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Tipping in Ireland: A Local’s Guide for Every Situation

Tipping in Ireland: A Local’s Guide for Every Situation

While tipping in Ireland is common and many will add a 10% tip to certain services, there isn’t a tipping culture in Ireland like the one in the USA.

Personally, and I’ve lived in Ireland for 35 years, I only ever add a 10% tip to a food bill when the service is good.

In a nutshell, tipping is completely at your discretion. Below, you’ll find when it’s customary, when it isn’t and how much to tip in Ireland.

 

Some quick need-to-knows about tipping in Ireland

The quick answer to ‘Do you tip in Ireland?’ is yes. However, there are situations when it isn’t expected:

1. The general rule

The general rule for tipping in Ireland is to add a 10% tip to the bill after eating in pubs, restaurants or cafes. Leaving a tip higher than 10% is usually only done if you are dining with a large group or if service has been excellent.

2. It isn’t mandatory

Tipping in Ireland isn’t mandatory and we don’t have a tipping culture like America. If you’re visiting Ireland on a budget and cash is tight, don’t worry about it. If you can afford it and the service was good, it’s customary to leave a tip (in some situations – see below).

 

3. Situations when it’s customary

Leaving tips in Ireland is customary when dining in a restaurant, pub or cafe when you’ve had table service. You’ll also frequently see people tip servers at a bar if they have dropped a drink to the table, taxi drivers and on multi-day tours.

4. What you should tip

Personally, if I’m tipping in Ireland in a restaurant, I’ll add 10% if the service has been good. If the service has been terrible, I won’t tip (unless it was outside the persons control – e.g. the place is busy at lunch time and it’s clearly not their fault).

 

5. Service charges (take note!)

You’ll often find that a service charge has already been added to your bill. It’ll usually say it at the bottom of your bill. Also, note that, for groups of 10+, some restaurants will automatically add a 20% service charge to your bill.

6. Cash and Credit card tipping

Yep, tipping by credit card is a thing in some places, but do note that it won’t be available everywhere. When it comes to tipping in Dublin, Killarney and beyond, cash is king.

Situations when tipping is/isn’t customary

 

A disclaimer: the advice below what I do and don’t do when it comes to Ireland tipping practices.

This contradicts some of the more popular American travel blogs, but I’m basing the below on living here for 35 years.

Restaurants

tipping in ireland restaurants

Photos via Shutterstock

Tipping in restaurants in Ireland (and in cafes/pubs where you’ve had a sit-down meal) is one of the more common situations where a tip is expected.

Once the service has been good and once there is no service charge included, of course.

How much to tip: In general, a 10% tip is more than acceptable. However, if there’s a large group (e.g. 15 – 20) a 20% tip is usually the norm.

 

Taxis and public transport

do you tip in ireland taxi

Personally, I’d never add a tip to a taxi ride as taxis here are expensive.

Now, you could argue that their overheads are high (e.g. insurance, tax, etc) but the price they charge is more than enough, in my opinion.

If you’re getting around Ireland on buses or trains, don’t worry about leaving a tip. It’s never expected.

How much to tip: If you want to tip your taxi driver, you can either round up the price (e.g. €17 to €20) or you can add whatever you like.

 

Tour guides

tipping in ireland tour guide

Photos via Shutterstock

Tipping tour guides in Ireland is a topic that causes a lot of debate online. Mainly as some (generally tour guides themselves…) say that there is an industry standard to tip 10% of the total cost of the tour.

Now, if you’re on a 5-day tour that cost €2,000, that’d be an extra €200, which is completely unreasonable, in my opinion.

How much to tip: A common scenario, especially on a day-long or multi-day bus tour, would be to tip whatever you see fit and only if you’ve been happy with the service, e.g. €2 – €5 at the end of each day.

 

Hotel staff

Ashford Castle

Photos via Shutterstock

Tipping in hotels in Ireland is something that you won’t see many Irish people do, unless it’s for a meal in a hotel restaurant. However, sometimes (and I’d do this myself in hotels when I’m abroad) it’s good practice.

In particular, if you get food delivered to your room, if you have a porter help you with your bags or if you’re availing of the housekeeping service.

How much to tip: Room service: €2 if you get food to the room. Porters: €2 if you get bags brought to your room. Housekeeping: €1-€2 per night.

 

Pubs

Toners

© Tourism Ireland

We’re often asked do you tip in Ireland every time you order a drink. No, you don’t. Now, there are a few exceptions when it comes to tipping in pubs in Ireland.

The first, is if you’ve had a meal and you received good service. The second is if you’re receiving table service.

For example, if there’s a group of you sitting around a table having a chat and a someone working in the bar asks if you’d like some drinks brought over, it’s the norm to tip.

How much to tip: After a meal, the 10%-20% ‘rule’ applies. If you’re getting table service, €1-€2 per round.

 

Dublin and Northern Ireland

tipping in dublin

Photos via Shutterstock

Tipping in Dublin is no different to tipping in Northern Ireland (although there are many differences between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

‘Dublin tipping’ isn’t a thing – the culture around Ireland tipping etiquette is the same in Dublin City as it is on the Antrim coast.

How much to tip: Tipping in Dublin is the same as tipping anywhere else in Ireland, so 10% is more than enough.

 

Now you have tipping mastered, here are more need-to-knows

Now you know when and how much to tip in Ireland, it’s time to throw you some more Ireland travel tips! Here are some guides you should find useful!

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Jeff

Sunday 25th of June 2023

Do you tip a concierge in a hotel that gives travel advice?

Keith O'Hara

Monday 26th of June 2023

Hi Jeff - as always, it's up to you. Personally, I don't think they would expect it. But if you appreciated the advice and wanted to tip, that's entirely up to you!

Christina

Friday 16th of December 2022

Hi There,

Seen a question come up on travel sites about it being offensive to tip in B&B’s. Which seems odd to me. Any thoughts on this? I would assume you would, we did…

Thanks! Christina

Keith O'Hara

Friday 16th of December 2022

Hey! Although it wouldn't really be customary to tip in a B&B, people definitely wouldn't take offence! Hope the trip went well. Keith

Colleen McGarvey

Thursday 23rd of June 2022

We have a private driver taking us to and from the airport and on day trips. Should we tip him when he is also the owner of the car service? That, is all payments for transport go directly to him. Should we tip him in addition?

Keith O'Hara

Thursday 23rd of June 2022

Hey Colleen - This is a tricky one. If it was me and there was a group of us (e.g. several different families) going around for several days, I would. If it was just me and a friend, and I knew that this was a service run by the owner, I probably wouldn't, as the price of the tour/service is going directly to them. Ultimately, it's up to you! Have a great trip and safe travels!

Alana

Monday 20th of June 2022

Should we tip in dollars or euros?

Keith O'Hara

Monday 20th of June 2022

Euro! Have a great trip!

Keith O'Hara

Monday 20th of June 2022

Euros, definitely. Have a great trip!

kelly

Sunday 27th of March 2022

I am staying at a castle hotel with breakfast and dinner included. Do I tip at the dinner service? I expect we will be having wine but the dinner is prepaid.

Keith O'Hara

Monday 28th of March 2022

Hey Kelly. If the service is good and you're happy, you could always leave 10% - you'd just need a rough idea of what the price may be (a quick flick onto the menu on the hotel's website should give you a good idea).

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