Tips
I recently got my final documents which suggested $15 per person per day for the travel director and $10 per person per day for the driver. I've seen others mention it here and it looks like cash is preferred. My question is: Do we pay this all at once or every day? If it's all at once, do we give it on the last day? I just want to be prepared. Thanks.
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Last day, usually at the Farewell Dinner...hope this helps!
It is customary to give the tour director’s gratuity at the farewell party. She/he will advise the last day that the coach driver will be with the group. Sometimes there are more than one drivers. Again, you will be advised.
Typically, your final documents will indicate U.S. currency and/or the equivalent in local currency.
Last day, farewell dinner
I always ask the TD, “ Is this the last time we will see [ fill in the name ], our bus driver?
Great point, SandyFeet. In most cases the driver doesn't attend Farewell Dinners on the last night.
In Morocco we made a mad dash back down to the coach to give our proper thank-you's to our driver before he left.
We have found the tour director is great at letting us know when we can "say goodbye" to the bus driver.
That's been my experience, also. The TD wants to take care of the bus driver.
I had a confusing situation today in Japan. Our local guide who has been with us since the start (8 days) said farewell as we were switching to a new person for the last few days in Kyoto. Some people were discussing when they should tip her...I genuinely had not even thought of tipping her. The TD never made mention of it. I should note that on this tour we don't tip the bus driver, since we have a new one nearly every day.
This guide works for an outside tour company and is hired by Tauck. I've never tipped local guides on a Tauck tour. I really assumed Tauck managed this - especially in Japan where they don't have the tipping culture like in the US. She was a wonderful guide and we really enjoyed her, but I assume she's paid well for her job. Was I wrong?
No, you are not wrong. You travel with Tauck and their expensive prices because tips are included for everything except the TD and on some tours the bus driver. Especially in Japan, it’s thought of as a no no in their culture. Tauck pays well. Some people just love to give out tips to all and Sundry, let them. It’s one of the reasons foreigners love Americans and think we are all rich when sadly, million live below the poverty line, but it’s not how we are portrayed in the media.
SGF - It could be that some in your group are unfamiliar with Tauck’s protocol of taking care of local guides. I have, upon occasion, compensated a guide when I appreciated their level of knowledge and genuine warmth. It is a personal choice and I hope you don’t feel pressured one way or another. I look forward to your review.