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Tipping in Greece: The Greek Tipping Guide

Tipping in Greece can confuse travelers unfamiliar with the customs and culture. To help you, we've put together this Greek Tipping Guide!

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Tipping in Greece can confuse travelers unfamiliar with the customs and culture. To help you, we’ve put together this tipping guide to ensure your vacation goes smoothly!

Let’s check the details of tipping in the country!

Tipping Etiquette in Greece

In Greece, tipping is not mandatory but appreciated for good service. When tipping in Greece, leaving cash instead of adding it to a credit card transaction is best. This is because the staff may not receive the entire tip amount if it is added to a credit card.

It is typical to round up the bill to the nearest euro or add a few euros to the total. In restaurants, a tip of 10% is considered generous, but it’s not uncommon to see Greeks leaving a smaller amount, like €1-2 per person.

It’s also important to note that in Greece, making eye contact is customary when thanking someone. When leaving a tip, handing it directly to the person providing the service is polite, rather than leaving it on the table.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that bargaining is not common in Greece. The price quoted is expected to be the final price, and it’s not customary to negotiate a lower price. However, asking for a small discount when buying multiple items or services may be acceptable.

By following these tipping etiquette guidelines, visitors to Greece can show their appreciation for good service while respecting the local customs and traditions.

How Much to Tip in Greece

Regarding tipping in Greece, it’s essential to know the general guidelines for how much to tip in different situations. Here are some suggestions:

  • Restaurants and cafes: It’s customary to leave a tip of 10-15% of the total bill in restaurants and cafes, especially if you received good service. In some cases, a small amount of loose change is also appreciated.
  • Hotels: It’s common to leave a tip of 1-2 euros per night for hotel staff, such as housekeepers or bellhops. If you receive exceptional service, you may consider leaving a larger tip.
  • Transportation services: For taxis, it’s common to round up to the nearest euro or add 1-2 euros as a tip. For private drivers or tour guides, it’s common to tip 10-15% of the total cost.

It’s important to note that tipping is always optional and should be based on the quality of service provided.

Your tips should be in euros.

Dropping coins of various currencies on the table will make it difficult for your servers to swap or utilize them. Tip in euros only, or don’t tip at all. Also, remember that adding a gratuity to your credit card bill may be difficult since this is exceedingly unique and unknown in Greece.

When Not to Tip in Greece

While tipping is generally expected in Greece, there are certain situations where it may not be appropriate or necessary to do so. Here are some examples:

  1. Public services: Tipping is not expected for public services such as police, firefighters, or government officials.
  2. Fast food restaurants: Tipping is unnecessary in fast food restaurants, but it is appreciated if the service is exceptional.
  3. Small purchases: If you are only purchasing a small item, such as a bottle of water or a snack, it is not necessary to tip.
  4. Taxi rides: Tipping is not expected for short taxi rides, but rounding up the fare to the nearest euro is common.
  5. Self-service establishments: Tipping is not expected at self-service establishments, such as cafes or bakeries, where customers order and pay at the counter.

 

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How is tipping working in Greece?

Tipping is generally expected in Greece, although it varies depending on the service type and length of stay. Tipping for restaurants, taxis, and hotels is usually done in cash. It’s also becoming more common to tip service staff like tour guides, hairdressers, barbers, and beauticians. When tipping in Greece, the basic rule is to leave 10% of the total bill as a gratuity.

When it comes to taxis, taxi drivers usually can get a 5-10% tip. Tipping in Greece is not required for porters or bellhops at hotels. However, if they offer excellent service, you can certainly leave a few euros as a token of appreciation.

Tipping culture varies throughout Greece, though, and it’s always best to check with the locals to determine the expectations in different areas. In some places, restaurant and hotel service staff might even refuse to accept tips due to company policies or personal preferences.

How to tip at a tavern or restaurant in Greece?

Every individual who visits Greece will ultimately end up in a Greek taverna. Some of the most wonderful meals in Greece can be found at these cheap, down-to-earth local restaurants called tavernas.

It’s traditional to offer a gratuity if you’ve had a nice dinner or amazing service at a taverna. Tipping in taverns does not have a fixed proportion. The majority of Greeks would leave a few coins on the table.

Looking at your taverna menu, you could sometimes see something like “cover fee” or “service charge.” This has nothing to do with tipping. A minor payment often covers bread and non-bottled water in a jug.

Tipping in Greece: Coffee place

If you’ve received excellent service, a tiny gratuity is always appreciated. If you drank a coffee in Greece, you could round up to the next euro or just put a few pennies in the tip jar by the till. Tipping in cafés and bars is best done by rounding up your bill to the closest euro.

If you want to taste Greek coffee, you can check out our food tour experiences and make it a reality this year!

Tipping in Greece: Hotel services

The majority of the low-cost, family-run homes will not have a porter. The owner or receptionist may occasionally volunteer to assist you with your bags. Tipping is not requested.

If you stay at an upmarket hotel, a porter typically assists you with your luggage. Room service may also deliver dinner or beverages to your hotel room. It will be appreciated if you leave some additional money.

You might also leave a gratuity for the maid on your bedside table when you check out. Again, how much to tip in Greece is entirely up to you. A 5 or 10 euros daily gratuity might be suitable for a high-end hotel.

A taxi driver may expect you to round up or add 10% to the fee, while bartenders and baggage porters would enjoy some cash as a thank you. A euro is sufficient.

 


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Tipping in Greece: Tour guides

Another group you may choose to tip will be tour guides if you appreciate the tour they offered you. Greece’s tour guides are exceptionally well-educated. Most of them hold master’s degrees in Greek history. Private tours will amaze you!

In Greece, good tour guide gratuities are usually 10-15% of the tour ticket, but the final decision is truly up to you since there are no hard and fast regulations here, and they will be thankful for whatever tip you offer them.

When making the trip in a group, it’s customary to tip between a few coins (a modest tip), like 2 and 5 Euros per participant. Or you might tip your guide 15 or 20 Euros for a private tour. You can decide whether it was a good or exceptional service based on the tour price overall. Generally, tour guides on the Greek islands tend to be a bit more expensive.

 


Greece Food Tours

  • Chania 4-hour Food Tour: Explore the charming Old Town of Chania on a unique walking tour, and sample traditional food and drinks at the historic market. A must-do for any visitor of Chania in Crete island.

 

  • Athens 4-hour Night Food Tour: Discover the flavors of Athens on our 4-hour Food Tour by Night! Indulge in traditional Greek dishes and sample local wines and beers at some of the city’s best restaurants.

 

  • Heraklion 4-hour Food Tour: Embark on a mouth-watering adventure with our Heraklion food tour! Explore Crete’s oldest city remains at Knossos Palace, and savor traditional Cretan dishes.

Tipping taxis in Greece

Tipping taxi drivers in Greece is not always expected, but it is appreciated. If you receive good service, it is common to round up the fare to the nearest euro or add an extra euro or two as a tip. You can add a few more euros for longer journeys as a gesture of appreciation.

It is important to note that if you hire a taxi driver for a tour or for an extended period of time, it is customary to negotiate the price beforehand, and a tip is often included in the overall fee. However, if you are just taking a quick ride from point A to point B, a small tip is a nice way to show your appreciation for good service.

Also, keep in mind that taxi drivers in Greece are required to issue a receipt upon request. You should ask for a receipt as it serves as proof of payment and can be helpful in case of any issues or disputes later on.

 

>> 🚗 Rent a car in Greece

 

To tip or not to tip?

We hope this Greek Tipping Guide has been helpful to you! Don’t forget to check out our other travel advice articles for a smooth and stress-free vacation experience. Thanks for reading.

Happy travels, and happy tipping in Greece!

 

 

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