🇩🇪Germany · Tour Guide
How much to tip a tour guide in Germany (2026 Guide)
ExpectedCash preferred
€5 per person group, €10–20 per person for free walking tours, 10% private
10–15% of the bill is the typical range.
Tipping calculator
€
Cultural notes
Free walking tours (very popular in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg) are tip-funded — €5–10 per person for a typical 2.5-hour tour; €10–15 for a great one. Booked group tours: €5 per person. Private guides: 10% of cost. Bring cash — most tours end outside with no terminal.
Common mistakes
Leaving a "free" tour without tipping; the guide's entire income depends on it.
Frequently asked questions
How much for a Berlin free walking tour?
€10 per person if it was good.
Private guide?
10% or €20+ in cash.
Tipping other services in Germany
- Sit-down restaurantRound up + 5–10% — state the total verbally before paying
- Counter / takeawayRound up to next euro
- CaféRound up to next euro — say "Stimmt so"
- BarRound up by 50¢–€1 per drink
- Housekeeping€2–5 per night
- Porter€1–2 per bag
- Concierge€5–20 for a real favour
- TaxiRound up + 5–10%
- RideshareRound up via app — €1–2 typical
- Food delivery€1–3 in cash or app
- Grocery delivery€1–2 if you tip at all
- Hairdresser5–10% — round up to the nearest €5
- Spa5–10%, €5–10 typical for a massage
- Tattoo artist5–20% optional; not expected
- Valet€1–2 on return
- Airport baggage€1–2 per bag if you use a porter
- Busker€1–3 if you stopped to listen
- Movers€5/hour per mover, or €10–20 each for a longer move
- Tradesperson€0 — not customary
Tipping a tour guide in nearby countries
- 🇬🇧United Kingdom10–15% of tour cost, or £5–10 per person for free walking tours
- 🇫🇷France€5–10 per person group; €20+ private; €5–10 per person for free walking tours
- 🇮🇹Italy€5–10 per person half-day; €10–20 per person full-day; €10+ for free tours
- 🇪🇸Spain€5–10 per person half-day; €10+ full-day; €10–15 for free walking tours
Last verified: · Sources: thelocal.de, liveingermany.de