A Guide to Tipping Across the Globe, in One Map

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Tipping for services is a tricky part of traveling—and one that could cost you undue money (or some awkward encounters) if you don’t do your research. But it’s now easier than ever to find out how to tip in your next destination. One guide to tipping even lays it all out in one interactive map; bookmark it for those moments when you’re wondering how much to leave.

Tipping Around the World

Travel insurance provider Go Compare compiled a map of how to tip by country, dubbed Tip Advisor. The map offers tipping recommendations for taxis, hotels, and meals, as well as a pronunciation guide to saying “thank you” in the local language.

There are 50 countries or regions represented on the map, ranging from tourist hot spots across Europe to more niche destinations like Tunisia and Macau. Note that the map will only appear on desktop screens, and is replaced by a handy list of clickable destinations on mobile devices. To use the map, simply click on a destination’s icon for a one-glance guide to tipping. On the mobile site, the same information appears when you click a destination from the list.

Americans are notorious for over-tipping, probably because the U.S. is one of the only places where patrons are expected to leave 15 to 20 percent of the bill for tipping at restaurants. Most European destinations include service charges in the bill, while destinations in Asia and Africa, like India and Egypt, have tipping customs of about 10 percent for most services.

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Other tip-happy destinations you might not know about include Cuba, Turkey, and Poland, where tipping 10 to 15 percent is customary for meals. In the U.K., it’s typical to leave around 10 percent, while many European nations suggest simply rounding up on your bill if you’re happy with service. On the other end of the spectrum, in China many restaurants and drivers won’t accept tips.

No matter what you leave, though, don’t forget to use the local version of “thank you.”

More from SmarterTravel:

• 27 Apps for Solo Travelers
• Everything You Wanted to Know About Working Holidays Visas for U.S. Citizens
• Traveling to Cuba: 7 Things You Need to Know

Associate Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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