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Tips
(gratuities) are generally modest in
Turkey (a few percent of the price
paid),
although Americans tend to do their
thing and tip big, which is leading
Turkish tourism industry workers
to expect big tips from Americans
who travel to Turkey.
Although
the person you tip would prefer Turkish
liras, you may tip in any currency
so long as you give notes/bills (paper
money). Don't give non-Turkish
coins,
as these cannot easily be exchanged
for Turkish
liras.
RESTAURANTS: Small
tips (5% to 10%) are not
necessary,
but are appreciated in inexpensive
establishments. In luxury restaurants,
tip 10% to 15%. Tips
should be given in cash liras. They
cannot be added to the credit card
charge on your bill.
HOTELS: Porters
are happy with TL2 to TL3
per bag.
ARCHEOLOGICAL
SITES: If
a site guardian performs some
special service, such as giving
you a personal tour, a tip equivalent
to a few dollars is appreciated.
TAXIS: For
taxi drivers, don't tip, just round
the fare upwards to a convenient
amount. So if the fare is TL9.70,
round it up to TL10. (If
the fare is TL10.30,
the driver may accept just TL10.)
DOLMUS/MINIBUS: No
tip expected.
AIRPORTS/STATIONS: Every
airport, bus station
(otogar) and train station
(gar) has an official tariff for
porters, which should be posted
prominently. Of course you probably
won't see it, so tip about TL2 per
bag,
which should be plenty. If you actually
end up
underpaying according
to the official tariff, the porter
is sure to let you know!
TURKISH
BATH (HAMAM): At
the end of your bath all the
attendants (and there are lots
of them) will line up to "bid
you goodbye" and expect
a tip (if service has been
good). Share out among them about
15% of the total price of
the services you've used.
GUIDED
TOURS:Tips
to guides and drivers on
organized tours are at your discretion.
Certainly guides and drivers hope for
tips, but a good guide or driver will
not think less of you for not tipping;
and a bad guide or driver deserves
no tip.
Remember, this is a tip meant to signify
good service (if that's what you've
received), not his/her payment (which
you will already have paid by paying
for your tour).
That having been said, TL18
to TL35
(US$10 to $20) per day from the group
would be plenty for the guide, somewhat
less for the driver.
This is the total tip for
the entire group, not the
tip per group member. So for a 10-day
tour, the guide would be given TL180
to TL350
total from the group as a recognition
of his/her excellent service.
Remember that if a guide takes you
to a shop, s/he is probably expecting
to receive a commission from
the shop on any purchases you make;
and that commission comes out of your
pocket. If it is a small commission
(5 to 10%), it may represent payment
for good value received. But if it
is larger, it may not be good value for
you, and you might be better off finding
your own preferred shop. More...
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