Tipping private guide

It is a tipping culture, but not like the US as there is no social pressure attached to it. So, no one is offended with nothing, but anything you choose to give is appreciated.

5 people for a full day? It was a great tour and everyone got along well and it was close to perfect? I am guessing the bill was the equivalent of 200 to 250 euro? I'd give 20 euro at most (about 8000ft), If the day was less than near perfect, maybe 5000ft. If the guide was machine like and not a memory that you will carry forever maybe nothing.

No matter how great the tour, or even if you paid 400 euro for the tour, 10.000ft would be my limit.

Interesting that Americans aren't great tippers here. I guess they believe there is no tipping in Europe. I've been told by several in the tourist business that the big tippers are Germans.

FWIW, in 2018 in Budapest I did two half day tours (on consecutive days) with the same guide - solo tours, just me - and it was one of the best such experiences I ever had. At the end of the 2nd tour, when I paid for both tours, I tipped the young woman equivalent to the cost of one of the tours, or about $200 if I am remembering correctly - and she was so taken aback, she cried. And later that year, I took my wife to Budapest, and repeated one of the tours, and I tipped her again quite generously, and she cried again.

What can I say, l am American, and I tip generously when I feel it is warranted unless it is not local custom like in Japan - never try to tip a cab driver in Japan - they will not accept it. But no need to go so far as to make your Budapest guide cry...unless you like that sort of thing.

At least in 2018, and Mr E can confirm if this is common, I could have paid in US$, or Euros, or Forints, they took it all. I had forints and paid in the local currency...

Jojo Rabbit, you know what, not a damn thing wrong with what you did. Its really wonderful to do that in a society that doesn't require it or expect it. Well played.

Most of the guides want Euros. Its a more stable currency. But Forints are fine too. Dollars? If you pay in Dollars or Euros they will need to be clean, nearly perfect, crisp new bills or they have trouble changing them. Not so much with the Euros as many here have Euro bank accounts and the banks are a bit more liberal with "used" bills. Dollars are probably the least favorite of the three, but still more popula than Albanian Lek.