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Germany Travel Tips

Tipping Etiquette

Tipping, known as "Trinkgeld" in German, is customary in many service industries, including restaurants, cafes, taxis, and hotels. Hereโ€™s a guide to help you navigate the tipping culture in Germany.


In German restaurants and cafes, tipping is expected but not obligatory. The general practice is to round up the bill or leave a tip of about 5-10% of the total amount. Unlike in some other countries, it is not customary to leave the tip on the table. Instead, when paying the bill, you should hand the tip directly to the server. For example, if your bill is โ‚ฌ23, you might give โ‚ฌ25 and say "stimmt so" (keep the change) or specify the total amount you want to pay, such as "machen Sie 25 Euro" (make it 25 euros).


In bars and pubs, the tipping practice is similar to that in restaurants. It is common to round up the bill or leave a small tip of around 5-10%. If you are ordering drinks at the bar, you can tip the bartender directly when paying for each round.


Tipping in hotels is generally appreciated, though not mandatory. For hotel staff, such as bellhops, housekeepers, and concierges, a small tip is customary for good service. A common guideline is to tip bellhops โ‚ฌ1-2 per bag and housekeepers โ‚ฌ1-2 per night. If a concierge provides you with exceptional service, such as booking hard-to-get reservations or tickets, a tip of โ‚ฌ5-10 is appropriate.


When taking a taxi, it is customary to round up the fare to the nearest euro or to tip about 5-10% of the total fare. For example, if your fare is โ‚ฌ18, you might round up to โ‚ฌ20 or give a tip of around โ‚ฌ1-2. It is polite to hand the tip directly to the driver when paying.


For other services, such as hairdressers, spa therapists, and tour guides, tipping is also appreciated. A general guideline is to tip around 5-10% of the total service cost. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you can give a higher tip to show your appreciation.


Practical Tips:

  • In many cases, it is better to tip in cash, even if you are paying the main bill with a card. This ensures that the tip goes directly to the person who provided the service.
  • Tipping in Germany is usually done discreetly. Hand the tip directly to the service provider or place it in the bill folder.
  • Some upscale restaurants might include a service charge in the bill, but this is not common. Itโ€™s always good to check the bill to see if a service charge has been added before tipping.
  • When tipping, itโ€™s polite to say "danke" (thank you) to acknowledge good service.
Tipping

A tip of around 5-10% in restaurants is common but not mandatory