Ground transportation tipping??

It’s not included in the rate or mentioned in the rate quote.

Why would you want to pay more than the agreed price?

I know tipping in Europe is not the high dollar extravaganza that it is in the US. Being a US person, I still tip around 15%, unless they give poor service. On a recent trip in the UK, we had a private driver from the airport to our hotel who was just excellent, so we tipped and we were all happy. Even in the US, some people don't tip for various reasons, and they live to tell the tale, but this is what makes us comfortable.

The problem with the question is in the words "in Europe". Research the norm in the country you are visiting. Here it might be 5% for good service or nothing for less than good.

Trelawney - because it is a service. If the stated price for a haircut is $23.00, it may be customary to tip. Thus the reason for my question….what do other travelers experience.

KC - thank you for answering my question.

Mr E - I am doing research. As part of that research I am checking travel forums. As I said in my post, going to Greece. However on numerous other trips throughout Europe I have used private transport. Just wondering what others experience or think.

You mentioned that you were going to Greece. I'd suggest an online search for tipping norms in Greece. If you have a good driver, and perhaps he helps load and unload your bags, then a small tip would be in order. Taxis - you can just round up the fare a Euro or 2.

Yes, I would tip a few euros, 2-3, especially if it’s an employee. And yes, we do tip in Europe in some situations but not as much as the US.

I would also tip a private driver. Maybe €10- €20 if it’s a long journey of over an hour or less for a shorter trip. I’ve no idea what’s standard, that’s just what I do personally.

Just say thank you and move on.

When i hired a private driver in Ireland 2 years ago. I tip 50 euro. It was a sightseeing trip that included a hotel transfer. He was a guide and driver, also helped with our luggage.
I was happy with the service.

In Greece and Southern Europe as a whole, tipping is a cultural tradition, not a necessity driven by the wage system like in the USA. But it’s definitely not mandatory. If you’re happy with the service, just rounding up by a few euros.

Unfortunately, in the more touristy areas, you might now run into some clever guys who have caught on to American habits by installing payment terminals with tipping options.

As it’s paid in advance you can either just thank the driver or, for good service, tip a few Euros, For example, I had a driver pick me up at the airport in Athens and he took me by the quickest route to the hotel and I just thanked him, no issues. On a different trip when I took a car from Athens to the port, my carry-on case handle broke as we were loading it into the trunk. When we got to Piraeus the driver took me to a shop selling suitcases, helped me buy a replacement at a good price, waited while I repacked quickly and took me right to the ship so I was there in good time for departure. He also took care of disposing the broken case. I gave him a €20 tip for that, nearly as much as the new suitcase cost! I was happy, he was happy. For meals or a coffee in Greece either round up the bill, leave a couple of Euros or just smile and say thank you, all are perfectly acceptable.

Mr E is spot on - i wpuld always stick with the norm on the country you're visiting - there is not "Europe" standard. Generally I take the view that the service has been paid for, and there's no need to tip. In some countries it is actually viewed as unusual if tipping is not the norm. But in some countries it is a norm, and there I would tip.

I use this site for guidance. It is usually spot on:

Who To Tip

I just read Frank II's website for France and think it's spot-on for France, though, I usually give a taxi driver 1-2 euros or tell them to round up, not 10%. The tip option pops up on the Bolt app, too. I never take Uber.

I'm glad housekeepers are mentioned, but I wish those poor food delivery riders had been included. They are pretty desperate, without salaries and guarantees, cobbling a life together on those tips.

I also think tipping is somewhat generational, becoming more widespread with the younger generation.

I looked at the website for Hungary and there isnt much I agree with. But the beauty here is that if you give nothing, no one will hate you.

65 cent tips for anything are a bit .... I wouldnt do it. I would feel better giving nothing. And if anyone does read it, I have been to 3 bathhouses in town, none, so far, have worked that way. Tipping recommended on meals is at the higher end, but not unreasonable (10% is more common). But do check that there is no service charge. If there is maybe 5% more if you enjoyed the service. Or nothing. Taxi drivers dont expect a tip any more than anyone else. So the link is wrong on that count. 10% would make his day and 15% would blow him away. And the warning about taxis is something from 20 years ago. Its an incrediably well regulated and safe fleet of cars. And cheap if you dont over tip.

Okay, but this stuff is all subjective so, thank you FrankII, if one were to follow it one would be closer than most advice. Very useful and worth keeping a link to.

This website is very helpful! I agree with what it says for the UK with one exception- it says don't tip for spas (which may be true- that is not a service I normally use)- but you should definitely tip at a nail salon or at the hairdresser's. Altho I'm not sure how applicable that will be to most people who are just here visiting.