Tipping In Austria: Customary Or Not?

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 not obligatory to tip, but it is customary to do so unless you are dissatisfied with the service. In restaurants, it is standard to tip around 5-10% of the bill, and this also applies to bars and cafes. In taxis, it is common to tip around 10% or to simply round up the fare.

Tipping in restaurants

Service charges are rarely included in bills, so you will usually need to calculate the tip yourself. However, check the bill first, as occasionally a service charge may be included. If you are paying by card, you can also ask if you should add a tip to the total amount.

In cafes and bars, tipping is at the customer's discretion. It is common to tip around 5% or to round up to the nearest euro for good service. It is considered rude to leave your tip on the table; instead, hand the tip directly to the server.

Tipping in taxis

If your taxi driver is helpful with your luggage or provides useful information about the local area, you may wish to tip a little extra. It is good practice to agree on a final fare with the driver before your journey begins.

When paying, you can tip in cash or by card. If paying in cash, simply hand over the total amount (fare plus tip) and say the final amount you wish to pay. For example, if the fare is €18.32, you could hand over €20 and say '€20' to the driver. If paying by card, you can ask the driver to add a tip to the total, or you can pay the fare and then give them some cash as a tip.

Remember to carry some small change with you when travelling in Austria, as you will likely need it for taxis and other services.

Tipping tour guides

Tipping culture in Austria is similar to many other European countries. While it is not obligatory, it is customary to tip for most services unless you are dissatisfied with the service. In restaurants, it is standard to tip around 5-10% of the bill, and in cafes and bars, it is common to round up to the nearest euro for good service.

Tour guides are often paid a low wage, so it is considerate to tip them, especially if they are enthusiastic and informative. The amount you tip will depend on the length and quality of the tour, as well as the number of people in your group. For group tours, a safe amount is around 2-5 euros per person, per day, while for high-quality private tours, you may wish to tip more, with amounts ranging from 5 to 10 euros or more.

When tipping your tour guide, it is best to use cash and the local currency, which is the euro. It is also important to note that you should hand the tip directly to your tour guide rather than leaving it on a table. Additionally, while it may be customary in some countries to leave a review on TripAdvisor instead of tipping, this may not be the case in Austria, as your guide may depend on tips as their primary source of income.

Tipping in bars and cafes

When paying, state the amount you're paying, including the tip. For instance, if your bill is €6.50, you can hand a €10 note and say "eight". This is because you tell the server how much change you want back, and they will keep the difference as a tip. Do not leave the tip on the table—always hand it directly to the server.

While tipping is not obligatory, it is customary in Austria unless you are genuinely unsatisfied with the service.

Tipping hotel staff

Tipping is customary in Austria, but it is not obligatory. It is usually expected when you receive good service. Tips below 5% are taken as a sign of dissatisfaction.

When it comes to hotel staff, it is standard practice to tip between 10-20% in top-end hotels with high service levels. You may want to tip a range of staff, such as maids, bellboys, valets, and front desk employees.

Housekeepers and maids are among the hardest-working hotel staff, so it is common to thank them with a small daily tip. You can leave a tip daily or leave the equivalent total at the end of your stay on the desk with a note. The amount you tip is at your discretion and should be based on the level of service you receive.

For porters, it is customary to give a small cash tip of around €2 per bag.

For the concierge or receptionist, a tip is not necessary if they simply helped with ordering a cab or making dinner reservations. However, if they offer exceptional service during your stay, you may want to tip €5-10 each time.

For valets, it is polite to give a small tip every time they retrieve your car from the hotel parking lot.

Frequently asked questions