Tipping Tour Guides in Italy

Do you need to tip your tour guide in Italy?

No, tipping your tour guide in Italy is not technically required. Although not required, they have become commonplace and it is generally expected that you should leave a tip if the tour guide is a tour company employee. The same is true for private drivers.

How much to tip a tour guide in Italy? How about tipping private tour guides in Italy?

A rule of thumb is to tip 5 euros for a half day tour and 10 euros for a full day tour, per person. Feel free to leave more for good service.

In Italy there are two broad categories of tour guides: those who work for a tour company and those who are self-employed tour guides. Tour guides working for a tour company are paid a base salary whereas self-employed tour guides receive the full amount you paid for the tour, minus any booking commissions. Tour guides working for companies expect tips as they make up a large part of their salary whereas self-employed tour guides appreciate, but do not expect tips.