You’ve just eaten a five-star meal in Taiwan, or ordered a round of pints in Ireland or settled into your hotel in Iceland. Now what? Tipping in the U.S. is fairly straightforward, but the rules overseas get complicated and incredibly varied. If you aren’t up on the customs, you’re likely either throwing away money or overlooking the working people who rely on tips as part of their income.
In order to save you a little money (and a lot of embarrassment), we’ve rounded up the tipping etiquette for 25 of the most popular destinations overseas, from bars and restaurants to hotels and taxi drivers. Read on to see the etiquette for tipping around the world so you can keep your travel budget in check.
Last updated: Nov. 10, 2020
Tipping in Australia
Hotel staff: None expected
Since the country’s minimum wage is significantly higher than average, hotel workers don’t expect or rely on tips to supplement their income. You can give $1 to your porter, especially in a more expensive hotel.
Restaurant staff: None expected, but you can add a nominal tip
Tipping in Australia at restaurants also isn’t expected. If you insist on leaving a tip, 15 percent is more than sufficient.
Transportation services: Offer the change
Like all hospitality service workers, transportation service workers in Australia also earn a high minimum wage and don’t expect tips in addition to what they already charge for their services. If you really want to tip your driver, you can tell them to keep the change.
Tipping in Austria
Hotel staff: 1 to 2 euros
Even though tips are included in many hospitality and food services in Austria, you should give one to two euros to hotel porters.
Restaurant staff: Included or round up
In many Austrian restaurants, a service charge is included in the bill, and it is customary to round up the total when paying.
Transportation services: Keep the change or about 10 percent
Europe is pretty lax about taxi-cab tipping. Simply say “danke” (“thank you”), which is the Austrian equivalent of “keep the change.”
Tipping in Brazil
Hotel staff: None expected, but a small tip is appreciated
In general, if you’re receiving a good exchange rate during your travels to Brazil, any extra gratuity you can offer service staff is greatly appreciated, even though it’s not expected.
Restaurant staff: Included
Many bars and restaurants add a 10 percent service charge at the bottom of a bill, but patrons are not required to pay it.
Transportation services: Round up
Travelers in Brazil are not expected to tip for transportation services unless the service was above standard. Then, you can round up to the nearest whole amount.
Tipping in Canada
Hotel staff: $1 to $20
Tipping in Canada is very similar to the United States, so it’s customary to tip hotel staff like bellhops, concierge and valet anywhere from $1 to $20, depending on the level of service provided.
Restaurant staff: 15 percent to 20 percent
Like the United States, travelers to Canada should expect to tip about 20 percent in bars and restaurants.
Transportation services: 10 percent
It’s customary to tip taxi drivers in Canada about 10 percent for their services.
Tipping in Chile
Hotel staff: $1 to $5
There is no set rule or percentage to tipping in Chile — most service workers generally get a small tip for good service. Hotels are one of the few places you can tip in U.S. dollars instead of pesos.
Restaurant staff: 10 percent
A 10 percent service charge is typically included (and should be noted) in the bill. If the service was good, it’s expected that you’d pay it. But you can tip less than 10 percent if the service was poor.
Transportation services: None expected, but you can offer the change
Good news, travelers: Tourists in Chile don’t usually need to tip taxi drivers. However, telling your driver to “keep the change” is a welcome practice.
Tipping in China
Hotel staff: No tip
It’s not customary to tip in China, so resist the urge to slip the bellhop a little cash.
Restaurant staff: No tip
The same goes while dining out in China — no one tips for these services.
Transportation services: No tip for taxis, $10 for tour guides
It’s actually illegal to tip taxi drivers in many areas of China, with one exception: tour guides, who make the bulk of their income through tips and the commissions they earn during shopping stops along the tour. The tipping etiquette for tour guides is $10 per person.
Tipping in Costa Rica
Hotel staff: 25 cents to $1 per bag to porters, $1 per day for housekeeping
Travelers aren’t required to tip hotel staff, but gratuity is appreciated — especially if you received excellent service.
Restaurant staff: Included
A 10 percent service charge is typically added to the bill with a caveat: Many Tamarindo restaurants will add the 10 percent service fee, but say “service not included” at the bottom of the menu. Or waiters might add “tips appreciated” on your bill.
Transportation services: $1 to $10
You can tip your taxi driver a small amount if you have luggage. Also, tip your driver $2 to $4 for long trips, $1 to $2 from the airport and $5 to $10 for an all-day hire.
Tipping in Croatia
Hotel staff: $1
If the hotel staff during your stay in Croatia provides excellent service, then a tip of a euro or other equivalent currency is appropriate.
Restaurant staff: Included
Tips are almost always included on the bill. But if you are dining with a very large group, you might consider leaving extra. However, this isn’t mandatory.
Transportation services: Nothing, or up to 5 percent
Driving in Croatia is considered a professional career and tipping is not expected. However, it’s perfectly acceptable to round up your fare about 5 percent or more if your driver provides excellent service, like carrying bags or ensuring you catch a flight if you’re running late.
Tipping in France
Hotel staff: 1 to 2 euros
If you receive excellent service, then it’s acceptable to tip the porter 1 to 2 euros per bag and 2 euros to housekeeping.
Restaurant staff: Included
According to French law, all bills in cafes and restaurants include the service charge — not paid to the waiter, but to the owner of the establishment, who pays his staff. However, leaving an extra 10 percent tip on top of the service charge is appreciated by French servers.
Transportation services: 10 to 15 percent
If you need to take a taxi in France, then a 10 to 15 percent tip is appropriate. Tipping tour drivers 25 euros per person for an entire day or 20 euros for a private airport driver is also expected.
Read: Discover the Best Hidden Gem Destinations in Every State
Tipping in Germany
Hotel staff: 1 to 20 euros
Travelers to Germany should tip 1 to 2 euros per bag, 5 euros per night for housekeeping and up to 20 euros for very helpful concierge services.
Restaurant staff: 5 to 10 percent
Even though service charges are included in the menu prices at German bars and restaurants, it’s typical to round up your total bill or leave an extra 5 to 10 percent tip. Don’t leave the money on the table, though — ask the server to add it to your bill.
Transportation services: Round up
It’s common to tip taxi drivers in Germany by simply rounding up the bill or asking them to keep the change.
Tipping in Greece
Hotel staff: 1 euro
It’s typical to tip bellhops 1 euro per bag and housekeeping 1 euro per day, at most. And you only need to tip concierge services if they provide extraordinary service.
Restaurant staff: Included, can round up
When you’re budgeting for a vacation, it’s important to include estimated tips so you keep your spending on track. Restaurants and bars typically include a 16 percent service fee in the bill. You don’t need to tip more, but you can round up.
Transportation services: Round up
Tipping in Greece can be a little tricky. First, it’s not obligatory, but it is typical to round up the amount of your total fare.
Tipping in Iceland
Hotel staff: No tip
Overall, there is no tipping of any sort in Iceland hotels. Icelanders are familiar with the tradition of tipping and won’t turn you down if you try, but you are definitely not expected to tip for any services.
Restaurant staff: Included
There is usually a 15 percent tip included in restaurant bills in Iceland. If you decide to leave an additional tip, don’t go over 10 percent on top of what you’ve already paid.
Transportation services: $10 to $20
You don’t need to tip taxi drivers, but you might want to tip a private driver or tour guide $10 to $20 a day.
Tipping in India
Hotel staff: Varies
Tipping at a hotel in India depends on the hierarchy of the staff. Bellhops and housekeeping receive the least, with the concierge receiving the most.
Restaurant staff: Included
Sometimes the service charge is included in your bill. If not, an appropriate tip is anywhere between 10 and 20 percent, depending on the level of services received.
Transportation services: Round up
If the driver gets you safely to your destination, feel free to round up to the nearest whole amount, or tell the driver to keep the change.
Tipping in Ireland
Hotel staff: 1 to 2 euros
Compared to the United States, there is not a strong culture of tipping in Ireland, including for hotel staff. In the rare instance a hotel porter might bring your bags to your room, you might consider giving a 1 or 2 euro tip.
Restaurant staff: Up to 10 percent
Despite the custom of not leaving a tip, many tourists do leave a tip at restaurants — about 10 percent will suffice. Service fees are also often included in the bill, so check before you tip.
Transportation services: Round up or 10 percent
In addition to restaurants, many tourists will also tip taxi drivers in Ireland. Round up, or for exceptional service, tipping 10 percent is also a good rule of thumb.
Tipping in Italy
Hotel staff: 1 to 5 euros
It’s typical to pay Italian bellhops 5 euros and housekeeping 1 to 2 euros per night, or more for any extra services.
Restaurant staff: Included
Italian restaurants will display service charges on the menus and add the fees to the check, making tipping in Italy fairly straightforward. Still, don’t be surprised if you also see charges for items like tablecloths and silverware — these expenses are legal in many regions, except Lazio.
Transportation services: No tip
It’s not necessary to tip for transportation services in Italy, including gondola rides.
Tipping in Jamaica
Hotel staff: $1 to $2
Some hotels in Jamaica charge service fees, but not all do. If not, most Jamaicans appreciate any additional gratuity. Because the tipping culture is so inconsistent, it’s best to check your bills for service charges or ask hotel staff for some advice.
Restaurant staff: Included, or up to 18 percent
If a tip isn’t included, it’s typical to leave between 10 and 18 percent gratuity, depending on the service. Also, many all-inclusive resorts strictly prohibit staff from accepting any tips whatsoever. So make sure you know the policies before you attempt to tip any service workers.
Transportation services: 10 to 15 percent
It’s standard to leave a 10 to 15 percent tip for taxi drivers or shuttle bus drivers.
Tipping in Japan
Hotel staff: No tip
Tipping in Japan is not mandatory — and in many cases, tips might be refused.
Restaurant staff: No tip
If you insist on leaving a gratuity, put the money in an envelope and say “kore wa kimochi desu” which means “here is your tip.”
Transportation services: No tip
Because tipping is not part of the culture at all, the simple act of trying to tip your driver might confuse them.
Tipping in Maldives
Hotel staff: No tip
Tipping isn’t expected in the Maldives, but additional tips are critical for employees who don’t receive any portion of the service charges at all, which isn’t uncommon.
Restaurant staff: Included
A 10 percent service charge is added to everything in the Maldives, but staff members earn very low salaries, so it’s generous to tip more for good service.
Transportation services: No tip
Again, tipping in the Maldives isn’t expected, but your driver will certainly appreciate any extra money you leave them.
More Travel: 15 Luxurious Vacation Spots Beloved by the Rich and Famous
Tipping in Mexico
Hotel staff: 10 to 100 pesos
Tipping in Mexico is similar to the United States, so 10 to 20 pesos per bag or 20 to 50 pesos a day for housekeeping is perfectly acceptable. Concierge services can expect 100 pesos minimum.
Restaurant staff: 10 to 15 percent
In Mexico, many restaurants might include the tip in the bill, which means it’s not necessary to tip on top of that. If it’s not included, it’s standard to tip 10 to 15 percent.
Transportation services: 10 to 100 pesos
People don’t usually tip taxi drivers, but if the driver waits while you shop or helps you carry bags, consider giving a 10 to 100 peso tip.
Tipping in the Netherlands
Hotel staff: Included
Many hotel services have fixed costs, which includes any tips to the staff.
Restaurant staff: Included, or 5 to 10 percent
Service charges are either included in your restaurant bill or you can add 5 to 10 percent. If your service wasn’t good, you don’t have to tip at all.
Transportation services: Round up, or 1 to 2 euros
Many taxi drivers don’t expect an additional tip — it’s typically baked into the price of their services. But you can choose to round up or add a euro or two.
Tipping in the Philippines
Hotel staff: Included, or up to 10 percent
Service charges are often added, but the staff might not actually receive any of it. So you might want to tip extra if you received good service.
Restaurant staff: Included or up to 10 percent
In the Philippines, the service charge is already included (you might see “SC” on your bill) or travelers can tip independently, usually 10 percent.
Transportation services: 10 percent
Taxi drivers get about 10 percent of the fare and tour guides get the equivalent of $20 to $50 a day. Personal drivers expect the equivalent of $4 to $5 per trip.
Tipping in Spain
Hotel staff: 5 to 10 euros a day
When it comes to tipping in Spain, this is definitely a vacation expense you don’t want to overlook. Housekeeping expects about 5 euros a day and concierges who provide special services can expect up to 10 euros.
Restaurant staff: 7 to 13 percent
If service is good, then it’s acceptable to add anywhere from 7 to 13 percent to your restaurant bill. Cash is always preferred, and you don’t have to leave anything if your service was sub-par.
Transportation services: Round up
Visitors to Spain can simply round up their cab fares and leave about $30 a day for private tour guides.
Tipping in Switzerland
Hotel staff: No tip
For tipping in Switzerland, service workers are paid decent salaries, thus there is no obligation to tip anyone, anywhere. Tipping in a hotel in Switzerland is not expected.
Restaurant staff: Included
Swiss federal law requires all service charges to be included in advertised prices. Still, many residents do add small gratuities by rounding up to the nearest five or 10 francs, or more for large groups or parties.
Transportation services: 5 to 10 percent
You can round up the taxi fare or leave 5 to 10 percent to your driver. Really good private tour guides can expect $40 per person, per day.
Tipping in Taiwan
Hotel staff: $2 to $5
The only service providers who expect tips in Taiwan are bellhops and employees in international hotels. Plan on leaving a few dollars per bag to bellhops, $2 a day for cleaning staff and $20 to the concierge.
Restaurant staff: Included or 10 percent
Restaurants typically add 10 to 15 percent to the check to cover gratuity. But if not, feel free to add 10 percent.
Transportation services: None for taxi, 10 percent for tour guide
A taxi driver will not expect a tip. A tour guide will expect a 10 percent tip from travelers to Taiwan.
Tipping in the United Kingdom
Hotel staff: Included, or 1 or 2 British pounds
Some hotels include service fees in the bill. Otherwise, you can offer a porter 1 or 2 pounds for helping with a bag or hailing a taxi. Housekeeping and valet typically do not get a tip.
Restaurant staff: Included, or 12 to 15 percent
Even though tipping in the United Kingdom is not expected by restaurant staff, it’s never a bad idea to leave your server extra change. Your restaurant might include the tip in the bill, so be sure to ask if it’s not clear.
Transportation services: Up to 10 percent
You’ll tip depending on whether your driver is charging a flat or metered fare. You add no tip to a flat fare and add 10 percent to a metered fare.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much to Tip When Traveling to These 25 Countries