Question on tipping guides

[Anonymous]

I would like your wisdom on the following scenarios.

How much should I tip a guide on a private tour for which I have paid $200+? Do advise on variables: length of tour; location of tour-US or elsewhere; number of participants.

Same questions for Group Tours that cost say $50 per person and Group Tours that are free but tip-based.

Thank you.

I recently tipped $40 on a $200 private tour and $20 on a free, tip-based one. I don’t know ifI am low or high.

For Paris Walks and London Walks, I have not tipped.

In Japan, land of no tipping, all our private guides were glad to receive tips.

[Anonymous]

It’s vacation you are doing it everyday. We have only occasionally done private tours for very specific reasons. We hate tours and being around other tourist. For the private tours we typically tip around 100-300%

[Anonymous]

What you did sounds fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you did sounds fine.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s vacation you are doing it everyday. We have only occasionally done private tours for very specific reasons. We hate tours and being around other tourist. For the private tours we typically tip around 100-300%

We hate tours and tourists! But we are tourists and take private tours that we tip 300% on!

Op, ignore this person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you did sounds fine.

+1

+2

Twenty percent is fine. I would say neither high nor low. (Although in a way it is high — as someone who has worked as a tipped employee you wouldn’t believe how many don’t tip us or barely tip. But high on average isn’t the same thing as high for what is appropriate.)

As far as what to tip on a free, tip-based tour — it depends. A two hour free walk where sites are pointed out but not a ton of extra information or connection with you personally or talented humorous? $20 (per person) is fine. Four hours with an incredibly knowledgeable and personable guide who weaves an incredible experience out of thin air and it is a highlight of your trip? I’d try to come close to what I’d pay for a not-free tour of similar quality. At least. How many people are there matters as well; a huge group of 20, tip less vs only your family of four and one other couple? Tip more.

For the Paris Walks tours, I’d probably tip $5. Or euros — whatever.

You are being thoughtful about this, OP, that puts you ahead of most.

[Anonymous]

Nothing. I’m done with tipping. If they’re in business for themselves, they can set the price they want to be paid. No more tips!

[Anonymous]

I hate how everything requires tips these days. We just did an escape room while on vacation. Loads of fun, had a great time, paid $40pp for 6 of us. Never asked for any hints. Got prompted for tips on the payment screen... my choices were 15%, 20%, and 25% with a little custom/none box at the bottom. So awkward to press no when the employee is staring right at me.

[Anonymous]

We tipped our snowmobile guide 20% the other day, and he was very pleased, so I’m guessing that was normal/on the high end.