Tipping Guidelines in Canada | Travel Info | Canada Rail Vacations (2024)

FAQs

Tipping Guidelines in Canada | Travel Info | Canada Rail Vacations? ›

There's no standard tipping policy in Canada, so you can give as much as you want if the business permits it. Most tippers consider factors such as exceptional service, menu prices, and payment options. Tipping practices and amounts also vary depending on the type of establishment.

On trains, you are free to tip your server in the dining car and the individual responsible for your room or berth in the sleeper car. Do remember, however, that the crew will change several times on long journeys.

One of the primary areas where tipping is prevalent in Canada is the restaurant industry. The standard tipping rate for waiters is generally around 15-20% of the bill before tax is applied. This is a good baseline for satisfactory service. However, if the service was exceptional, you may consider tipping more.

Your tour guide can make or break your experience when travelling - so when you find a great guide in Canada do tip them the standard 10%. Tips are equally welcome whether you're taking a private, multi-day, or walking tour.

If you wish to tip or pay for things in US Dollars(USD) it is generally accepted, however, it will be treated as $1 USD = $1 CAD when in reality the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD ≅ $1.25 to $1.30 CAD.

In restaurants, it is customary to tip between 15 and 20 per cent of your pre-tax bill, depending on the quality of service. Some customers have noted that even 15 per cent may seem rude to workers, with many tipping prompts starting at 18 per cent and running as high as 30 per cent.

Transportation. After taking a taxi, you should tip 10 percent to 20 percent of the fare. For example, a good tip would be CA$2 on a CA$8 fare or approximately CA$5 or CA $6 on a CA$40 fare. Not everyone tips the airport or hotel shuttle drivers, but a CA$2 tip is acceptable if your driver was friendly or helpful.

Is it customary to tip in Canada? Yes. No mandatory obligations exist, so don't expect absolutes like here's when and how much you should be tipping in Canada. People in Canada are accustomed to tipping their servicepeople anything from 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill.

If you received good service, a tip is customary, as it's widely understood that Canadians tip. In sit-down restaurants, “we've always said 15% is the minimum you should consider, and 10% is a bit insulting to the service,” says Lewena Bayer, civility expert and CEO of Civility Experts in Winnipeg.

The fork is held in the left hand with the tines facing down. The knife is held in the right hand with the index finger along the back edge of the knife with the blade facing the plate. The food is cut and speared or pushed onto the back of the fork with the knife. The knife remains in the right hand while eating.

Do you tip in Banff? ›

Tipping is customary in Canada, especially for restaurant servers, drivers and guides. 10-20% of the price is an acceptable amount to tip, depending on the service provided. As Banff is located in a National Park wildlife sitings are common. Please respect the wildlife and the environment by keeping your distance.

So, even if the service is bad, you probably want to offer a tip, especially if you think it's due to management not hiring enough workers and you feel the employee is doing their best. But use common sense. If a service worker is rude to you, don't tip – and maybe have a talk with the manager.

Basic tipping etiquette says, yes, you should tip your tour guide. There are exceptions if your specific tour experience includes gratuities or you simply didn't have a good time, but in general, tipping your guide at the end of the tour is customary in the U.S. and Europe, though it's much more common in the States.

Taxis and airport shuttles

It is usual to tip your cab driver at a rate of 15 per cent of the total bill (or 10 per cent for shorter trips). But it's not common to tip airport shuttle bus drivers here – they don't usually display those strategically-placed tip baskets by the doors.

When you travel to Canada, it is best to pay in the local currency in Canadian dollars or CAD. It is widely accepted at hotels, retailers and local commutes.

USD not universally accepted

If you are planning to rely on USD in Canada, you may like to reconsider. Although large retailers, tourist attractions, hotels and border crossings accept US currency, smaller and rural destinations may not.

Tipping. General Guidelines: Tipping is NOT required, but is considered correct for the service crew personnel on the train. Recommendations: Snack bar attendant: roughly 10%. Dining car: 15% of menu prices (sleeping car passengers may want to note this when ordering their meals).

All Subway Restaurants in Canada are independently owned and operated, the inclusion of tipping options is at the discretion of each restaurant team. Restaurants are required to follow all provincial regulations regarding employee gratuities.

Yes. You can tip hotel staff in Canada. The valet, concierge, receptionists, housekeepers, room service, and bellhops expect to be tipped. However, some hotels have a no-tipping policy because tips are included in the service charge.

5-20% of the total moving cost is often a good standard reference. Feel free to give an extra tip if a mover does an outstanding job. Remember, tipping your movers is not mandatory, but if the moving services provided were exceptional, a tip is greatly appreciated.