We all share one common love—traveling and exploring new cities and cultures. Paris, especially, is an iconic vacation destination known for its culture and beauty. This global city's nickname is "The City of Lights." It has something for everyone—from the Louvre and Paris Catacombs to the famous cuisine and spectacular shops. One of the biggest questions travelers may have when in Paris is, "What is the etiquette for tipping?"
To help, this article explains tipping culture for restaurants, taxis, and other services in Paris. In Paris, the art of the tip is seen as a "Generosité Française," or generosity, among locals. Discover the best way to show your appreciation while in Paris. Whether you're freshman on the trip of a lifetime or an experienced traveler, this guide has you covered.
Whether it's dinner and a show or a quick pastries for dessert, eating out is an important part of the Parisian experience. Tipping etiquette when dining out in Paris is to leave up to 10%—on the higher end if the service was excellent. Most restaurants will have a service charge or "pourboire" added to the bill, usually around 15%, so you won't need to leave extra. However, you are expected to round up the final amount of the bill to make sure your server is fully paid for their work.
Navigating your way around the city in a taxi is an enjoyable way to soak in the city sights. Tipping etiquette for taxis in Paris is to tip 10 – 15%. If the taxi driver sends your luggage to your hotel room from the airport or railway station, it is customary to give the driver 5 euros for baggage handling. As with most services in Paris, you can round up to the nearest euro or five euros as a sign of appreciation.
Booking a guided tour provides a more in-depth look into Paris's rich history. The tipping culture for tour guides varies. For a shorter tour, 10 euros per person is a nice gesture. For longer tours, it is a good idea to budget for 20 euros per person. Tour guides often take tips in cash at the end of the tour, so remember to bring some extra euros with you.
As with most services in Paris, tipping at hotels is a sign of appreciation. Any bellhops or housekeeping staff who help you with use of services should be tipped 10 euros per bag or task respectively. If they provide exceptional service, you can show your appreciation with up to 20 euros per task. At the end of your stay, it is also customary to leave a small tip of 10 euro to the housekeeper.
Aside from the classic night out on the town and museum hopping, visitors to Paris can enjoy a spa day or a haircut at a local salon. Beauty and wellness services, such as hairdressers and spas, expect to be tipped approximately 10-15%. Again, if the service was excellent, you can add 20-30% as an additional tip.
Overall, Paris has a well-established tipping culture that shows appreciation for the work of service providers. For the most part, you should tip 10-15% at restaurants, taxi drivers, tours, beauty and wellness services, and hotel employees. If the service is exceptional, you can round up to the nearest euro or round up to 20 or 30% depending on the service and the length of your stay. Remember to bring extra cash with you on your trip to Paris, so that you can thank those who make your stay a memorable experience.
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