Tipping Etiquette in Prague – How Much Should You Tip?

How is it with tipping etiquette in Prague? How much should you tip?

As locals, we have prepared for you this guide, how much should you tip in restaurants, bars, pubs, hotel staff, taxi drivers, tour guides, and more.

When you’re visiting Prague, getting a handle on the local tipping customs can make your experience smoother and help you fit right in. Tipping here isn’t a strict requirement, but it’s a common way to show your appreciation for good service.

The tipping habits in Prague are a bit different from what you might be used to, especially if you’re coming from a place like the U.S. As locals, we don’t tip out of obligation but more as a way of saying “thanks” when we’ve had a good experience.

This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of tipping in Prague, from grabbing a beer at a pub to taking a taxi across town. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to tip like a local, making your stay in our beautiful city even more enjoyable.

Common Misconception – It’ NOT 15-20 %

When you search the internet, you will find many articles saying, that you should tip around 15-20%. That is not true! We are not the United States. You never see any Czech people giving 15-20 %. Even 10 % is a lot and is not standard.

Czechs are used to rounding up the bill. Let’s have a look at tipping in different situations:

Tipping in Restaurants

• Rounding Up: In casual dining situations, it’s common to round up the bill to the nearest 10 or 20 CZK. For example, if your bill is 285 CZK, you might give 300 CZK and tell the server to “keep the change.”
• Percentage Tips: In more formal restaurants, a tip of 5-10% of the total bill is appreciated. Unlike in some countries, tipping higher amounts (like 15-20%) is not standard and might be seen as overly generous.
• How to Tip: Hand the tip directly to the server when paying the bill or indicate the total amount including the tip when you hand over the money.

Tipping in Bars and Pubs

• Rounding Up: Similar to restaurants, it’s typical to round up the bill. For instance, if your beer costs 45 CZK, you might give 50 CZK.
• No Obligation: In casual bars, especially those frequented by locals, tipping is less expected. Rounding up is a polite gesture but not required.

Tipping Hotel Staff

• Porters: If a porter assists with your luggage, a tip of 20-50 CZK per bag is customary.
• Housekeeping: Leaving 50-100 CZK per day for housekeeping is a thoughtful way to show appreciation.
• Concierge: If the concierge provides a special service like booking a hard-to-get reservation or arranging a special tour, a tip of 100-200 CZK is a nice gesture.

Tipping for Taxi Drivers

• Rounding Up: For taxi rides, rounding up to the nearest 10 or 20 CZK is common practice.
• Longer Rides: For longer trips or if the driver provides exceptional service (helping with luggage, offering local tips), a tip of 5-10% of the fare is a nice gesture.

Tipping Tour Guides

• Group Tours: For group tours, tipping the guide 50-100 CZK per person is standard.
• Private Tours: For private tours, consider tipping 200-500 CZK depending on the length and quality of the tour.

Tipping in Other Situations

• Spa Services: A tip of 10% is customary for massages and other spa services.
• Hairdressers and Beauty Salons: Similar to spa services, a 10% tip is appreciated.
• Delivery Services: For food or package deliveries, rounding up the bill or giving a small tip of 20-50 CZK is polite.

How to Tip

• Avoid leaving cash on the table, as it’s not a common practice.
• The ideal approach is to hand the tip directly to the waiter in cash or add it to the total when paying by card.

When Not to Tip

• Poor Service: If you’re unhappy with the service, you can choose not to tip at all. Unlike in the United States, tipping is not obligatory, even if the service falls short of expectations.
• Self-Service: In places like cafeterias or fast food restaurants where you serve yourself, tipping is not expected.
• Included Service Charges: Some restaurants include a service charge in the bill. In such cases, no additional tip is required, though you can still leave some change if you’re particularly pleased with the service.

Conclusion

Tipping in Prague is more about showing appreciation for good service than following strict rules. While tipping is appreciated, it’s not obligatory, and locals generally don’t tip large amounts. Understanding and following these guidelines will help you feel confident and courteous during your stay in Prague.

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