Tipping, Vienna

When I first came to Vienna, I was told that Austrians tend to be quite strict on "trinkgeld" (tips). This is because the workers get low basic salaries and they depend on tips for their survival.

Most Austrians would round up the amount. Hence, € 2.23 would become € 2.50; or € 64.52 will become € 70. One will not offend if one simply "rounds-up." But I do think that excessive tipping seems rather frowned upon. I doubt the receiver of the tips will complain but I believe it is seen as being showy if you give a big fat tip. So, you will just have to play it by ear.

As a norm, I would usually give @ 10% tips, unless the service was horrible.

In restaurants and bars, the service fee is not included in the total bill. The waiters/waitress will expect around 10% tips.

For others – almost in general - you can give 10% - 15% tips to taxi drivers and hair-dressers.

Doormen or bellboys may expect about €1 – €2. Porters may expect more than €3, especially if your luggage was heavy!

If you buy drinks in a bar then tipping is pretty much standard - if you pay €3.20 for a beer say, then you're more or less expected to pay €3.50 for the beer. Whilst there is no hard and fast rule, in terms of the percentage tip, it is expected. In restaurants, typically approx 10% is expected as a tip - anything less might be met with a slightly askance look.

Something that I was not used to was they way Austrians tip. I'm used to tipping 20% and was a little shocked when my friend explained how tipping works in Vienna.

Basically you just round up the amount of the bill. For example, if your bill was 4.20 Euros you would round up to 5.00 Euros. Do not leave money sitting on the table as you leave, because it is considered rude to not give it directly to the server.

If you say danke that means the server is to keep the change, so be careful if you're handing over a lot of money for a small bill. You'll want to tell the waiter how much to give you back.

I saw it on many "tips" on VT, that it is usual to add 10% to the bill...

THAT is simply not correct, as most people in Austria simply ROUND UP the bill like :

02,70 --> 3,00
27,30 --> 28,00
246,20 --> 250,00

The only "sense" of that kind of tipping is, not to get back a lot of small change back !

I work in Restaurant business since more than 20 years now, and of course I know, there are guests, who tip a bit more on a special occasion, for EXTRA&SPECIAL service - sometimes simply in order to impress a nice waitress...

BUT travelers on an ordinary budget ABSOLUTELY will NOT NEED to tip more than a few cents !!!

Better save your money, and visit Schönbrunn-castle as seen on my pic !

In England we leave money on the table after a good meal in a restaurant although we don't usually tip. In Vienna (and most places in Austria) it is standard to tip around 10% of the total. When you want to pay ask for "die Rechnung," usually from the Kellner who served you. When he comes to settle the bill he will work it out on a piece of paper or bring a printed receipt (to avoid being ripped off - this is a usual occurence in tourist places (still happens even if you live here for years) - check that no extra drinks or food has been cunningly added to your bill and make sure he/she does their maths correctly) If for example it comes to 3.60 Euros you would then say 4 (Vier) when you hand the money over. A word of warning: never say thank you when you hand over the money!!! - this means keep the change! Usual practice is to tip taxi drivers, waiters and hairdressers, don't tip when you get counter service.