Tipping when on holiday can be a minefield; is a tip expected, have you left too little, too much, who knows?

The majority of us will generally leave a tip when we receive a high standard of service, however in some countries tipping is part of the culture and not leaving one or even leaving too little is frowned upon.

This week we look at some of the most popular holiday destinations and some ‘tips on tipping’ to make sure you’re best prepared for your next trip.

Where is tipping expected?

The following countries have a very strong tipping culture and with no minimum wage staff often rely on customer tips to top up their salaries:

USA and Canada

• Restaurants: 15 to 20%
• Bars: $1 to $2 per drink
• Hotel maid: $2 to $5 per night
• Hotel porter: $1 to $2 per bag

Mexico

• Restaurants: 10 to 15%
• Bars: $1 to $2 per round
• Hotel maid: $1 per night
• Hotel porter: $1 per bag

What about Europe?

Tipping is optional in most European countries, however if you have received great service and you’d like to leave a tip it doesn’t need to be as much as in the USA and Mexico. We’d recommend the following:

Spain and the Canary Islands

• Restaurants: 7 to 10%
• Bars: Tipping is optional but rounding up the bill is appreciated
• Hotel maid: €1 to €2 per night
• Hotel porter: €1 per bag

Greece

• Restaurants: 5 to 10%
• Bars: Tipping is not required
• Hotel maid: €1 per night
• Hotel porter: €1 per bag

Italy and France

• Restaurants: 10% service is included in most bills
• Bars: Tipping is optional or automatically included in the bill
• Hotel maid: €1 to €2 per night
• Hotel porter: €1 per bag

Netherlands

• Restaurants: 10% service is included in most bills
• Bars: Tipping is optional
• Hotel maid: Tipping is optional
• Hotel porter: Tipping is optional

Other popular destinations

Australia

• Restaurants: up to 10%
• Bars: Tipping is not required
• Hotel maid: $2 per night (usually left at the end of your stay)
• Hotel porter: $2 per bag

Thailand

• Restaurants: up to 10%
• Bars: Some bars will have an optional tip jar which is split between the staff
• Hotel maid: 20 bahts per night
• Hotel porter: 20 to 50 bahts

India

• Restaurants: 7 to 10%
• Bars: Tipping is not required
• Hotel maid: from 20 to 250 rupees depending on your accommodation star rating
• Hotel porter: 20 to 250 rupees depending on your accommodation star rating

Tipping not required

Good news, in the following countries tipping is not part of the culture and is not a requirement:

• China – tipping is very rare although increasing in popularity in Hong Kong.
• Japan – tipping does not exist in Japanese culture.
• The Maldives - tipping is discouraged and banned at airports.

Tipping other workers

You may come across other staff who also provide an excellent service such as taxi drivers and tour guides, we would suggest rounding up the cost or leaving a small tip if you are really impressed by anyone not mentioned on our list.

Cover for your foreign currency

If you have already booked your next trip remember that travel insurance will cover you for loss or theft of your money whilst you’re away, as well as cancellation of your trip, medical expenses and loss or damage to your personal baggage.

To arrange you policy call our award winning UK call centre (free) on 0800 294 2969 or if you have any specialist requirements – our highly trained experts will be happy to help.

Our single trip insurance policies have no upper age limit and we can cover 98% of all medical conditions.

Alternatively you can get a quote online, and don’t forget to mention NW17 to claim your 10% discount.

Enjoy your next trip, and share any of your tipping top tips with us on Facebook.