Tips on tipping
The tipping culture in Europe is quite different to that of the U.S.A. and some other parts of the world. In Europe, tipping is almost always at your discretion, though when you tip, and how much, varies between countries. Before setting off on your European rail adventure, it’s worth at least having an idea of the etiquette to avoid overtipping or causing offense by not tipping enough. If you're taking a cab, rounding up to the nearest euro is usually more than enough. In hotels, €1-€2 per bag for porters and €10-€20 for the concierge if they went out of their way for you, is fairly customary across Europe.
Western Europe & Scandinavia
These days when you eat in a restaurant, it’s pretty common for the check to state 'service included' (servicios incluidos, service inclus) for much of Western Europe and the Scandinavian countries. However, it is considered a kind gesture to leave anything from a few euros to a 10% tip for outstanding service.
Eastern Europe
Service is not usually included in Eastern European countries and leaving a tip is very much appreciated, especially since salaries are relatively low. Tipping around 10% in restaurants is the usual amount.
Great Britain and Ireland
In the UK, tipping is more common than on the rest of the continent and is customary. Many establishments are now adding service to the check, so have a look first before paying up to avoid tipping twice. If service is not incorporated into the final total, then 10%-15% is considered acceptable, depending on the standard of service you received. In the big cities like London, tipping up to15% is quite common, particularly in more upmarket places.
If you're eating at an outdoor terrace or busy restaurant or cafe, it's wise to hand the tip directly to the waiter/waitress to be sure it ends up in the right hands.
