Tipping by Country
By Numerly · Updated · 9 min read
Tipping is one of the most reliable ways to give away your status as a tourist. Locals know the rules; visitors guess, and the guesses tend toward the country they came from. Americans abroad over-tip and embarrass servers. Travelers visiting the US under-tip and end up rude without knowing it.
This guide pulls together the conventions for restaurants, taxis, and hotels across more than 50 countries — what locals actually do, not what guidebooks say they should do. If you only need the math, our tip calculator handles bill splits instantly. The harder question is whether and how much — and that depends entirely on where you are.
Quick reference table
Restaurant tipping, taxi tipping, and hotel housekeeping by country. "Round up" means round the bill to the next convenient number — usually a single-digit currency unit.
| Country | Restaurant | Taxi | Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 18–20% | 15–20% | $2–5/night |
| Canada | 15–20% | 10–15% | C$2–5/night |
| Mexico | 10–15% | Round up | 20–50 pesos/night |
| United Kingdom | 10–15% (or included) | Round up | £1–2/bag |
| Ireland | 10–15% | Round up | €1–2/bag |
| France | Round up or 5–10% | Round up | €1–2/bag |
| Germany | 5–10% | Round up | €1–2/bag |
| Italy | Round up or 5–10% | Not expected | €1/bag |
| Spain | Round up or 5–10% | Round up | €1/bag |
| Portugal | 5–10% | Round up | €1/bag |
| Netherlands | Round up or 5–10% | Round up | €1–2/bag |
| Belgium | Round up or 5% | Not expected | €1/bag |
| Switzerland | Round up | Round up | CHF 1–2/bag |
| Austria | 5–10% | Round up | €1–2/bag |
| Greece | 5–10% | Round up | €1/bag |
| Sweden | Round up | Not expected | Not expected |
| Norway | Round up | Not expected | Not expected |
| Denmark | Not expected | Not expected | Not expected |
| Finland | Not expected | Not expected | Not expected |
| Iceland | Not expected | Not expected | Not expected |
| Poland | 10% | Round up | 5–10 zł/bag |
| Czech Republic | 10% | Round up | 20–50 Kč/bag |
| Hungary | 10–15% | 10% | 200–500 Ft/bag |
| Turkey | 5–10% | Round up | 5–10 TL/bag |
| United Arab Emirates | 10–15% | Round up | AED 5–10/bag |
| Saudi Arabia | 10–15% | Round up | SAR 5–10/bag |
| Israel | 12–15% | Round up | 5–10 ILS/bag |
| Egypt | 10–15% | Round up | 10–20 EGP/bag |
| South Africa | 10–15% | 10% | R10–20/bag |
| Kenya | 10% | Round up | $1–2/bag |
| Morocco | 10% | Round up | 10–20 MAD/bag |
| India | 5–10% (or included) | Round up | 50–100 ₹/bag |
| Pakistan | 5–10% | Round up | 100–200 ₨/bag |
| Sri Lanka | 10% (or included) | Round up | 200–500 LKR/bag |
| Thailand | Round up or 10% | Round up | 20–50 ฿/bag |
| Vietnam | Round up | Round up | 20,000–50,000 ₫/bag |
| Indonesia | 5–10% (or included) | Round up | 10,000–20,000 Rp/bag |
| Malaysia | Not expected | Round up | RM 2–5/bag |
| Singapore | Not expected (service charge added) | Not expected | S$2/bag |
| Philippines | 10% (or included) | Round up | 20–50 ₱/bag |
| Hong Kong | Round up (service charge added) | Round up | HK$10/bag |
| China | Not expected | Not expected | Not expected |
| Taiwan | Not expected | Not expected | NT$50/bag (luxury only) |
| South Korea | Not expected | Not expected | Not expected |
| Japan | Not expected (may offend) | Not expected | Not expected |
| Australia | Not expected, 10% appreciated | Not expected | Not expected |
| New Zealand | Not expected, 10% for great service | Not expected | Not expected |
| Brazil | 10% (often included) | Round up | R$5–10/bag |
| Argentina | 10% | Round up | ARS 200–500/bag |
| Chile | 10% | Round up | CLP 1,000–2,000/bag |
| Peru | 10% (or included) | Round up | S/5–10/bag |
| Colombia | 10% (often included) | Round up | COP 5,000–10,000/bag |
How tipping works in each region
United States and Canada
In the US, tipped workers can legally be paid as little as $2.13 per hour in cash wages — the tip is the wage. Standard restaurant tip is 18–20% of the pre-tax bill, with 25%+ for exceptional service. Bartenders get $1–2 per drink or 15–20% on a tab. Taxis and rideshares: 15–20%. Hotel housekeeping: $2–5 per night, left daily so the right person receives it. Canada is similar but slightly lower across the board: 15% is acceptable, 18% is the new standard.
Western Europe
Service is included by law in most Western European restaurants — look for the line on the bill. Locals round up to the nearest convenient amount (closing out a €27.50 bill with €30, or leaving a €2 coin) or, at nicer establishments, leave 5–10%. The big anomaly is the UK, where many restaurants now add an 'optional service charge' of 12.5%; if it's there, no additional tip is needed. France in particular: tipping more than 10% can come across as showing off.
Scandinavia
Tipping in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland is genuinely optional. Hospitality wages are high enough that workers don't depend on it. Locals occasionally round up a restaurant bill but rarely leave more than 5%. Taxi drivers and hotel staff do not expect anything. Leaving a US-style 20% will be received politely but is unusual.
Eastern Europe
Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary expect a modest 10–15% in restaurants. The trick: tell the server the rounded-up total when paying — don't leave coins on the table, since taking change back and leaving cash separately can confuse the bill. In Russia and Ukraine, 10% is standard; round numbers are preferred.
East Asia
The 'no tip' zone. Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan generally do not have tipping cultures, and in Japan tipping can be seen as an awkward suggestion that the worker isn't being paid properly. The exception is high-end international hotels in major cities — bellhops there may accept a small tip without surprise. Hong Kong adds a 10% service charge to bills automatically; rounding up the remainder is the locals' move.
Southeast Asia
Tipping is creeping in, especially in tourist areas. Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines: round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants if a service charge isn't already added. Singapore officially has no tipping culture (and a 10% service charge is added to most bills), though tipping is slowly becoming common at high-end venues. Malaysia: tipping is not expected outside tourist hotels.
South Asia
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka generally see 5–10% as the restaurant norm, often replaced by a service charge in mid-range and upmarket places. Tip the bellhop and housekeeping a small amount in local currency. Taxi drivers expect a round-up rather than a percentage. Indian Railways porters traditionally receive ₹20–50 per bag.
Middle East
Restaurant tipping is 10–15% across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Egypt. Many high-end hotels and restaurants add a service charge — in that case, an additional 5% in cash for the server is appreciated. Taxi drivers expect rounding up rather than a percentage. Egypt has a strong baksheesh culture: small cash tips for many small services.
Africa
South Africa is the most tip-heavy: 10–15% in restaurants, 10% in taxis, R10–20 per bag for porters. Kenya and Tanzania: 10% is standard for sit-down meals; safari guides receive $10–20 per day. Morocco runs on small cash tips for almost every service — keep small denominations of dirhams in your pocket.
Latin America
Most of South and Central America expects 10% in restaurants, often already included on the bill (look for 'serviço' in Brazil, 'propina' or 'servicio' elsewhere). Argentine cash tips are particularly appreciated given the currency dynamics. Taxi drivers across the region expect rounding up rather than a fixed percentage. Mexico: 10–15%, more in tourist zones.
Australia and New Zealand
Hospitality wages are among the highest in the world, so tipping is not expected. A 10% tip for exceptional restaurant service is appreciated and increasingly common in major cities, but no one will be offended if you don't. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and bartenders: no tip required.
Tipping by service type
Restaurant rules don't transfer cleanly to other situations. Some quick guidance.
- Bars and cafes
- Counter service: a small change tip or round-up almost everywhere. Table service at a bar: same as restaurants in tip-heavy countries (15–20% in the US, 5–10% in Europe). Specialty coffee shops in major US cities now have card prompts up to 25% — locals routinely tip 10% or skip.
- Taxis and rideshares
- In the US and Canada, 15–20% of the fare. Most of Europe and Asia: round up to the nearest convenient amount. Rideshare apps (Uber, Lyft, Bolt) add in-app tipping in most markets — driver preferences vary, but in the US drivers strongly prefer cash tips, while in Europe in-app tips are normal.
- Hotel staff
- Bellhops/porters: $1–2 per bag in tip-heavy countries, local equivalent elsewhere. Housekeeping: $2–5 per night in the US, left daily on the pillow with a brief note so the right person receives it. Concierge: $5–20 for non-trivial help (restaurant reservations, hard-to-get tickets). Doormen: small tip for hailing a cab or carrying bags.
- Tour guides and drivers
- Multi-day private tours: $10–20 per day for the guide, $5–10 for the driver, in local or USD. Group day tours: $5–10 per person for the guide. Free walking tours (Europe especially): the entire model is tip-based — €5–15 per person depending on length and quality.
- Hair, spa, and salon
- US/Canada: 15–20% on the service total. Most of Europe and Asia: round up or 5–10% for an excellent cut, treatment, or massage. In Japan and Korea, no tip is expected even in expensive spas.
- Food delivery
- US: $3–5 or 10–15% of the order, more in bad weather, for stairs, or for long distances. Europe and most of Asia: not expected for app delivery; small cash tips for personal couriers are appreciated.
Common mistakes
Tipping on top of an already-included service charge
The most expensive habit Americans bring abroad. If the bill has a service charge line (servizio, service, gratuity), the tip is the line. Adding another 18% on top is generous but unnecessary, and in many countries the server won't actually receive the extra amount.
Tipping in US dollars when local currency is available
USD looks polite but creates a problem for the worker — they have to find a place to exchange small bills, often at unfavorable rates. Carry local cash in small denominations specifically for tipping.
Under-tipping in the US as a non-American
The other direction. In countries where 10% is normal, leaving 10% on a US restaurant bill is read as a complaint or as ignorance. Tipped workers in the US legitimately depend on the 18–20% — it's part of how they're paid, not a bonus.
Card tipping in cash-tip cultures
In some European and Asian countries, card tips are pooled, taxed differently, or kept by the establishment rather than reaching the individual worker. When in doubt, leave a cash tip even if you're paying the bill by card.
How to calculate quickly
The math is straightforward: bill × percentage = tip. Use the tip calculator for instant splits across multiple people. For mental math: 10% is the bill with the decimal moved one place left. 20% is twice that. 15% is halfway between. For 18%, take 20% and subtract a tenth.
Frequently asked
- Which countries do not expect tips at all?
- Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Singapore are the strongest "no tip" cultures. In Japan, tipping can be seen as rude or confusing. In Scandinavia and Singapore, service charges are built into the price or workers earn full wages without gratuities.
- Why do Americans tip so much?
- Tipped workers in the US receive a federal minimum cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour, and the tip is treated as part of their actual pay rather than a bonus. In most other countries, hospitality workers earn the full minimum wage by law, so the tip is genuinely extra.
- How do I know if a service charge is already included?
- Look at the bottom of the bill for words like "service compris" (French), "servizio incluso" (Italian), "Bedienung" (German), or simply "service charge". In the UK, this is usually labeled "discretionary service charge" — you can ask for it to be removed if service was poor.
- Do I tip on tax?
- In countries where tipping is percentage-based, locals typically tip on the pre-tax subtotal. In the US, tipping on the total (post-tax) is increasingly common and considered more generous. Either is acceptable; the difference is small.
- Should I tip in cash or on the card?
- Cash gets to the worker directly and same-day. Card tips may take days to clear and in some countries (notably parts of Europe and Asia) get pooled or kept by the establishment. When in doubt, tip in cash.
- What about tipping in US dollars when abroad?
- Avoid it unless you are in a heavily-touristed area where dollars are explicitly accepted. Local currency is always safer, more useful to the worker, and considered more respectful.
- Do I tip on takeout, drive-thru, or counter service?
- Takeout and counter service are optional almost everywhere. In the US, $1–2 or 10% on takeout is considered generous but not expected. Quick-service and drive-thru: no tip required.