Are you gearing up for an exciting adventure across Europe and curious about the local tipping customs? You’ve come to the right place! With decades of experience living in Europe, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to tipping in some of Europe’s most popular destinations. This information will serve as a handy reference for you whenever you have questions about gratuity practices.
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An Overview of Tipping in Europe
The tipping culture in Europe can be quite different from that in the United States. While tips are appreciated, they are not obligatory, and the expectations are generally lower. In many European countries, service staff do not rely solely on tips for their income. So, if you’re accustomed to leaving a hefty 20% tip in the U.S., you may find this expectation is much lower in Europe, where a tip of that size could even be seen as excessive (though, rest assured, no one would turn it away!).
Furthermore, the amount you should tip can vary significantly from one European country to another. However, there are some common guidelines. It’s always best to tip in the local currency rather than leaving loose change on the table. If service was not satisfactory, you’re under no obligation to leave a tip. Let’s explore the tipping customs in more detail.
Tipping at Restaurants in Europe
Often, restaurants in Europe include a service charge in your bill. In such instances, tipping is optional, although rounding up the total to the nearest €5 or €10 is appreciated. If your bill doesn’t include a service charge, a tip of 5% to 10% is considered appropriate.
Do note that in some countries, it can be considered impolite to leave small coins as a tip. When paying in cash, inform the server of the total you wish to pay. For example, if your meal costs €20 and you’re paying with a €50 note, you might say, €23, please, indicating that the €3 is a tip. It’s worth mentioning that servers generally prefer cash tips. If you’re paying with a credit card and have no cash, communicate the tip amount to the server before they process the transaction.
Tipping at Hotels in Europe
If you’re curious about tipping etiquette in hotels, here are some guidelines. If porters assist you with your luggage, a tip of €1 or €2 per bag is customary. You may also choose to leave a tip for the housekeeping staff at the end of your stay as a gesture of gratitude. Additionally, if you order room service, a good tip is also appreciated.
How Much to Tip in Europe for Taxi Rides
Taxi drivers in Europe generally do not expect tips, but rounding up the fare by a euro or two for exceptional service is a nice touch.
Tipping in Europe: Other Services
If you visit a hair salon during your European travels, it’s customary to tip your stylist at least €5, depending on the treatment provided. If it’s a simple cut and blow-dry, then €5 is fine; if more extensive services like coloring are involved, a higher tip is expected. However, if the owner of the salon attends to you, it’s generally not customary to leave a tip. In nail salons, a tip of about €2 or €3 is appropriate, but again, avoid tipping the owner—only the staff.
For food delivery to your hotel, a cash tip of €2 to €3 is customary. Remember to offer extra if the delivery is made in bad weather or outside normal hours.
A Country-by-Country Guide to Tipping in Europe
Now that you’re familiar with the general tipping culture in Europe, let’s delve into specific customs across some popular JayWay Travel destinations, which should prove helpful for your upcoming trip!
Tipping in Italy
Italy, a favorite destination for many travelers, follows typical European tipping etiquette. Tipping is not compulsory, as reflected in the Italian term for a tip: la mancia, which has historical ties to the act of giving. A tip of 5% to 10% is standard at restaurants, depending on the establishment type—a 5% tip is suitable for informal places like pizzerias, while a 10% tip is more suitable for nicer restaurants. If a service charge is included in your bill, no additional tip is necessary, but confirm before leaving.
In Italy, you may encounter charges for servizio (service) or coperto (cover) on your bill. If service charges are listed, no tip is needed, but if only a coperto charge appears, leaving a tip is a good idea, as that money does not go directly to the serving staff.
At cafés, if you sit down for coffee, rounding up your bill is customary. However, if you quickly grab an espresso at the counter, tipping is not required. Taxi drivers generally expect a tip of about 10% of the fare.
Tipping in Croatia
Croatia, another sought-after JayWay Travel destination, shares similarities in tipping customs with Italy. The Croatian terms for tip include napojnica and bakšiš, both of which carry the essence of a gift. A tip of around 10% at restaurants is appreciated, especially in cash, but at coffee shops, rounding up to about 5% is sufficient. It’s not customary to tip bartenders or taxi drivers in Croatia.
Tipping in Greece
If you’re dreaming of sunny Greece, here’s a brief guide to tipping customs to keep your vacation stress-free. In Greece, the word for tip is φιλοδώρημα. Thankfully, you won’t need to worry about pronunciation as “tip” is commonly used. Restaurants do not add a service fee to your bills; however, a charge similar to Italy’s coperto may appear, relating to items like utensils and bread. Tipping about 5% to 10% is customary but not required. At cafés and bars, rounding up is appreciated. Taxis in Greece typically do not expect a tip.
Tipping in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, known for high beer consumption, the term for a tip—spropitné—literally translates to for drinking. Tipping here isn’t mandatory, but is seen as a way to show appreciation by treating your server to a drink after their shift.
Outside of Prague, it’s customary to round up your bill to the nearest whole number in restaurants, cafés, and bars. In Prague, however, tipping etiquette aligns more closely with the rest of Europe, typically involving a 10% tip for service. Always hand the tip directly to your server or add it at the credit card terminal.
Like in Greece, tipping taxi drivers in the Czech Republic is generally not expected.
Tipping in France
Now let’s examine the tipping practices in France, the most visited country in Europe. The French word for tip, pourboire, also means for drinking. Just like in other European nations, tipping in France is optional but is appreciated as a way to say thank you to your servers.
In restaurants, a 15% service charge (service compris) is automatically included in your bill, so tipping here isn’t compulsory. However, for exceptional service, you might leave an additional 5% to 15% depending on your satisfaction level and the type of establishment. For coffee at a French café or during a taxi ride, rounding up to the nearest euro or two is customary.
How Much to Tip in Europe When Traveling with JayWay
As we often say, experiencing Europe is best with JayWay! This section offers guidance on tipping for services included in our carefully curated itineraries across your favorite European destinations.
When you arrive in Europe, JayWay provides a private airport transfer to ensure your comfort. In this case, a tip of around $10 for your driver is considered appropriate.
Some of our most beloved activities involve day trips to stunning locations, often arranged via private transfers between cities instead of using trains or flights. In these instances, it’s a kind gesture to tip your driver approximately $15 to $20 per person for excellent service.
Throughout your journey with JayWay, expect to be guided by knowledgeable locals who are passionate about sharing their cities with you. If you wish to express gratitude for their efforts, cash tips of around $20 to $30 at the end of tours are appreciated, depending on your group size.
If you have previously traveled with us or are planning an exciting new adventure, you’ll discover that JayWay Travel differentiates itself through our dedicated local team. They are eager to share the hidden gems of their homelands and ensure you feel right at home from the moment you arrive.
Our local contacts are not just your average tour guides—they become your friends in Europe, dedicated to making your journey as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
Our teams are committed to ensuring you leave with cherished memories and a smile, so while our staff is well-compensated, you may still wish to leave them a tip of $50 to $75 in cash or via credit card after your trip as a token of appreciation.
In summary, the tipping culture in Europe revolves around expressing gratitude for quality service. Hospitality staff are generally well-paid, and tipping is more of a kind gesture rather than a necessity to make up for low wages. Thus, you are not obligated to tip unless you wish to acknowledge exceptional service.
Armed with this knowledge about the tipping customs throughout Europe, you are one step closer to making your long-awaited European trip a reality. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us and let us design the perfect itinerary for your adventure!
Born and raised in Athens, Maria is passionate about travel and storytelling, making her an ideal content manager for JayWay.
