Do YOU know how much to tip abroad? The proper amount to pay waiters, bar staff and taxi drivers

It’s finally time to take the vacation you’ve been saving for all year, carefully budgeting for each day of your trip.

But panic ensues when you realize there’s something you haven’t brought with you in your pocket money jar.

It’s a hotly debated topic, with Americans more than used to paying large amounts of extra in tips when they go out, while some European countries don’t tip at all.

So where should you tip? And how much? A global guide from Forbes Advisor analyzes tipping etiquette for some of the British’s most beloved holiday destinations.

Kevin Pratt, travel insurance expert at Forbes advisorsaid, “Vacations should be fun and relaxing, so worrying about tipping etiquette should be avoided if possible.

“No one wants to feel uncomfortable at the end of, say, a meal because they don’t know what is expected of them. That’s where our tipping guide comes into its own.”

The US is known for its tipping culture, specifically how much extra you expect to pay on top of what you ordered.

In restaurants, 20 percent is the minimum tip you give to servers – many consider that stingy. This can be an unwanted shock to tourists.

In bars you are expected to add $1 for each drink. So if you buy five drinks that cost $7 each, you pay the bartender $40.

And for taxis, a 15 percent tip is standard.

Canada follows the example of the US, with the same expected amounts.

In Europe, however, tipping culture is markedly different.

Spain

First up is Spain – where tipping is expected in tourist areas and major cities.

In places like Barcelona, ​​it is customary to leave a 10 percent tip for valets, bartenders, and taxi drivers. So if your taxi costs 10 euros, you are expected to hand over 11.

And this amount is common, with Italy and Greece both expecting the same percentage of tip on top of your bar, restaurant or taxi bill.

United States

Tipping is the norm in the US, with most service industry workers relying on tips to boost their pay. A 20% tip is expected in restaurants and visitors are expected to leave $1-2 per drink at a bar.

France

While it’s considered polite to leave a tip if you’ve received good service, it’s more of a gesture than a requirement. In all cafés, bars, restaurants and hotels, a 15% service charge is automatically included.

Italy

Tipping is not required, although it is customary to leave a 10% tip for your server. Outside of restaurants, cafes and other eateries, drivers typically receive a 10% tip, while tips for hotel staff range from €1 for baggage handlers to a maximum of €20 for concierge services.

Greece

Tipping in Greece is considered customary, if not expected, as a ‘thank you’ gesture to your server. It is generally considered good practice to leave a 10% tip.

Kevin Pratt of Forbes said, “There’s one tip that’s pretty common, and that’s paying 10 percent on top of the cost of what you ordered.

‘In some cases a tip can be added to the bill and paid by card, but it’s worth remembering that cash is fluent in any language, so local currency is always an option and if you’re not sure know, leaving an extra 10% of your expenses as a tip is an easy way to cover your basics.

But the golden rules for taking cash on vacation are: don’t carry large amounts of currency with you, use your hotel safe to keep cash and other valuables safe, and always purchase travel insurance in case your money is lost or stolen. is becoming.’

Ban Mahsoub, Head of Money Services at Tesco Bank said: ‘Checking tip culture before your holiday can often be an overlooked detail. But not knowing how much to tip can have ramifications for travelers. Grab a guidebook or check online how much to tip after activities such as dining out, getting a coffee, or taking a cab, as the percentages can vary depending on where you are.

“Be sure to bring tips when changing your money before you travel, as cash is often preferred for this. My suggestion would be to check the average cost of a meal at your destination and add the local tip percentage to give you an estimate. You can then include this amount in calculating the amount you exchange for your trip.

Tesco Bank Travel Money customers traveling to the US or Caribbean can prepare for tip usage as soon as they arrive on holiday by picking up one of our ready-to-use tip packs when collecting their currency from a travel money agency of Tesco Bank. Ask your local Tesco Bank travel money office for more information.’