Tipping In Austria: When, Where, And How Much?

Tipping culture varies across the world, and it can be confusing to know what to do when travelling to a new country. In Austria, it is customary to tip, but only in certain circumstances. In restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels, it is standard to tip around 5-10% of the bill, depending on the quality of the service. In some cases, a service charge may already be included in the bill, so it is always worth checking before leaving a tip.

Tipping in restaurants

In most cases, you will have to tip separately, but sometimes a service charge is included in the final bill, so it is worth checking first. If the service is good, a tip of around 5-10% is standard. If the service is exceptional, you may want to tip closer to 15-20%.

If your bill is 9 euros, you might round up to 10. If it's 25, you might round up to 28. It's flexible. You can tip more if you want, but it's not expected.

If you are paying by card, you can ask if you should add a tip to the total, or simply pay the bill and hand over some cash as a tip. If you are paying in cash, give your server a slightly higher amount than your bill and say the amount you are paying, e.g. if your bill is €25.10, you could say €27 when paying by card or hand over €30 in notes.

Tipping in bars and cafes

In bars and cafes, tipping is at the customer's discretion. However, it is worth noting that leaving a tip will likely result in faster service and a more friendly server. The general rule is to tip one or two euros per round of drinks or one euro for a coffee order. If you are paying by card, you can add a small amount to your tab or leave some coins or notes as a tip.

If you are paying in cash, it is important to tell the server the amount you wish to pay, including any tip. For example, if your bill is €6.50, you can hand them a €10 note and say "eight", indicating that €2 is for the tip. It is considered rude to leave your tip on the table, and you should always hand it directly to the server.

It is also worth noting that in Austria, cash is still king, and you will likely need to ask for your bill when you are ready to leave. You can do this by saying "Zahlen, bitte" or "Die Rechnung, bitte." While tipping is not obligatory, it is customary unless you are truly unsatisfied with the service.

Tipping in hotels

Housekeepers and maids are among the hardest-working hotel staff and it is common to thank them for great service with a small daily tip. You should also remember to tip luggage attendants/porters when they help you with your bags.

If the hotel concierge offers exceptional service, you may want to tip them. However, tips are not expected if the concierge simply helps with ordering a cab or making dinner reservations. Similarly, tipping a receptionist is at your discretion and should be based on the level of service you receive.

Remember to always tip in the local currency, which is the euro.

Tipping taxi drivers

Tipping in Austria is common, but it can be confusing. It's important to note that you should tip less than in North America and less than in some parts of Europe. This is because service charges are often included in the bill, and waiters earn a decent salary.

When it comes to tipping taxi drivers in Austria, it is customary to tip around 10% for a longer journey, especially if the driver helps with your luggage. For shorter journeys, it is common to round up the bill to the nearest Euro. If you're using a local taxi, remember to agree on the fare before your trip.

For example, for a 50 Euro taxi bill, you would typically tip 5 Euros for a longer journey, whereas for a 7.50 Euro bill, a 50-cent tip would be appropriate for a short journey.

Additional Information

In restaurants, cafes, and bars, it is customary to tip around 10-15% of the bill. For a 100 Euro meal, a tip of 10-15 Euros is suggested, while for a 10 Euro drink, a tip of 1-2 Euros is appropriate.

In hotels, tipping between 10-20% is standard practice. You may tip various staff members, such as maids, bellboys, valets, and front desk employees, depending on the service you receive.

When tipping, always use the local currency, which is the Euro in Austria, to avoid inconveniencing your service providers with currency exchange fees. Additionally, remember to double-check your bill before deciding whether to tip, as service charges may be included in restaurants, hotels, and bars.

Tipping tour guides

Tipping culture in Austria is common but can be confusing. While tipping is expected in certain circumstances, it is not as habitual as in the US. In restaurants and hotels, a service charge is sometimes included in the final bill, so it is worth checking before leaving a tip. In most cases, however, you will need to tip separately.

Tour guides are often paid a low wage, so it is customary to tip them. The amount depends on the length and price of the tour and the quality of the guide. For group tours, a safe amount is 5-10 euros per person per day, while for high-quality private tours, you may wish to tip more. If you join a free tour, it is worth tipping as your contribution may be the only income the guide makes.

When tipping in Austria, it is important to use the local currency (euros) and to hand the tip directly to the server rather than leaving it on the table.

Frequently asked questions