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Tipping a tour guide/driver

Our group is 6 people, and we have hired a tour guide/driver in Normandy for an 8 hour tour of the Normandy Beaches. Can anyone advise us on tipping?

Posted by
4022 posts

At the beginning of our RS tour in 2019 our guide made a point of saying that people will gladly accept your money but nobody in France expects a tip.

Posted by
8258 posts

When it is a private tour like this and you have paid your fee for the tour, it is completely up to you whether you tip or not. Was it a wonderful experience that exceeded your expectations and you want to express your appreciation in a tangible way? Tip. Did you enjoy your tour, but feel that you paid a fair price for it? Don't tip.

Posted by
108 posts

Unless we are unhappy with a tour - we have always tipped our guide particularly on a private tour. Anywhere from 10-20% of the tour cost depending on the norm for the country unless we are not happy with the service. Even on larger group tours that are 1/2 or full day we tip our guide even if it is a nominal amount. I am always shocked how many folks do not. I do appreciate that RS tours includes all the gratuities.

Posted by
13809 posts

Is the guide the owner of his company or does he work for a bigger outfit? Owner, probably no tip. Employee of a larger company, probably would tip if they were excellent and knowledgeable.

Posted by
6429 posts

Our host offers advice on private guides here. He suggests tipping 10-20 euros "for a few hours with a personable guide who knows their stuff." I would definitely tip for a good job on the kind of all-day driving tour you're planning. But there's no tipping on a Rick Steves tour, except for meals and services you arrange in your free time. The tour cost includes tips to waiters for included meals and local guides for included tours.