Tipping a tour guide around the world
Tipping a tour guide is customary in 13 of the 15 countries we track, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and 9 more. In the United States, $5–$20 per person for group tours; 15–20% for private tours.
Walking tours, bus tours, and private guides. Customs vary widely — here is what to expect country by country.
Europe
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Expected | 10–15% of tour cost, or £5–10 per person for free walking tours |
| 🇫🇷France | Expected | €5–10 per person group; €20+ private; €5–10 per person for free walking tours |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Expected | €5–10 per person half-day; €10–20 per person full-day; €10+ for free tours |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Expected | €5–10 per person half-day; €10+ full-day; €10–15 for free walking tours |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Expected | €5 per person group, €10–20 per person for free walking tours, 10% private |
North America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Expected | $5–$20 per person for group tours; 15–20% for private tours |
| 🇨🇦Canada | Expected | 15–20% of tour price, or $10–$20 per person full day |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Expected | 100–200 MXN per person group; 200–500 MXN/day private |
Asia
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japan | Optional | ¥0 group; ¥3,000–¥10,000 private English-speaking guide |
| 🇨🇳China | Expected | ¥100–200 per day private English guide; ¥50–100 per day for drivers |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | Optional | ₩0 group; ₩20,000–₩50,000 private English-speaking full day |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | Expected | ฿200–500 per person per day; ฿500–1,000 private full day |
Oceania
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | Appreciated | A$10–20 per person full-day; A$2–5 short walking tours |
South America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Expected | 10% of tour cost; R$20–R$50 per person half-day group |
Middle East
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | Expected | AED 50–100 per person half-day; AED 100–200 full-day private |
Tipping a tour guide: common questions
Do you tip a tour guide?
It depends on the country. Tipping a tour guide is expected or appreciated in 13 of the 15 countries we track — including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and 8 more — and is unusual in only a few places.
How much do you tip a tour guide?
In the United States, $5–$20 per person for group tours; 15–20% for private tours. Across all countries the usual range is 10–20% of the bill. Amounts vary by country — see the table above for each one.
Which countries expect you to tip a tour guide?
A tip is genuinely expected in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, China, Thailand, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates. In these countries staff often rely on tips as part of their income.
Should you tip a tour guide in cash or by card?
Cash is the safer choice in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and 10 more, where card tips may not reach staff. Elsewhere adding the tip to a card payment is normally fine.