We've scheduled 3 tours (a 9-hour ultimate Rome, 9-hour Pompeii/Sorrento/Positano and 9-hour Pisa/Florence) when our cruise ship docks in these ports next month. These are NOT through the cruise line, but through private tour companies that we arranged ourselves. I've read in Rick's guidebooks that tipping guidelines are much different in Europe than in the US. Each of these tours are in the 200-300 euros per person price range, including admission to all of the major sites. It also includes private guides for Pompeii and for the Vatican. The tour website states that these tours are all-inclusive except for gratuities, so they are definitely expecting a tip I want to tip appropriately but am a loss for just what that means. Any guidance on what would be an appropriate tip these excursions would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23666 posts
If the guide does a really good job, I will tip in the range of 5 to 10%. If it is a long tour with a bus driver, I will (not always) give the driver about half of what I gave the guide. You may get responses saying it is not necessary to tip but I am just more comfortable showing a little appreciation by tipping.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
You don't need to tip at all in Italy. It's not a tipping culture. Just pay the price asked for. Any website that specifically states that gratuity is not included is targeting North Americans. Italians won't tip! You don't need to either. I know it's very different than what we're used to but you don't need to tip. You're already paying up to 1000 euros for a tour. Why do you think it necessary to pay more?
Donna
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
I've had guides that were amazing, whom I tried to tip after the tour. They said they that wasn't nessecary, they wouldnt accept it and gave me the money back. I've only had one in Florence on a walking tour who accepted it.
Posted by
Austin
977 posts
My experience is that a private tour guide does expect a tip, and larger than the one expected on a ship sponsored big bus ones. I have passed around envelopes for the guide and driver when it was a cruise critic group- amounts varied on a $60 tour from $5-$20 per person- value received, I guess. A $20 tip on a $60 tour is pretty happy. I would think 10 % is good. Have tipped more than that when an especially great and overqualified guide tho.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Any tour guide who "expects" a tip in Italy should be avoided. Italy is not a tipping culture like North America is. Any tour company who states "tips are not included" is just targeting North Americans and should be avoided. There are plenty of great companies out there that won't expect or accept a tip. 10-30% tips are ridiculous! There is absolutely no need to pay more than the quoted price, ever!! If you look at these same sites on the Italian pages you won't see the mention of "tips" because they know they won't get them. It's only tourists they target for this because they know it's our culture to tip. Save your money for something else.
Donna