- Restaurants: service is already included. For good service, round up or leave 5–10% in cash.
- Cafés, taxis and hotels: small amounts. Round up, or €1–2 here and there.
- Guides and drivers: never required. For a great experience, €10–20 for a transfer or 5–10% for a full day.
How much to tip in Paris
| Situation | Typical tip | Expected? |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Round up, or 5–10% for good service | No, but appreciated |
| Café or bar | Round up, €0.50–2 | No |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Round up, or €1–3 for help with bags | No |
| Hotel porter | €1–2 per bag | Customary |
| Housekeeping | €1–2 per night | Appreciated |
| Hotel concierge | €10–20 for a hard-to-get booking | For special help |
| Group tour guide | €5–10 per person | Appreciated |
| Private guide or chauffeur | €10–20 for a transfer, 5–10% for a full day | Never required |
Amounts are guidelines, not rules. In France, nobody will chase you for a tip, and nobody expects 18–20%.
Why tipping is different in France
Since 1987, French law has required restaurants and cafés to include service in the prices on the menu. That is why you see “service compris” on the bill. Waiters earn a regular salary rather than living on tips, so a tip in Paris is a small thank-you for good service, not part of anyone’s pay.
In practice, Parisians round up or leave a few coins. Visitors from the US often leave more, and it is always welcome, but you never need to add 18–20% to your bill.
Restaurants and cafés
- Everyday restaurants: round up the bill, or leave 5–10% if you enjoyed the service.
- Fine dining: 5–10% for an exceptional evening. Again, it is a gesture, not a duty.
- Cafés and bars: leave the small change, or €1–2 after a long lunch on a terrace.
- How to tip: cash on the table is simplest and goes straight to your waiter. Most card terminals have no tip option, and when one suggests a tip, you can choose zero or tell the waiter how much to add before you pay.
Hotels
- Porter: €1–2 per bag, a little more in a palace hotel.
- Housekeeping: €1–2 per night, left on the pillow with a short note at the end of your stay.
- Concierge: nothing for directions, €10–20 when they secure a hard-to-get table or tickets.
- Doorman: €1–2 for hailing a taxi in the rain.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Tipping taxi drivers in Paris is not expected. Rounding up the fare, or adding €1–3 when the driver helps with heavy bags, is a kind gesture. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber let you add a tip in the app after the ride.
Private drivers and guides
At ALEGA, gratuities are not included in our fixed prices and are never expected. If your chauffeur went beyond what you hoped for (waited through a long passport line, carried heavy suitcases, found you a great restaurant), €10–20 for a transfer or 5–10% for a full-day tour is a generous thank-you. Cash is easiest.
For licensed guides, 5–10% for a private tour or €5–10 per person on a group tour is common. On a multi-day trip, many travelers give it on the last day.
Useful phrases
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît: the check, please.
- Gardez la monnaie: keep the change.
- C’est pour vous: this is for you.
- Merci beaucoup, c’était parfait: thank you very much, it was perfect. Often worth as much as the tip.
Tips from our drivers
- Keep some €1 and €2 coins and a few €5 notes in your pocket.
- Don’t tip twice. Some restaurants add a service charge for large groups; if it is on the bill, there is no need for more.
- A kind word counts. A thank-you in French, or a good online review, is appreciated as much as cash.
- When in doubt, round up. It is the most Parisian way to tip.
FAQ
Do you tip in Paris restaurants?
It is not required, because service is included in the prices by law. For good service, round up or leave 5–10% in cash.
How much should I tip in Paris?
Small amounts: round up in cafés and taxis, €1–2 per bag for hotel porters, 5–10% at a restaurant for good service.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Paris?
It is not expected. Rounding up the fare, or €1–3 for help with luggage, is a kind gesture.
Should I tip my private driver or tour guide in Paris?
It is never required. For a great experience, €10–20 for a transfer or 5–10% for a full-day tour is a generous thank-you.
Is it rude not to tip in France?
No. Many French diners leave only small change or nothing at all, and no one will take offense.
Andrei founded ALEGA in 2014 on the Champs-Élysées. His chauffeurs and guides look after travelers from the United States every season, at the airports, in Paris and on day trips across France.
