Tipping can be a tricky subject, and figuring out How Much To Tip For Tour Guides can feel particularly confusing. What’s the appropriate amount? When is it customary to tip? Is gratuity ever included in the tour price? Do you need to consider tipping for children as well? What if the tour experience wasn’t satisfactory? And does the duration of the tour affect the tipping amount?
These are all legitimate concerns. Having collaborated with numerous local tour guides to provide tours in various cities across the U.S. and Europe, we’ve gained considerable knowledge about tipping practices in popular tourist destinations like Paris, New York, and Rome. While this isn’t intended as a rigid set of rules – tipping always remains at the discretion of the guest – our aim is to clarify the topic of tour guide gratuities for everyone, regardless of whether you choose to tour with us or another company.
Below, we’ll address the most frequently asked questions regarding tipping tour guides, including some you may not have even considered. But first, let’s establish a clear understanding of what gratuities entail.
Understanding Gratuities for Tour Guides
A gratuity is a voluntary monetary contribution given to service industry workers as a token of appreciation for exceptional service.
It’s typically a fraction of the overall service cost, often calculated as a percentage or a fixed sum, and serves as a genuine expression of gratitude. The word “gratuity” originates from the Latin term gratus, meaning thankful, which also gives rise to the word “gratitude.”
Gratuities are most common in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. It’s customary to tip taxi drivers, bartenders, hairstylists, bellhops, and valets, but not necessarily other service professionals like accountants or plumbers. Tour guides, who lead us through unfamiliar places and provide enriching travel experiences, fall into the category of hospitality workers who are frequently tipped for delivering excellent service.
Is Tipping a Tour Guide Expected?
Generally, yes, basic tipping etiquette suggests that you should tip your tour guide. While exceptions exist if gratuities are already included in the tour package or if the experience was genuinely subpar, tipping your guide at the end of the tour is generally considered standard practice in both the U.S. and Europe, although it’s more prevalent in the States.
Tipping Customs: U.S. vs. Europe
Tipping is considerably more common in the United States compared to Europe. In the U.S., it’s customary to tip for a wide range of hospitality services, from waitstaff to those assisting with luggage.
Tipping is less ingrained in European culture, resulting in travelers tipping less frequently as well. For instance, restaurant servers typically earn a standard wage and don’t depend on tips as a primary source of income.
Regarding tour guides, tipping isn’t mandatory in either region, but it’s significantly more expected in the U.S. When given, tips in Europe tend to be smaller. A few euros following a well-conducted 1-2 hour walking tour is generally considered sufficient. For longer tours or those with higher price points due to included tickets, a tip of around 5%-10% of the total tour cost per person might be more appropriate.
Due to globalization and the prevalence of American tourists in Western European countries such as France, Italy, Germany, and Spain, you don’t need to worry about tipping being seen as awkward or unwelcome. Most tour guides are accustomed to the practice and will anticipate (and appreciate) it from their guests. However, even more so than in the U.S., tipping signifies exceptional service, so if you believe your guide did an outstanding job, a tip is an excellent way to demonstrate your appreciation.
Determining How Much to Tip Your Tour Guide
This is often the most challenging aspect, and likely the reason you’re reading this article. If you had a positive experience, and your tour guide shared valuable local insights, kept you entertained, and enhanced your overall experience, what is the appropriate amount to tip?
Ultimately, the decision rests with each guest, and it’s entirely optional. However, here are some general guidelines from our guides and tour operators:
- Standard Tour (2-3 hours): 15-20% of the tour cost per person, or $10-$20 per person.
- Exceptional Tour: 20% or more of the tour cost per person.
- Free Walking Tour: $10-$20 per person (remember, the guide relies on tips for their income).
- Bus Tour: $5-$10 per person.
These ranges represent averages, and the actual tip amount may vary depending on individual circumstances. However, they provide practical benchmarks that any tour guide would appreciate.
The Right Time to Tip
The most common and appropriate time to tip your guide is at the end of the tour, as you’re saying your goodbyes. You can simply hand the money to them directly.
“A tip shows that I did an outstanding job, that I exceeded guests’ expectations, especially here in Europe where it’s less common that in the U.S.”
Cristina Carrisi, Barcelona tour guide
Some people prefer a more discreet approach, subtly handing over the money during a handshake. While this is acceptable, a straightforward hand-off is perfectly fine as well.
What if You Don’t Have Cash?
In today’s increasingly cashless society, many travelers don’t carry cash. Tour guides are aware of this trend, and most offer alternative payment methods such as Venmo or Zelle. Some may even provide a QR code for easy scanning.
If you’re unsure, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask about electronic payment options for gratuities. You’ll find that most guides have a way to receive tips without cash. For instance, many of our U.S.-based guides have Venmo accounts. In Europe, cash remains prevalent, so it’s advisable to have some on hand if you intend to tip.
Tipping the Driver on a Bus Tour
Tipping the driver varies by tour. It’s common for bus drivers to have a designated container near the front where passengers can leave a few bills as they exit.
For our U.S.-based bus tours at ExperienceFirst, tipping $5-$10 per guest is appropriate to cover both the guide and the driver. The guides typically share their tips with the driver, so giving your tip directly to the guide is the most efficient approach. In Europe, tipping the bus driver is also customary, with around 5%-10% of the tour price being a good guideline.
This rate aligns with the typical tip amount for a traditional 90-minute walking tour. Although bus tours are generally longer, buses tend to be more crowded than walking tours, making this smaller tip amount adequate. As always, larger tips are greatly appreciated and serve as an excellent way to acknowledge exceptional service.
Gratuities for Private Tour Guides
The principles of tipping remain largely the same for private tours. Although some individuals may be less inclined to tip on private tours, unless gratuity is explicitly included in the tour price, it’s a considerate gesture to thank your guide for their time, particularly if they went above and beyond to create a memorable experience for your group.
When tipping for private tours, the amount is often higher since gratuity is typically calculated as a percentage of the total service cost, which tends to be greater for private tours. Private tours are also frequently longer and may involve private transportation. For an extended private driving tour, such as a private Los Angeles tour, a tip of $50-$100 is common. However, for a larger group of, say, eight people, this equates to only around $10 per person.
Tipping on Free Tours: What’s the Catch?
What about those advertised “free” walking tours? Are they truly free? The short answer is no. Local guides offering free walking tours almost always expect gratuities, so it’s important to factor this into your budget.
There are a few exceptions. Occasionally, a tour may explicitly state “no tips accepted” or something similar. This may be the case if the tour is being organized by the local convention and visitors bureau or another tourism organization. In these instances, take their word for it; the walking tour is genuinely free. For example, a genuinely free walking tour in Bath, England.
Is Gratuity Included in the Tour Ticket Price?
Generally, gratuity is not included in the tour price as it’s considered optional. Some tour operators may include gratuities, particularly for multi-day excursions that also include accommodations and meals, but this is usually stated under the inclusions section. If you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to inquire before or after booking.
Reputable tour operators will clearly indicate whether gratuities are included or not. The last thing they want is for guests to be caught off guard or feel unprepared.
What if You Didn’t Enjoy the Tour?
If you didn’t find the tour enjoyable, it’s perfectly acceptable not to tip. A gratuity serves as a signal that you had a positive experience and wish to express your gratitude to the guide.
Conversely, withholding a tip conveys the message that you didn’t enjoy the tour. You can think of the tip as a means of communicating your feelings about the tour experience.
Tipping for Your Entire Group, Including Children
Does the tip amount change depending on whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends and children? It’s a valid question. Tips are generally calculated per person. While your guide likely doesn’t expect gratuity to cover an infant in arms, children often require the guide’s attention just as much as adults, so they’re typically factored into the tipping amount.
However, if you’re traveling with a large family, it’s understandable to consider a sliding scale that you’re comfortable with to account for your group size. A family with six children might tip a similar amount as a family with five. As always with tipping, do what feels right for you.
When in Doubt, Just Ask
After reading this guide, you should have a clearer understanding of when and how much to tip for tour guides. However, you might encounter a situation where you’re still uncertain.
In such cases, the best approach is simply to ask. Even the renowned Emily Post Institute, a leading authority on etiquette training, suggests it’s acceptable to directly inquire about tipping protocols in advance if you’re unsure about the customs for a particular experience or country. Contacting the tour operator via phone or email with your questions can alleviate any concerns you may have, and it’s always better to be informed beforehand so you can come prepared and make an informed decision.
The Significance of Tips for Tour Guides
As mentioned earlier, a tip is a sign of appreciation. Tipping, or not tipping, provides the guide with feedback on your experience. We asked some of our guides what tipping means to them. Here’s what they shared:
“It is very appreciated when we receive tips,” said Jonathan Mannato, a tour guide in NYC. “For example, there was a tour I gave in pouring rain. We give tours rain or shine, but this obstacle can be hard to keep the guests happy and engaged. We work extra hard because of this. A family of four at the end generously tipped me for my work, and it made me as a guide feel valued. While we know tipping is not required, it is very helpful with our income in this role.”
“A tip shows that I did an outstanding job, that I exceeded guests’ expectations, especially here in Europe where it’s less common that in the U.S.,” said Cristina Carrisi, a tour guide in Barcelona. “I remember one time as I was giving a tour, a 5 year old accidentally broke a small statue inside a shop. Her mother had stepped away to look for the rest of the family. I patiently took care of the child while still giving the tour. The tip her family gave me at the end of the tour showed me how well I had handled the situation.”
Demystifying the Art of Tipping Tour Guides
Hopefully, this guide has shed some light on how, when, and how much to tip for your tour guide. Uncertainty surrounding cultural norms and expectations regarding tipping can make guests feel anxious, which is the last thing any tour guide or operator wants. Your primary goal on a trip is to explore and enjoy yourself, not to worry about tipping etiquette.
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of how much to tip your tour guide, share what you’ve learned with a friend.
