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How much should I tip abroad?

Tipping customs vary around the world. There’s plenty to know about tipping in the USA, but only one thing you need to know about tipping in Japan - it’s best not to!

Here are some top tips to get you tip-top on tipping abroad.

Published: 28 April 2026

A hand holding a glass on a table with fruit and olives in bowls, and Turkish lira in a small dish.

Page contents

    When should I tip abroad? Is it better to tip in cash or by card? Tipping in the USA How much should I tip in the USA? How much should I tip in Italy? How much should I tip in France? How much should I tip in Spain?
      How much should I tip in Canada? How much should I tip in Turkey? How much should I tip in Japan? Which countries don’t tip? How Tesco Travel Money can help with your holiday spending How much travel money will I need?

      When should I tip abroad?

      Short answer; it depends - on where, and for what. And we’ll cover that in this guide. But before we get into the tipping customs in different countries, there’s one thing to bear in mind, wherever you are - check your bill first.

      If ‘service compris’, ‘servizio incluso’, or a service charge is already on there, you've already tipped. Beyond that, rounding up to a convenient number is welcomed almost everywhere and won’t cause offence anywhere.

      Only in the USA and Canada is a percentage tip genuinely expected.

        Is it better to tip in cash or by card?

        Cash is generally the best bet for tipping (especially in the USA), for a few reasons.

        Cash tips are usually preferred by staff because:

        • They receive the money at the end of their shift, rather than waiting for their wages.They receive the money at the end of their shift, rather than waiting for their wages.
        • Some employers may delay or complicate the distribution of card tips.Some employers may delay or complicate the distribution of card tips.
        • Cash avoids card processing fees that some businesses deduct from tips before they go to the staff.Cash avoids card processing fees that some businesses deduct from tips before they go to the staff.

        A card tip is always better than no tip, but if you’re travelling to a country with a strong tipping culture, it’s a good idea to take the local currency you’ll need to cover tips.

          Tipping in the USA

          Tipping culture in the USA is very different from the UK, which can be a surprise to first-time visitors.

          The biggest difference is that tipping is expected, not optional. Here in the UK, tipping is seen as a nice bonus. In the USA, it's a part of workers' wages. Many staff earn a low wage, with tips making up most of their income. Because of this, not tipping is considered very rude.

            How much should I tip in the USA?

            • Restaurants (sit-down): 18-20% is the norm, 15% is on the low end, 25%+ for excellent service.Restaurants (sit-down): 18-20% is the norm, 15% is on the low end, 25%+ for excellent service.
            • Bars: $1-2 per drink, or around 20% on a tab.Bars: $1-2 per drink, or around 20% on a tab.
            • Taxis/Ubers: 15-20%.Taxis/Ubers: 15-20%.
            • Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 per night, left daily.Hotel housekeeping: $2-5 per night, left daily.
            • Hotel porters (called bellhops in the USA): $1-2 per bag.Hotel porters (called bellhops in the USA): $1-2 per bag.
            • Coffee shops/counter service: Not strictly required, but 10-15% is appreciated.Coffee shops/counter service: Not strictly required, but 10-15% is appreciated.

            Places where you don't need to tip include:

            • Fast food restaurants with counter service (like McDonalds).Fast food restaurants with counter service (like McDonalds).
            • Self-checkouts.Self-checkouts.
            • Most retail shops.Most retail shops.

            If it’s your first time visiting The States, mentally add 20% to any menu price to get the real cost of a meal, and make sure you have plenty of small dollar bills for the times a cash tip is needed.

              How much should I tip in Italy?

              Tipping culture in Italy is similar to the UK, but there are some things worth knowing.

              Restaurants

              • Check the bill for ‘coperto’ - this is a cover charge (typically €1-3 per person) that's standard and not a tip, it just appears on your bill automatically.Check the bill for ‘coperto’ - this is a cover charge (typically €1-3 per person) that's standard and not a tip, it just appears on your bill automatically.
              • Some bills also include a ‘servizio’ (service charge), often 10-15% - if this is already on the bill, no tip is needed.Some bills also include a ‘servizio’ (service charge), often 10-15% - if this is already on the bill, no tip is needed.
              • If the service was really good and you want to leave something, rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros is appreciated but not expected. Leaving 10% would be considered generous by Italian standards.If the service was really good and you want to leave something, rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros is appreciated but not expected. Leaving 10% would be considered generous by Italian standards.

              Bars and cafés

              • At the counter (which is the Italian way - standing at the bar with the locals is cheaper), leaving small change in the dish is a nice gesture.At the counter (which is the Italian way - standing at the bar with the locals is cheaper), leaving small change in the dish is a nice gesture.

              Taxis

              • Rounding up to the nearest euro is common and appreciated, but not obligatory.Rounding up to the nearest euro is common and appreciated, but not obligatory.
              • A €1-2 tip for good service or help with luggage is plenty.A €1-2 tip for good service or help with luggage is plenty.

              In Italy, tip if you genuinely want to reward great service, but don’t feel obliged. A smile and a sincere ‘grazie’ goes a long way in Italy.

                How much should I tip in France?

                Tipping is not obligatory, so there aren’t many surprises in France for UK visitors.

                A service charge (‘service compris’) is added to all restaurant bills by law. You’re not expected to tip on top of this.

                Restaurants

                • You’ll see ‘service compris’ on the menu or the bill to cover service.You’ll see ‘service compris’ on the menu or the bill to cover service.
                • If you had a genuinely good experience and want to leave something, rounding up or leaving €1-5 is a nice gesture.If you had a genuinely good experience and want to leave something, rounding up or leaving €1-5 is a nice gesture.
                • Don't feel pressured if you don't leave anything extra, as it’s not expected.Don't feel pressured if you don't leave anything extra, as it’s not expected.

                Bars and cafés

                • Leaving small change (whatever coins you don't want) in the little tray with the bill is a common and appreciated habit.Leaving small change (whatever coins you don't want) in the little tray with the bill is a common and appreciated habit.

                Taxis

                • Rounding up to the nearest euro or two is the norm.Rounding up to the nearest euro or two is the norm.
                • For longer journeys or help with luggage, €2-3 is generous.For longer journeys or help with luggage, €2-3 is generous.

                There’s no need to budget anything extra for tipping in France. If you had a lovely meal or someone was particularly helpful, a small gesture is always welcome - but just as a thank-you.

                  How much should I tip in Spain?

                  Spain is a relaxed country when it comes to tipping. There's no cultural obligation to tip, but leaving a little something would be received with thanks.

                  Restaurants

                  • There's no automatic service charge like France's ‘service compris’, so check your bill - but it's not usually included.There's no automatic service charge like France's ‘service compris’, so check your bill - but it's not usually included.
                  • Rounding up or leaving a few euros for a sit-down meal is perfectly appropriate. Around 5-10% is considered generous if you want to reward good service.Rounding up or leaving a few euros for a sit-down meal is perfectly appropriate. Around 5-10% is considered generous if you want to reward good service.
                  • For a casual tapas bar, leaving small change or rounding up is plenty.For a casual tapas bar, leaving small change or rounding up is plenty.

                  Bars and cafés

                  • Leaving small coins on the bar or in the dish is common and appreciated.Leaving small coins on the bar or in the dish is common and appreciated.

                  Taxis

                  • Rounding up to the nearest euro is the norm.Rounding up to the nearest euro is the norm.
                  • For airport runs or help with luggage, €1-2 extra is a nice gesture but not required.For airport runs or help with luggage, €1-2 extra is a nice gesture but not required.

                  Like in the UK, tip in Spain when you genuinely want to, or round up for convenience, but don’t feel awkward for not leaving anything.

                    How much should I tip in Canada?

                    Canada tips like the USA, so tipping in Canada is expected, not optional, in most service situations.

                    Just like in the USA, service workers rely on tips as a significant part of their income, and not tipping is considered rude.

                    Restaurants (sit-down)

                    • 15-20% is the standard range, with 15% being the minimum acceptable.15-20% is the standard range, with 15% being the minimum acceptable.
                    • 20%+ for good service is common and appreciated.20%+ for good service is common and appreciated.
                    • Card machines present tip options, often starting at 18-20-25%. This can feel aggressive to us Brits but is normal. 18-20% is the usual expectation.Card machines present tip options, often starting at 18-20-25%. This can feel aggressive to us Brits but is normal. 18-20% is the usual expectation.

                    Bars

                    • $1-2 per drink or around 15-20% on a tab.$1-2 per drink or around 15-20% on a tab.
                    • Tipping the bartender early in an evening tends to get you good service throughout.Tipping the bartender early in an evening tends to get you good service throughout.

                    Taxis/Ubers

                    • 15-20% is standard.15-20% is standard.

                    Hotel staff

                    • Porter: $1-2 per bag.Porter: $1-2 per bag.
                    • Housekeeping: $2-5 per night, left daily.Housekeeping: $2-5 per night, left daily.
                    • Concierge: $5-10 if they do something genuinely helpful.Concierge: $5-10 if they do something genuinely helpful.

                    Like in the USA, mentally add 20% to the menu price for the real cost of a meal, and take some Canadian dollars for cash tips. Unlike Europe, tipping is part of how workers are paid - it's not a scam, it's just a different system.

                      How much should I tip in Turkey?

                      Tipping is appreciated in Turkey and increasingly expected in tourist areas, but the culture is more relaxed than North America and does vary depending on where you are.

                      Tipping isn't a big part of Turkish culture in the way it is in the US or Canada, but it is genuinely appreciated - particularly in tourist-heavy areas where it has become expected. As staff wages can be low, tips make a real difference.

                      Restaurants

                      • In tourist areas, 10-15% is a warm and appreciated gesture.In tourist areas, 10-15% is a warm and appreciated gesture.
                      • Check your bill as many tourist restaurants add a service charge, so adding to that isn’t necessary.Check your bill as many tourist restaurants add a service charge, so adding to that isn’t necessary.
                      • Cash tips are often preferred so the money goes directly to the staff rather than the restaurant.Cash tips are often preferred so the money goes directly to the staff rather than the restaurant.

                      Bars and cafés

                      • Rounding up or leaving small change is fine.Rounding up or leaving small change is fine.
                      • In bars or rooftop venues in Istanbul, 10% is appreciated.In bars or rooftop venues in Istanbul, 10% is appreciated.

                      Taxis

                      • Officially Turkish taxis use meters, so rounding up to the nearest 10-–20 lira is normal.Officially Turkish taxis use meters, so rounding up to the nearest 10-20 lira is normal.
                      • Be aware that taxi scams targeting tourists are common in Istanbul, so agree on the metered fare before setting off and don't feel obliged to tip if you've had a difficult journey.Be aware that taxi scams targeting tourists are common in Istanbul, so agree on the metered fare before setting off and don't feel obliged to tip if you've had a difficult journey.
                      • For longer journeys where the driver has been helpful, a small tip is appreciated.For longer journeys where the driver has been helpful, a small tip is appreciated.

                      Tour guides and hamams

                      • Tour guides genuinely expect a tip - €5-10 per person for a half day, €10-20 for a full day is the norm, and guides in Turkey often earn most of their income this way.Tour guides genuinely expect a tip - €5-10 per person for a half day, €10-20 for a full day is the norm, and guides in Turkey often earn most of their income this way.
                      • At a traditional hamam (Turkish bath), tipping your attendant 10-20% is customary and very much appreciated - it's part of the experience.At a traditional hamam (Turkish bath), tipping your attendant 10-20% is customary and very much appreciated - it's part of the experience.

                      Cash tips in euros are often preferred in Turkey, because of recent inflation of the Turkish lira. So it’s worth taking plenty of small euro notes for your trip. Turkey sits somewhere between Europe and the USA in terms of tipping culture, so go expecting to add plenty of tips.

                        How much should I tip in Japan?

                        Nothing. This is an easy one. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can genuinely make people uncomfortable.

                        It could be interpreted as an offensive offer of charity, or a suggestion that staff didn't do their job properly. So to avoid being chased down the street to return your money, it’s best not to tip in Japan.

                          Which countries don’t tip?

                          We’ve already mentioned Japan, as it’s probably the most famous example. But other major countries that don’t tip include:

                          • South Korea - just like in Japan, tipping is uncommon and is sometimes refused. South Korea - just like in Japan, tipping is uncommon and is sometimes refused.
                          • China - tipping isn’t customary, though it may occur in some international hotels. China - tipping isn’t customary, though it may occur in some international hotels.
                          • Singapore - as a service charge is usually included, additional tipping unnecessary.Singapore - as a service charge is usually included, additional tipping unnecessary.
                          • Australia & New Zealand - no tipping culture, though rounding up is becoming more common.Australia & New Zealand - no tipping culture, though rounding up is becoming more common.

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