Could anyone comment what is a usual tip for a multi-day tour? I am taking an 8 day tour hosted by one guide. I’m reading everything from £10 per day to 15%of the trip total (£3000).
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13946 posts
I think for myself the answer is "it depends". Is the guide also the owner of the company? Is it a Irish tour company? A company owner surely has priced the tour so they figure a tip/profit into the fee. A European company is probably going to expect a lower tip than an American based company. One reason I travel with Rick Steves and Road Scholar is that they specifically state tips are included.
I'd probably also email the tour company and ask what the expectation are. Is there a separate driver as well or is the guide the driver too?
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I should have offered more details. Thanks for that as it will make answers easier. This is an 8 day group tour in Ireland. There is only one staff who acts as both driver and guide. The tour is roughly 9am - 5pm, with stops where we will pay separately for some tours. It will have roughly 14 clients, all strangers. The company appears to be smallish, and the owners are seemingly no longer the guides. Their page noted they had several new guides for this season.
Given a low end 15%, if each person tips that’s and over £6,300. That’s £100 per hour tip (maybe. In the USA if I travel my company only recognizes working 40 hours but pays hotels and meals. I am not a tour guide, though).
Posted by
Washington DC
27122 posts
I'm pretty sure the owners would still be guiding tours themselves if they could count on 15% tips from a lot of their clients. That strikes me as laughably high for a multi-day group tour.
Posted by
Ireland
3 posts
As a rule of thumb on group size with 14 €100 per person for the tour for a good driver guide is standard, if exceptional obviously a bit more , it maybe 9-5 but they put a lot of work& planning behind the scenes and the season is relatively short, that keeps them going throughout the winter and enables them.to be back touring the following season.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32772 posts
I see that you haven't mentioned Northern Ireland yet you are quoting in Pounds Sterling.
If this is an Irish company, in the Republic, the currency will be Euro so Pounds won't be a lot of help.
If on the other hand you really meant Northern Ireland then of course you were right.