Tipping Etiquette Around the World: What to Know Before You Travel

Even experienced travelers can get confused when it comes to tipping habits in different countries. In some countries, tipping can turn into an embarrassing affair.

CNN Travel spoke to a number of travel etiquette experts to find out what’s generally expected at popular travel destinations and help travelers find ways to make tipping more straightforward and less stressful.

Tipping in Asia and Australia

Tom Marchant, owner and co-founder of luxury travel company Black Tomatoes, described tipping to CNN Travel as “sensitive.”

“In Asia you first have to discern whether you have to tip,” Marchant said.

Marianne Parker, etiquette expert, explained that in countries such as Japan and South Korea, tips are not accepted, and it is important to refrain from leaving any tip.

“It’s not part of their culture, and it’s seen as a little rude,” Parker said.

Nick Lighten, who hosts a weekly podcast on travel behavior, said Taiwan is one of the countries where you don’t find a tipping culture.

In contrast, you pay the tip in restaurants in China before meals are served.

In Thailand, tipping “is not an ingrained part of Thai culture, and is rarely paid by locals, although it is becoming more common.”

In Australia and New Zealand tipping is not uncommon, although 10 percent of the bill is often paid in high-end restaurants.

Tipping is customary in India, paid in all places and circumstances.

Gratuities in Europe

Rowe, who celebrated her 60th birthday on a tour that took her to nine European countries in 2022, described her tip-paying habits as chaotic.

“The old rules are gone,” Rowe said, “and no one is really sure what new rules have been affected by the continuing creep of American culture taking over the world, more Americans traveling abroad, the pandemic, and technology.”

Here are some recent tips for a few European destinations where service charges and tips may already be added to the bill.

In Spain tipping is not common and is rarely practiced by the locals, but it is recommended to pay 2 or 3 euros in popular restaurants and bars and between 5 and 10 percent of the total bill in more prestigious places.

Tipping culture is less prevalent in Sicily than in the US and more relaxed than in Rome, unpredictable and not sought after.

In the UK, a tip of 10 to 15 percent is normal if you are satisfied with the service.

According to Scottish Tours, it is now common for restaurants to add a discretionary service fee of 12.5 percent to the bill, so it is advised to check before initiating and leaving any tip.

In France, tipping is not obligatory, but it is a “pleasant surprise”, and in Eastern Europe tipping is expected.

In Scandinavia, tipping is not obligatory, but it is customary and highly appreciated by guides, drivers and restaurant staff.

Culture shocks in North America

Visitors to the United States may experience some culture shocks.

The British newspaper “The Independent” has an interesting opinion about tipping in the United States, as it saw that “anything that moves in the field of travel in the United States is associated with tipping, as the suggested minimum tip is 15 percent for taxi drivers, and no less than one dollar for the bartender In the bar or pub, for each drink, and 18 percent in restaurants.

In many parts of the United States, 20 percent of the bill has become commonplace, and many Americans have started tipping more since the coronavirus pandemic.

As for paying a tip to get a coffee at the “counter” service, the newspaper “The Independent” suggested not succumbing to pressure and choosing “No tip” on the payment screen.

In general, tipping habits in Canada and Mexico lie between Europe and the United States, and 15 percent of the restaurant bill can be paid for good service.

tip in other destinations

In Africa, tipping customs vary according to destination and location. For example, if you live in a high-end safari camp where the guides are, consider tipping between $20 and $50 per day.

When visiting Central and South America, it is best to leave a tip in the local currency, because exchanging currencies is not readily available and can be costly.

In Peru specifically, guides and drivers are usually tipped at around 10 percent of the total bill.

Gene Cicarelli, a frequent traveler and director of digital strategy and analytics in Atlanta, will visit Chile and Panama in 2023.

I noticed that Chile and Panama, both in Latin America, provide another example of how two countries in the same region can have different cultures.

In Chile, a 10 percent service charge is usually added to the bill, while in Panama, a restaurant service fee is not usually added, but as a matter of courtesy and custom, leave a 10 percent tip of the bill.