Tipping Travel Companies

Are you asking about a day tour or an overnight/over the road tour?

If over the road, the information you received from the tour company should mention a suggested tip for the tour director and driver. It's usually about $3-5/day for each the tour director and driver. The more expensive tours suggest the higher end, the more budget tours the lower end. While it's suggested the driver get the same, most people do give the driver less.

For a full day tour, $3-5 to the guide and the driver would be acceptable. For a 1/2 day tour, anywhere from $1-3 depending on the length.

Remember, you have to be happy with the guide and driver's work. If they made your trip more enjoyable, let them know by showing your appreciation with a gratuity. If you weren't happy, then don't.

It's also best to give the tip in the local currency.

I've heard lots of people complain that tour directors make too much. What they seem to forget is that the average workday for a TD is anywhere from 12-16 hours. There's a lot you don't see being done behind the scenes to make it seem as if things "magically" appear. Problems always occur and a good TD will take care of it without his passengers ever knowing. Additionally, tours do not run all year. This is a seasonal business and much of what the TD makes during season has to help pay his bills off-season.

"I guess our standards are different. Don't view 10% as way too much. BUT, it depends on the tour and, especially, the quality of the guide. If the guide has done a terrific job -- and you know the difference between someone just walking through the script and someone who really enjoys doing the job -- I may give as much as 20%." --- Whow - it's a $4000 tour Frank - I'm not giving a $400 tip thats really too much. I think the suggestion of $5 is about right - I've found others you have suggested the same. thanks.

I guess our standards are different. Don't view 10% as way too much. BUT, it depends on the tour and, especially, the quality of the guide. If the guide has done a terrific job -- and you know the difference between someone just walking through the script and someone who really enjoys doing the job -- I may give as much as 20%. Helps to make up for all of the participants that don't give a dime. For the driver, it is more of a token amount. I give by my standard not some perceived European standard.

It also depends on the company. RS tours don't allow tipping, although it's not unusual for the group to band together and purchase our beloved dictat--I mean leader, a gift. :-)

I probably wouldn't tip the driver much, if anything, unless they did a lot more than just driving around, i.e., helped with baggage, etc. The guide is a lot more likely to be deserving of an extra token of appreciation, especially if he/she has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

John, that's why I asked what kind of tour you were going on. I believe Frank, the other one, was talking about either half or one day tours when he mentioned the 10-20%.

Frank II - thanks - thats a lot to digest - in this case the TD is the owner of the company and will be doing to guiding. It's a big company and they do a lot of tours - we are fortunate to have the TD as our Guide. It seems to me that a $5 per day tip is more then generious given the number of days - (14) and the number of people -(approx. 40). We'll see - maybe service will be outstanding and I'll agree to $10/day.

Rick Steves tours may seem more expensive then some,, but I loved the no tipping,, apparently that could add up( TWENTY PERCENT is alot of money!!! , for doing their job well,, the way they are supposed to anyways!)

Folks....stop with this idea that someone is paying 20% on an over-the road-tour. It's not happening. For a one day tour of say $50...if you want to give $10 okay..but no one..and I mean no one...is giving an over the road tour director a 20% tip. (I would have loved that!!!!)

And let me ask Pat a question...when you were a waitress, did you get tipped? Why? Weren't you supposed to be doing your job well so why should someone give you extra money?

With RS tours, you are, in a sense, tipping ahead of time. Think of it like those restaurants that automatically add a gratuity to large groups.

Frank II - thank you for your valued advise - I think you have explained well and I think I have a pretty good idea of what I need to do - I've seen now an article in US Today on travil tips which gave pretty much the same information - $5 to $10 per day - good advise - again thanks and Happy Thanksgiving. John

Never really been a waitress Frank,, supervised and trained them though.. started out as a hostess, then dining room supervisor,, then management,, this is all years ago.

As for service and tipping, service and tipping were NEVER tied together in the places I worked. Even if old Mrs. So and So came in every week for afternoon tea,, with her 4 other cronies,, ran the waiter or waitress off their feet, and left a 2 dollar tip,, the server was still expected to provide high level of service( over and over) . Or get fired.
We did not employ any other type of server( for long). We did pay more then minimum wage though,, unlike in America ,, where I am pretty sure servers can in fact be paid LESS then normal. Horrible system.

FRankII ,, have you been to Victoria? ITs a super customer orientated service culture,, and we are used to be stiffed occaisonally by some nationalities,, but being NICE is never something that is optional for servers here.

As for the 20% comment,, the other Frank said he did in fact tip that much sometimes.

Yes, Pat, I've been to Victoria. In fact, I've been there a few times. And like just about anywhere else, I've had both good service and bad service.

Some people like to show their appreciation for good service with a tip, and others don't. It's everyone's personal choice. Some nationalities, such as Australian and Japanese, are not accustomed to tipping. American's usually tip because they are used to it. Most Canadians usually show their appreciation with a tip. Unfortunately, not all.

OK evenyone - this seems to have gotten off track from my original question. The latest replys do not seem to address my original question - which was - on a pre-paid tour - (14 days) costing $4000 - what would you pay in the way of a tip for the TD and Driver. I can tell you I am not going to pay 20% ($800) as a tip - that is just plain crazy. The suggestion of $5 to $10 per day is reasonable - so lets just drop this and forget the rest. This has nothing to do with short service tipping - and for all of those concerned yes I do tip up to 20% for good service in a resturant. Done. John

FRankII ,, you always post your insinuations on the public board, so either stop it ,, or pm me ,,, I think we've discussed this before.

Your last (two) lines are definately a dig,, so don't bother with the " who me" act. Maybe if someone else had posted it,, but we all know what you think of me,, so anyone can figure out a dig Frank. duh

As for my "American" comment,, funny you took it as an insult. I like some Americans very much,, I dislike others,, pretty well normal I'd say.

FRANK I TIP ,,I HAVE said that before and I am sick of your insinuations.
Why do some AMERICANS go on and on about how others don't tip,, it they ask a question about it,, or say 20% is excessive.

Pat, you need to take a paranoia pill...I made a generic statement about how certain nationalities are not used to tipping and some are. I even stated that MOST Americans and Canadians do because they are used to it....but unfortunately, not all.

Too bad you took it personally and then attacked an entire country. (Which proves what I've always thought--you're not too fond of Americans. Not that we care.) LOL

If you feel a need to further this, may I suggest you contact me via PM so as not to bother the other people on this board.

nice edit,,LOL

you know what is interesting. I just got a brochure in the mail of a well known large tour company. Among the list that is new for 2010 - tipping for tour directors is included and they mention they will stay at more unique hotels including centrally located (looks like they got their ideas from Rick Steves)