Tipping ( gratuity ) in Turkey
Tipping is not an obligatory custom in general however there are some necessary services which has to be tipped.
Turkish people do not usually prefer giving extra money to the service they get unless it is really and truly satisfying. Tipping customs and tipping expectations also change from region to region.
Tipping is kind of obligated payment in some countries such as in Usa and European countries. The top travel destinations in Turkey attract millions of tourists from these countries therefore the people who work in tourism industry expect to have tips from almost any service they give. As much as serving the tourists the temporary seasonal jobs owned by the tourism workers also increase the expectation of tips from the visitors. ( Bus drivers, airport transfer drivers, guides, waiters, porters, bellboys, customer relations, barmens etc.)
Tipping in Restaurants in Turkey
Tipping in restaurants is actually up to service you get. If you are happy with the foods, service and atmosphere in general you can tip to waiter 10% of the total bill. Seperately tip can be handed to the cook chefs.as well.
Tips in restaurants in Turkey are shared among the waiters so you can also leave your tip to the tip boxes which mostly stands in a central visible place of the restaurant.
Tipping in Hotels in Turkey
The biggest income of the bell boys are based on the tips they get so it is necessary to tip bell boys who help you to carry your bags. 5 to 10 Tl will be enough in general for the porters.
If you are in holiday in an all inclusive hotel, it is recommended to tip 50 Tl or 100 Tl to one barmen you like in order to take faster and better quality service.
If you are also satisfied from room cleaning you can also tip at the end of your holiday 50 to 100 Tl to the room cleaners.
Tips are also necessary for the drivers who will pick you up from the airport to the hotel but if you hire a taxi tips are not necessary.
Tipping to customer relations and concierge is also necessary. If you request something personal and special for you such as, restaurant reservation, flower orders, change of flight tickets etc. Tips should be given to person who deals with your request.
Tipping in Tours in Turkey
If you join just a Daily tour to a historical site both driver and guide will expect to have a tip at the end of the day. If you are happy with the tour in general ( safe drive, good knowledge of the guide, services etc.) 10to 20 $ can be given both to guide and driver.
* Tips given to the guides generally are shared with the drivers by guides .
If you are in a long term round trip in Turkey for 5 to 30 days. Tips both for the guide and driver minimum should be 100$.
Tipping for the Massage Therapists in Turkey
Therapists who mostly earn comission from the massage they give also expect to have tips from the customers. As a customer if you are happy with the massage and service you get you can tip 10 to20 Tl to the therapists.
What are the “NO tip” services and places ?
Taxis, Buses, Markets, shops, governmental services are the places where the tipping is not necessary and obligated.