Tipping Abroad: Here’s What You Should Know…
If you’ve ever traveled to a new destination and asked yourself, What am I supposed to tip here? …then this guide is especially for you!
This post will walk you through where tipping is expected, where it’s optional, and where it’s a whole cultural faux pas.
Two things to keep in mind…
“Keep the change” is still a thing AND the “Service Charge” doesn’t always mean the same thing.
Let’s talk about it…
First… outside the United States, most people are not doing the mental gymnastics of calculating 18%, 20%, 25% plus whatever the iPad screen guilt-trips you into choosing. In much of the world, tipping is not a math class — it’s a gesture. And the gesture most people make is simply: rounding up the bill. Full stop.
Instead of adding a whole percentage breakdown, many cultures practice something more subtle and more stylish: “keep the change.” If the bill is €18, you hand over a €20, and that’s the end of the story.
- No drama.
- No extra screen popping up with suggested percentages.
- No waiter side-eye.
- No one assuming you’re broke because you didn’t dish out an extra 15%.
Let me be clear… this isn’t stinginess. It’s cultural etiquette.
In places where workers earn a living wage or where hospitality is viewed as a point of pride rather than a tip-dependent hustle, a clean, rounded number is the respectful choice. And, in countries where tipping isn’t expected at all, anything more than that can actually feel awkward, confusing, or even rude.
When you travel internationally, you don’t need to drag U.S. tipping anxiety across borders. Sometimes the most gracious, culturally aligned thing you can do is simply hand over the cash, smile, and let them keep the change — literally.
Skip To…
| Regional Tipping Norms |
|---|
| North America |
| Europe |
| Asia |
| Latin America |
| Africa |
| Oceania |
Image Courtesy of Thrillist/Hawaiian Islands
Secondly, the service charge can differ from country to country. In some places you could be overtipping and in others, you may not be tipping at all (when it’s expected).
Here are 4 types of service charges you may encounter while traveling:
1. Sometimes the Service Charge IS the Tip
And, you do not need to add more.
- Many restaurants in Mexico
- Most of Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Croatia)
- Some places in Southeast Asia
- Tourist-heavy cafés and beachfront restaurants
- What to do:
- Pay the bill as-is
- Add a round up or “keep the change” if the service was great
2. Sometimes the Service Charge Goes to the House (Not the Staff)
Add a small extra tip (5–10%) if service was good.
You may see this in places like:
- France
- Italy
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- What to do:
- Check the fine print
- Leave €1–€3 or round up for great service
- Don’t rush to add U.S. style 20%
3. Sometimes the Service Charge Is Just a “Tourist Zone Tax”
Not a tip at all — more like a cover charge.
You may see this in:
- Busy areas of Cancún, Tulum, Cabo
- Resorts and tourist hubs
- High-traffic restaurants in major European cities
- Certain cruise-port restaurants
- What to do:
- Consider leaving 5–10% if service was genuinely good
- Or just pay the bill as-is
- No need to double-tip
4. In No-Tip Cultures, Service Charge Is Literally All You Should Pay
Adding more can make it weird…
Folks in no-tip cultures aren’t really impressed with US tipping habits.
This includes:
- Japan
- South Korea
- Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland
- Australia, New Zealand
- What to do:
- Pay the bill & keep it moving – Do NOT tip.
Now let’s break tipping habits down region by region.
1. North America: The Land of 15–20% (and Tip Screens Everywhere)
In the U.S. and Canada, tipping is part of workers’ income, not just a “nice to have.” 15–20% at restaurants is still standard, even though we’re all tired of the iPad spinning around with 25% already highlighted for you.
North America Tipping on Average
| Country/Region | Restaurants (Table Service) | Taxis/Rideshare | Hotels (Housekeeping) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 18–20% | 10–15% or round up | $2–$5 per night | Strong tipping culture; many service wages assume tips. (World Population Review) |
| Canada | 15–20% | 10–15% | Similar to U.S. | Almost same as U.S., maybe slightly lower in some areas. (The Australian) |
| Mexico | 10–15% if no service charge | 10% or round up | $1–$2 per bag $2–$5 per night | Check bills; service charges common in tourist zones. (Lonely Planet) |
| Caribbean | 10–15% or follow resort guidance | Round up | Depends – many all-inclusive resorts include gratuities | Ask if tips are pooled or already included. (Lonely Planet) |
2. Europe: Keep The Change
In much of Europe, dining out doesn’t come with the pressure-cooker tipping culture we’re used to in the U.S. Service staff typically earn a livable wage, so tips function as a bonus for great service, not the make-or-break part of someone’s paycheck. That means the European approach to tipping is far more relaxed, intentional, and honestly… refreshing. Instead of pulling out your calculator to hit a perfect 20%, most locals simply leave a small 5–10%, or even just say “keep the change” — and that’s perfectly acceptable.
In some countries, like Italy or France, the bill already includes a service charge (and sometimes a coperto, which is not a tip but a cover charge that usually include the extras brought to your table). Therefore leaving extra is purely based on how you felt about the experience. And in the Nordic countries? Tipping is barely a thing at all — the service charge, the prices, and the wages already cover it.
Europe’s entire tipping philosophy is built on the idea that hospitality is part of the job, not a transaction. This is why rounding up a few euros is seen as thoughtful… not cheap.
Tipping in Europe
| Countries | Restaurant Norm | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland | -No tip expected -Round up for exceptional service | Service usually built into higher prices. (Lonely Planet) |
| France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands | -Service often included -Round up or leave 5–10% for great service | Look for “service compris” or “coperto” on the bill. (Lonely Planet) |
| Spain, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Croatia, Czechia | – 5–10% if no service charge on bill | Locals often just round up; tourists go slightly higher. (MoneyWeek) |
| UK, Ireland | -10–12.5% if service not included | In pubs, you usually don’t tip per drink. (The Australian) |
3. Asia: Where “No Tip” and a Thank You Can Be the Polite Thing
This is where a lot of U.S. travelers get tripped up. Tipping in parts of Asia isn’t just different, it can be genuinely awkward if you don’t know the norms. In many Asian countries, especially East Asia, tipping isn’t part of the cultural script at all. Great service isn’t seen as something you “reward” with extra cash; it’s a baseline expectation rooted in pride, hospitality, and respect. That means sliding a few bills across the table can make people uncomfortable.
And here’s the plot twist: in a lot of places, especially Japan and Kerala, the best “tip” you can leave is a glowing TripAdvisor or Google review. Truly! I’ve had countless experiences where staff smiled and bowed at the mention of a positive review — as if I handed them a five-star envelope.
In Southeast Asia, the rules are a little more flexible: rounding up or leaving a tiny token is appreciated in tourist areas, but still not required.
Brunch, Bali
The key is remembering that Asia is vast, varied, and full of nuance. What feels generous in one country can feel uncomfortable in another. Context matters. So instead of reaching for your wallet out of habit, reach for cultural awareness — sometimes the kindest thing you can give is gratitude, not gratuity.
Tipping in Asia
| Tipping Culture | Countries | Restaurant Norm |
|---|---|---|
| Tipping is often refused | Japan, South Korea, much of China | No tipping at all. It may even be refused |
| No Tradition but Tips Accepted in Tourist Areas | Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia (Bali), Malaysia | Round up or 5–10% in tourist restaurants |
| Tipping Expected | India, parts of Nepal | Small tips normal for porters, drivers; 5–10% in restaurants |
| Hybrid / Service Charge Heavy | Hong Kong, Singapore | 10% service charge often added; no extra required |
4. Latin America & the Caribbean: 10% Is the Sweet Spot
Now, Latin America is unique in that it is a “light tipping” region—not U.S.-level, but not zero either. Latin America is one of the most beautifully nuanced tipping regions in the world — and honestly, a lot of travelers get it wrong because they assume it works like the U.S. (it doesn’t) or like Europe (also… it doesn’t). Instead, Latin America embraces more of a “light tipping culture.” Not heavy enough to out the calculator, but still meaningful enough that it matters.
In much of Latin America, tipping is less about percentages and more about acknowledging service in a simple, human way. A few coins on the table. Rounding up the bill. Leaving the small change for the person who carried your luggage or guided you through a local market. These gestures go a long way — not because workers are aggressively tip-dependent like in the U.S., but because tipping is a recognized as a “thank you for your hospitality” without being the whole salary.
Tipping in Latin America & Caribbean
| Region | Restaurant Norm | Taxis | Hotels/Tours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico & Central America | 10–15% if service not included | 5–10% or round up | $1–$2 per bag; $5–$10/day for guides | Very tourist-dependent; always check for service charges. (Lonely Planet) |
| South America (Brazil, Peru, Argentina, etc.) | 10% standard; often a service fee on bill | Round up; no big tips expected | $5–$10/day for guides, drivers | Some countries include service by default; extra is optional. |
| Caribbean Islands | 10–15% in restaurants; follow resort rules | 10% or round up | Check if your all-inclusive includes tips | Cruise-heavy ports may have U.S.-style expectations. (Lonely Planet) |
5. Africa & the Middle East: Tips Expected
In many African and Middle Eastern countries, tipping isn’t just polite, it can be somewhat impactful. In a lot of destinations across these regions, wages for service workers, guides, drivers, and hotel staff are modest, so tips help bridge that gap in a meaningful way. Think of it less like a bonus and more like a quiet, steady support system built into the travel experience.
Whether you’re on a safari in Kenya, taking a guided tour through Morocco, or being helped by porters in Egypt or Jordan, tipping is woven into the rhythm of hospitality. It’s not about over-tipping or U.S.-style pressure; it’s about offering a kind, respectful acknowledgment of the labor, care, and expertise that makes your trip run smoothly.
And this is where context really matters: a few dollars given directly to a guide or a hotel staff member often makes a much bigger difference here than it would in places with higher wages. The key is to tip intentionally, not extravagantly.
Tipping in Africa & The Middle East
| Region | Restaurant Norm | Hotels | Guides/Drivers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Africa (Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia) | 10–15% or small change | $1–$2 per bag; $2–$5/night | $5–$10 per person per day | “Baksheesh” culture: small tips to many people. |
| East & Southern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa) | ~10% at restaurants | $2–$5/night | Safaris: $10–$20 per day | Safaris/tours often publish suggested amounts. |
| Gulf States (UAE, Qatar, etc.) | 10–15% in restaurants | $2–$5/night | $5–$10/day for drivers | Many bills include service; extra is appreciated but not required. (The Australian) |
6. Oceania: Low Tipping Pressure
Australia and New Zealand offer fair, livable wages. Tipping isn’t baked into survival the way it is in the U.S. In both countries, tipping is truly optional, not expected, and certainly not emotionally charged. Locals might round up a bill or leave a few coins for standout service, but no one is side-eyeing you for paying exactly what’s printed on the menu.
This doesn’t mean people don’t appreciate the gesture, it just means the system is built so that good service doesn’t require additional funding from the customer. In this scenario, tipping becomes what it should be: a gentle nod of appreciation, not a financial obligation.
Tipping in Oceania
| Country | Restaurants | Taxis | Hotels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | No tip required; round up or 5–10% for excellent service | Round up | Small tip at top-end hotels only | Workers are paid closer to a living wage. |
| New Zealand | Similar to Australia | Round up | Tipping rare outside luxury settings | Service charge sometimes added for big groups. |
At the end of the day, tipping abroad isn’t about memorizing a chart or mastering global math — it’s about understanding the rhythm of the place you’re in. Around the world, tipping ranges from essential to optional to “no thank you.” The quickest way to stay aligned is to slow down, read the room, and respect the culture you’re visiting.
Whether you’re handing over exact change in Tokyo, rounding up in Lisbon, leaving a light tip in Lima, or thanking your safari guide in Kenya with a well-earned gratuity, the goal is the same: show appreciation without imposing your own customs on someone else’s home.
Remember, the U.S. tipping system is the exception — not the global blueprint.
Let the local norms guide you. Traveling should feel liberating, not like you’re solving for x at every meal. The more we understand how different cultures handle tipping, the easier it becomes to move through the world with intention, respect, and confidence.
And when in doubt? Smile, be gracious, ask questions and simply let them keep the change.
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