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Traveling to Europe can be a thrilling yet puzzling experience, especially when it comes to the custom of tipping. Unlike in the United States, where tipping between 15% and 20% is the norm, European countries vary widely in their tipping culture. Thankfully, travel expert Rick Steves provides some clarity on this topic. When checking into or out of your hotel, it’s courteous to tip your bellhop one euro per bag and leave a small token for housekeeping. However, if you opt not to tip, that’s perfectly fine too. The key takeaway is that tips are appreciated but not expected. Beyond hotels, tipping rules differ in restaurants, taxis, and other services, with recommendations often leaning towards more modest amounts. So, while navigating Europe, remember that a little local knowledge goes a long way in making your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

Should Tourists Be Tipping At Hotels In Europe? Here’s What Rick Steves Says

When you travel outside of the United States, one of the first things you might wonder is how tipping works at your destination. While tipping between 15% and 20% at various establishments in the U.S. is customary, certain destinations like Japan and China actually find it rude to leave behind a tip. In some cases, your server might even chase you down the street to return any of the coins you left behind. So, when it comes to Europe, things can get a little fuzzy as to when, where, and how to tip — or if it’s even correct to do so.

One of the scenarios where you might be confronted with the dilemma is while checking into or out of your hotel. Indeed, knowing whether you should be tipping for room service or budgeting appropriately for tipping the housekeeper can cause some confusion. Lucky for you, travel expert and author Rick Steves has visited Europe enough times to offer some solid advice.

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Whether or Not to Tip is Up to You

According to Rick Steves, tipping in Europe varies by country. Spain’s tipping culture, for instance, is likely to differ greatly from London’s. However, one thing is generally consistent across the continent: No one necessarily expects a tip, but they do appreciate them. Let’s break down the specifics.

Tipping at Your Hotel

When at a hotel, Steves recommends tipping one euro for each bag to the bellhop or porter. Additionally, it’s thoughtful to leave a small tip for housekeeping staff. Ideally, though, a better way to show appreciation is to clean up after yourself and not leave the room in disarray at checkout. This is because two of the main things housekeeping dislikes are messy rooms and unnecessary clutter.

If you’re using vacation rental platforms like Airbnb, it’s generally advised to skip tipping. Since hosts set their own rates, there’s no need to add an extra tip.

More Tipping Customs in Europe

Beyond the hotel, there are other instances where you might feel inclined to leave a tip. Let’s discuss them.

Tipping at Restaurants

At restaurants, Steves notes that a 5%-10% tip is appropriate. Anything beyond that may be seen as excessive. For most cases, simply leaving your change on the table or rounding up the bill should suffice.

Tipping for Taxi Rides

When taking a taxi, the tipping norm varies:

Ireland and Switzerland: Rounding up the fare is warmly welcomed.
Italy and Greece: Tips aren’t expected, but if the driver helps with your luggage, compensating them a bit extra is appreciated.

Other Service Providers

Tipping customs for other services depend on the nature of the service:

Hair Salons: High-end salons typically include an additional service charge.
Tour Guides: No additional tips are needed if you’ve paid for the tour upfront. However, a small tip of one or two euros is appreciated. For private tours, tipping between $10 and $20 is appropriate.

Country-Specific Tipping Practices

To better understand tipping norms, let’s look at specific countries:

Spain

Tipping isn’t customary, but appreciated. A small tip for exceptional service can be recognized.

France

Service charges are often included in restaurant bills but rounding up small amounts or leaving a few euros for exceptional service is common.

Germany

Rounding up the bill or adding 5%-10% is standard practice.

Italy

Service charges are often included, but rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated.

United Kingdom

Tipping 10%-15% at restaurants is standard, but only if no service charge is included.

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Other Helpful Tips

Budgeting for Tipping

It’s always smart to budget a little extra for tipping. Even if tips aren’t expected, they are always appreciated:

Hotel Bellhop: €1 per bag
Housekeeping: €2-€5 per night
Restaurant Staff: 5%-10% of the bill

When In Doubt

When you’re unsure, feel free to ask. Hotel staff, locals, or fellow travelers can often provide insight.

Cultural Sensitivity

Being sensitive to cultural differences can make a huge difference. In some European countries, tipping might not be customary, but kind gestures and good manners always make a positive impact.

Conclusion

Tipping in Europe can be a mixed bag, but by knowing the local customs and following Rick Steves’ guidelines, you’re sure to navigate this aspect of travel smoothly. Whether it’s your hotel, a restaurant, or other services, understanding tipping norms will help you show appreciation without feeling awkward or overstepping cultural boundaries. So, go ahead and enjoy your travels with this newfound confidence in tipping!

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