Tipping Guide: Scotland & Paris
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Tipping Guide: Scotland & Paris
If you're planning to bring British Pounds and Euros with you, I would plan on £400 and €200 per couple as an estimate, and that allows you to pay cash for some meals as well. Otherwise, ATM cash withdrawals will be the best method for getting cash in each destination. If you don't have a no transaction fee debit card, others in the group will be able to assist with this to avoid additional bank fees.
Specifically for the Globus Tour:
Tour Director: £60.00 per person
Driver: £35.00 per person
Hotels for housekeeping: £2–5 per night
Tipping in both Scotland and Paris is much more relaxed than in the U.S. You are not expected to tip everyone for every interaction, and there is no need to calculate 20% at every meal. Think of tipping as a thank-you for genuinely good service rather than an obligation.
Private Transfers
- Scotland: £5–10 per person for a private transfer if not already included, depending on the length of the journey and level of service.
- Paris: €5–10 per person for a private transfer if not already included.
- If the driver handles a lot of luggage or provides particularly helpful service, feel free to tip toward the higher end.
Restaurants
- Scotland: Check the bill first. If a service charge is not included, 10–12.5% is appropriate for good service. If a service charge has already been added, there is generally no need to tip more.
- Paris: A service charge is generally included in restaurant prices, so additional tipping is not required. For good service, rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros is a nice gesture. For exceptional service, 5–10% is generous.
Cafés & Bars
- Scotland: Rounding up or leaving £1–2 for table service is plenty. No tip is necessary for simply ordering at a counter.
- Paris: No tip is expected for a coffee or drink at the bar. For table service, rounding up or leaving €1–2 is more than sufficient.
Hotel Porters / Luggage
- Scotland: £1–2 per bag.
- Paris: €1–2 per bag.
- If someone goes above and beyond with your luggage or other assistance, a little more is appropriate.
Hotel Housekeeping
Housekeeping tips are appreciated but not mandatory in either destination.
- Scotland: £2–5 per night
- Paris: €2–5 per night
- Leave it daily, rather than at the end of the stay, since the person servicing your room may change.
Small-Group Tour Guides
For a private or small-group tour, tipping your guide is customary when you've received good service and had a great experience.
- Scotland: £5–10 per person for a half-day tour; £10–20 for a full day.
- Paris: €5–10 per person for a half-day tour; €10–20 for a full day.
For a particularly outstanding guide—especially someone who is knowledgeable, engaging, or goes out of their way to personalize the experience—tipping toward the higher end is appropriate.
For our walking tour in Paris, please plan to tip at least €20 per person.
The Easy Rule
If you're ever unsure, rounding up is almost always better than overthinking it. Scotland has a tipping culture that's somewhat closer to the U.S., while France is much more relaxed about tipping.
One important exception: Always check the restaurant bill before tipping. In France, a service charge is generally already included, and in Scotland a discretionary service charge may have been added. If it's already there, you do not need to add another substantial tip.