How much to tip abroad

Tipping is the act of providing an additional payment to service workers. It’s a token of appreciation for good service, usually given as a percentage of the bill or as a fixed amount. Tipping as a practice dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe, when the wealthy would offer extra money to workers for their services. This practice later spread to inns and hotels. Today, it’s a common practice in certain industries, like food and beverage.

What is meant by ‘tipping etiquette’ when travelling?  

Tipping etiquette when travelling refers to the practices and customs regarding giving tips to service workers in different countries and cultures. It’s a way of showing appreciation for good service, but the expectations and amounts can vary from place to place.

Ever had an exceptionally attentive waiter in a local eatery, or an especially knowledgeable tour guide? Sometimes you may want to say ‘thanks’ for the good service – even when it’s not customary to. Some things people typically tip for while abroad include: 

• Restaurants and bars. Tipping restaurant and bar staff can include rounding up the bill to the nearest full or significant amount, or providing extra cash in hand for exceptional service.
• Hotels. You may want to tip individual staff for their services, such as a housekeeping employee, porter, or hotel receptionist.
• Taxis. Rounding up the fare is a simple way to show appreciation to taxi drivers, especially for longer journeys or if they have helped with luggage. 
• Tour guides. Tipping tour guides may include extra cash in hand, particularly for longer tours and outstanding level of service or expertise.

There’s no standard global rate for tipping. Customs vary greatly across the globe – there are some countries where tipping is expected, and other countries where it’s best to avoid. 

Before you travel, it’s important to research your destination so you can tip accordingly – or perhaps keep your cash to yourself. Here’s a breakdown of tipping rates and standards by destination, as outlined by the consumer group Which? in its guide to tipping abroad in 2025  – we’ve also used other sources for the countries not covered by Which?. When a different source is used, we’ve noted it in the content (please note, this is not an exhaustive list but a guide to some countries and areas).

Standard tip in Europe  

The tipping standard in Europe is not as heavily emphasised as in other countries like the USA. Tipping is more common in restaurants, and service charges are often included on the bill.

France 

France is a foodie nation. It’s famed for its boulangeries, where locals tuck into baguettes stuffed with jambon-fromage, and its romantic bistros and brasseries, which serve up plates of steak frites and coq au vin. 

Tipping isn’t mandatory in France, as service charges, or ‘service compris’, are usually included on the bill. This can be around 15% – however, you can add a further 10-12.5% for exceptional service. Sometimes, a ‘pourboire’ (‘for drinking’) gratuity is included at bars and pavement cafes. 

France offers traditional hotels, as well as ‘logis’ and ‘auberges’ which are types of independently owned hotels. For hotel porters and tour guides, an extra €1-2 tip is expected. Tipping taxi drivers isn’t necessary but rounding up to the nearest euro is appreciated. 

Spain 

Spain is synonymous with sun-kissed terraces and sizzling tapas – small, shared plates often enjoyed as a snack or appetiser. Tapas can include everything from olives, cured meats and bread to garlic prawns and patatas bravas – crispy potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, drizzled with creamy aioli.

Tipping is optional in Spain, but in restaurants and tapas bars, you can leave your change or round up the bill to the nearest euro – but always check the bill for service charges. At higher-end restaurants, a tip of 10% is appropriate. 

In Spain, tourists can choose from rural countryside homes, elegant boutique hotels or Paradores – state-owned luxury experiences where you can stay in historic buildings like fortresses or castles. 

A €1-2 tip for hotel porters and housekeeping is discretionary, and taxi drivers will appreciate an extra 10% of the final fare. For exceptional tour guides, consider an extra 5-10 euros.

Greece 

Characterised by fresh, natural ingredients, Greek food is rooted in the Mediterranean diet. Think rich, comforting moussaka, with layers of grilled eggplant, spiced minced meat and creamy béchamel sauce. And souvlaki, the beloved street food staple, with skewers of grilled meat wrapped with Greek salad, Tzatziki sauce and fries.

Tipping rules for tourists in Greece are largely the same, with service charges included in the bill. A 5-10% tip is generally appreciated in restaurants. Rounding up the fare for taxis is welcome, as is leaving a 5-10% tip for longer journeys. Consider tipping €2-5 per person for group tours, and €20 per person for private tours.

Greece beckons holidaymakers with an abundance of accommodation options, from apartments to villas and both budget and luxury hotels. For hotels, it’s customary to leave a tip of €1 per bag for porters and €1 a day for cleaners.

Standard tip in the US  

The US boasts a huge range of culinary influences. American cuisine has heritage from Asia, Africa and Mexico. Think BBQ ribs, Buffalo wings and burgers as well as chilli, meatloaf and Thanksgiving Turkey.

Tipping is a standard practice in the US – in other words, it’s expected. A standard tip in America is between 15-20%, while 25% is welcome for exceptional service. In bars, it’s customary to leave a tip of $1-2 after ordering your drink. For taxi rides, 15-20% of the bill is considered fair, and you can expect to tip tour guides an extra $10-20 per person. 

In the US, you can find every accommodation option you can think of. From budget-friendly motels and hostels to luxury historic hotels and executive suites. Valets, housekeeping, room service and other hotel staff may expect a 5-20% tip, or an extra $1-2, depending on the service.

Tipping expectations can differ between states – leave extra dollars in cash or ask service workers if you’re unsure.

Standard tip in Asia   

Tipping standards in Asia vary widely, but there are some countries where it’s becoming more common, especially in tourist spots.

India 

World-renowned for aromatic spices and diverse flavours, Indian food is rich, colourful and bound to  ignite your senses. Sample street food like samosas and dosas – a savoury crepe-like snack often served with chutney and sambar. Or dishes like butter chicken and Biryani – a rice dish traditionally with meat and spices.

Modest tips are generally welcome in India. A 5-10% tip is considered standard in restaurants, while tipping isn’t necessary in bars. For taxis and rickshaw drivers, it’s common to round up the fare. You can offer an extra 50-100 rupees per day for group tours.

From budget guesthouses to heritage hotels, there’s a plethora of accommodation options in India. For travellers curious about the spiritual side of India, you could stay in an ashram and participate in daily practice. Hotels in India often have a service fee, but offering 100-200 rupees per bag to porters and per day for housekeeping is appreciated. 

Thailand

Thailand is known for its vibrant cuisine and exotic street food. From tangy Pad Thai topped with crispy peanuts to creamy Massaman curry, Thailand is a foodie’s dream. Offering a fusion of sweet, sour, spicy and salty flavours, it’s no wonder that Thai cuisine captivates tourists around the world.

Tipping isn’t customary in Thailand, but it is appreciated. Consider tipping around 10-15% in restaurants, according to global money transfer platform Wise. It's common to tip taxi drivers 10% for longer journeys or to round up the fare for short drives. Plan to tip good tour guides 10%, and tip even if the tour is free. 

In the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is a backpacker’s paradise. And with this comes an abundance of affordable accommodation choices, from hostels to guesthouses. For those looking for a touch of luxury, look no further than unique boutique hotels, and one-of-a-kind stays. It’s standard to tip between 10-20% to hotel staff, with housekeepers expecting 5-10 Thai baht and porters 1 baht per bag. 

Standard tip in the Middle East   

Tipping standards in the Middle East are similar to those in Europe. It’s customary for good service in restaurants and taxis, even if a service charge is already included.

Dubai 

This futuristic city is home to diverse, multi-cultural cuisine. While it’s packed with international restaurants, it also offers its own Emirati cuisine – from fragrant spices to mouth-watering meats. Sample Madrooba, a fusion of salted fish, spice and thick sauce, and Chabab, a traditional breakfast of Emirati’s version of pancakes – thin, crispy, and topped with date syrup.

Tipping isn’t mandatory in Dubai; it’s at your discretion. Tourism organisation Visit Dubai outlines what people can expect in its guide to tipping in Dubai. It says that for restaurants, a tip of 10-15% is standard, while in cafes it’s 10% of a larger bill. For taxi drivers, between 5-10 dirhams is typical, whereas for tour guides or yacht crews, 10-15% is about right.  

There’s plenty of choice for accommodation in Dubai, from five-star resorts to boutique hotels. It’s even home to one of the tallest hotels in the world, the Gevora Hotel Dubai. For hotel staff, porters and valet may expect 5-10 dirhams, whereas for housekeepers 10 dirhams per night is standard. 

Jordan

Jordan boasts culinary influences from North Africa, the Middle East, Persia and the Mediterranean. Try falafel, moutabel (a roasted eggplant dip) and hummus on your travels, as well as tabbouleh – a starter or salad consisting of finely minced parsley. Don’t miss mujadara either – a mixture of rice, lentils and seasoning.

Tipping expectations while travelling around Jordan are similar. In its Jordan travel guide, On the Go Tours suggests that leaving 10% of the bill in a restaurant would be considered a good tip.

There are plenty of accommodation options in Jordan. Choose from budget guesthouses and hotels to stylish boutique stays. Or even glamp in the desert for a unique experience. For hotel staff like porters and housekeepers, Go Tours suggests around 2 Jordanian diners. It’s common to round up the fare for taxi drivers, while a 2-3 JD tip to tour guides is welcome.

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