21 Nov 08 How to Tip When Travelling

One of the biggest issues when travelling is tipping. Because it happens so often and there are so many people who receive gratuities, it can be hard to know who to tip and how much. Here are some tips on tipping.

Remember that most people who receive tips really depend on them. In general, their base pay is very low because their employer expects them to make their living on their tips. Unless service is really, really poor (when you should notify the person and his or her boss), then you should follow the following guidelines (US dollars):

Bartender: 15 percent of the bill.

Bellhop or skycap: $1 per bag

Tour bus driver and/or guide: $1-$2 per passenger per day, up to $10 for long trips or extenuating circumstances (poor road conditions or if the guide really made an effort to be entertaining and informative)

Cab driver: 15 percent of the total bill. (The tip should be larger if road conditions were poor, if he or she handled the luggage or if he or she got you to your destination exceptionally fast.)

Cruise cabin steward/waiter: $5 per passenger per day, if not included in the fare.

Hotel concierge: $5 to $10 depending on the service rendered (making reservations at exclusive restaurants, obtaining hard-to-find theatre tickets etc.)

Hotel maid: $1-$3 per night, depending on the quality of the hotel and whether extra service was given, such as additional towels or roll-away beds. Give the tip directly to the person, rather than adding it to the room bill.

Hotel room service waiter: 15% of the bill

Maitre d’:  $5 but only if extra service is given

Valet: $4 total; $2 for parking then $2 for retrieving your vehicle

Waiter: $15 percent of the bill

When leaving a tip, be kind and dignified. Don’t just toss the money at the person. Either leave it discretely under the plate or the pillow or pass it off while shaking the person’s hand. Always tip a little extra for extraordinary service.

Tags: tipping, travelling