The largest nation on Earth,
Russia, is one of the top 20 tourism destinations. Russia offers a culture
steeped in history, stunning architecture, breathtaking scenery, and a singular
travel experience.
Traveling to Russia might be
difficult, especially if you're a first-time visitor. The majority of the
population does not understand English, signs are written in unfamiliar
alphabet, and a visa is required for travel.
There are a lot of things to
consider before to your vacation. For example, what are the guidelines of
tipping in Russia? Whom and how much should you tip in this country?
The primary guideline is to
only tip when you are genuinely happy with the service. With one exception, no
one in Russia will demand a gratuity.
An
overview of Russian tipping culture
The larger backdrop of
tipping in Russia must be understood before we get into the details. Russian
culture does not value tipping as highly as those of some other nations, such
as the US. But lately, especially in the service sector, it has become increasingly
typical.
You may observe as a foreign
visitor that some locals leave no gratuity as all, while others leave a sizable
one.
The trick is to find a
middle ground between these two extremes while keeping in mind the traditions
and expectations of those who will be serving you.
How
much to tip in Russia?
Tipping may be a bit of a
minefield when traveling. Even when you understand the game's rules, the
procedure is frequently difficult, uncomfortable, and unclear.
Even a seasoned professional
at tipping can become perplexed when dealing with Russian currency, differing
service expectations, challenging math problems after a long night of drinking
with friends, and other factors.
To be clear, tipping is now
considered acceptable in Russia, and if you round up your payment after
receiving some type of service and don't ask for change, no one will mistake it
for a bribe. Unless, of course, it is to a government employee.
Let’s find out how much you
should tip when you are visiting Russia.
Restaurants
Russian cuisine is diverse
and occasionally excellent. Due to its size, Russia's cuisine is influenced by
all of Asia, Europe, and the numerous regions of Russia.
In Russia, tipping is one of
the customs that is most frequently observed in restaurants. It’s customary to
tip between 10% and 15% of the total amount. Give the waiter a cash tip and do
so immediately.
Credit cards are not widely
accepted in restaurants, however you can leave a tip by phone. Don't leave too
little of a tip, but also don't leave too much.
The 5-15% (let's say 10%)
regulation becomes less strict if you order food and drinks at a counter and
bring them to a table yourself. Minimum tip for minimum service.
Casual
eateries and cafes
In general, tipping is not
anticipated if you just want to grab a quick snack at a casual restaurant or
cafe.
Most of the time, you can
just pay the bill and leave. However, feel free to give a modest tip of roughly
10% to express your gratitude if you get great service or had a very enjoyable
experience.
Hotels
There will probably be staff
members you interact with during your hotel stay in Russia, from the front desk
to housekeeping. What you should know about leaving tips in Russian hotels is
provided below.
In Russia, it's customary to
tip the bellhop or porter between 30 and 90 rubles (or $1 and $3) every bag.
If the concierge offers
extra assistance, give him a tip of 5 dollars. Tipping in an envelope and
including a brief letter of gratitude is welcomed.
It's customary to leave a
100–200 ruble tip for the housekeeping crew each day in your hotel room,
especially in a prominent and convenient area. Spare change should be placed on
the nightstand or in the ashtray.
This is a wonderful way to
express your gratitude to the staff members who put in so much effort to keep
your lodging tidy and comfortable.
Spas
In Russia, there will be no
custom of leaving tips at spas.
There may be regional
variations in Russian spa etiquette. If you are unclear, watch what other
people are doing, search for signs, or ask a staff member about tipping in
Russia.
Hairdressers, makeup
artists, and manicurists accept tips in cash or via a tipping app, but only if
you were extremely pleased with the work.
Don't be cheap if you had a
good time and are pleased with the outcome; the majority of the money you spend
on the treatment goes to the salon owner, not to them.
Bars
Tipping can be a little
trickier in Russia when having a good time at a pub or club. It's not required
to give the bartender a tip for each drink you order at the bar.
However, you can leave a tip
of roughly 10% of your entire cost if you encounter great service or have a
really enjoyable day.
Many patrons utilize regular
tips to "make friends" with the bartender and acquire beverages
without having to wait in line because bartenders can make up to two-thirds of
their official (though meager) pay in tips.
Taxi
drivers
Because many passengers now
order and pay for cabs through smartphone applications and may not have cash on
them, tips are rarely given to taxi drivers in Russia.
Although not obligatory,
leaving the driver a tip is traditional when taking a taxi. If you want to pay
in cash instead of using a taxi app, the driver would appreciate a tip of
between 5 and 10%.
Tour
guides
By pointing out landmarks
and sharing information, a tour guide helps a group of people get a better
understanding of a location.
The typical tip for tour
guides is 10%, though it will vary depending on the type of the tour.
It is not commonplace for
tour guides to ask for a gratuity, but it is not necessary. Given the contact
with tourists, many of tour guides have become used to tipping.
For paid trips, budget 5 to
10 euros per person for a half-day excursion and 15 to 20 euros per person for
a full-day excursion.
You can discreetly reward
your tour guide for going above and beyond to make your trip to Russia
memorable by carrying a 1000 RUB or 500 RUB note.
However, feel free to donate
more because exceptional treatment deserves greater than average gratitude
while average service is merely the average.
Street
musicians
Russia has some amazing
street performers, but there are sadly not many possibilities for the country's
struggling musicians. A few pennies or a 100 RUB note might brighten their day.
You can use a tipping app
like Tipsy to leave a tip by phone and encourage young artists.
Monastic
novices
Even if you've been given a
private tour of the monastery, never tip in monasteries no matter how deeply
impacted you are spiritually.
Since many people enter holy
orders to figure out their life (including drug addicts, drinkers, etc.), money
shouldn't ever be given to monastic novices or even lay brothers because it
could encourage them to return to sin and temptation.
Gravediggers
In the hope that it will
delay the day when they are ever seen again, the guys who dig graves are
frequently rewarded with a sizable tip.
Although tips are never
requested, funeral homes recommend offering one.
🔘 Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Tipping in Prague
Conclusion
In Russia, a little goes a
big way. When the exchange rate is 60 rubles to the dollar,
everything—restaurants, theaters, cabs, tours, you name it—is inexpensive. The
same is true regarding tips.
Even if you feel generous
and tip like you would at your own country, most people are usually happy with
as little as $3. Like in Europe, tips are widely appreciated but not required
in Russia.
To sum up, it's always a
good idea to be aware of the local customs before visiting Russia, especially
rules regarding tipping in Russia.
To be clear, tipping is not
expected in Russia, but if you feel like showing your gratitude for a waiter or
a driver, feel free to do so.
Tipsy is an excellent
tipping app which comes handy in different situations and allows you to leave a
tip by phone with a few clicks.