To Tip or Not to Tip? A Guide to Tipping on Your Travels
10 Oct 2026 · @Sheila
That awkward moment at the end of the day
You know the one. Your guide has spent the day bringing a place to life, your driver has steered you safely along roads you'd never dare tackle yourself, and now you're all standing by the minibus. Hands hover near pockets. Somebody whispers, "Are we supposed to tip?" Nobody quite knows.
Tipping is one of those subjects most of us would rather not talk about. It touches on money, on manners and on the fear of getting it wrong, either by giving too little and seeming mean, or by giving too much and insulting someone. So let's talk about it openly, because a little clarity takes the awkwardness away.
Some of us grew up with tipping. Many didn't.
Part of the confusion is that we all arrive with different habits. Travellers from the USA and Canada come from a culture where tipping is woven into how service workers are paid, and skipping it is seen as rude and unacceptable. Many of our European and Australian/ New Zealand travellers are used to something more relaxed: round up the bill, check whether a service charge has been added, and leave a little extra if the meal was lovely. Across most of Europe, a tip is a voluntary thank you rather than a fixed obligation.
Then there are places where tipping isn't part of the culture at all. In Japan, good service is a matter of pride and professionalism, and a tip is often politely handed back. In South Korea and much of mainland China, it can cause confusion or even offence.
Even within tipping cultures, people aren't sure of the rules. A large 2023 study by the Pew Research Center surveyed nearly 12,000 American adults. Most said they are asked to tip in more places than ever, and many said the rules feel unclear. More Americans described tipping as an obligation (29%) than as a choice (21%). Yet one finding stood out: for most people, the quality of service is by far the biggest factor in deciding whether and how much to tip.
We rather like that last point. It's very close to how we see things.
How we see it at EVA Travel
At EVA Travel, we see a tip as an acknowledgement of good service and high standards. It's a way of saying "you made a difference to my trip" to the guides, drivers, cooks and hosts who work so hard behind the scenes.
That's why we have avoided tipping amounts but in some countries tipping may be mandatory. How much you give, or whether you give at all, is a personal choice and should entirely at your discretion. This became very clear on our recent trip to Egypt where there was a set amount requested for tipping toilet attendants, cruise ship staff and the bus driver among others. The guide also had tipping guidelines for his service.
Nobody on an EVA trip should ever feel pressured, and nobody should feel judged for what they did or didn't put in an envelope. That said, we know many of you would rather have a rough idea than be left guessing, and a few pointers can save some anxious moments. So, with the clear understanding that these are guidelines and not rules, here is what we suggest.
A rough guide for our destinations
The figures below are the ranges commonly suggested by travel specialists who know these countries well. Think of them as a starting point for good service, not a price list. Give more if someone has gone above and beyond, less if they haven't, and I'd like to say nothing at all if you'd rather not but that may not be practical.
You'll also find suggested tips for your specific trip in the 'Money' section of your Vamoos itinerary, so the guidance is always there in your pocket.
Destination | What to know | Guide | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
Tipping arrived with tourism, but it is now an important second income for many Cambodians. US dollars are widely accepted. | About US$3–10 per traveller per day | Roughly half to two-thirds of the guide's tip; US$1–2 for a tuk-tuk ride if you wish (Experience Travel Group) | |
Borneo (Malaysia) | Tipping is less common than elsewhere in Southeast Asia, and restaurants in tourist areas often add a 10% service charge. Guides and drivers are paid well by EVA but may rely on tips to top up wages or for special purchases. | Around RM10–20 (US$5-10) per traveller per day (Borneo Eco Tours) | About two-thirds of the guide's tip (Experience Travel Group) |
Tanzania | Tipping is customary and sometimes feels mandatory these days. Guides are usually thanked individually, with a shared tip box for lodge or camp staff. | Around US$8–20 per traveller per day (Expert Africa) | Usually the guide drives; lodge staff tip box around US$8–10 per traveller per day (Expert Africa) |
One thought worth holding on to: average incomes in these countries are a world away from what most of us are used to. Expert Africa notes that gross national income in Tanzania is roughly US$2.50 per person per day. A modest tip goes a long way, and very large tips can unsettle the local balance between colleagues and communities. Generous is lovely; extravagant isn't necessary.
A few practical pointers
Bring small notes. Crisp, low-value notes make tipping easy and save anyone having to make change. In Cambodia, clean US dollar bills are best, as torn ones are often refused and dollars are widely accepted. Try to get these before you travel- a travel agency, post office or on-line service can usually give you exactly the denominations you need.
Tip at the end. For guides and drivers who are with you for several days, a single thank you on the last day is usual. An envelope with a short note is a lovely touch. For our EVA Travel tours, we will arrange the envelope that you need for the tip which is given on the last night.
Club together if you like. Many groups pool their tips so the thank you comes from everyone. It's simpler, and nobody needs to compare amounts. We use small envelopes for individuals who want to either make it clear what they tipped or remain anonymous. Each small envelope goes into a larger envelope that is handed over at the Farewell dinner.
Check the bill first. In hotels and tourist restaurants a service charge may already be included, in which case leaving your small change is plenty.
Think about the community, not just individuals. On our give-back trips, please don't hand cash or gifts to children or at project sites. If you'd like to give more, ask us how to support the community or project in a way that lasts.
Throwing money or gifts out of a moving van or bus is a dangerous practice. It encourages children to run after moving vehicles to beg and puts them at risk.
The bottom line
Tipping should never feel like a test you can fail. Whether you come from a culture where it's second nature or one where it barely exists, the heart of it is simple: if someone has made your journey better, a thank you, in whatever form feels right to you, is always welcome. We'll do our best on the pre-departure zoom and in the Vamoos app to make sure you know how much extra to budget for tipping on each tip. I've avoided making this decision but I want to be sure everyone is aware of the best practice for each destination.
At EVA Travel, our guides, drivers and local partners are part of what makes our trips so special, and we're proud of the standards they keep. How you choose to recognise that is entirely up to you. And if you're ever unsure, just ask us. That's what we're here for.
