Tipping norms by country (the ones that matter)
Americans routinely over-tip in Europe and offensively under-tip in the US. Japanese service workers can be confused or insulted by tips. Argentines expect 10%, cash, often on top of a “cubierto” cover charge. Getting tipping right is a small thing that signals you're a competent traveler and avoids awkward moments. Getting it wrong is a $200 budget error over a 10-day trip.
The master tipping table (2026)
- USA, Canada: 18–22% at restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% taxi/rideshare, $2–$5/day housekeeping.
- UK, Ireland: 10–12.5% (often added as “service charge” — check bill). No tip at pubs for drinks.
- France: service compris (included) by law. Round up or add 5–10% for good service. No obligation.
- Italy: “coperto” (cover charge) €2–€5 already on bill. Round up or 5–10%.
- Spain: 5–10% for good service. Not mandatory.
- Germany, Austria, Switzerland: 5–10%, tell the server when paying (don't leave on table).
- Japan: 0%. No tipping. A tip can be refused or cause confusion. Leave cash at your own risk.
- South Korea, China, Taiwan: 0% traditionally. Tourist-facing places may expect 10%.
- Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia: Round up small bills. 5–10% at nicer restaurants. Hotels: $1–$2/bag.
- Argentina: 10% cash, on top of the cubierto cover charge.
- Mexico: 10–15%. Small tips for bellhops, drivers.
- Australia, New Zealand: 0–10%. Service usually isn't tipped; high base wages.
- Egypt, Morocco, Turkey: 10%, plus small tips for everyone who helps (bathroom, bellhop, guide).
Tipping services beyond restaurants
Hotel housekeeping: $3–$5/night in US, €1–€2 in Europe, $1 in developing countries. Tour guides (full day): $15–$25/person in most places, $40–$60 for specialist/private guides. Drivers: round up 10%. Hotel concierge for bookings: $10–$20. Ski/dive instructor: 15–20% of lesson cost. Spa: 15–20% in US, 10% in Europe, 0% in Asia (often pre-included).
Worked tipping scenarios on a 10-day Europe trip for two
Daily baseline in Italy: restaurant lunches €30 with €3 coperto already on bill + €2 round-up = €35 paid, effective tip ~6%. Dinner €85 with €5 coperto + €5–€10 added for good service = €95–€100. Taxis: round up to nearest €5. 10-day tally of discretionary tipping: housekeeping €2/day × 10 = €20, porters €2 × 4 = €8, restaurants €40 total, guides €30, taxi rounds €15 = €113. Now compare the same 10-day Japan trip: zero tipping. You'd attempt a tip at a restaurant and the server would chase you out of the shop to return it. The culture insists service is included in the price. A 10-day Egypt trip: baksheesh everywhere — $1–$2 for bathroom attendants, $5 for every guide-at-monument interaction, $10/day to the Nile boat staff, 15% at restaurants. Budget $80–$150 of small bills for an Egypt trip.
Service-charge semantics by country
UK: “discretionary 12.5% service charge” — you can request removal if service was bad. France: “service compris” means service included — any extra is discretionary goodwill. Italy: “coperto” is a per-person table/bread charge, NOT a tip — you still tip 5–10% in tourist areas. Spain: no service charge; optional 5–10% tip. Germany: “bedienung” often included; tip by rounding and handing cash to the server (never leave on table). Japan: no tips ever; service is included. Thailand: 10% service charge at upscale restaurants; 10% additional tip optional. USA: tax (7–11%) separate from tip (18–22%) — a $50 dinner becomes $63 with tax and tip. Rule: read the bottom of the receipt carefully. “Service” or “gratuity” lines already included mean you don't add more.
FAQ on international tipping
Can I tip in USD? Sometimes welcomed, sometimes awkward. In Latin America and parts of Asia where USD is functional currency, fine. In Europe and Japan, use local currency. Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax total? In the US, etiquette says pre-tax; most people tip post-tax. The delta on a $50 bill is $0.75. Do I tip on gift cards or comped items? Yes — tip on the pre-comp total. How do I tip in cash vs card? Cash to server, card terminal for the bill. US card terminals let you add tip post-charge in most cases. European card terminals usually require tip entered at point of sale. Tour guide tipping? $15–$25/person for a half-day public tour, $40–$80/person for a private guide or full-day specialist (Vatican, Pompeii, Marrakech souks). Spa tips? 15–20% US, 10% Europe, 0% Japan. Hotel concierge who scored you a dinner reservation? $10–$25 cash. Free breakfast buffet tipping? $1–$2 for the person who clears. Uber/Lyft? 15–20% in the US; app-based tipping in Europe varies; no tipping culture in Japan/Korea. Bellhops? $2–$3/bag in the US, €1–€2 in Europe.
Troubleshooting: you tipped too much and felt awkward
Happens most to Americans in Japan and Korea where tipping is literally returned. If service staff try to give back cash, accept — insisting is rude. In Europe, tipping 20% US-style at a €40 meal (€8) is over-tipping by €6–€8 — server takes it gratefully but it's not expected. Frame tipping abroad as a local cultural practice, not the American default applied globally. Download a tipping app (Globe Tipping) before your first trip to a new region and reference until the norms feel natural.
Related tools
Use with meal cost abroad, currency conversion fee, and trip budget.