Do I need to tip in Italy? | Intrepid Travel (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to tip in Italy? | Intrepid Travel? ›

The amount is entirely a personal preference, however the equivalent of USD 2–4 per person, per day, is a commonly used guideline. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.

No, tipping isn't considered rude in Italy. While not expected, a small tip shows appreciation for exceptional service and is generally well-received. Just remember that overtipping might be seen as unusual or unnecessary.

Tipping in Italian restaurants

The rule of thumb is to round up to the nearest increment of five — e.g. rounding up to €30 on a €27 bill — and leave a few euros on top of the total amount. If you pay with a card, leaving a few coins is enough.

Whenever you tip during your trip to Italy it is important to use the local currency, that is - Euros. Otherwise you'll leave your service providers with cash they can't use without paying high fees on currency exchange.

In Italy, a good rule of thumb is to consider the duration of your tour. If you spent half a day or less on a tour, you might consider tipping your guide between five and 10 euro. If your experience was close to a day in length, a tip of 10 euro or so would be gratefully received.

It is improper to put one's hands on one's lap, or to stretch one's arms while at the table. Resting one's elbows on the table is also considered to be poor manners. Do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. Drinking beverages other than water or wine with a meal is quite uncommon.

In general, leave a tip in Euros.

Tipping hotel staff in Italy is customary and very much appreciated.

Carry cash for tipping

If you want to tip but plan to pay with a credit card, carry a little cash. Italian credit card slips don't have a line on which to add a tip, so bring some euros in your wallet to leave una mancia.

Basic tipping etiquette says, yes, you should tip your tour guide. There are exceptions if your specific tour experience includes gratuities or you simply didn't have a good time, but in general, tipping your guide at the end of the tour is customary in the U.S. and Europe, though it's much more common in the States.

How to ask for the bill in Italy? ›

They're simply waiting for you to tell them you're ready to pay. How do you ask for the restaurant bill in Italy? You simply flag down your server and politely say: “Il conto per favore!” (the check please).

(While not required or even expected, if your gondolier does the full 35 minutes and entertains you en route, a 5–10 percent tip is appreciated; if he's surly or rushes through the trip, skip it.)

While tips are appreciated no matter where you travel, tipping in Europe isn't as automatic nor as generous as it is in the US, and in many countries, tips aren't expected at all. The proper amount depends not only on the country you're in, but also on your resources, tipping philosophy, and the circ*mstances.

While taking food to go has historically been seen as asking for a "doggy bag," certain restaurants that accommodate foreigners have started to adapt. If waitstaff offers to-go boxes, there is a good chance that they serve a lot of travelers.

In Rome, like many popular travel destinations, tips and gratuities are discretionary and dependent on the service quality you've received. Sometimes it's appropriate to tip simply because it's customary - for example in a restaurant, hotel or cab.

The short answer is yes. Drinking water from the tap in Italy is considered safe. Tap water in the major cities and towns around Italy is safe for consumption, and there are thousands of old-style water fountains dotted around cities, like Rome, where you can fill up water bottles.