Are you headed to Croatia? Then, you’ll need to know how to tip. After living here for the last 13 years and traveling across the country for 25 years, I have learned a thing or two about gratuities. In this tipping guide for Croatia, I cover accommodation, restaurants, tours, and taxi services to help you avoid awkward encounters.
Whether you’re in Zagreb or Dubrovnik, thetipping etiquetteg is the same across the country.
Tipping Culture & Gratuity Guide
When visiting any country where tipping is much more common than in the US, asking for the bill can be drama—it can be uncomfortable, to say the least!
Now, if you’re visiting Croatia, the good news is that there is no big tipping expectation. However, it has become increasingly customary and expected.
Gratuities are not generally expected, but that certainly doesn’t mean they’re not appreciated! In fact, tipping is now generally expected in many sectors, particularly in the food and beverage industry.
The standard rule of thumb to use here is that if you feel you experienced outstanding service and staff who were friendly and gave you attentive service, then, by all means, go ahead and leave a few extra euros – NOT KUNA; we no longer use kn and now use the euro.
It’s worth remembering that servers at your local konoba, restaurants, and cafes are on low incomes. Although they do not expect you to leave a tip, every little bit does help.
So, you want to show your appreciation, but how much of a tip do you leave?
Again, it’s not carved in stone, which takes the pressure off a little. Tip whatever you feel compelled to leave because the amount of tip you leave reflects how much you appreciate the service you received.
On the other hand, if service is sub-par or not to your liking, you’re not obliged to tip anything – I know I certainly don’t usually tip in that case!
If you want a general guideline on tipping, check out this rough guide to help you navigate this murky, sometimes awkward subject.
Locals working in hospitality, especially during the summer months, earn very little and often only reach minimum wage.
Currently, wait staff earn around 1500 euros per month, so if you enjoyed their table service, a tip of any amount will be greatly appreciated and will make a real difference.
Tipping In Croatian Restaurants
Restaurants do not have a hard-and-fast rule about tipping; it is entirely down to you. But I know you’re wondering, as the most common question we get about tipping is, ‘How much are you supposed to tip a waiter?’
If you want to leave a tip, you could round up the bill and tell them you don’t like the change, which would be very appreciated. In higher-class restaurants, e.g., fine dining, the most common tip is 10 to 15 percent of the total bill if you feel the server deserves it.
If you’re paying by credit card, you can usually leave a tip on the card — but be aware that not all restaurants and bars pass card tips on to staff. Some keep all of it, some hold a percentage (often around 30%), and only a few give the full amount to the staff. If you want to be sure the staff receive it, leaving cash on the table is the safest option.
In larger restaurants, a note to pay attention to is that there isn’t already a ‘service charge’ that’s been added to your bill.
Local Tip: Make eating in Croatia easy with this year’s list of Croatia’s Best Restaurant Winners.
How To Tip In Croatia At Bars & Coffee Shops
Again, there are no rules here, but if you want to round up the bill, it will be appreciated. For instance, if coffee costs 1.70 euros, it’s nice to pay with a 2-euro coin and leave the change as a tip.
Beach bars in Croatia often have a tip jar, so you can leave any amount you think the team deserves.
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How To Tip Your Food Delivery Drivers
Food delivery drivers receive notoriously low salaries, no matter the country, and Croatia is no different. If you order food, the delivery driver will be very grateful for your tip, so you can give whatever you feel or round up the bill.
How To Tip On Cruise Ships In Croatia
Many cruise operators suggest a daily rate of 2.5–5 euros per person. But again, there is no hard-and-fast rule, and it is up to you whether to leave a tip.
How To Tip Your Skipper, Captain, And Boat Crew
If you’ve been off on a sailing charter in Croatia, you’ll undoubtedly want to tip your skipper/captain or crew. After all, they’ve shown you around and given you an authentic experience, so a tiny tip is nothing in the grand scheme of things.
If you enjoyed the experience, a good tip is between 5-15% of your charter cost. It is customary to leave a tip in an envelope for the captain; they will know theteam’s protocols for sharing tips.
How To Tip Your Taxi Driver In Croatia
There is no rule in Croatia that you must tip cab drivers, but it will be greatly appreciated if you round up your fare.
You should expect to experience some issues with taxi drivers in Croatia. Overall, they should use a taxi meter to take you from A to B without hassle. But that is not always the case (sorry to say!).
However, if you’re going quite far, the driver may prefer to charge you a flat fee instead; this will be communicated to you when you get in the taxi, and you can say yes or no. You should also not have to pay extra for your luggage.
You can hail a taxi on the street or head to a local taxi rank. If you’re visiting a smaller village or off-the-beaten-track area, ask a local for a taxi company’s telephone number.
So, while tipping taxi drivers isn’t necessarily expected, if you do use the same driver several times during your trip and you’re happy with the quality of service received, you’re welcome to give them
a tip, totally at your discretion.
Local Tip: Octopus Transfers is the new go-to for excellent private and shared transfer services. Whether you need airport transfers, excursion transfers, or help to get between the historic cities, you will find your needs met. Again, a tip is always appreciated for drivers who give you excellent service.
Guide On Tips For Uber Drivers
Uber is a very convenient way to get around. It can be beneficial if you don’t want to hail a cab on the street or if you’re unsure where the nearest taxi rank is.
However, remember that Uber fares vary by time of day. If you travel during peak times, you’ll pay a little more, but even then, it won’t be much if you’re not going too far.
If you choose to use Uber, you don’t have to tip your driver, but if you feel the service was worthwhile, you can round up the fare or tip an amount you think is appropriate.
How To Tip Hotel Porters
There is always that awkward moment when a hotel porter helps you carry your heavy bag up the stairs, and you wonder whether it’s okay to tip.
It’s nice to tip, and the usual amount is 1 to 2 euros per bag. If you stay in a costly hotel, you might want to increase your tip slightly to show your appreciation.
Hotels & Daily Maid Service Tipping Guide
Your maid looks after you throughout your stay, so it’s always nice to leave a little something at the end of your visit to say thank you. The average is around one euro per night of your stay.
How To Tip Tour Guides In Croatia
If you go on a tour and feel your guide helped make it memorable, you could give them a tip of 1-5 euros per person. They will be very appreciative.
As you can see, Croatia is pretty laid-back about tipping, making the whole subject much easier on guests! You don’t have to tip, but it’s always appreciated if you want to.
Again, there is no hard-and-fast rule here; however, if you take a private tour and the guide is invaluable to your group, it’s a good courtesy to tip. A tip of 10 or 15 euros is a reasonable amount.
How To Tip Hairdressers & Spa/Salon Staff
Hairdressing and beauty salon staff do not expect a tip, but if they provide excellent service and you leave feeling uplifted, it’s worthwhile.
The best advice is to tip 10-20 percent of the service cost in local currency. For example, if your hair was 20 euros, you should leave 2-4 euros.
How To Tip Tattoo Artists
Again, there is no specific need to tip tattoo artists, but if you are pleased with the final result, you can tip 15-20 percent, especially if the tattoo is large and took a long time. However, if the tattoo is relatively small, perhaps round up the amount to the nearest whole.
When To Tip In Euros Or US Dollars
There are situations when international currency is more valuable than the local currency, but there are also situations when the local currency is the only option.
As a rule of thumb, always tip in Croatian currency in bars, restaurants, cafes, salons, hotels, and for maids and porters, etc. Basically, any service you’ve received locally.
However, you can tip tour guides, transfer drivers, cruise captains, skippers, or crews in dollars.
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As we mentioned, Croatia does not have an authentic tipping culture like North America, and some people still feel incredibly uncomfortable about it. While most people sincerely appreciate it, a certain modesty must be maintained.
The best route here is not to go overboard. You’re just going to come over as ‘flashy,’ and you’ll make the recipient feel uncomfortable.
While large tips are seen as a treat in many other countries, you’ll be seen as showing off in Croatia and won’t be appreciated.
Is tipping customary in Croatia?
Tipping is not obligatory in Croatia, but it is appreciated for good service. It’s common to leave a tip in restaurants and cafes for good service, especially if you are satisfied.
How much should I tip in restaurants?
A typical restaurant tip is around 10% of the bill. However, you can adjust the tip based on the level of service and your satisfaction. Some restaurants may include a service charge, so check the bill before leaving an additional tip.
Do I need to tip in cafes and bars?
Tipping in cafes and bars is not mandatory, but you can leave some loose change or round up the bill to show appreciation for the service.
Should I tip taxi drivers?
Tipping cab drivers is not expected. But it is common practice to round up to the nearest whole euro as a courtesy. You can say, “Keep the change.” For exceptional service or luggage assistance, you can add 10%. tip
Are there service charges added to bills?
In some Croatian hotels and spa establishments, a service charge may be included in the bill. Always check the receipt to see if a service charge has been added before leaving an additional tip.
Is tipping required for a private tour or guides in Croatia?
Tipping tour guides is not mandatory, but it is customary to tip them if you enjoyed the tour. A typical tip is 5-10% of the tour’s total cost.
Is tipping on a credit card possible?
Yes, it is now possible — but not all restaurants and bars pass card tips on to staff. Some keep all of it, some hold a percentage (often around 30%), and only a few give the full amount to the staff. If you want to be sure the staff receive it, leaving cash is still the safest option.
Should I tip hotel staff in Croatia?
Tipping hotel staff is not obligatory, but it’s a small token of appreciation for good service. If you receive helpful assistance, you can leave a small tip for the housekeeping staff or the concierge.
Can I tip in foreign currency in Croatia?
It’s best to tip in the local currency (euro) to avoid confusion or inconvenience. If you only have foreign currency, you can ask whether it’s acceptable, but it’s better to exchange some money for euros for tipping.
Now, you have the proper etiquette and tipping practices for my homeland. Do you feel ready?
We are arriving to Dubrovnik several days before our tour starts. Can you suggest some things to do there? We are not “game if thrones” fans so we kinda took that off the list. There are lots of cave tours and Montenegro tours but the all get such mixed reviews we are not sure which ones are actually good.. and trustworthy. Could you please advise??? Thank you!!!
You’ll love Dubrovnik, here are some ideas here https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/things-to-do-in-dubrovnik-croatia-travel-blog/ and also here that you may like https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/day-trips-from-dubrovnik-croatia-travel-blog/.
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Hi we arrive in split in august with 3 teens and want to spend a few days in Split and then move to fly out of Zadar 10 days later
have you any recommendations for accomadation and the best things to do in that time
Very Useful and Nice Post!
Thank You!