Tipping In Prague: How To Tip In Restaurants, Bars And Cafés?

Tipping etiquette in different countries is always like learning multiplication for the first time. It looks difficult but after some practice it starts to pop-up immediately. So how does tipping work in Prague / Czech Republic?

Who is writing this blog for you?

My name is Dana and I am a licensed Prague guide. Since 2015 I´ve been striving to support responsible and sustainable tourism here in Prague. I am also owner of a small touring business called Prague Behind The Scenes. With my services I try to present Prague in a less touristy way. Besides guiding I also write a lot about Prague, to help future visitors “survive” Prague without being ripped-off or act like typical tourists. Today you will learn a bit about tipping in Prague bars, restaurants and cafés.

things to do in prague lesser town — Dana, owner and guide for Prague Behind The Scenes: *“Tipping is not mandatory in Prague. But if you were satistided with the food and services, please leave a tip. It´s polite!!”*

Do we tip here?

Yes, we do!!!!!Tipping in Czech restaurants, cafés, and bars is common practice. The staff is pretty much dependent on tipping as their salaries are usually very low. So please, if you are satisfied, it’s polite to leave 10 %. It´s also a nice way how to say “thank you, I was satisfied….”

*Don´t forget that tips are never included in the final price. Shouldn´t be! Tipping etiquette in Prague says: please leave 10% as a tip if you were satisfied 🙂 Photo: Restaurant Lokál* *– a great place if you want to taste some local cuisine in a casual ambiance.*

Tipping in practice: how do we do it?

Tipping is very easy in the Czech Republic. Tips are usually never included in the final price (shouldn’t be!) that’s why it’s polite to leave 10 % as a tip. However, only if you were satisfied. Tipping is not mandatory and you can leave whatever you think the service deserves.

How do we do it? Rounding the bill up when paying is the most common practice. For example when the price of your meal is 363 CZK, just say you want to pay 400 CZK.

And the easiest way? Many card terminals now have a screen with options: no tip, 5 %, 10 %, 15% and 20% tip. Just press your preferred option and that´s it. We never leave cash tips on the table. Give it directly to your server or add it on the card.

If you were not satisfied with the service or with your meal you don’t have to leave any tip. Just please tell the staff why you were not satisfied. Tip is a sort of feedback on their work.

*Leaving 10% as a tip is common and polite.*

What do the servers hate?

When you pay cash and let them give you back all the small change. Since transactions with Czech Crowns often involve many coins, rounding up can make things easier for everyone involved. This way, you will save the servers the hassle of searching through their wallet for coins. They often need to dig in their wallet. This would be very embarrassing for us to let them do that. I know, strange, but that’s how we feel.

Tipping list – how much to leave and where?

RESTAURANTS / BARS / CAFÉS: The staff relies on tips, as their base salaries tend to be quite low. It’s common for bills to be rounded up. Many card terminals also provide an option to add a tip directly during the payment process. On the terminal screen, you will see choices for tipping at no tip, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%. Simply select the appropriate option and enter your PIN if required.

HOTELS: tipping is optional, but if you were satisfied, you should consider leaving some small money for room service – the cleaning ladies…. 100 CZK is a nice and polite way how to say “good bye and thank you”. They work hard. You can leave the tip on a table inside the hotel room before you check out. Just don´t leave them euro coins, it´s not possible to exchange them. Only bank notes.

TAXI: no tipping, only if you pay cash, you can round the bill up (e.g. your bill is 290 CZK, just say 300). Regular taxi drivers (especially downtown) rip people off. So no tipping! The best TAXI services in Prague are Liftago, Uber or Bolt. Tips are not required, but you have the option to tip your driver after the ride through the app. I strongly recommend that you register your card with your taxi account, as drivers often do not have enough cash to provide change when you pay in cash. Or they say so to push you pay more.

GUIDES: tipping is optional, if you join a free tour where the guides are paid from tips only, you should leave them at least 300 CZK or 20 euros per person. With private guides it depends on your satisfaction and the size of your group, or if he/she did something extra for you (spent more time with you or helped you to arrange something…etc.).

SERVICES: like hairdressers, wellness centers, manicure, pedicure, swimming pool…again, tipping is not mandatory or expected. It’s all based on your satisfaction. Sometimes, if you pay cash, it helps to round the bill up. For example when the price of the service is 570 CZK, just say 600.

Dana, owner and guide for Prague Behind The Scenes | small-group tours and experiences.

If you enjoyed my blog, you can support my writings by buying me a virtual coffee. To keep me going. Thank you!

Please also feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to see Prague with me: dana@praguebehindthescenes.com or read my tour reviews if you are not sure 🙂