Tipping Question

I know this is very subjective and varies to the quality of service. However, we have booked a lot of private excursions and I would like to know what percentage is the norm that you would tip in Europe for a job well done for the private tours. Thanks for any suggestions. Also, is there difference between the amounts for France, Greece, Spain, Italy, & Turkey.

__________________

There have been several threads on this subject and opinions vary quite a bit.

One person indicated that 10% of the cost of tour was proper, others have indicated they don't tip tour guides at all.

We have taken tours (ship's and private) where the cost of the tour approximated $150 pp, which would mean a $30 tip if you agree with the 10%. I think that is a bit much.

We usually tip the tour guide (if good) from $10 to 10euros for a full day tour and the bus driver half of that.

Based on my observation of what I see people giving the guide and bus driver, I think that is close to the norm.

There have been several threads on this subject and opinions vary quite a bit.

 

One person indicated that 10% of the cost of tour was proper, others have indicated they don't tip tour guides at all.

 

We have taken tours (ship's and private) where the cost of the tour approximated $150 pp, which would mean a $30 tip if you agree with the 10%. I think that is a bit much.

 

We usually tip the tour guide (if good) from $10 to 10euros for a full day tour and the bus driver half of that.

 

Based on my observation of what I see people giving the guide and bus driver, I think that is close to the norm.

a 10% tip for a $150 tour would be $15 not $30

a 10% tip for a $150 tour would be $15 not $30

I was speaking of a tip for myself and DW.

In Europe it is not necessary to tip and not expected.

In Europe it is not necessary to tip and not expected.

We lived in Germany for four years and found the tipping quite different from the USA. However, we have found that the custom varies with the country. For example, we did a Black Sea cruise in 2013, while Crimea was still Ukrainian. Clearly, a modest tip was the custom.

Also, while tipping in restaurants is not customary in Scandinavia, we found that our tour guides in Copenhagen, Denmark and Bergen, Norway were not insulted by a modest tip

Further, we dined in several restaurants in Copenhagen where it was clearly indicated that service was not included in the food prices. That being the case, we left a 10% tip.

I wouldn't relate the size of the tip to the cost of the tour. A good guide is a good guide, and if the tour is more expensive, it doesn't mean that the identical guide is suddenly worth more.

It depends, basically. I go approx. £5 pp for an ordinary good guide, £10 for exceptional or if the guide is particularly needy (eg. in Gambia). Nothing for the guide who took us to Masada and spent more time in the gift shop than on top of the mountain. :(

We tip, not based upon the cost of the tour, some of our excursions were up to $140 pp, but how well we felt the guides did.

We just did the Canary Islands, and most of our tours were 8+ hour tours, but also in 40-50 passenger tour buses.

DW would usually give $20E for the both of us to the tour guide. I suppose they split this with the driver.

One tour & guide were so bad, I suggested nothing, but DW gave $10E.

Some guides were nothing but escorts on the bus.

I saw many folks did not tip, that's up to them.

Do what you feel is right for you, how well you thought they did. Every tour & guide is different, and consider this in your tipping.

In many countries in Europe including mine - Switzerland - service is always included for waiters, room maids etc But tour guides and drivers fall into a slightly different category, and I tip 5 USD or EURO to the guide or the equivalent and 1USD EURO to the driver IF, and only IF the guide or driver has done a good job. And that is per person on the tour. Otherwise I do not tip. With a private tour I tip 10% to the guide IF s/he has been good and 5 USD to the driver. Or thereabouts. Depends on the service etc rendered.

In many countries in Europe including mine - Switzerland - service is always included for waiters, room maids etc But tour guides and drivers fall into a slightly different category, and I tip 5 USD or EURO to the guide or the equivalent and 1USD EURO to the driver IF, and only IF the guide or driver has done a good job. And that is per person on the tour. Otherwise I do not tip. With a private tour I tip 10% to the guide IF s/he has been good and 5 USD to the driver. Or thereabouts. Depends on the service etc rendered.

Thank you, your information is very helpful!

We lived in Germany for four years and found the tipping quite different from the USA. However, we have found that the custom varies with the country. For example, we did a Black Sea cruise in 2013, while Crimea was still Ukrainian. Clearly, a modest tip was the custom.

Also, while tipping in restaurants is not customary in Scandinavia, we found that our tour guides in Copenhagen, Denmark and Bergen, Norway were not insulted by a modest tip

 

Further, we dined in several restaurants in Copenhagen where it was clearly indicated that service was not included in the food prices. That being the case, we left a 10% tip.

Thank you. You have responded to several of my questions on these boards and I always appreciate your input.

Here at home, I know I always tip over 20% for wait staff, etc. I was uncertain what was normal in other countries and in particular for the tours.