Tippping Guidelines

[HleeCruiser]

Looking for some guidelines for tipping the driver who conducts a private tour consisting from 6 to 8 passengers. As I understand they are not licensed guides and may not conduct tours inside venues.

 

Appreciate your thoughts or experience you may share.

 

Henry

[cruisestitch]

This will probably vary from country to country -- what's the tour and where?

[Desertbelle]

We usually tip about 10% of the price of the tour, and add and subtract as per experience. One of our best tour guides got nearly 50% of the cost of the tour, he was exceptional, went above and beyond. A few have gotten about 2%....these were guides that did pretty much nothing, spoke horrible English even though we were told the tour would be in English, and added nothing positive to the tour but to get us back safely.

 

We have also tipped the drivers on occasion, especially if he did a great job.

[HleeCruiser]

The tour will be out of Naples and it is for the driver of the private vehicle. There is no Guide as defined by Italian law. Driver will drive and make comments while in or near the vehicle.

 

 

 

 

This will probably vary from country to country -- what's the tour and where?

[HleeCruiser]

We usually tip about 10% of the price of the tour, and add and subtract as per experience. One of our best tour guides got nearly 50% of the cost of the tour, he was exceptional, went above and beyond. A few have gotten about 2%....these were guides that did pretty much nothing, spoke horrible English even though we were told the tour would be in English, and added nothing positive to the tour but to get us back safely.

 

We have also tipped the drivers on occasion, especially if he did a great job.

 

We will have only a driver--no guide is involved.

[Desertbelle]

We will have only a driver--no guide is involved.

Tip whatever you are comfortable with. If he makes it a very enjoyable day and you appreciate his effort then probably 5-10% would be appropriate. If he knocks your socks off with interesting conversation and facts, then maybe a little more.

[HleeCruiser]

Appreciate everyones thoughts on tipping guidelines.

 

Henry

[gek]

You shouldn't feel obligated to tip at all in Italy. It's not really part of the culture and people don't usually expect it. However if (and only if) you are happy with the service it can't hurt to add 5-10%. Whatever you feel comfortable with really.

[Tiggertastic]

In the situation you quote, we have given upto 10% - we gauge it on what they did for us during the trip

[kyriecat]

There are some "extras" the drivers do even though they aren't really guides. For example, we did a tour in Rome and wanted to see the Colosseum and Forum. The ticket line around the Colosseum is usually very long. Our driver stopped at a less popular attraction that also sold tickets for the Colosseum so we were able to get our tickets without the long wait. We've also had drivers recommend local eating places (usually really good but not tourist spots) or take us to places that aren't the usual tourist spots but offer great views or local color. For that, we'll give something extra.

 

We've also had drivers who really were just drivers. They took us from stop A to B to C, etc., but either barely spoke English or had very limited knoweldge about the area. We'll usually just round the fare up a bit for that service.

 

One exception was a driver in Egypt. He didn't speak English very well, but he knew the city and how to drive. Traffic in Cairo scared the doo-doo out of me! Lanes and traffic signs seemed to be suggestions that no one followed. We were stuck in a traffic jam for a while. He found an alley about 1/2" wider than the car to bypass the wreck.

[4774Papa]

We usually tip for a full day tour $5 and $2 for the driver.

[Bababooey Land]

I would tip between 5% - 10% depending on your satisfaction with the driver. Enjoy, Naples is great!!

[4774Papa]

I would not tip according to what the ship charges for the excursion, since there is some profit and admin fee on top of the cost of the tour.