Ah, tipping. That magical moment where your wallet opens, your palms sweat, and you wonder if you’re about to insult someone with your generosity—or your stinginess.
For those of us gallivanting around the globe on group tours, especially those of a certain distinguished age, tipping can feel like trying to solve a Sudoku puzzle—with foreign currency. Is 10% insulting? Is 15% generous? Did I just tip the bus driver in gum wrappers?
Fear not, fellow adventurers! Let’s break down the weird, wonderful world of tipping—with humour, heart, and maybe a few crisp bills.
When you’re on a tour, you’re often surrounded by people helping you every step of the way—literally. There’s your tour guide, your local guide, your bus driver, the hotel porter, the bathroom attendant, and sometimes, a goat wrangler (yes, Albania was wild).
So how much do you tip?
The “Who Gets What?” Conundrum
A rule of thumb for tipping tour operators and baggage porters is:
First world countries:
– The Tour guide: 1hr to 4hr tour: the equiv of NZD$5.00 per person on tour
– The Tour guide: 5hr to 12hr tour: the equiv of NZD$10.00 per person on tour
– A vehicle driver: 1hr to 4hr tour: the equiv of NZD$2.50 per person on tour
– A vehicle driver: 5hr to 12hr tour: the equiv of NZD$5.00 per person on tour
– Baggage porterage (given to the head porter): the equiv of NZD$2.00 per bag
Third world countries:
– The Tour guide: 1hr to 4hr tour: the equiv of NZD$3.00 per person on tour
– The Tour guide: 5hr to 12hr tour: the equiv of NZD$6.00 per person on tour
– A vehicle driver: 1hr to 4hr tour: the equiv of NZD$1.50 per person on tour
– A vehicle driver: 5hr to 12hr tour: the equiv of NZD$3.00 per person on tour
– Baggage porterage (given to the head porter): the equiv of NZD$2.00 per bag
If you’re lucky enough to have a tour host, they’re like your travel fairy godparent—making sure everyone’s awake, accounted for, and not trying to tip a statue. They’ll often collect a group tipping pool—a genius system that lets you avoid math and awkward moments.
So go forth, travel boldly, tip wisely, and remember—every small act of kindness makes the world a little friendlier… one bathroom attendant at a time.
