Do you tip your bus drivers and guides?

Absolutely they should not be tipping. They have already prepaid the gratuity. This type of behavior is frustrating…..,,

I’ve been on 7 tours and haven’t noticed anyone tipping the driver. Occasionally our group will buy a bottle of wine for the guide which I consider nominal and it was entirely the group’s decision.

An important reason I like Rick’s tours is there’s no tipping and the groups are not deposited at stores for shopping. The thought of this makes me scream!

It is a habit Americans can't seem to shake when in Europe. IMO if you think the driver has done something above and beyond for you personally or the entire group, I would very discreetly (not within view of others) give what you think appropriate. People who boldly do it in front of others will make the others feel guilty and that IMO is very inappropriate.

They have already prepaid the gratuity

I really don't understand this concept, how can you pre-pay a gratuity? A tip is something given to recognise good service which isn't a given. A pre-paid tip is not a tip it's a charge.

No tipping per se. On most of our tours someone has taken on collecting a small amount for a parting gift for the guide and sometimes the driver. This was done in such a way as to make it optional. On our Greece tour our bus driver acted as the guardian when the teens and our daughter ventured forth at night into the wee hours. I tipped him for that above and beyond care we so appreciated.

JC you're right of course, but we Americans refuse to believe that there need not be a gratuity for everything and everyone. So saying it's already included is more effective than just saying they're paid well.

OP, I think that if you had reported it, the driver would be in trouble with RS. Definitely the tour leader can get fired for accepting tips. Of course the tour leader can't physically stop people from handing over money to the driver, but its not right.

On a couple of our tours, we chipped in and bought gag gifts for the tour leader, for the last nights dinner. But that's all.

Rick Steves explains that the gratuities are handled by the guide, so "included" in your cost.
I'd report this to the office.

I’ve been on 9 RS tours. On the first couple of tours one of the tour members collected 1 euro from each person and bought a small gift (flowers, wine, scarf) for the guide and bus driver. They were presented at the final dinner. I thought this was very nice.

On subsequent tours, no collection was taken. I questioned it but nobody was interested. Two times my friend and I did it on our own.

I think it’s a nice gesture.

If gratuity is included then why tip twice? I probably would feel pressured to do so, so as not to feel like a cheapskate, but I wouldn't like it.

On a cruise the gratuity is taken out but we still tipped our room attendant.

If someone is collecting a few dollars yes I would chip in.

On most of our tours someone has taken on collecting a small amount for a parting gift for the guide and sometimes the driver. This was done in such a way as to make it optional.

That has been our experience also. Just something small such as a scarf, bottle of wine, or similar token of appreciation.

But definitely no tipping per se.

@jC. Prepaid gratuities means that RS Tours has included this cost in your tour and pays it on to the driver and guide. This is important because is assures guides get paid and eliminates a kickback mentality.

One of the reasons RS has this policy is that it frees the tour leader to enforce the rules without fear of losing tip money.

On our very RS first tour, an envelop was passed around during the final dinner. We were surprised because our understanding was that tips were covered, yet we felt pressured to contribute.

On our second RS tour, our guide point-blank stated on Day One that under no circumstances should he or the driver be tipped, that they are well-compensated by RSE Tours. I gained incredible respect for this guide and have not tipped ever since.

Out of four RSE tours that we've travelled on, only one guide stated 'No Tips'. I would love for all the RSE Tour guides to state this on Day One as a matter of policy.

I have been on 3 RS tours.

My first tour I bought an artisan bar of soap and a card for the guide. For the driver, I put in 2-3 Euros extra when I paid my beverage fees. The driver keeps a cooler stocked on the bus.
The second tour, our guide's wallet broke and she couldn't close it. It was an oversized wallet with multiple zippered compartments. When I was exploring Siena, I saw a leather handbag store with a really good sale. I purchased a new wallet for her. Many, but not all of my tour mates donated 1 or 2 euros to the cause, leaving me with about 4 euros balance. Again, I gave a few extra euros when I paid for my beverages to the driver.
The third tour, my traveling companion and I purchased a bottle of raki for the guide and for the driver.

I don't consider these tips, just gifts of appreciation.

Out of four RSE tours that we've travelled on, only one guide stated 'No Tips'. I would love for all the RSE Tour guides to state this on Day One as a matter of policy.

Do you really want the guide to spend an hour ( or more) at the first meeting reading all the T & C and all the other associated literature from the website that everyone has or has had the opportunity read on their own?

What's Included

**Plus you'll get all this, too.
A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts
All group transportation

All breakfasts and half your dinners*
All tips for guides and driver

This is an excerpt from the 'What's included" that is part of ALL the tour descriptions

One of the reasons we choose Rick Steves tours is the freedom of pressure to tip drivers and guides.

No as it is against RS policy. I have many relatives in Europe and they rarely tip, and if they do they round up to the nearest euro.

On one of my 3 tours, the guide explained early on that RS staff are very well paid, that she "takes care of" hotel staff (including maids), restaurant staff, etc. and there is absolutely no tipping needed. Sometimes the group decides to chip in a nominal amount each to buy a present for the guide at the end of the tour.

No tipping is just one reason I prefer Rick's tours. The tip culture in the US just drives me nuts sometimes. I think part of his policy on tipping may also be part of his 'travel like a temporary European' philosophy. I have been on 7 RS tours and on most we did have a collection for a small gift of thanks like a scarf or a bottle of a particular liquor we had learned was a favorite. A small, thoughtful thank you gift is always appreciated and differs from a $$ tip.

Just finished 2 tours back to back and there was no tipping by anyone.

I know we ain't suppose to tip. But on my own I gave the tour guide some nice chocolates at the end of all my tours. I also left a couple euros for the hotel housekeeper before we departed for the next city. I think this should be ok.

We got a card for our tour guide which was passed around on the bus and we each wrote comments on it for her. She was very moved by the personalized comments. The guide passed around a card for us to sign for the bus driver who was awesome!

Are the RS tour directors told by the RS company not to accept tips? And to actively refuse if if someone offers one?

I’ve been on three RS yours and not one guide mentioned this in their orientation kickoff meeting?