Travel Tips, Myths and FAQs

Foreign Travel Tipping Pointers

For general international guidelines, follow this cheat sheet

Foreign Travel Tipping Pointers
Klas Fahlen/Art Department
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Hotel Staff
Doormen and Bellhops: Tip $1 to $2 (or the local equivalent) per bag, and give $1 per person taking a hailed cab.
Housekeeping: Tip $2 to $5 per night. Leave it with a note, since most housekeepers aren't allowed to touch money that's lying out unattended.

Restaurant Employees
Australia: Tipping isn't expected but is common in tourist spots for good service; add 10 percent.
Austria: Most restaurants include a 10 to 15 percent service charge; tip an additional 5 to 7 percent.
Belgium: Restaurants often add a 16 percent gratuity, so pay only the total or round up to the nearest euro.
Canada: Tip as though you were in the United States.
China: In Hong Kong, 10 percent is usually added to the bill, but also give a 5 percent cash tip to the server directly. Tipping is not a practice on the mainland.
England: If the check includes a service charge, there is no need to tip extra. If no fee is added, tip 10 to 15 percent.
France: Add 5 percent to the 15 percent service charge.
Germany: Service is usually included in the bill, but an additional 10 to 15 percent is expected. Leaving a tip on the table is considered rude, so hand it to the waiter.
Greece: By law, 13 percent is added to the bill; leave 8 to 10 percent more for satisfactory service.
Ireland: A 10 to 15 percent fee is usually added. If not, tip at least that much.
Italy: Leave nothing extra if a service charge has been added or 10 percent if it hasn't.
Japan: Tipping is considered rude.
Mexico: Tip 10 to 20 percent if a gratuity is not included.
The Netherlands: Add an extra 5 to 10 percent to the service charge.
Spain: A 15 percent fee is usually included, but an additional 5 to 10 percent tip is customary.
Switzerland: A 15 percent fee is included; add a few francs for good service.
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