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Detours Gay Travel Blog

FAQ: Tipping Customs Around The World

  • Detours
  • Aug 22, 2025

Ah, tipping. So common, yet also something that can lead to many awkward moments and conversations. 🥴

On Detours’ gay tours, we often get questions from our travelers about gratuities. Who should you tip? How much? What is the expectation? Should you tip X provider? 

Today, I’m here to provide you with all the answers you’ve ever needed regarding tipping when traveling to a foreign country. Of course, expectations and cultural norms surrounding tipping vary depending on the region and country, but I hope my answers can provide some kind of overview on the diverse destinations we go to with Detours, and the expectations surrounding tipping. 🫡

  • Is tipping culture the same internationally as it is in North America? 

No, generally speaking, tipping culture is usually not the same as it is in North America. In North America nowadays, tipping can be upwards of 30% in the hospitality industry, for example, although it usually ranges between 15%–25%. Elsewhere in the world, the percentage for a gratuity is usually lower - save for a few exceptions.

It’s important to note that tipping in the United States, for example, is meant as a supplement to a server or hospitality industry worker’s wage - according to one research survey, for restaurant workers, tips accounted for 58% of wait staff’s wages and 54% of bartenders’ wages.

  • Are there specific tipping expectations within the tourism industry? 

Yes. 👍 Although tipping percentages are usually less in most other countries outside of North America, the tourism industry operates somewhat independently from other industries within those countries. Perhaps this is because of the influence of North American tourists traveling outside of their home countries. Whatever the reason, tipping within the tourism industry, even internationally, has become more normalized and expected than in other industries. ✈️ For our gay group travel experiences, we encourage our travelers to tip most everywhere we go; where and when appropriate. 

  • What are the tipping norms in the countries that Detours’ visits? 

Okay, so we travel to a lot of countries and have a ton of unique experiences. But allow me to provide a brief overview of the tipping norms in the countries or regions we visit with Detours. Please note that shortly before any trip, we send all of our travelers an email with a wide range of information, including tipping expectations in the countries we are traveling to. 

🇪🇺 Central Europe: Because this area has become such a popular travel destination, most countries in Central Europe have developed a tipping culture in recent years - for example, typically around 10% - 15% of the bill at restaurants. For local tour guides in major cities such as Budapest, Prague, and Berlin, a 10€ gratuity is a nice reward for a good street or historical tour, while 2€ per day for hotel housekeeping, porters, and cab drivers is common. While credit cards are accepted in many areas, cash is king in most of these countries, and will be much appreciated when tipping. 

⛱️ Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Croatia: Outside of being fun, laid-back, beautiful, hot, and just overall amazing countries to visit, these countries have something else in common: tipping is typically around 10% - 15% of the bill at restaurants, depending on the level of service. A 10€ gratuity for local tour guides is appreciated, while 1–2€ for hotel housekeeping, porters, and cab drivers is a nice gesture. Once again, while credit cards are accepted in most places, cash is king when tipping.

🌲 Scandinavia: Tipping is generally used to express gratitude, but also to supplement low wages.  In Scandinavia, wages tend to be high and staff are more fairly compensated than many other parts of the word. That said, especially in tourist areas and for those working in the tourism industry, tips have started to become expected, but only when excellent service is received. Although credit cards can be used for essentially everything in this region, the equivalent of a few dollars cash in the local currency for housekeeping staff, porters, and cab drivers is still appreciated. While is certainly less of an expectation here, if you choose to tip, we recommend adding 5% - 10% to your bill prior to tapping your card for large group dining experiences (if it hasn’t already been added).

🎌 Japan: In Japan, tipping culture is very minimal. Unlike the United States and elsewhere, those who work in the service industry in Japan usually do not rely on tips for their livelihood. One exception to the non-tipping culture is for local tour guides, if you felt that the experience was exceptional. In those situations, it is customary to place the tip in an envelope or folded piece of paper, and present it with both hands to the guide.

🇹🇭🇰🇭 Thailand & Cambodia: In these areas, since we are usually traveling to major tourist destinations, tipping has become an expectation, even if it is not a local, authentic custom. As such, we recommend a 10% - 15% tip at restaurants, a few dollars worth of tips per day for housekeeping staff, cab drivers, and porters, and a $10 USD tip for local tour guides. Keep in mind, though, that a gratuity might sometimes be included on a restaurant bill, so make sure to take a look first. 

🐨 Australia & New Zealand: In Australia and New Zealand, wages are generally higher, and tipping is not customary in every situation. Still, for those working in the tourism industry, tipping in cases of excellent service has become an expectation. A 10% - 15% tip at restaurants for excellent service won’t go amiss, as well as a few dollars worth of tips per day for housekeeping staff, cab drivers, and porters. If you choose to tip here, local guides are happy to receive tips between $10–$15 USD in local currency.

🇵🇪 Peru: A 10%–15% tip is typically expected at restaurants in Peru, for both tourists and locals. The same applies to housekeeping staff, cab drivers, and porters - a couple of dollars worth of tips per day. $10–$15 USD for local tour guides is also appreciated. 

🦋 Costa Rica: Tipping is not a local custom in Costa Rica. However, as a tourist visiting major tourist areas, 10% - 15% tips at restaurants are still somewhat expected. The same $10 - $15 USD tip for local tour guides is appreciated, as well as a few dollars worth of tips for cab drivers, porters, and housekeeping staff. 

🇦🇷🇧🇷 Argentina & Brazil: Tipping customs vary slightly between Argentina and Brazil. In Argentina, a 10% tip is customary at restaurants, while rounding up taxi fares and tipping hotel staff a small amount is appreciated. In Brazil, restaurants often include a 10% service charge in the bill, so additional tipping is optional but welcomed for exceptional service. For tour guides and drivers, the equivalent of around $10 USD per day is a good guideline. Hotel staff will typically appreciate small tips. 

🇪🇬 Egypt: Tipping is a large part of the tourism industry in Egypt. Those who work in the tourism industry in Egypt have come to expect tips at almost every interaction, and that's why we encourage our groups to participate in the tip pool at the beginning of the trip (approximately $70 USD per person) as it takes away the frustration of always looking for cash, and allows our guide to appropriately tip service staff along the way. This is the kind of structured spontaneity we are always talking about! 

🍷 South Africa: Tipping culture in South Africa is similar to that of North America, and tips are an expectation at restaurants and bars, as well as at the end of local guided tours. We usually suggest adding somewhere between 12% - 18% gratuity to your bill for good service. 

🇲🇦 Morocco: Because the areas we travel to in Morocco are major tourist areas, we recommend the usual 10% - 15% tip at restaurants, a $10 - $15 USD tip for local tour guides, and a few dollars worth of tips for cab drivers, porters, and housekeeping staff. 

  • Is it rude not to tip when I receive bad service? 😤

Not necessarily. The original concept of tipping was to reward good service. And although this has morphed over the years in different countries and for different reasons, the ultimate idea behind tipping remains the same. If you receive bad service, it is well within your right not to tip. Tipping is a personal choice, and based on your personal experience with the person who is providing a service. Stay flexible; play it by ear. 😘

  • Should I tip my Detours’ trip leader? 

We might be biased, but we think our trip leaders are amazing at what they do, and if you agree, you may wish to reward excellent service and an unforgettable experience with a gratuity, as is customary in the industry. ☺️ Once again, a gratuity is a personal choice and totally depends on a variety of factors. The amount is of course up to your discretion, but we find most travelers budget between $100 - $130 USD for our trips, depending on location and other factors.

So, there you have it folks - Detours’ tipping standards for diverse destinations. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to send us an email. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have! You can email us at travel@detourstravel.com or give us a call: 1-800-680-8066. 

Safe Travels. 😎✈️