Confused about tipping!

[MeeskaMooska13]

We're on the Magic to Iceland/Norway this summer and, for the first time, we've booked private tours. What is an acceptable rate to tip these guides? Furthermore, what is the standard tip for a hired car in London? Thanks so much in advance!!

 

[taishartrueblood]

More information required. How long a tour are you using a private guide on? What is the cost of the tour? By "hired car" do you mean taxi or a private driver?

 

[wcw57]

standard tipping in the U.S. is 20 percent...for services rendered that is.

limo, waiters, etc etc. Buffets and drivers and bag handlers vary. Don't know how long the excursion was (assumably just a few hours) but $5 or $10 (u.s. currency) would be plenty...

 

[Lex Luthor]

We're on the Magic to Iceland/Norway this summer and, for the first time, we've booked private tours. What is an acceptable rate to tip these guides? Furthermore, what is the standard tip for a hired car in London? Thanks so much in advance!!

Not so sure about Norway but as a resident living in London there is no standard tip for hiring a car in London or the UK.
Tipping is generally frowned upon in the United Kingdom and in some cases can be seen as bribery for good service or special services which is illegal.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

More information required. How long a tour are you using a private guide on? What is the cost of the tour? By "hired car" do you mean taxi or a private driver?

The tour in Iceland is all day and the cost is $1000. For London, we booked a car service to take us to Dover for £175.

 

[Lex Luthor]

This is speaking as in a hired car or rental car as is sometimes referred to in the USA. You would have to buy insurance as is the normal requirement.
Taxi drivers do not require a tip and is not customary to offer one.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

standard tipping in the U.S. is 20 percent...for services rendered that is.

limo, waiters, etc etc. Buffets and drivers and bag handlers vary. Don't know how long the excursion was (assumably just a few hours) but $5 or $10 (u.s. currency) would be plenty...

Thank you, however, since we will be traveling outside of the US, and tipping standards seem to differ from our country, I was looking for information on tipping in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and the U.K.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

This is speaking as in a hired car or rental car as is sometimes referred to in the USA. You would have to buy insurance as is the normal requirement.
Taxi drivers do not require a tip and is not customary to offer one.

I've hired Coastal Cars to drive us to Dover from London for £175. Si the total cost would be £175? Do you tip bellhop a for luggage assistance in the UK? Thanks so much for helping!

 

[wcw57]

meeske---you, i assume, are from the US....tip like a 'merican. it is not about traditions but being generous or, at least, grateful for services rendered

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

meeske---you, i assume, are from the US....tip like a 'merican. it is not about traditions but being generous or, at least, grateful for services rendered

Great Answer!! Thanks!

 

[taffy]

So in the UK there is no expectation on tipping but its nice to add a few pounds but you never tip 15/20 percent and the main reason is they are already paid a fare wage and do no not live off tips like in America. So as an example if my taxi was 18 pound I may give them a 20 pound note and say keep the change. As for Norway I am not sure but I am sure if you look up tipping guidelines on the net it will give advice . I am british by the way so that's how we do it at home.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So in the UK there is no expectation on tipping but its nice to add a few pounds but you never tip 15/20 percent and the main reason is they are already paid a fare wage and do no not live off tips like in America. So as an example if my taxi was 18 pound I may give them a 20 pound note and say keep the change. As for Norway I am not sure but I am sure if you look up tipping guidelines on the net it will give advice . I am british by the way so that's how we do it at home.

How would this work for excursions, though? Typically we'll tip $5 for a 1/2 day tour (for 2 of us) or $10 for a full day tour. Of course, it depends on how good a job the excursion operator did.

On excursions there's not a bill presented to "round up". Or do tour operators not get tips?

And, forgive my (not sure what the word would be - ignorant?) question, but is it the same for Ireland?

 

[taffy]

Yeah I don't think I have ever tipped a tour guide in the UK especially if you have already paid the tour operator. I am sure they would appreciate a tip but usually it is not expected. I am sure they like when the cruise ships are in and its like tip heaven

Aa for Ireland I would say it is similar to the UK.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

So in the UK there is no expectation on tipping but its nice to add a few pounds but you never tip 15/20 percent and the main reason is they are already paid a fare wage and do no not live off tips like in America. So as an example if my taxi was 18 pound I may give them a 20 pound note and say keep the change. As for Norway I am not sure but I am sure if you look up tipping guidelines on the net it will give advice . I am british by the way so that's how we do it at home.

Thank you! That helps!