Tipping Question ?
 

How much is an appropriate tip for the tour director/guide and bus driver on a 1 week escorted high-end european tour such as Tauck?

There is no need to tip unless you have been given extraordinary service above and beyond the call of duty.

Europeans in the service sector are much better paid than those in the US and do not depend on tips to the same extent.

I'm sorry, but if the service was good enough that you are thinking a tip would be appropriate then you should do so...and you, and you alone, should decide how much to tip. How much the person makes has nothing to do with whether or not you feel an extra amount of money is warranted for their services.

See "How much should I tip the pilot?" - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1288831

Best wishes,

Rex

this is an honest question, people... how about a decent answer. opinions of those not experienced in escorted touring are just that...opinions.

i don't have a decent answer either, Frank. but, if you booked the tour through a travel agent, i suggest you ask her/him.

Whle I agree with "uhhhhh"- - only people who have been there know the murmurs among the fellow travelers about what they think...

I would still use the same guidelines as I would for flight attendants and pilots.

Or write Tauck and ask them.

And maybe ask how much THEY are willing to "tip" (pay) YOU... for doing for them, the job that all management has to do in every business... employee performance evaluation, salary research and negotiation.

I agree that this is an honest question, and deserves an honest answer.
I took a two week Taulk tour of Italy, and after considering the level of service provided, I tipped the driver, a lovely man named Albino, 100US. He portaged our luggage, suggested restaurants, and wine bars in most towns. It was my pleasure to show this man my appreciation in the form of a tip.
The tour guide was very well informed, and for his service, I tipped 200US.
It seemed that everyone tipped on this tour, so I don't think it is at all unusual.

It was suggested by Grand Circle Travel and GoAhead the driver would get $2.00 per person per day. :-B

We gave a collective tip to the driver of our tour bus in Ireland. I'm sure that the individual contributions varied. I prefer this system to individual tipping, but it does not work with all groups.

cyberUK:
Thanks for the guideline, it's about what I was thinking, $100 for the tour guide and $40 for the driver (he's only driving 4 days) on a 1 week tour. Was your tip just for yourself or for a couple?

JonJon, uuhhhh, ed: Thanks for the advice.

Rex & ira: I hope I never have to drive or guide you, I think I'd get stiffed.

Michael: Thanks, sounds like a good idea.

Frank,

The question referrred to Europe. In the US, I do contribute to a collective tip for the driver and guide because their wages are much less.

The same is true of waiters, taxi drivers, bell hops, etc.

I was travelling with my wife. Another group, Husband, wife, and two adult children (separate room) tipped 150US driver, and 300US for the guide. So like I said we were pretty typical.

On a two-week Tauck tour of southern France, the director/guide constantly went out of her way to make the trip great. For example, not only did she assist people with restuarant recommendations, but she also made telephone calls for people for reservations in advance of our arrival in Paris. Also, she was extremely knowledgeable about everything we saw, indicating she had made a real effort. We tipped her nicely (but I don't remember how much any more).
On the other hand, while the bus driver got us where we were supposed to go on time and didn't have any accidents, that was his basic job -- nothing special. We gave a token tip.

I disagree with Rex and Ira. These individuals do rely on a variety of compensation elements; base pay, tips, and even commissions from shops they may bring you to. They are absolutely nothing like flight attendants and pilots.

I think it is absolutely necessary to tip the tour guide and driver, they depend on it. Years ago I did a Maupintour tour to Switzerland and another to Great Britain. I don't remember how much I tipped (and that certainly wouldn't be valid now!)- but it was expected, and everyone did it.
Tauck will give you a booklet concerning all kinds of things, and it will mention suggested amounts for tips. I've taken Tauck tours in the U.S. and Canada, and they did that.

I haven't taken a high-end tour but if there's a guideline you can follow it. The suggestion of $100-$200 is alot to me personally. If every family or individual gave that much multiplied by the number of tours the guide can make good money on the tips.

I've led groups on student tours and those companies tell you how much tip is expected just like the cruise lines tell you how much to tip all the various people on the ship. Budget student tours - bus driver $1 per day and tour director $2 per day. The high-end (yes they do exist) student tours - bus driver $2 per day and the tour director $3-4 per day. Tauck should certainly be more than these. This is per person tip not couple.

Hi,
I may be seen as a scrooge here but I make it a policy never to tip.
I am a firm believer that people who do their job get paid wages and if you have paid a huge amount of money for a tour (which are usually extortionate)it is not beyond the realms of fantasy that the guide is getting a fair slice of the takings.
This is just my humble opinion but you should make your own mind up and tip accordingly, I have to say though I find the prospect of tipping someone $100-300 quite obscene.
If you are concerned about the low paid, then stop tipping and perhaps they could be better paid, employers take tips into account when paying wages.

Scrooge Muck

I agree with checking with the tour companies about tipping policies. Many companies, esp those that cater to Americans, may assume that tipping will occur and adjust their wages accordingly. Of course, they won't tell you that.
I have gone on some high end tours and tipping is expected. However, that being said, the guide & driver worked very hard during the trip. We had small groups and we all had a lot of individual attention. So they made it a really memorable trip.
I have also gone on a more budgeted trip catering primarily to Europeans. On that trip, no tipping was expected. Of course, we also were left to our own devices most of the time (which was part of the appeal of the trip).
Check also with the culture of the place you are visiting. We weren't expected to tip in Ireland though a round of drinks was appreciated.