The Ultimate Worldwide Tipping Guide

Navigating tipping customs can be one of the trickiest parts of international travel. Give too much, and you might seem flashy; give too little (or nothing at all), and you could come across as rude. This guide breaks down tipping etiquette across major countries so you'll never be caught off guard.

United States: Tipping Is Expected

In the US, tipping is not optional — it's a fundamental part of the service industry. Many service workers earn a reduced minimum wage with the expectation that tips will make up the difference.

Service	Recommended Tip

Restaurants (sit-down)	15-20% (15% lunch, 18-20% dinner)
Bars/Cafes	$1-2 per drink or 15%
Taxi/Rideshare	15-20%
Hotel Bellhop	$1-2 per bag
Hotel Housekeeping	$2-5 per night
Hair Salon/Barber	15-20%
Food Delivery	15-20% or $3-5 minimum
Valet Parking	$2-5

Pro Tips for the US:

Calculate tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the total with tax

For large groups (6+), an automatic gratuity of 18-20% is often added

At buffets, tip 10% for drink refills and plate clearing

Never tip at fast-food or counter-service restaurants

Europe: Moderate Tipping

European tipping customs vary by country, but tips are generally lower than in the US since servers earn a living wage.

United Kingdom:

Restaurants: 10-15% if service charge isn't included (check the bill!)

Pubs: Not expected for drinks; round up for food

Taxis: Round up to nearest pound or 10%

France:

Restaurants: Service is included by law ("service compris"), but leaving 1-5€ extra for good service is appreciated

Cafes: Round up or leave small change

Taxis: 5-10% or round up

Germany:

Restaurants: 5-10% or round up to a convenient number

Say the total amount you want to pay when handing over cash

Taxis: Round up to nearest euro

Italy:

Restaurants: "Coperto" (cover charge, 1-3€) is standard; additional 5-10% for excellent service

Cafes: Leave small change on the counter

Taxis: Round up

Spain:

Restaurants: 5-10% or leave small change

Bars/Tapas: Small change or round up

Taxis: Round up

Japan: No Tipping

Japan is famous for its exceptional service — and its strict no-tipping culture. Leaving a tip can actually be considered rude or confusing, as excellent service is seen as a professional duty, not something requiring extra payment.

Restaurants: No tip (ever)

Taxis: No tip

Hotels: No tip (at traditional ryokans, a "kokorozuke" in an envelope may be given, but this is rare)

Tour guides: No tip expected

Important: If you accidentally leave money on the table, the staff may chase you down to return it!

South Korea: No Tipping

Like Japan, Korea does not have a tipping culture. Service charges are typically included in prices, especially at upscale establishments.

Restaurants: No tip needed

Taxis: No tip needed

Delivery: No tip needed

Hotels: No tip expected (bellhop service may receive 1,000-2,000 KRW at luxury hotels)

Southeast Asia: Small Tips Appreciated

Thailand: 20-50 THB at restaurants, round up for taxis Vietnam: 5-10% at upscale restaurants, small change elsewhere Philippines: 10% if service charge not included

Middle East: Moderate Tipping

UAE/Dubai: 10-15% at restaurants if not included Turkey: 5-10% at restaurants Egypt: 10-15% ("baksheesh" culture is common)

Quick Reference Chart

Country	Restaurant	Taxi	Hotel

USA	15-20%	15-20%	$2-5/night
UK	10-15%	Round up	£1-2/night
France	Included + 1-5€	5-10%	1-2€/night
Germany	5-10%	Round up	1-2€/night
Italy	Coperto + 5-10%	Round up	1-2€/night
Spain	5-10%	Round up	1€/night
Japan	None	None	None
South Korea	None	None	None
Thailand	20-50 THB	Round up	20-50 THB
Australia	Not expected	Round up	Not expected

Golden Rules of Tipping

Research before you travel — customs vary widely even within regions

When in doubt, ask locals — hotel concierges or local friends can advise

Cash is king — credit card tips don't always reach the server

Check the bill — many places include service charges already

Be generous where it matters — in countries where tips are expected, it's part of workers' livelihoods

Don't force it — in no-tip cultures, respect the local custom

Use our tip calculator to quickly figure out the right amount for any situation.

Tipping Guide Worldwide: How to Calculate Tips by Country