Tipping in Austria is customary but modest — nobody expects the 18–20% standard familiar to American visitors, and the amounts are noticeably lower than in the US or Canada. The culture sits somewhere between Germany’s structured “state-the-total” approach and Italy’s more casual rounding up. What matters most in Austria is not the percentage but the gesture itself: if you received decent service, showing appreciation with a small tip is considered good manners.
Restaurants and Cafes
Tipping 5–10% is standard at sit-down restaurants and Austria’s famous coffee houses (Kaffeehäuser), where the café culture is genuinely revered — particularly in Vienna. If your bill is €28.50, rounding up to €30 or €31 is a natural and appreciated gesture. Not tipping at all is generally read as a sign of dissatisfaction with the service rather than cultural indifference.
An important local convention: in Austria (as in Germany and the Czech Republic), you state the total amount you want to pay when handing over your cash, rather than paying the bill and leaving change on the table afterward. If your bill is €23 and you’d like to tip €2, hand over €30 and say “fünfundzwanzig” (twenty-five). The server will return €5. Saying “danke” (thank you) while handing over your money is the local signal for “keep the change” — so don’t say it until you’ve decided on the amount and received your intended change back.
To ask for the bill, say “Zahlen, bitte” (the bill, please) — Austrian restaurants typically won’t bring it until you ask.
Service charges are rarely included automatically in Austria. One restaurant in Vienna that attempted to add a mandatory service charge in 2023 received significant public backlash — it’s not the local norm.
Hotels
Hotel tipping in Austria is appreciated but not strictly required:
- Bellhop/porter — €1–2 per bag (€2–3 at luxury properties)
- Housekeeping — €1–2 per night, left on the nightstand daily
- Concierge — €5–10 for meaningful assistance with tickets, reservations, or private tours
- Restroom attendants — €0.50–1 at attended public facilities
Taxis
Rounding up the taxi fare is standard in Austria — a €18.20 ride rounded to €20 is perfectly typical. The same verbal convention applies as in restaurants: state the total you want to pay when handing over the cash. For longer rides or if the driver helps with luggage, a slightly more generous round-up is appreciated. Card payments are accepted in many Vienna taxis, though smaller towns may still be cash-only.
Tour Guides
For guided tours, €5 per person for a half-day group tour and €10 per person for a full-day experience is a reasonable standard. For private guides, €10–15 per person per day reflects the more personalized attention involved. For free walking tours (common in Vienna and Salzburg), a tip is the guide’s primary compensation — €5–10 per person is appropriate.
Bars
At bars and clubs, rounding up the bill or leaving €1–2 per round is a common gesture. At traditional Austrian wine taverns (Heurigen) and beer halls, the same convention applies — round up when paying rather than leaving coins on the table afterward.
Spas and Salons
A 10% tip is customary at spas. At hair salons, tipping the stylist 10–15% is standard, though at basic local salons a smaller amount is perfectly appropriate.
Cultural Notes
The phrase “Passt scho” (it’s fine/alright) is a casual Austrian expression you might hear when giving a tip — it’s an informal acknowledgment that the amount is good and appreciated. A polite “bitte” (please) and “danke” (thank you, after receiving your change) will earn you considerable goodwill throughout Austria.
Cash is still very much preferred for tipping in Austria, particularly at smaller restaurants, cafes, and local businesses. While card terminals are increasingly common in Vienna, carrying euros in small denominations remains the most practical approach for everyday tipping situations.
| Situation | Typical Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant/cafe | 5–10% (state total when paying) |
| Hotel porter/bellhop | €1–2 per bag |
| Hotel housekeeping | €1–2 per night |
| Hotel concierge | €5–10 for notable help |
| Restroom attendant | €0.50–1 |
| Taxi | Round up fare (state total) |
| Group tour guide (half-day) | €5/person |
| Group tour guide (full-day) | €10/person |
| Private guide | €10–15/person per day |
| Free walking tour guide | €5–10/person |
| Bar/round of drinks | Round up or €1–2/round |
| Spa | 10% |
| Hair salon | 10–15% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is tipping expected in Austria?
Yes, for restaurant and taxi service especially — not tipping is generally read as a sign of dissatisfaction rather than cultural preference. Amounts are modest by North American standards, typically 5–10%.
How do I tip at an Austrian restaurant?
State the total you want to pay when handing over your cash. If the bill is €23 and you want to tip €2, say “fünfundzwanzig” (twenty-five) and receive €5 change. Don’t say “danke” until after you’ve gotten your intended change back — it signals “keep the change.”
How do I ask for the bill in Austria?
Say “Zahlen, bitte” — Austrian restaurants won’t bring the bill until you ask for it.
Should I tip in cash or by card in Austria?
Cash is strongly preferred, particularly at smaller restaurants and cafes. Card tipping is becoming more common in Vienna but is still less reliable for actually reaching the server.
More Europe Tipping Guides
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