Even the most seasoned travelers may find tipping while traveling complicated and stressful.
After all, most of us want to thank the right people for great service and don’t want to stiff-arm low-wage employees who may rely on tips. At the same time, we did not want to double-pay a service charge already included in the bill or inadvertently insult someone abroad.
So, who deserves a tip, and when and where should you tip? Also, how much should you tip?
Tipping customs vary depending on your destination and type of trip. For hotels, tips depend on the room rate, level of service and details of your stay. (Did you refuse housekeeping service while traveling? Or did you throw a huge all-night party and make a mess?)
Here’s what you need to know to help you decide how much to tip in specific travel situations, from tours to hotels to all-inclusive vacations.
Tips for tour guides
Let’s start with how much to tip your tour guide. As with when you dine at a restaurant, it’s generally accepted that you should tip your tour guide based on the level of service you received.
For tour guides, we recommend tipping 10% to 20% of the entire tour cost. Of course, if you wish, you are always welcome (and encouraged) to tip extra for excellent service. If you are traveling in a group, consider tipping the driver and local guides who meet you along the way. This usually only costs a few dollars per day.
Who to tip at a hotel?
When many hotels canceled room service during the COVID-19 pandemic, I no longer traveled with cash specifically for room service tips.
But if anyone in the hotel needs to tip, it’s for room service. Many experts agree that you should tip housekeeping staff $3 to $5 per day, depending on the length of your stay, the room rate, and the level of service.
Reward your inbox with the TPG daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
“These are the hardest working people in the hotel and the most underappreciated,” Tom Waithe, general manager of the Alexis Hotel in Seattle, previously told TPG.
As a rule of thumb, baggage handlers who help you carry your luggage at hotels (and airports) should be paid between $1 and $5 per bag. Round up for large groups of luggage or when the attendant must make multiple trips or handle items that are fragile or have special requirements.
For a car valet, a few dollars is usually appropriate; you may need to tip more if the valet is delivering on an urgent request. If you are staying at a hotel for a while and expect to use your car frequently, give the valet a larger tip of approximately $10 and explain your situation. You probably park your car closer every day and deliver ahead of other people’s cars.
Housekeepers and concierges, especially those at luxury hotels, should also base their tips on the service they provide you. Tipping the front desk staff is also a way to get better service during an extended stay at a hotel.
So who doesn’t need a tip at a hotel? The person who delivers room service has already added a (usually hefty) service charge to the bill, so no tip is required. Of course, you can still tip them as you wish. In rare cases, if a tip is not included, or you ask the staff for some unconventional service, then a tip is required in these cases.
RELATED: Hotel Lodging Innovation: How to Provide Guests with a Next Level Experience
Tips around the world
If you’ve ever traveled outside of the United States, you’ve likely received mixed messages about tipping or confused faces from non-Americans when discussing the country’s tipping culture.
In some countries, such as Australia, Japan and China, tipping is not common. This is actually frowned upon in Japan.
Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato, told TPG: “Tipping abroad is about more than just exchanging currency. Many countries and cultures have their own nuanced views on this sometimes delicate issue.” In Australia, tipping is “uncommon” and can even make the recipient feel a little uncomfortable.
Otherwise, you should distribute tips as you would in the United States when visiting most of Europe, tourist areas of Mexico, the Caribbean (excluding all-inclusive resorts), and Canada. Tipping is also customary in India and the Middle East.
In Central and South America, it is popular to keep a small amount of local currency. If you are traveling to Africa, you may encounter more intricacies depending on whether you are going on a safari or staying in a city hotel in a big city.
If you’re not sure about the customs of a particular destination, always ask people around you, or err on the side of being generous.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to European Tipping
When to tip on an all-inclusive holiday
Speaking of all-inclusive resorts, be aware that if you take a cruise or stay at an all-inclusive resort, a daily service fee is usually included in your bill. However, be sure to double check your bill or ask at the front desk when checking in. Also, be sure to verify what is included in the hotel’s resort fee, even for non-inclusive properties.
Most traditional all-inclusive resorts, such as Sandals in the Caribbean, include gratuity, said Lindsey Epperly Sulek, founder of Jetset World Travel and an expert on Caribbean travel.
If tips aren’t included, you can follow the hotel guidelines mentioned earlier: bellhops $1 to $5 per bag, housekeeping $5 per day (leave each day), room service at no additional cost (if included in the bill), and concierge service on a sliding scale based on the difficulty of the task.
If you are traveling from an all-inclusive resort (such as a safari), tip your guide and driver.
Related: America’s Best All-Inclusive Resorts for a Great Vacation
Tip the staff during your cruise
Whether it’s a service charge or a tip, cruise lines automatically charge passengers’ onboard accounts every day — sometimes as much as $25 per person per day — designed to replace cash tips. This policy was created so that cruisers don’t feel obligated to tip or worry about when and where to tip.
In addition to passenger-facing crew members (such as stewards and cabin crew), many other crew members also charge a portion of the service fee. This includes people who wash dishes and work in cruise ship laundry rooms. You can pay these fees in advance or add them to your onboard bill. You can adjust your tip amount during the cruise by visiting the Guest Services Desk.
If you want to provide an extra incentive for crew members who go above and beyond, mention them in your post-voyage survey so they can receive a higher level of recognition. This may have more long-term benefits than tipping.
If you find yourself on a cruise that doesn’t charge a daily tip, or you want to tip extra for great service, be sure to bring cash. There may also be a tip box at reception.
Do you have a favorite bartender or server on your cruise? Tipping extra early in your trip will help ensure above-average service continues throughout your vacation. Keep in mind that most cruise ship bar purchases and spa treatments automatically include a tip of around 15% to 18%. No additional tip is required unless you wish.
Related: Can I Cancel Prepaid Gratuities on a Cruise?
Tip flight attendants and airport employees
Generally speaking, airline employees, such as flight attendants, are not allowed to accept tips on the job. However, airport staff can do this.
One notable exception is Frontier Airlines, which has an in-flight tipping program.
Airline employee unions have long opposed allowing flight attendants to accept tips, which seems counterintuitive. However, labor laws allow employers to pay less than the minimum wage if the employee regularly receives tips. Don’t be insulted if a flight attendant rejects your tip—they do it to protect their wages.
Many airlines offer ways for passengers to recognize the service provided by flight attendants and other employees. This may have a more positive impact than your dollar tip for a gin and tonic.
If you want to say thank you to a flight attendant who was particularly friendly or helpful, keep in mind that gifts such as snacks or coffee shop gift cards will work.
bottom line
Tipping when traveling is often customary, depending on where you are going, the service you receive, and the level of service provided.
Bookmark this guide for your next international trip.
Related reading:
