You’ve really enjoyed your tour, and the tour guide knows it.

It’s time to show him how much you appreciated the tour.

He isn’t expecting hugs and verbal appreciation. So, you must keep that to yourself. He is probably expecting a tip as a token of appreciation..

The question is, How much do you tip a tour guide?

This is where everything becomes confusing. You want to do something to maintain that smiley face and you also don’t want to overdo it.

He isn’t like that beggar on the street who’ll appreciate 50 cents.

He isn’t also one of your high paid employees either.

So, you must make a wise move to avoid embarrassing yourself.

Here are some few tips to save you all the trouble.

DRIVER GUIDE

It is probable that apart from just driving you, your driver will be offering a commentary. This is an added task.

If he did it well, it wouldn’t be bad if you offer him 10%-20% of the total charge for the tour service.

It is also humanly to accompany the tip with a verbal appreciation to show him you appreciate what he is doing.

TIP FOR DAY TOUR

If your tour guide is employed by any other government site such as national parks, save yourself the money. If he isn’t, then, just like tipping a driver guide, give him 10% to 20% of the total cost of the tour. This should be around $2 to $5 per person.

You should do this when your tour guide is done serving you.

TIP FOR MULTIDAY TOUR GUIDE

Most of the time, multi-day tour programs are accompanied by lots of tasks. Apart from offering commentary services, you tour guide has other responsibilities.

On the other hand, your driver will also have some added tasks such as loading and unloading your luggage. The tip here should be a little more.

$8 to $10 per tour guide and $5 per driver each day won’t be too bad.

LIMO OR TAXI DRIVER

Most limo or taxi drivers are ever talkative and friendly.

It’s like travelling with a friend. At this point, you might be tempted to do it big. Don’t forget that he is only doing his job.

Unlike any other driver guide, limo drivers may expect something more. 15% of the total price would do.

SHUTTLE DRIVER

Shuttles will take you to car rentals or parking lots, meaning that they don’t have a lot of tasks ahead. If you have luggage, $1 per bag will do it.

If there is no luggage, then they’ll be better off with the $1

Depending on how long the journey is, you can increase your tip to $2 to $3.

TIPPING OTHER TOUR GUIDES

You might also decide to hire the services of other tour guides such as, independent
guides, sailing excursions, trains, airlines and more.

* For independent guides, 15% to 20% will do.

* For airlines: Electric cart drivers or Skycaps should be $1 per person and lastly wheelchair pushers, $5 per person is okay.

* Sailing excursions: $10 for the captain and $5 per person is much better.

* Trains: 15 percent of the total price and $1 per bag is just enough.

It is called, being human. Most of the tour guides are used to being tipped, and they aren’t expecting anything less from you. If you indeed, enjoyed the tour and confirmed it in your conversation, then you have to do something.

What you must remember is that apart from the tip, you already paid for the service, meaning that you don’t have to overdo it.

On the other hand, if the tour guide didn’t offer you the service you were looking forward to, you don’t have to tip. Save yourself all te trouble by using the tips above.