This is exactly how we tip when we take a trip to Italy. Did you know that tipping is different around the world? In Italy, tipping culture is different than how it is in the United States. This is why it’s important to do a little research on how tipping works in your destination.

Luckily for you, we have a lot of experience traveling to Italy on our Italy food tour. We’re sharing our recommendations for tipping your guides, drivers, porters, and restaurant staff while you’re in Italy.

How to Tip at a Restaurant in Italy

There are a few different situations for tipping in restaurants. Make sure to read carefully and think about your situation and which one applies.

Most restaurants in Italy already add in a service charge (“servizio”) of about 10%. If this is the case, it is not necessary to tip. However, if there is no service charge on your receipt, many people will leave a few Euros as a tip, but never more than 10%.

It’s important to know that you should not feel obligated to leave a tip. It should only be given for good service or if you really enjoyed the experience, food, service, etc.. If you’re concerned about only leaving a 10% tip or no tip at all, servers in Italy don’t rely on tips in order to make a living wage.

However, if you’re dining at a fancier restaurant like a Michelin-star restaurant or having a tasting menu then a 10% tip is expected.

If you’re dining at a more casual restaurant like a Trattoria or Osteria, it’s not customary to leave a tip after your meal unless you’re paying with cash. In that case, it’s customary to leave the change as the tip. For example, if your bill is €37 then you can pay with €40 and just leave the change.

If you’re paying with a credit card at a Trattoria or Osteria, you probably don’t need to leave a tip.

Pane e Coperto - Table Charge

This is not a tip, but this is an important custom to note when dining out in Italy. A table charge is typically charged per person at all restaurants when you dine in. This covers the bread and olive oil that they bring to your table before your meal and basically acts as a reservation for staying at the table as long as you’d like and not be rushed out. It’s not respectful or normal to refuse the bread or to ask to remove the charge. Embrace dining out in Italy the way the Italians do!

If they add this charge to your bill, it should be noted on the menu. This does not replace a tip if you decide to leave one based on service or at a fancier restaurant.

How to Tip Drivers in Italy

If you get a private transfer in Italy, how you tip depends on the distance. You can tip about € 5-10 if it's a short or one-way drive. We recommend tipping € 15-20 if they’re driving you for half a day to various stops or a longer drive.

This is different than tipping a taxi driver. If you take a taxi, it’s not necessary to leave a tip. But if your ride cost €1.80 and you pay €2 you can tell the taxi driver to keep the change as a tip.

How to Tip Guides in Italy

This one depends on the length of the tour and whether it’s private or not. If your guide is leading a half-day tour and activities then we recommend you tip € 20.00. If your guide is leading a full-day tour and activities then it’s customary to tip € 50.00.

How to Tip Porters in Italy

Most hotels in Italy do have porters and it is common for them to help with your bags. We recommend you tip your porter € 2 - 3 per bag.

The second biggest mistake you can make when tipping in Italy is to not budget for tipping when planning your trip. We share this with travelers who use our Travel Consulting Services because this is a commonly overlooked expense. All of those little expenses can really add up and take a toll on your budget, so it’s important to plan for tipping.

It also influences how much cash you need to have on hand and know where to locate ATMs so that you can get more cash throughout your trip if you need it. We recommend you ask your guide or the concierge at your hotel where to find an ATM.

Something that we’ve heard from our Heart of Italy travelers, is that they love that all the tips for guides, restaurants, and porters are an inclusion with our culinary trips to Italy. That’s right, we eliminate the hassle completely! While you’re on one of our culinary trips to Italy you never have to worry about having cash on hand for tips or pulling out your wallet after dinners or tours. We take care of it all, so you can sit back enjoy, and be present on your dream trip to Italy.

Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.

If you’re traveling abroad and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our Travel Coaching and Private Trips with booking service.

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