tipping guides
 

We are taking a several day guided tour through tours by locals soon. The tour is quite pricey, but will definitely be worth it. My question, when it is a several day tour what would you suggest re tipping at the end? A small tip seems almost rude, but the tour is already expensive. Your thoughts? thanks

If this is a tour you arranged through a major tour company the company will send you a booklet with all kinds of information including suggested gratuities for the tour guide or what is known in the trade as a tour director. In some instances they will tell you gratuities are already included in the price you paid in which case no additional tipping is required or expected.

For what it is worth, when we’ve been on tours where no guidance was given we usually tip the tour director $10 per day per person.

Hi Janis, you are sweet to ask. yes, we are going to Memphis and then down the Mississippi Blues trail to New Orleans in about a week. Scandinavia is in June! (although I should post the same question there). and thanks Roams around, Tours by Locals said the tip is included, but I don't want to be thoughtless about it - I know what to tip in restaurants, etc., but this is a situation I haven't dealt with often....any other ideas?

Are all your days with the same guide?

I think that "tip is included" is really your answer. But I will say that my husband usually still tips something nominal even in those situations because he just can't not tip. I don't think it's necessary but if it makes him feel better, it's fine. I'd say the same to you.

Now, if it's the same guide the whole trip, you can consider bringing something consumable that is representative of where you are from to give as a personal "thank you" at the end saying something like, "thanks for sharing your area with us, here is local [honey/candy/maple syrup/wine] from [where you live]."

Even if it says tips are including I might give a small additional monetary tip. As far as gifts go, I know most of my friends who work for tips prefer good old cash.

Thanks for the ideas - yes, it will be one guide for the whole trip and he is going way out of his way to make it wonderful. I was also thinking of taking him out to dinner for at least a few nights along the way....

A cash tip is more appropriate (than trying to take someone out to dinner or giving gifts). I would think, unless the dinners are part of the tour, the guide would likely want to have time to themselves once their work day is done :-)

>>Now, if it's the same guide the whole trip, you can consider bringing something consumable that is representative of where you are from to give as a personal "thank you" at the end<<

Not a reasonable idea IMO -- guides don't want 'stuff' and things like maple syrup, etc wouldn't necessarily be practical because very often they are moving from the end of one tour directly to the start of their next assignment.

And treating a guide to dinner might not work -- their meals are usually pre-paid by the tour company (and the guide may need 'alone time' after dealing with a group all day ;) )

If you want to give him a little extra besides the 'gratuity included' maybe $5 per day from each of you.

You'll soon find out if the guide is having dinner with you or not. In my experience, sometimes alcohol is not included and they may appreciate the offer of a beer or drink of choice. Only way to know is to ask.

I normally wouldn't tip on an owner-operated excursion which I assume is what Tours by Locals is. Nor would I bring gifts. But at the end of the tour if it is spectacular I usually will add $5 to $10 per day per person. (up to 10-15% of the tour cost). Also if you have a separate driver, I find that often they would appreciate tips (local currency) and in many cases are just as important as the guide.

Thanks MLGB, what I've learned is that Tours by Locals - the tour guide is a self-employed contractor, and they set their own fees. I think we decided on a compromise solution - bring a Kachina doll - which is something very special from our area, and a $100 tip at the end. We'll probably play the meals as they go - he has just been so proactive and creative and seems as excited as we are - even offered to take us around Memphis for part of day that itsn't included in the tour itself. We're excited, and I shall let all know how it goes. fingers crossed for nice weather

Honestly, if the tour guide is self-employed and sets his or her own fees, why would you tip at all? Presumably, they set their fees at what think they should earn for the services provided. Your dentist is probably self-employed, do you tip him or her? I understand tipping a guide who is paid a salary or a portion of the tour fee, but tipping someone who is paid the entire fee doesn't make any sense to me

Kachina dolls are pretty cool (and aren't "nested dolls"). I would gladly accept one.

Oh -- jeeze (!) I know that :embarassed: -- I was posting on my phone under the dryer and when I went to post it didn't show the previous entries and I couldn't remember if it had said Kachina or Matryoshka -- All I remembered was 'doll' LOL

But I still wouldn't give a guide a Kachina doll.