flexible depending on the quality of your accommodation and the range of services they provide to you, but there’s no question that these essential members of staff should tipped for adding that additional dollop of luxury on top of your vacation. It’s recommended to provide that tip in a sealed envelope at the end of your stay.

In Conclusion

We hope this guide will serve as a helpful resource to you during your next vacation. Rewarding suppliers and staff for good service is not only polite, but lets them know how much you appreciate what they do. Wherever in the world you happen to be, these suggestions are here to help take the stress out of travel.

Here’s a Tip: An International Guide to Gratuity