Tipping in Greece
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to tipping in Greece from
two Greece travel experts, including when to tip, what to tip, and when not to
tip.
If you prefer videos you can see all the information from this page in our YouTube video, Tipping in Greece.
Tipping in Greece is different from tipping habits in many
other countries. Before writing this page, based on a few decades of travelling
in Greece regularly and having many Greek friends, we checked what other
websites say about tipping when you're in Greece. We were shocked by the amount
of misinformation that's out there.
So many websites exaggerate the need for tipping in Greece and the
amount you should tip. They are clearly written by American travellers who have
taken their own country's tipping habits to Greece and assumed it's the same
over there. Or they're written by people who have never been to Greece and just
made it up (it happens).
One website even said that it's common in Greece for
restaurants to round up your bill to include the service. This is nonsense.
We've had probably thousands of meals in Greece and never once has a restaurant
rounded up the bill. The bill is the bill and will be itemised like it is everywhere
else in the world.
Here is what you really need to know about tipping in Greece.
Tipping in
Restaurants in Greece
In many restaurants the service charge is already included in the bill. Some menus show two prices for a dish – one without service and one with service. This means service will be included. Otherwise check the bill.
There is no need to add a tip, though it's considered polite to round it up or say 'keep the change'. If you have received good service then by all means add some extra. Waiters still reply on their tips. See our page on Life as a Waiter on Zakynthos.
Tipping in Greece: Typical Greek Taverna Menu
In Greece there is usually also an automatic cover charge,
which is for the bread, water and any nibbles that are there when you sit down.
If service is not included then a tip of about 10% would be
appropriate. Greece is not like the USA where generous tips of 15-20% are
considered almost mandatory unless the waiter is awful. It's also common
practice to leave a few coins on the table for the person who clears away.
The general rule is not to get into a tizzy about tipping in
Greece, especially if you're from the USA. Tipping is not expected, though of
course always appreciated. It's simply not the big deal that it is in other
countries. In touristy places it has become more the norm, but always remember
that many Greeks will only give a modest tip, at the most.
Just as an aside, you won't get the bill in Greece until you
ask for it. It's not like the USA where the bill is often brought automatically
when the waiter thinks you've finished. In Greece they assume you're not
finished until you let them know.
Greek Salad
Tipping in
Greece: Taxis
If taking a taxi in Greece then round up the bill by a few
euros, depending on the size of the fare. Either that or tell the driver to
keep the change if it's about the right amount. The driver will automatically
include a charge for any luggage that he has to handle. That is the norm in
Greece, so no need to tip him extra because he helps you with your luggage –
you're already paying for it.
Tipping in Greece: How Much to Tip a Taxi?
Tipping in Hotels in
Greece
If someone carries your bag for then give them one or two euros per bag. For the chambermaid leave one or two euros per day.
You might also tip a few euros to the concierge if they have been very helpful – as many of them are in Greece.
Tipping Tour Guides
in Greece
You would normally tip your tour guide if they have been
good, as many are. It depends on the length and price of the tour, but maybe €5
for a half-day tour or €10 for a longer one. You can base this tip on about
10-15% of the tour price.
Tipping in Greece: How Much to Tip a Bartender?
Tipping in Bars in
Greece
Tipping in a bar in Greece is not expected. You buy a drink
and you pay for it. If your drinks costs €9.50, say, you'd give €10 and say 'keep
the change'. If they cost €10, you don't need to add on anything. If you have a
few rounds of drinks, leave a few euros on the table when you leave. Even that
is not expected, but it's considered a nice gesture if you've had good service.
Our Pick of the Guides to Greece
Other General Greek Information
Athens culinary tours are among the food walking tours offered by an unusual company, Culinary Backstreets.
If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.
Practical information on travelling around Greece by plane, by ferry, by bus, by train and by driving, including car rental, parking and other driving advice.
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The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Greek grape varieties to help you know which wines to choose when dining in restaurants or buying wine in Greece.
Greece Travel Secrets Greek Ferry Guide page uses an extract from the Aferry Greece website with advice on island-hopping, buying tickets online and timetables.
Athens, an Eater's Guide to the City, is published by Culinary Backstreets, who do walking food tours in Athens and the book recommends the best places to eat.
Greece Travel Secrets reveals the history of the classic Greek dish, moussaka, as well as providing a recipe for you to make your own.
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Greece Travel Secrets tells the history of the classic Greek dish tzatziki, with a recipe for making your own yogurt and cucumber dip.
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