Tipping etiquette in Germany is crucial for travelers, as tour guides can significantly impact the experience. In Germany, tips are generally accepted, with a 5-10 tip being considered appropriate. This tip is not expected but is appreciated by tour guides, regardless of whether they are taking a private, multi-day, or walking tour. Some tour guides may receive a 10 gratuity for paid tours, but it is important to ask if this gratuity is included.
For free tours with guides, it is essential to tip them. The general custom is a nominal tip, as indicated by the German word for tip. For guided tours, the standard practice is to leave a 10-15 tip based on the tour’s performance. If you give a 5-10 EUR tip, the guide will be happy.
Tipping tour guides is appreciated but not expected. Common practice is in the range of 5 Euros or up to 10 for whole day or multi-day tours. This could range from €1-5 for large groups or closer to 5-10 for private tours.
Tour guides in Germany are used to receiving tips from tourists and as a general rule, you should tip 10% of the cost of the tour. For a couple of hours with a private guide, a tip of €10-20 is fine (more if the guide goes above and beyond, such as booking advance tickets). A 5 or 10 tip at a restaurant is appreciated, while a 15 tip is considered very generous.
On Tours, you can give guides up to 10 on top of the cost of excursions, based on how well they showcased Berlin’s grit and glamor or the beer and sausages of the city.
📹 Tips on tipping in Germany
Who do you need to tip in Germany, and how much? And why shouldn’t you leave your tip on the table when you leave?
Is there a tipping culture in Germany?
Tipping in Germany is a customary gesture of appreciation for a good experience, often based on the quality of service. While cash tips are more common, most restaurants, bars, and cafés now accept tips by card. In Germany, a reasonable tip is between 5-10% of the bill, with a 15-point tip considered very generous. If paying with a card, leave a tip in cash to ensure it goes to the server. However, more establishments now have card machines that include the option to add a tip for the staff.
The dynamics in Germany differ from the practice of leaving a tip on the table, which is common in other countries. When you request the bill, the server brings it to your table along with a wallet for cash or a card machine. If you prefer to pay in cash and want to include a tip, you can simply let the server know what the final total is or how much change you’d like to get back, if any. Some restaurants, cafés, and bars may also have a tip jar on the counter where you can drop a few coins as a gratuity.
In summary, tipping in Germany is a customary gesture of appreciation for a good experience, with the amount depending on the total bill and the occasion.
How much do you tip a private tour guide in Spain?
In Spain, it is customary to tip tour guides based on the length of the tour and the guide’s knowledge. A typical tip is €5 per person for a 2-hour tour, with €10-€15 for full-day tours, and €20 for free walking tours. If the guide is a paid employee, the tip is €15. If the tour is part of a service offered by local authorities, the tip is €10-€15. If the guide is self-employed, the tip is €20 for a 2 or 3 hour tour, and more for a full day tour.
It is important to check the going rate on site like Viatour and pay what you would expect for a “fee-paying” tour. If the tour group is large, the tip may be lower, and if the group is just a few people or only you and Gerry, the tip may be more.
How much do you tip a local tour guide?
A common practice is to provide gratuities of 10-20% of the tour cost, or $5-10 per person per day for the guide. However, if the guide provided exemplary service, a higher gratuity may be appropriate.
Am I rude if I don’t tip?
Swann, the founder of The Swann School of Protocol in California, posits that gratuities are contingent upon an employee’s salary, given that the majority of servers in restaurants or bars do not receive a full salary and rely on gratuities to sustain their livelihood. An illustrative example of this phenomenon is Chili’s donation of $100 million to St. Jude over the course of a 20-year Millennium.
How much do you tip a private tour guide in Germany?
Tipping tour guides is appreciated but not expected. Common tipping ranges from 5 Euros to 10 Euros for whole or multi-day tours. Guides are often paid a low wage, so if they are enthusiastic or informative, feel free to tip them extra. If you are in Germany for a special occasion and employ services like hairdressing, makeup, party planning, personal shopping, tailoring, or spa services, use your best judgment in tipping, considering the cost and quality of service. Generally, stay in the 10 range.
What is the proper tip in Germany?
In Germany, the general custom is to tip a nominal amount, as indicated by the word for tip (Trinkgeld). Many people round off the bill to the next euro or add a couple more, which is perfectly acceptable. A 5 or 10 tip at a restaurant is appreciated, while a 15 tip is considered very generous. In many countries, it is common practice to leave a tip on the table, but in Germany, the server appears at the table with your bill and a wallet. If paying by cash, you should tell the server how much change you expect back, and if paying by card, tell them how much tip you wish to add before they swipe your card.
To ensure the entire tip goes to the server, it is better to pay the tip in cash. Some establishments have a piggy bank where you can drop a few coins, and outside many public restrooms, there is a dish for coins with the expected amount (around 50 cents).
How much should I tip on a free tour?
Free public tours typically run during peak tourism seasons from spring through summer and into fall, with some cities offering winter tours due to their hardcore nature. Tiping is optional on paid tours, but it’s a great way to show appreciation for the guides’ hard work. Paid food and drink tours are offered most of the year, but may be closed during winter. Private and group tours are always available for booking, and winter bookings are welcome. Check the calendars for availability in each city.
How much do you tip a VIP tour guide?
It is customary to tip your guide $20. A travel agent can facilitate the addition of a VIP tour guide to a booking and can also ascertain pricing and other pertinent details. Amy Westerman, the Chief Magic Officer at The Mouse Experts,
Is it rude to tip less than 20?
The US tipping culture is a complex and tense one, with a common consensus being 15-20 is considered a normal tip. However, any amount less than 20 is considered a bad tip. Servers and bartenders live off their tips, as waiting tables is the hardest job they have had, and it can be emotionally draining. People are very particular about their food, especially if it’s not as expected. Some nights, they make upwards of $800 cash in tips, which helps them pay rent. However, servers and bartenders still have to declare taxes on cash tips, making it not a free-for-all.
Your happiness matters in the US, as customers are encouraged to voice their opinions and concerns. In the US, customers can express their opinions about food, such as cold food or not digging their salad. In contrast, in Europe, customers may speak gibberish when voicing concerns, but in the US, customers are encouraged to voice their opinions. If they are in an unhappy situation, they should tell their server right away.
Fun fact: pancakes are much larger and cheaper in the US, just to make customers aware. Overall, the US tipping culture is a complex and tense one, with servers and bartenders working tirelessly to earn a modest monthly paycheck.
When to tip and when not to tip?
Tiping is generally accepted for servers in bars and restaurants, as well as other service providers like barbers and hairdressers. The amount to tip can vary, but the expected tip is around 20 at restaurants, with many customers paying between 15 and 22. Marketing professor Dipayan Biswas at the University of South Florida suggests that customers may want to go on the higher range of a tip if they are paying a tip on the company card or if they work for themselves and the service worker knows about it.
How much do you tip a private tour guide in Italy?
The gratuity structure in Italy is contingent upon the duration of the tour and the private nature of the service. For tours and activities of a duration of approximately half a day, a tip of €20 is recommended. For full-day tours and activities, a customary gratuity is €50. Please note that the currency used in Italy is the euro (€).
📹 How much to Tip in Germany?Best Practices for Tipping (Trinkgeld) when living in Germany
In this video I go over “How much to tip in Germany.” Who do you tip in Germany? The service industry are the most common …
Again, great and useful content. I know a lot of military purchase vehicles whiles stationed there, rather than shipping own vehicles. Something to run around in and sell before leaving Germany. Would you have any advice or “Do’s & Dont’s” about this? Or if you already did a article about this that i missed! Thanks again for you work.