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In a few weeks we'll be at Budapest for our holidays.

We'll try to avoid tourist traps and we will pay in cash. In order to avoid more friction than that generated by the obvious language barrier, one thing I'd like to know before arriving is how tipping is done (if at all) by locals, specially in bars/restaurants.

In Spain, after I pay, I normally leave some coins from the change in the small plate where the waiter handed it to me, then I leave the bar without waiting for them again. So...

  • Do local people in Budapest tip?
  • What is the standard tip amount/percentage? Rounding to the next 100 forints maybe?
  • Should I say something like "make it xx00 HUF" when paying, or should I act like in Spain?
  • Any other places where tipping is common?
JonathanReez
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orique
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1 Answers1

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As pnuts posted this guide is pretty accurate. I'd like to add to the taxi section that taxify is now available in Budapest which is like Uber except for the all around evilness of Uber. Summarized:

  1. Sit-down eateries: 10-15% (as befitting service) but be mindful of "szervízdíj" (service charge) which is often already added to the bill. No need to add a second tip in the latter case.

  2. Give 500 Ft to a bellhop carrying luggage from the lobby to the room or back.

  3. Taxis: ~5-10% of the total fare, or round up by about 100-200 forints for a typical ride of ten minutes or less.

My experience: if you do not want to be generous you can stop here, the rest of the list is ... more optional. I was Hungarian too, now Canadian, visiting often so I have some ideas.

  1. Leave 2-300 Ft per day for the housekeepers at the end of your stay.

  2. If you use the hotel concierge, at the end of your stay tip 500-1000 Ft.

  3. Airport shuttle driver: tip of 200-500 forints, especially if they assist with loading and unloading your luggage.

  4. 5-10% of the total charge for a limousine or other specialty vehicle.

  5. Bartenders: round up to the next 100-forint denomination above the total charge.

  6. Fancy club or cocktail lounge: 200-forint-per-drink bonus will suffice at almost any upscale bar nationwide

  7. Cloakroom attendants: 50-forint coin is enough if a tip jar or tray is provided at the counter.

  8. I am skipping restroom attendant, this reads crazy.

  9. Delivery services: A 200-forint gratuity is enough unless you deliver to BFE. In the latter case, I add 10% and round up the nearest 100Ft.

  10. Most everything else: as you can it works to the same beat, if you got very good service, a few hundreds or just rounding up is fine.