[Anonymous]

3 August 2023 at 13:04:18 #830438

Apologies for poking this particular can of worms, but my searches about tipping are returning mixed messages: “tipping is not customary,” “tipping 10% is customary,” and “round to the nearest franc.” I’m from an area in the US where generous tipping is the norm, but I adjust to the local expectations when traveling. For our coming trip, I would appreciate guidance for tipping customs in table service restaurants, cafes/coffee shops, and for housekeeping.

I know that tipping varies a great deal from place to place and that the US system is deeply flawed. I don’t need a philosophical discussion about tipping, but rather to know what’s expected in these situations in Switzerland (or, more specifically, in the Bernese Oberland and Lucerne).

Thanks!

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[Arno]

Reply 1 of 6 • 3 August 2023 at 13:23:12 #957052

Hi NacTravels,

Thanks for joining MySwissAlps! Tipping is not expected anywhere, but a small tip can be given in restaurants (a few francs) and hotels (I rarely tip hotels but wouldn’t tip more than 2% I guess).

In a restaurant I just add a little to the final amount, I don’t tip a waitress/waiter personally.

[User]

Reply 2 of 6 • 3 August 2023 at 16:53:47 #957053

Thank you! That’s all really helpful.

[Annika]

Reply 3 of 6 • 4 August 2023 at 4:28:33 #957054

Hi NacTravels!

No need to apologize. This is a perfectly understandable question, and it’s great that you want to adjust to the etiquette of your travel destination.

Tipping is not that common in Switzerland. Fees for personnel are included in the bills you’re paying. So it’s very normal not to tip and the staff is used to this. If you very much liked the service in your restaurant or hotel, you can leave a tip of course. In that case I recommend a relavitely small amount of a couple of francs; maybe round up to the next CHF 1 to CHF 5 or so as an average?

Here’s some more info you may like: http://www.myswissalps.com/hotels/etiquette.

[Danielsan]

Reply 4 of 6 • 4 August 2023 at 10:33:24 #957055

Hi NacTravels,

Being from the USA , I agree it can be confusing. Generally, it is said in Switzerland that to round to the high point of the bill is acceptable. I found that not only that, but some more will get a smile, and also better service if it’s not too late. It’s up to you and how you feel in each place. I also have found in my travels, that if you ask a server what their name is, they warm up more when they say their name, more so than if you don’t ask. That is true here in the USA also. Have a great trip.

Regards,

Danielsan

[Swiss_Sights]

Reply 5 of 6 • 5 August 2023 at 9:12:59 #957056

Hello NacTravels,

If I am very satisfied with the service and food in the restaurant, I tip about 5% as a native Swiss. For room service in the hotel, I tip about CHF 5 for a few days and CHF 10 for a week. I don’t know what other people give but in the restaurant the tip is actually included in the price.

From a generous American, perhaps a little more money is already expected 😉

Have a great trip!

Martin

[traveljet]

Reply 6 of 6 • 7 August 2023 at 5:43:29 #957057

Hi NacTravels,

In our past travels to Switzerland (4x) we don’t tip for hotels. As for restaurants or cafes, if there is one efficient server that has been attending to us, we do strike up a conversation and a friendly smile does wonders. We do leave a personal 5% – 10% tip if that server has been specially attentive and professional in his service. If there are various servers, we usually don’t tip unless there is some loose change. Usually if we pay by card, we don’t add a tip to the bill.

So far no nasty looks if we did not leave a tip and to be frank, I hope they don’t start expecting tourists to tip them inorder to give good service.