Tipping Guide for Greece
As a quick follow up to my Italian tipping article and at the request of a reader, I am providing my insights into tipping in Greece. While tipping is not a strong tradition, especially among locals, it is expected that tourists leave a small tip. The amount you tip depends on the place and type of service, and you can use local currency:
- Restaurants: A small tip of €3-€5 is customary assuming that service is good and you enjoyed the experience. In a fine dining restaurant, you can tip up to 15%.
- Bars: Round up the bill or leave a small tip for the bartender to pick up. One or two Euro per round of drinks, or one Euro for a coffee order will generally expedite service.
- Taxi drivers: Preferably round up the fare or add between 5% to 10% to the fare, only for longer journeys or if you were helped with your luggage.
- Hotels: My favorite people to tip are the housekeeping staff (€1-€2 per day) since they keep your room clean and nothing is worse than a dirty room with no towels. You may want to consider tipping porters around €1-2 per bag, and concierges typically get €10-€20 depending on the service they provide.
- Tour guides: Tip 10% for standard tours, including free tours. When presenting the tip, it's best to hand it directly to the guide. Please note that some private tour companies may have a policy of including gratuities in the total cost of the tour.
- Spas: Tip 10–15% of the treatment price.
- Yacht charters: A general guideline is 10-15% of the total charter fee
Please be aware that some restaurants include a mandatory service charge and in that event, tipping is not required or expected. Also, try to pay all tips in cash.
