The Ultimate Travel Tipping Guide

Gratuities are typically a percentage of the total amount of the service added onto the bill at restaurants, spas, and salons. Generally, the amount of the gratuity is left up to the customer to decide based on the quality of service received, though there are standard guidelines. While travelers may choose to penalize very poor service with no tip, most experts agree that at least the minimum gratuity should be included with payment, and management notified of the errors.

Occasionally, a gratuity will already be included on the final bill. Usually, large parties at restaurants incur an automatic gratuity, and some spa and cruise services add a standard tip to the total before the bill is presented to the customer. If this is the case, it is not necessary to add any extra gratuity, although patrons wishing to reward exceptional service may certainly do so.

Cruising
Note: Each cruise line has a different tipping policy. Some replace traditional tipping with a service charge on shipboard accounts, although guests can often opt out. Others include gratuities in the fare so that all tips are prepaid.

Porters -- $1-2 per bag
Table Captain -- $1 per visit
Waiters (Main Dining Room) -- $3-5 per person per day
Assistant Waiters (Main Dining Room) -- $2-3 per person per day
Waiters (Alternative Dining) -- Often included in cover charge, see cruise line for details
Wine Steward -- $10 per week
Bar Steward -- 15% (often added to tab automatically)
Room Steward -- $5 per day
Room Service -- $1-3
Spa Services -- 15-20%
Butlers -- $5 per day
Deck Steward -- $2 per day
Excursion Leader -- $4 per day
Excursion Driver -- $2 per day

Food & Drink
Note: If free drinks are served (which often occurs at casinos), the cocktail server should still receive a tip.

Bartender -- $1 per drink, or 10-20% of tab
Cocktail Server -- $1-2 per drink
Maitre d -- $5-20
Sommelier -- 10-20% of wine bill
Waiter -- 10-20%

Leisure
Tour Guide (Short) -- $1-5 per half day
Tour Guide (Extended) -- $6-7 per day, or 10-15%
Tour Bus Driver -- $1-3 per day
Spa Services -- 10-20%
Caddies -- $15-25 per person
Casino Dealers -- $1-3 or 5-10% of winnings
Personal Shopper -- 10% of total
Shoe Shine -- $2-3
Coatroom Attendant -- $1 per coat
Bathroom Attendant -- $1

Transportation
Curbside Luggage Check -- $1-2 per bag
Airport Porters -- $1-2 per bag
Airport Shuttles -- $1-2 per person
Taxi Drivers -- 10-20%
Tour Bus Driver -- $1-3 per day
Sleeping Car Attendant -- $5 per day