Budget Money

Budget Your Money

For most of us, money will be an important factor when planing a trip. Of course, only you know what you can afford and what you’re willing to spend. We will try to show you what you can expect to spend. Once you figure how much you want to spend use the guidelines we have and see if it fits your budget. There are several factors that will determine the cost of your trip.

WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR WILL YOU TRAVEL?

In the travel industry there are 3 seasons for travel in Europe.

The Low Season – November to March 

  • Weather – Moderate cold in central countries, colder in Scandinavian and eastern countries. Southern Mediterranean areas and Canary Islands provide winter retreats from the cold.
  • Daylight Hours – avg. 10 – 8 hours shortest days in Scandinavia.
  • Costs – Costs are the lowest for airlines and accommodations.
  • Uncrowded – Key attractions and sights are more relaxed
  • Attractions – Attractions may have limited hours of operation and some may closed.
  • Events – Christmas Markets throughout central and northern Europe. Winter recreation can be heavy at Alp resorts.

The High Season – Mid June to August

  • Weather – Extreme heat in southern Mediterranean countries and not all hotels have air conditioning. Best time for Scandinavia travel.
  • Daylight Hours – avg. 15 – 16 hours longest days in Scandinavia.
  • Costs – Costs are highest for airlines and accommodations.
  • Crowds – Can be very heavy as most Europeans vacation in August.
  • Attractions – Almost all attractions are open with extended hours.
  • Events – The summer is when the majority of festivals occur throughout Europe.

Shoulder Seasons – April to June / September to October  

  • Weather – Mild to warm still good for beaches in Mediterranean.
  • Daylight Hours – avg. 10 – 11 hours, ample lights hours for most activities.
  • Costs – Prices can be slightly lower especially with airlines.
  • Crowds – Moderate to Heavy, lighter crowds than the summer.
  • Attractions – Most are still open and in full operation.
  • Events – A moderate number of festivals take place with the Oktoberfest’s in the fall in central Europe.

Also, things can more more expensive if there is a major event occurring at the time you plan to visit. Prices will be higher in Munich during Octoberfest or any other city when demand for rooms and other services is extremely high. Check with the local web sites or your hotel for city events, like major conventions. Holidays may also be a time to avoid certain cities especially around religious or national holidays

WHAT LEVEL OF TRAVEL WILL YOU WANT?

Traveling as inexpensive as you can means giving up levels of comfort and convenience that you may not want but traveling in luxury can break the bank. You will need to determine how much you’re willing to sacrifice to keep your costs down.

Staying near local attractions and hotels featured on TV programs or travel guides are always in high demand so their cost are more. Find alternative neighborhoods to stay in other than the ones always talked about in books or on TV. Stay a distance from major tourists sites but, not too far, it can bring the cost down as well. 

You can save on food and still enjoy the wonderful cuisines European countries have to offer. Many hotels provide a free breakfast so make sure you inquire when booking your accommodations. Look for restaurants away from famous tourist venues to find value. Restaurants with limited menus offerings is a good indicator that everything is made fresh daily and look for locals eating within the restaurant. Prices for more well know and exclusive restaurants be will considerably higher. Hotels restaurants tend to be higher in cost for the same comparable food at a local restaurant. Buying beer or wine in retail stores will be less and many countries and cities permit public consumption of alcoholic beverages. Drinking coffee or cappuccino while standing at a bar is normally less than sitting at a table.

Buying small souvenirs to bring back as you may not have enough room to pack them all in your luggage. Some shops provide shipping back to the US for a fee on special larger purchases. Delivery can take up to several months to receive.

HOW LONG WILL YOU BE TRAVELING?

It goes without saying that the total numbers of days you travel will add a another days cost to your budget. Most people travel for two weeks. Remember you most likely will spend a day traveling to Europe and if you want to be home for one before you go back to work, that will leave you with 12 days in Europe. Will all that one can do in Europe and see, that doesn’t leave very much time.

If you want go for only a week, stay concentrated in a small area so you aren’t spending hours traveling from one destination to the next.

For those of you who plan to spend more than two weeks and make this an adventure we are envious. Hopefully good careful planing will stretch your money and allow you to have an experience of a lifetime. It is possible because people do it all the time, traveling for months at a time.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE & DO?

The chart below list some of the most popular things to do in each city. Some Museums are free as well as other attractions.  Museums passes will allow for free and immediate entry with no waiting, while others offer a reduce price for entry. There may be additional fees for special or temporary exhibits at museums. Venues such as music halls, sports stadiums, etc. may have minimal entrance fees to tour the facilities but, events will cost extra and tickets will need too be purchased separately.

However, the best part of many cities is just walking around the streets and neighborhoods and looking at the periods of different architecture.  View famous landmarks, beautiful gardens and flowing fountains. Watch the street vendors, the entertainers and its regular local people carrying on with their everyday lives. There is so much to observe and it’s all free, unless of course you decide to shop and eat.

Prices are in USD for adult ticket comparisons. Reduced prices may be available for children & seniors. Museum or city passes may include free entry or a discounted ticket price.

The COST at POPULAR ATTRACTIONS table at the bottom of this page will provide some typical pricing.

WHAT TRANSPORTATION WILL YOU USE?

What will be your best transportation options?

AIRLINES…Ticket pricing follows the season trend of pricing with winter having the lowest cost. The airport you fly out of and into can also determine the cost. The day of travel will also have a bearing on your cost. Booking well enough in advance. You can shop online at airline web sites or aggregate sites that will scan most airlines for the best prices and options. For international airlines going to Europe see our Getting to Europe page for domestic airlines within Europe to to our Airlines in Europe page. For additional detail information go to Booking Flights Online page.

Taxis from airports…. By comparison taking taxis from the airport to the city center can be quite a bit more expensive than public transit. Most taxis have flat rates to the center of the center but could vary if you are not in the exact city center.

Public transportation from airports… Public airport transportation may also be less with bus over metro or tram.  Special express buses or trains usually have no stops between the airport and center terminal. They are quicker and easier but also more expensive than other public transit but, still less than taxis. Check with your hotel as some offer free airport shuttles and others have agreements with shuttle or limo companies at reduced rates. These will be quicker with door to door delivery and for people who need assistance with luggage.

TRAINS… Chances are you will use a train during your time in Europe. Unlike the USA they are a major source for good and reliable transportation for millions of Europeans and visitors. The train network in most countries provides service to multiple destinations frequently. Please go to our Trains page for more detailed Train information. 

PUBLIC TRANSIT… While staying in large cities public transportation is your easiest choice. Whether it is the metro, a bus, a tram, a taxi or ride share, you’ll find plenty of transportation available. There are a lot of options as Europeans rely on public transportation more than Americans do. Go to our » Public Transit page for more detailed information.

Single ride & multiple day transit tickets… Single ride usually enables you to just one ride and some allow use anywhere for 40 minutes to two hours from validation. Multiple day tickets are easier to use because you have unlimited travel. Many passes include all bus, metro & tram lines as well as, some include boat, ferry, funicular and cable transportation. Tickets at most transit companies are more expensive if you buy them on the transit vehicle. Save money by buying your tickets or passes before boarding a transit vehicle.

HOW WILL YOU SAVE MONEY?

I think it speaks for itself, that you need to decide how much you will use any pass before you buy one. Figure out the individual cost of things first and compare that against the pass cost. Don’t buy a city pass for one day when you will only see one attraction or a rail pass and use it only once. Read our pages on these subjects within this web site for more ways to save.

There are many ways to save money on transportation, accommodations, eating, sightseeing and more.

➾  Rail Passes.➾  Tourist Cards & Passes ➾ City and regional transportation passes. ➾ Hotel reward programs for free nights or multiple night stays. ➾ Using airline miles & promotions. Booking your flight and room together in a package deal. Tourist Office specials. Redeem points and miles from reward & credit card programs into free airline flights and free nights at hotels.

If you plan to do a lot of activities while in a city or area Cards & Passes can be a great value and save you money but, also very convenient.

WHAT’S THE COST TO TRAVEL IN SOME COUNTRIES?

Some destinations are a better value than others. Eastern European countries then to be a better value while the Switzerland & France can be more costly. Cities like London, Paris & Venice are high destinations for most travelers to Europe and cost more but, cities like Budapest, Lisbon, Berlin can be values at this time and have great attractions and ambiance you’ll never forget. Transportation choices, cost and convenience from the US to countries like, Bulgaria, Romania, the Balkan and Baltic countries can be a little more difficult and costly but, once there they are a great value that’s easy on the budget.

The list below has bracketed cost that should help you to understand how cost may vary in some countries. Keep in mind cost can be higher in major cities and high tourists areas.

Daily average country cost are calculated by the average daily cost per person. Cost below can always be less if one is willing to forfeit some comfort and convenience.

Farther down the page you will find breakdown cost for accommodations, food, transportation, entertainment & alcohol.

Average Daily Cost by Country…

What countries cost the most to travel in and what countries are the least expensive?

$175 +

Average cost per day person in USD

countries

273. Malta

220. Switzerland

219. France

199. Monaco

197. Liechtenstein

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

220. Chamonix

215. Paris

212. Reykjavik

202. Como 

201. London

199. Bern

190. Amalfi Coast 

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

186. Inverness

186. Copenhagen

186. Basel

182. Interlaken

181. Lausanne

178. Liverpool

$150-175

Average cost per day person in USD

countries

174. Luxembourg

172. Iceland

171. Denmark

168. United Kingdom

162. Netherlands

156. Italy

155. Andorra

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

178. Zermatt

176. Bologna

169. Stockholm

168. Lucerne

168. Cardiff

168. The Hague

168. Annecy

165. Genève

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

157. Edinburgh

157. Amsterdam

157. Bath

155. Milan

155. Santorini

153. Glasgow

153. Rome

152. Stuttgart

$125-150

Average cost per day person in USD

countries

147. Finland

145. Greece

143. Germany

141. Spain

140. Sweden

139. Austria

134. Belgium

129. Ireland

128. Portugal

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

149. Cologne

149. Heraklion

149. Turin

148. Mont-Saint-Michel

148. Cambridge

145. Belfast

145.  Baden-Baden

145. Oxford

143. Salzburg

143. Barcelona

143. Dijon

141. Rotterdam

140. Florence

139. Killarney

139. Mykonos

137. Marseille

137. Segovia

135. Munich

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

135. Oslo

134. Heidelberg

134. Mainz

133. Vienna

131. Helsinki

131. Palma de Mallorca

130. Dublin

130. Cinque Terra

129. Strasbourg

129. Nottingham

129. Bilbao

128. Berlin

127. Brussels

126. Siena

126. Azores

126. Rhodes

126. Dresden

$100 – 125

Average cost per day person in USD

countries

119. Slovakia

118. Norway

107. Latvia

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

125. Madrid

124. Biarritz

123. Nice

123. Reims

121. Bucharest

121. Lisbon

121. Naples

121. Tenerife

120. Innsbruck 

120. Athens

118. Toulouse

118. Loire Valley

117. Porto

117. Lyon

117. York

115. Sevilla

115. Bruges

115. Valencia

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

115. Antwerp

115. Granada

114. Bratislava

113. Pisa

112. Delft

111. Ghent

110. Bordeaux

109. Frankfurt

109. Lille

108. Hamburg

107. Bergen

107. Galway

106. Corfu

105. Potsdam

102. Split

102. Limerick

102. Nantes

101. Carcassonne

$75 – 100

Average cost per day person in USD

countries

97. Cyprus

96. Czechia

95. Montenegro

91. Croatia

88. Slovenia

87. Lithuania

82. Hungary

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

99. Lucca

98. Nuremberg 

98. Hvar

97.  Bled

97.  Gothenburg

96. Riga

95. Cork

94. Prague

94. Istanbul

91. Kotor

90. Paphos

90. Plzen

90. Madeira Islands

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

89. Dubrovnik

89. Lake District

88. Vilnius

88. Budapest

87. Tallinn

86. Palermo

86. Santiago de Compostela

85. Balaton Lake

85. Zadar

84. San Sebastian

82. Ljubljana

75. Warsaw

$75 or Less

Average cost per day person in USD

countries

73. Romania

70. Belarus

65. Bosnia & Herzegovina

65. Russia

60. Bulgaria

55. Poland

51. Turkey

50. Albania

34. Serbia

29. Ukraine

na  North Macedonia

na  Moldova

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

72. Zagreb

71. Plovdiv

66. Minsk

64. Sibiu

63. St. Petersburg

63. Moscow

61. Sarajevo

61. Mostar

57. Sofia

56. Kraków

54. Český Krumlov

54. Antalya

CITIES & DESTINATIONS

54. Sighisoara

53. Brasov

53. Timisoara

47. Pamukkale

45. Gdansk

39. Belgrade

36. Cappadocia

32. Ephesus

30. Poznan

30. Kyiv

27. Wrocław

26. Torun

Average Costs by Category…

CityDaily Average
low / high
Hostel Single
low / high
Hotel double
low / med / high
Food
low / high
Local Trans
low / high
Entertainment
low / high
Alcohol
low / high
🇦🇹 Innsbruck, Austria52./250.31./147.61./144./29417./80.6.67/27 .7.76/ 38.7.77/39.
🇦🇹 Salzburg, Austria60./328.37./19472./174./38915./87.7.60/43.12./63.10./56.
🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria52. /346.31./208.63./ 159./416.13./78.6.68/47.14./92.6.32/43.
🇧🇪 Antwerp, Belgium52./226.30./135.58./135./269.17./73.5.02/22.3.40/15.7.31/31.
🇧🇪 Bruges, Belgium48./255.24./113.48./111./227.20./117.6.86/30.6.01/31.4.44/21.
🇧🇪 Brussels, Belgium52./318.28./158.56./136./315.14./97.6.47/37.8.36/58.5.12/27.
🇧🇬 Sofia, Bulgaria24./129.15./79.30./71./157.6.65/38.2.87/20. 2.27/10.3.30/14.
🇨🇭 Bern, Switzerland87./39756./259.110./257./519.21./95.11./53.12./51.9.26/40.
🇨🇭 Genéva, Switzerland71./346.50./218.101./231./436.16./110.3.27/14.10./46.7.74/34.
🇨🇭 Interlaken, Switzerland81./355.47./194.94./212./388.22./106.3.75/32.36./158.5.99/25.
🇨🇭 Lucerne, Switzerland71./38844./268.87./218./536.22./98.4.36/19.12./51.7.63/34.
🇨🇭 Zürich, Switzerland92./475.54./310.109./267./621.21./110.12./63.12./59.9.78/50.
🇨🇭Basel, Switzerland82./36550./217.99./228./435.21./94.15./74.12./65.11./54.
🇨🇿 Prague, Czechia39./237.22./153.45./116./306.9.46/51.2.84/18.5.69/35.4.15/20.
🇩🇪 Berlin, Germany50./358.24./158.47./121./317.18./138.6.68/43.8.31/53.6.23/38.
🇩🇪 Cologne, Germany67./297.35./171.71./165./343.20./93.7.92/33 .8.21/38.9.38/40.
🇩🇪 Dresden, Germany53./274.25./111.50./113./223.13./54.4.34/20.3.97/17.6.50/28.
🇩🇪 Frankfurt am Main, Germany45./222.19./83.37./84./16415./95.9.68/54 .15./64.13./53.
🇩🇪 Hamburg, Germany45./252.21./106.44./102./213.13./78.11./70.14./98.6.94/35.
🇩🇪 Heidelberg, Germany58./262.38./172.76./176./346.15./69.7.09/32.4.73/21.7.09/32.
🇩🇪 Munich, Germany59./328.32./211.64./163./424.11./53.7.67/38.11./67.13./89.
🇩🇪 Nuremberg, Germany43./191.25./112.51./116./224.14./65.4.82/22.4.24/18.6.50/28.
🇩🇰 Copenhagen, Denmark74./39632./178.64./155./355.20./114.13./75. 42./135.13./33.
🇪🇪 Tallinn, Estonia38./233.17./97.34./83./19311./70.8.65/52.5.25/33.5.19/41.
🇪🇸 Barcelona, Spain56./396.32./260.64./176./51913./74.6.89/50.13./76.6.36/40.
🇪🇸 Cordoba, Spain51./268.26./149.52./128./298.13./74.12./47.9.82/50.15./69.
🇪🇸 Granada, Spain47./269.24./121.46./111./242.14./84.8.34/47.11./.579.17/54.
🇪🇸 Madrid, Spain48./ 332.27./183.54./139./366.12./87.6.88/46.13./78.7.46/45.
🇪🇸 Málaga, Spain53./297.26./159.51./128./319.13./.8213./58.12./65.8.54/47.
🇪🇸 Sevilla, Spain43./351.19./158.39./102./31713./109.6.08/50.11./65.3.97/21.
🇪🇸 Valencia, Spain48./254.22./123.45./109./247.17./79.6.89./40.12./58.12./40.
🇫🇮 Helsinki, Finland61./325.30./147.59./138./293.14./74.14./82.11./51.5.30/28.
🇫🇷 Aix-en-Provence, France34./142.34./142.59./131./243.14./59.26./59.9./40.6./25.
🇫🇷 Bordeaux, France50./211.26./109.53./119./219.19./84.6.33/28.3.25/14.11./47.
🇫🇷 Chamonix, France128./376.37./167.73./169./332.20./84.17./70.33./144.3.99/18.
🇫🇷 Lyon, France50./252.22./91.45./100./183.17./876.64/37.8.48/37.9.56/53.
🇫🇷 Marseille, France64. / 284.57./137.95./132./273.17./92.12./53.15./72.15./58.
🇫🇷 Mont-Saint-Michel, France65./282.28./125.58./131./252.18./80.30./126.13./54.3.25/14.
🇫🇷 Nice, France54./276.24./115.106./111./ 228.19./112.8.88/69.4.89/21.6.81/33.
🇫🇷 Paris, France 80. / 626.53./414.105./286./827.14./96.7.46/57.25./234.8.83/61.
🇬🇧 Belfast, UK-N. Ireland62./327.30./185.61./151./371.24./115.7.07/28.8.77/39.3.80/17.
🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Bath, UK-England69./303.37./174 .76./174./349.21./90.13./.558.07/35.6.54/29.
🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Edinburgh, UK-Scotland69./403.32./223.65./167./445.17./120.7.51/44.9.06/51.6.71/42.
🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Liverpool, UK England76./385.35./194.69./169./387.28./131.12./66.18./76.6.23/28.
🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 London, UK England75./5.8246./374.91./252./748.15./105.11./73.13./115.6.75/42.
🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Manchester, UK-England80./516.32./185.64./156./372.25./138.8.51/48.15./65.4.65/24.
🇬🇷 Athens, Greece50./288.25./139.50./119./279.14./87.10./64.13./82.8.84/48.
🇬🇷 Corfu, Greece47./204.20./87.40./92./176.13./57.24./98.6.31/30.3.53/15.
🇬🇷 Heraklion, Greece65./287.33./149.66./152./298.21./93.13./57.15./67.11./46.
🇬🇷 Rhodes, Greece57./243.24./104.48./109./207.19./87.20./.857.97/34 .5.02/22.
🇭🇷 Dubrovnik, Croatia37./212.19./112.38./94./223.12./68.4.73/29.7.10/48.5.36/32.
🇭🇷 Split, Croatia40./291.25./211.51./140./421.8.83/56.5.99/27.1.53/6.943.31/15.
🇭🇺 Budapest, Hungary32./210.16./105.32./82./211.8.59/55.4.70/28.5.78/39.4.18/30.
🇮🇪 Dublin, Ireland51./360.24./172.47./125./345.17./132.6.68/37.9.63/53.6.63/38.
🇮🇹 Bologna, Italy82./345.38./183.76./178./366.15./93.7.75/47.14./96.11./69.
🇮🇹 Cinque Terra, Italy64./256.28./134.58./134./267.17./87.6.17/33.5.45/19.2.48/17.
🇮🇹 Florence, Italy60./340.32./207.65./164./415.12./70.8.98/40.11./80.7.31/38.
🇮🇹 Milan, Italy66./383.35./228.71./180./457.15./78.12./105.12./72.9.32/54.
🇮🇹 Naples, Italy51./285.26./142.51./124./28515./89.7.45/57.11./67.8.42/46.
🇮🇹 Palermo, Italy39./155.24./93.47./106./187.13./46.2.09/14.6.60/34.4.58/19.
🇮🇹 Rome, Italy59./430.30./235.58./158./470.18./108.7.54/58.13./1047.10/39.
🇮🇹 Siena, Italy86./181.30./113.59./131./227.38./54.16./19.3.00/3.541.75/2.07
🇮🇹 Venice, Italy83./555 .44./282.86./220./564.24./167.11./52 .35./278.9.43/52.
🇱🇹 Vilnius, Lithuania38./200.17./82.34./80./162.15./91.3.26/18.3.82/20.2.65/11.
🇱🇻 Riga, Latvia39./246.20./118.40./100./237.12./.775.28/43.7.34/58.7.38/45.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands63./401.35./240.70./181./480.15./91.7.29/48.14./89.8.98/54.
🇳🇴 Bergen, Norway48./212.30./132.59./136./263.14./58.3.81/26.7.27/31.3.00/13.
🇳🇴 Oslo, Norway74./257.35./167.70./163./333.24./41.9.34/58.8.65/35.4.61/24.
🇵🇱 Kraków, Poland22./146.15./104.30./78./207.4.42/19.2.39/10.5.20/62.2.60/9.62
🇵🇱 Warsaw, Poland28./219.17./125.35./91./250.6.50/51.1.59/9.102.56/11.3.38/23.
🇵🇹 Lisbon, Portugal54./279.22./125.44./108./252.17./93.8.65/61.8.83/60.7.14/37.
🇵🇹 Porto, Portugal51./286.25./151.48./122./302.13./83.7.74/48.9.03/66.7.03/43.
🇷🇴 Bucharest, Romania49./302.22./135.45./112./271.20./138.10./44.5.73/25.3.58/16.
🇷🇺 Moscow, Russia26./142.17./85.34./80./170.5.85/34.2.34/17.6.53/38.3.06/21.
🇷🇺 St. Petersburg, Russia26./153.15./84.30./73./167.7.64/43.2.61/23.7.36/46.3.73/27.
🇸🇪 Stockholm, Sweden70./399.40./219.79./193./438.15./80.8.57/46.11./53.11./61.
🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey18./157.7.44/60.15./41./120.5.43/53.2.95/23.7.20/63.3.66/26.
🇺🇦 Kyiv, Ukraine13./68.8.19/46.16./40./92.3.74/18..45/3.371.05/4.562.88/20.

Estimated Cost at Popular Attractions…

Amsterdam
Athens
barcelona
berlin
brussels
budapest
copenhagen
dublin
dubrovnik
edinburgh
florence
helsinki
istanbul
Kraków
Lisbon
london
madrid
milan
munich
oslo
paris
prague
Rome
Stockholm
Venice
Vienna
Warsaw
Zürich

 

Prices are in USD for adult ticket comparisons except where noted with a foreign currency symbol. Reduced prices may be available for children & seniors. Museum or city passes may include free entry or a discounted ticket price.

If you plan to do a lot of activities while in a city or area Cards & Passes can be a great value and save you money but, also very convenient.
Go to our page Tourist Cards & Passes for detailed information on passes and benefits. 

Tipping Guidelines…

By Country

 Albania 

Rounding up the bill at restaurants is fine, unless the service was outstanding, in which case, a good tip will be much appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but if they help with your luggage and provide you with tourist information, a tip would be appreciated. Tipping the housekeeping staff is not necessary but appreciated.

 Andorra 

Tipping is optional, but welcome. Leave a 10% tip at restaurants and for taxi drivers. Round up the bill at pubs and for hotel staff.

 Austria 

It is customary to round up and leave the change at restaurants for the server. Taxi drivers usually receive an extra 10% over the meter fare. Porters or bellhops should receive up to 1 euro per bag.

 Belarus

Tipping is entirely discretionary and service charges are not automatically added to the bill. If you want to tip in a restaurant or café, give about 5% of the total amount. A few rubles are a common and appropriate tip for metered taxi drivers.

 Belgium

Tipping in restaurants is not expected because a 10-15% service charge is generally applied to a bill. Tips are not expected in taxis, but feel free to let your driver keep the change as a gratuity.

 Bosnia & Herzegovina

It is common to leave a 10-15% tip for good restaurant service. Bartenders and wait staff do not include a tip on the bill. Taxi drivers will often round their fare up, but a few extra markas will go a long way. A tip of 50 cents (USD) a night is appropriate for hotel maid staff.

 Bulgaria

At restaurants, typically leave 10% of the total bill for a tip. Tip porters 50 levas per bag and hotel housekeepers 1.50 levas per day. It is common to tip taxi drivers 10% of the fare. Tour guides should also be tipped 5-10% of the total bill.

 Croatia

Tips are often included in restaurant bills, but, if not, add 10%; loose change or rounding up to the next convenient number is acceptable at bars. A tip of 15-20 kuna per bag for a hotel porter to deliver luggage to your room is appreciated. A daily tip of 15-20 kuna for housekeeping is considered to be good. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped.

 Cyprus

At restaurants, tipping 2-3 euros is sufficient. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest euro – or 5% of the final fare for exceptional service- is appreciated.

 Czechia

It is good etiquette to tip 10-15% at a restaurant if no service charge is included. Tip bellhops $1 (USD) per bag for carrying luggage to your room; leaving a small tip for housekeeping is appreciated. Tipping is not required for taxi drivers.

 Denmark

Hotel and restaurant personnel are typically not tipped because service charges are included in the bill by law, but a tip of 10% for good service is appreciated. Taxi drivers are not tipped, but you may always round up the fare.

 Estonia

If you do not like the service you do not need to tip. A 10% tip is polite and in many places expected for satisfactory or good service; a 20% tip is considered a thank you for exceptional service.

 Finland

Tips are not expected as a service charge is always included at restaurants, but you may leave a small tip of 5-10% for excellent service. Tipping at hotels is fairly rare, but a few euros for good service is appreciated. Round up for taxis.

France

Tips are not necessary, but appreciated and you may always round up for good service. In nicer restaurants, a tip of 5% is sufficient. Tip taxi drivers 10% of a total fare. Bellhops, room service, and housekeeping appreciate a tip between 1-3 euros.

 Germany

Round up the bill in a restaurant. If the service is particularly good, you may add a few euros and/or leave a 5-10% tip. Tip taxi drivers 5-10% of the total fare. Tip porters 1-2 euros per bag. Leave 1-2 euros for housekeeping per night.

Gibraltar

A service charge is generally included in restaurant bills, but it is usual to leave an extra 10% tip for good service.

 Greece

Check the bill first to see if a service charge has already been added. If not, round up to the nearest euro, or tip 5-10% of the final bill for exceptional service. Round up taxi fares. Tip porters 1-2 euros per bag and leave housekeeping 1-2 euros per day.

 Guernsey

While visiting churches or museums a tip will help with their upkeep and preservation. Tipping is not expected for taxi drivers or at restaurants.

 Holy See

While visiting churches or museums a tip will help with their upkeep and preservation. Tipping is not expected for taxi drivers or at restaurants.

Hungary

For restaurants, it is customary to tip 10-15% of the total bill. Gas station and public washroom attendants expect a 100-200 forints tip. Tip taxi drivers 10% of the fare. Bellhops appreciate 500 forint to carry bags to your room.

 Iceland

Tipping is not expected at hotels and restaurants since most bills include a service charge for gratuities. Round up taxi fares.

 Ireland

In restaurants, tip 10-15% of the bill if no service charge is included. Leave 1-2 euros at bars. Taxi drivers do not expect tips and many drivers often round down the bill, especially on longer fares, but you may round up the fare. Tip bellhops 1-2 euros per bag and leave housekeeping 1-2 euros per night.

 Isle of Man

In hotels, a service charge of 10-12% is frequently added to the bill. Tip as you would if you were in the United Kingdom.

 Italy

A service charge, ranging from 1-3 euros, is sometimes added to a restaurant bill, but you can round up for good service. Tip a bartender 1 euro for a round of drinks. Tipping in hotels is not required, but always appreciated. It is appropriate to tip a porter 5 euros, the concierge 1-2 euros (if they provided a service), and housekeeping between 75 cents to 1.5 euros per day. Round up taxi fares.

 Jersey

A service charge is not normally added to the bill, unless it is a large party; therefore, it is acceptable to leave 10% of the total. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. It is acceptable to tip hotel staff a small amount if they provide excellent service. Leave the extra change at a bar or nightclub.

 Latvia

A 10% tip for good table service at a restaurant or lounge is appreciated. Round up the bill for bartenders and cab drivers.

 Liechtenstein

Service charges are included in most bills and further tipping is not required. Taxi fares include a service charge, so no tipping is necessary.

 Lithuania

A 10% tip is appropriate at restaurants and bars. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped.

 Luxembourg

A service charge of 15% is added to most restaurant bills, but leaving 1-2 euros for good service is appreciated. Tip taxi drivers 10%, bellhops and doormen 1-2 euros, and washroom attendants 50 cents to 1 euro.

 Malta

It is customary to tip between 5-10% at restaurants. However, if a service charge is already included, then a tip is not necessary. Tip porters/bellhops 1-2 euros per bag. A small tip for housekeeping is also greatly appreciated and should be about 2-3 euros per day.

 Moldova

A service charge is often included in restaurant bills, but a further 5-10% is expected. Tips are not customary for taxis, but are appreciated.

 Monaco

Restaurants nearly always includes a service charge of 10-15% of the total bill. Doorman and porters generally receive up to 5 euros for their services.

 Montenegro

Service charges are generally not included in restaurants and hotel bills, so a tip of 10% is appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but a small gratuity is appropriate.

 Netherlands

Tipping is expected in restaurants for good or exceptional service. Tip 10% of the bill. At hotels, tipping is not expected since service charges are generally factored into the bill, but you may leave a few euros for good service. Round up taxi fares.

 North Macedonia

Common practice in restaurants is to round up the bill for a tip, but in finer dining establishments a 10-15% tip is appreciated. Tipping taxi drivers is not common.

Norway

Tipping is not required. It is, however, customary to leave a tip in restaurants and bars if you are happy with the service. A 10-20% tip is the norm. It is uncommon to tip taxi drivers or cleaning staff at hotels.

 Poland

Tipping is expected for good service in restaurants, especially in tourist areas such as Krakow or Warsaw. The norm is to tip around 10-15%. Hotel housekeepers do not expect a tip, but leaving a small amount (10 zlotych), is appreciated. Tipping a tour driver 10-15% is customary.

Portugal

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: Portugal h 2 time zones, including the Azores (UTC-1)

 Romania

Tipping 5-10% of the total bill for restaurant staff is appropriate. Hotel housekeeping should be tipped a bit per day or at the end of a longer stay. A porter expects $1 (USD) per bag to carry luggage to a room.

 Russia

Tip between 10-15% of the bill at restaurants. A porter or bellhop should receive 30- 90 rubles or $1-3 (USD) per bag to carry luggage to a room. Hotel housekeeping would appreciate between 60-120 rubles per day. Tipping taxi drivers is not necessary.

 San Marino

Tip waiters between 7-13% of the bill according to the service rendered. The average tip for taxi drivers is between 8-20% of the fare. Bellhops usually receive $2 (USD) per luggage item carried to a room.

 Serbia

Tipping is not obligatory in restaurants, but if you are satisfied with the service then leave a tip of 10-15%. Round up amounts for taxi fares or bar tabs.

Slovakia

A tip of 10-20% is expected in restaurants. In other settings, tipping is expected only from tourists. In such cases, either round up a bill or leave 10% of the total.

 Slovenia

In larger cities and major tourist areas, it is customary to leave about 10% of the bill; if you receive exceptional service, leave 15%.

 Spain

Tipping is determined by the time and place you are dining. Leaving 1 euro per person is fine for a daytime meal, but leave 10% for an evening meal. Tip room service 1-2 euro and leave 2-3 euros for hotel housekeeping at the end of your stay.

 Sweden

A service charge is frequently included at restaurants; If not, a 5-10% tip is appropriate. Leave small change at bars for a gratuity. Porters, bellhops, and housekeeping expect 5-10 kronor as a tip. Round up taxi fares.

 Switzerland

A service charge is typically added at restaurants so no tipping is needed, but you can round up the bill for the wait staff. Round up a taxi fare or add 5%. Tipping is usually expected for hotel staff. A bellhop should receive 1-2 francs for each bag carried.

Turkey

Tipping 10-15% in restaurants, cafes, and bars is typical. Hotel staff expect 5-20 liras for their services. Round up taxi fares.

 Ukraine

Tipping is not required in Ukraine. However, 10% of the total bill is appreciated for good service. Tip the bellhop/porter the equivalent of $1 (USD) per bag and tip housekeeping your change.

United Kingdom

It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.

If you shop and make good choices a trip to Europe could could be the best money you’ve ever spent on a vacation.