Tipping in Austria (Austria tipping guide)

Are you planning a trip to Austria, whether for work or pleasure? Take a look at our informative handbook on whom to give tips to in Austria, when to tip, and the suggested amount to offer. With our convenient tip calculator, you can easily prevent any errors in tipping.

Do you tip in Austria?

In Austria, it is customary to give a gratuity for good service at restaurants, bars, and cafes. Tips are also appreciated at businesses where staff are poorly paid, such as hotels, serviced apartments, spas, and hair salons.

In Austria, the tipping amount can vary depending on the location and the type of service you receive. In general, it is customary to tip around 10% of the total bill. However, if you receive exceptional service, it is appropriate to show gratitude by tipping between 15-20%.https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/advice/2019/08/09/tipping-guide-how-much-you-should-leave-25-popular-countries/1967282001/

Tipping in Austria in restaurants & bars

Leaving a tip of approximately 10-15% is recommended when dining in Austrian restaurants. However, the specific amount of the tip may vary based on factors such as the establishment, the event, and the size of the order. It is customary to give slightly more to the waiter or waitress than a bartender, as the waitstaff often shares their tip with the kitchen staff.

You have the option to round up the bill to the nearest Euro or two or give a small tip with each drink order at bars and cafes in Austria. If you visit an upscale restaurant or fancy cocktail bar or have a skilled barista prepare your cappuccino, you might consider being more generous and leaving a larger tip.

Suggested tip:

• Tip around 10 Euros for a 100 Euros meal.
• Tip 1-2 Euros for a drink costing 10 Euros.

Do you leave the tip on the table in Austria?

In Austria, it is customary to always leave a gratuity when dining out. If you are satisfied with the service, you can show your appreciation by leaving around 10% of the bill as a tip. Alternatively, you can round up the total amount. However, if your tip falls below the recommended 10% or if you choose not to leave a tip at all, it may be perceived as being stingy or cheap.

Tipping in hotels in Austria

When staying at a hotel in Austria with high service levels, you will want to tip various staff members, including housekeepers, bellboys/porters, valets, and front desk employees, for great service.

Ultimately, the decision of whom to tip and how much to give at Austrian hotels is entirely up to you, and it should be based on the quality of service you have received. We recommend consulting our handy cheat sheet for tipping hotel staff in Austria.

Housekeeping (5-10 Euros)

Housekeepers and maids are part of the hotel staff that works the hardest. It is customary to express your gratitude to the hotel cleaning staff for excellent service by leaving a small tip of 5-10 Euros at the end of your stay.

Luggage attendants / Porters (1 Euro per pag)

When you arrive at your hotel in Austria, you will likely require assistance carrying your bags to your room. Like in other European cities, it’s customary to give porters 1 Euro per bag in Austria, so make sure to have some coins or small bills on hand when checking in.

Concierge/ Receptionist (10-15 Euros)

If the hotel concierge in Austria provides outstanding service while you are staying, tip 10-15 Euros. However, there is no need to tip the reception staff if they just assisted with ordering a taxi or making dinner reservations.

Valets (5-10 Euros each time)

When driving, it’s standard practice to tip the valet 5-10 Euros each time he brings your car back from the hotel parking lot.

Tipping taxi drivers in Austria

In Austria, it is customary to tip 10% of the fare for a longer trip or if the driver assists you with your luggage to or from the airport. When taking short trips, it is easiest to round up to the nearest Euro for great service. Unlike ride hailing services such as Uber, you will need to tell the driver the amount you wish to tip when paying by card or cash.

Suggested tip:

• A longer journey in a taxi costing 50 Euros would merit a 5 Euro tip.
• A quick taxi ride that costs 7.50 Euros can be rounded up to 8 Euros for a 0.50 Euro tip.

Tipping tour guides in Austria

When traveling, your overall experience can be greatly affected by the quality of your tour guide. Therefore, it is recommended to tip a good guide in Austria according to the standard 10% rate. It is polite to show appreciation through tipping, regardless of whether you are participating in a private, multi-day, or walking tour.

If you decide to participate in a complimentary tour in Austria, it’s worth tipping your tour guide. These types of tours usually operate on a voluntary payment system where you contribute an amount of your choice. Your tips could be the sole income source for the tour guide.

On occasion, you might receive a request to provide a TripAdvisor review rather than giving a tip if you had a positive experience. This could benefit you Austrian tour guide by allowing them to earn commissions and assist other travelers in having their own wonderful experiences.

Tipping at a spa in Austria

If you’re looking to relax with a massage following your activities in Austria, it is customary to give a modest tip to the therapist. Estimate approximately 10-15% of the cost of the treatment.

This implies that if you pay 100 Euros for a massage, a typical or expected tip would be around 10 Euros for average service. However, if the therapist gives exceptional treatment, expressing gratitude by giving a 15% tip would be more appropriate.

Suggested tip: 

The masseuse receives a 10 Euro tip for a regular massage, in addition to the 100 Euro bill for the service.

The masseuse provided excellent service, so the customer gave them a 15 Euro tip in addition to the 100 Euro massage bill.

Tipping at hair salons in Austria

If you like your new look, tip your hairdresser or stylist 10% of the final bill.

Tipping in Austria half board

If you are satisfied with the service, consider tipping your primary waiter around 20 Euros at the end of your stay.

Is it rude not to tip in Austria?

In Austria, it is considered rude to not leave a tip unless you wish to express dissatisfaction with bad service. Normally, Austrians consider a tip of 10% to 15% to be a generous gesture.

What is the tipping etiquette in Vienna? (Tipping in Vienna)

In Vienna restaurants, it is recommended to leave a tip of approximately 10%. Nevertheless, the specific amount you should tip while dining out in Vienna will vary depending on the establishment, occasion, and the size of your order. It is customary to give your waiter or waitress a slightly higher tip than a bartender, as the wait staff is likely to share the tip with the kitchen staff.

Do people tip in Salzburg?

It is customary to leave a tip at restaurants and cafes in Salzburg and other parts of Austria. In fact, not providing a tip could suggest dissatisfaction with the service received. The amount you decide to leave is at your discretion, but 10% is commonly regarded as a good tip.

Tips for tipping in Austria

Here is a list of a few tips for tipping in Austria.

Tip in local currency

When tipping in Austria, it is crucial to use Euros, the local currency. If you give a different currency, service providers will have trouble using it and may have to pay substantial fees for currency exchange. If possible, have some small change in Euros ready before leaving the airport so you can tip drivers and hotel porters.

Is it OK to tip in US dollars in Europe?

While you can tip with US dollars at most establishments in Europe, it’s better to tip in the local currency so the recipient can easily receive your tip.

Your bill may already have the tip included.

When you are in Austria, the bill may already include a service charge in restaurants, hotels, or bars. It is important to carefully examine your bill before deciding on whether to leave a tip or not. While it is a regular practice in certain countries, the inclusion of service charges may vary in others.

Tipping on a business trip

Avoid finding yourself in an uncomfortable position during a professional dinner. Since tipping customs differ from country to country, you need to acquaint yourself with global tipping norms. This will prevent any confusion or embarrassing instances from occurring.

Use your own judgment

Tipping is a wonderful way to show gratitude and appreciate great service. If the service charge is not added to the bill, tipping is always welcomed. In Austria, the employees in restaurants and hotels often have challenging jobs for relatively lower wages, so it is important to carefully consider before deciding not to give a tip when prompted.