Common questions
What if the country I am visiting is not on the list?
A safe general rule is to check whether a service charge is already added to your bill first. If it is not, look at what locals do rather than what feels normal from home, since tipping habits from your own country do not transfer well to unfamiliar destinations.
What if a service charge is already included?
Check your bill for wording such as service compris, service charge or coperto. If one of these is present, an additional tip is a bonus for exceptional service rather than an expectation, and a small amount or rounding up is usually plenty.
Is it rude not to tip in countries where tipping is not customary?
No, and in some cases the opposite is true. In Japan, South Korea and Singapore, leaving a tip can confuse staff or come across as implying they need extra payment to do their job properly. Excellent service is simply the cultural standard in these destinations, not something tipped for separately.
Does this cover tipping for taxis, hotels and tour guides too?
This calculator focuses on restaurants and bars, since that is where most travellers need quick guidance. As a rough guide elsewhere, taxi drivers are typically tipped less than restaurant staff, hotel housekeeping is often tipped a small flat amount per night left in the room, and tour guides on full-day tours are usually tipped more generously than a single meal.