A customer recently asked me about the rules regarding gratuities for tour guides. She was traveling to Europe and had pre-booked some tours through an online service. Stating that she felt she had paid “top dollar” for the tour and believed that a tip for the tour guide should be included in the total price but, she was not certain if that was correct.
When To Tip the tour guide
Most tour guides do not expect tips, but they do appreciate them. If a guide is working through a booking service they are probably making minimum wage and tips are welcome.
Guides who are self-employed receive the entire payment therefore, much like having the owner of a beauty salon do your hair, you aren’t expected to tip them. A private tour guide with an agency is likely making better than minimum wage but would still very much appreciate the tip.
To Tip, Or Not To Tip, That is the Question
How much is appropriate? Well, it’s not that simple.
Let’s say you paid $50 for a three-hour walking tour with a small group of eight or fewer. If you loved the tour a 20% tip would be appropriate. If you thought it was just ok, maybe 15, 10, or even 5 percent tip seems reasonable. To clarify, that means per person in your group. If you thought it was awful let your conscience be your guide.
Tipping on river cruises
I’ve been on a few Viking River cruises and there are daily tours with excellent guides. Many times there is a bus driver as well. Should you tip the guide, the driver, or both? I generally tip both people. Since groups on cruise tours are generally larger, up to 20 people, I don’t feel I need to leave as large a tip as if it was a private tour or a small group tour.
Viking usually recommends a euro or two for the driver and two or more for the guide, at your discretion of course. I always tip the driver. Many times I’ve been amazed at the skill the driver exhibits in squeezing the bus into a small space or through a sequence of hairpin turns. Not to mention the safety factor. A good driver is everything. So, I’m going to go out on a limb and say, Always tip the driver.
Always tip in cash
One thing that is across the board in Europe, tipping should be done in cash. Most people there are not going to whip out their smart phone for you to tip them via Apple Pay. I tried that and felt like an idiot.
The point I want to make here is, don’t assume because you paid what you believe to be a high price for a tour that you should not tip. One option is to ask the tour company if tips are included in the fee. If they say no, ask what is an appropriate tip. But first and foremost, do what you believe to be right. Again, when in doubt, just ask.
Follow Your Instincts And Be Nice
As a professional in a service business, I sometimes receive tips. I never expect anything, but I do appreciate them. My goal is to provide the level of service I would expect. When someone tips me, I feel it means they recognize and appreciate me and my experience. I believe service people make the world go ’round. At the very least be kind and never assume anything.
What I’ve learned in my recent travels
What I’ve learned recently in my European travels is that many guides are making minimum wage. Unfortunately, the minimum wage doesn’t support a minimum lifestyle in most places post-pandemic. In Portugal for example, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment is 1000 euros. That sounds great to most Americans. However, the average monthly income in Portugal is 700-900 euros. Hardly enough to pay rent, buy food, etc.
In the UK wages are considerably lower than in the US for the same job. In most cases, I found the tip was already built into the price. If I was uncertain, I simply asked. Now that you know, let your conscience be your guide.
Meanwhile, if you’re booking any upcoming tours please check out Take Walks. I am an affiliate, and I love their tours. If you book through my link I’ll receive a small commission which will buy me a cup of coffee.
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