When planning a trip, most seasoned travelers spend countless hours planning every aspect of the trip, from sights to visit and restaurants to eat at. But with all that planning, it can be easy to forget some of the smaller details, like how much you should be tipping while you’re out of the country. Or should you even tip at all? Don’t worry! We have your back. This one-stop guide tells you just how much you should be tipping, anywhere in the world.
Africa & Middle East
Always check the bill to see if gratuity is included but, if it’s not, 10% is standard in this region.
Asia
Tipping throughout Asia is starting to become a little more acceptable, whereas in the past it was not and was sometimes even considered rude. In China, particularly in Hong Kong, if you decide to tip, 5–10% is the norm. But if traveling to Japan, don’t feel obligated; it’s still generally an unpracticed custom there. When at a bar in either China or Japan, tipping bartenders is not generally done, but elsewhere in Asia, aim for about 10%.
Australia & New Zealand
Tipping isn’t generally practiced here, but if you have an exceptionally pleasant experience, there’s nothing wrong with adding on an extra 5 or 10% to your bill. At bars, tipping is completely unexpected.
Europe
Most wait staff throughout Europe make a living wage, so tipping is at your discretion. (And occasionally will be automatically added to your bill, anyway.) If gratuity is automatically added, an extra 5% is a nice gesture for good service; if not, 10% is fine. Also, be warned: in Germany, it’s considered rude if you leave the tip on the table, so be sure to hand it directly to your waiter. At bars, tips aren’t necessary, but feel free to leave a little something.
Mexico & the Caribbean
Like the U.S., many restaurant workers in both Mexico and the Caribbean rely on their tips to make a living salary. Most resort locations will add the gratuity to the check, but when it’s left up to you, 15% is the norm.
South America
10% is the standard to tip in South America, but always double-check your bill. While some South American countries, like Argentina and Uruguay, tend to leave the gratuity up to the customer, others, like Brazil and Peru, will add it to the bill.