Just wondering if/when you tip on tour groups and what the standard % is? For example, looking at one of Bob's Tours in Salzburg - it's a 8 hour tour in a 9 passenger van that cost ~80 euro...
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32349 posts
Jenessa, I can't recall if I left a gratuity on Bob's Tours, but I suspect I did? For a "default value", I'd probably consider 10-15% of the total. Leaving a gratuity or tip seems to be a normal expectation on most tours in Europe. One exception of course is the Rick Steves Tours, where NO tips are required or encouraged, either for the tour itself or local tours that are provided. Happy travels!
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
based on my experience, virtually all drivers and guides in europe expect a tip at the end of the tour (even on one day or half day tours0, and they arent very subtle about letting you know)
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
We tipped Bob's Tours in Salzburg about 25 euro for 4 of us. I have no idea if that was the correct amount or not, but that's what we did.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I start with 10 percent, and go up or down from there based on how good the guide was. An excellent guide gets 20 percent. A poor guide gets 5 percent, if they were objectionable, they might get nothing.
Posted by
Austin
976 posts
I always tip, and on private tours I tip more than on a big bus tour. I just booked some day tours in St Petersburg and noticed the agency suggests a 10 % tip. Our fearless leader says he doesn't tip unless he is really impressed, and for Scandinavia it's along the lines of 5%.
What I really want to know is, does the driver always get his share-- do you guys tip separately?
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Tip the driver and guide separately. I dont know if they share.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9211 posts
If you don't know, it is quite easy to ask the guide or the driver if they share.