A guide to tipping around the world

No matter where you travel, you'll likely encounter hotel porters, restaurant and bar staff, and taxi drivers. In most countries, it's customary to tip for good service, but the amount you should leave varies by country – and sometimes depends on how satisfied you were.

Familiarising yourself with the tipping culture of a destination before you go helps you navigate things like distinguishing between an included service charge and a discretionary tip on restaurant bills. It also prepares you for places where tipping is expected, such as the United States and where it’s not, such as Japan.

Here's a breakdown of tipping customs in Saga Holiday’s top destinations.

The tipping culture in Spain is very similar to that of the UK. The service charge is not included in restaurant bills, so the recommended tip is 10-15% of the total amount for food and drinks. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip in Spain, so it's entirely up to you. However, we do recommend tipping €5-10 per night for housekeeping.

Tipping in Turkey is a way to acknowledge good service. For example, in restaurants, it's customary to leave a gratuity of 10-15%. Hotel staff appreciate any tips, while taxi drivers don’t expect one, though it's nice to round up the fare. Feel free to reduce or skip the tip if the service doesn't meet your expectations.

Service is typically not included in the bill at Croatian hotels and restaurants, so tipping is expected. A recommended tip is 10-15% of the total bill. Taxi drivers in Croatia also expect tips, with 10% of the fare being a good guideline, though rounding up is fine too. For housekeeping, a tip of €5-10 per night is suggested.

The USA has a famously large tipping culture

Tipping is expected in the USA and is a big part of American culture. The standard tip is around 20%, which can be a surprise to some visitors. Drinks ordered with meals are also often subject to a service charge. However, you can count on excellent service, with staff going out of their way to make sure you’re well taken care of.

Tipping in Canada is similar to the U.S., though the culture around it can be a bit more relaxed. The standard tip is typically 15-20%, depending on the quality of service. Tipping is also expected for drinks in restaurants or bars. Like in the U.S., tipping is a key part of income for service staff in Canada, and the service is generally attentive. However, the overall atmosphere may feel a little less formal or intense compared to some parts of North America.

While tipping in India is optional in India, it’s quite common, and most tourists do tip the staff. The suggested tip amount can vary, so to make things easier, we include gratuities in the price of our escorted tours to India (unless otherwise stated) to avoid dealing with small change.

South Africa has a very similar tipping policy to that of India – it’s discretionary but common. Porters and wait staff are usually tipped £3-£4 per person. For Safari Lodge staff, we recommend £2-£3 per room per day, which goes into central tip box. Safari guides are tipped at between £5 and £8 per person, per day, whereas mobile safari camp staff are tipped around £7 per person, per day which is shared between them.

Tipping in Japan is not expected and is often avoided to prevent offending someone with an inappropriate amount – this includes leaving loose change. Instead, it is perfectly acceptable to express gratitude through polite words and gestures, such as thanking restaurant or hotel staff or bowing.

While tipping is not obligatory, it is a nice way to show appreciation for good service in Costa Rica. At most restaurants, a service charge of around 10% is often included in the bill. If it’s not included, leaving a tip of 10-15% is common. For housekeeping, leaving a few dollars per day (around $5) is suggested.

Tipping is an important part of Cuban culture. Due to low wages, many local workers, including musicians who often aren't paid for performances, rely heavily on tips. In Cuba it's a good idea to tip whenever you can and to anyone providing a service, even toilet attendants. On our escorted Cuba tours, the tour manager will recommend a tipping pool system, allowing them to tip on behalf of the group.