Tipping in Paris can feel confusing, and it might be very different from what you’re used to.
In France, you’re not required to tip. Still, leaving a small extra amount is a nice gesture if the service was friendly or the food was great.
To make it easy, use our Paris Tipping Calculator.
Simply enter your bill amount, select your experience, and see the suggested tip range.
💡 Tip: bookmark this page to have this calculator handy when in Paris
Tipping Calculator for Paris
Tipping in Paris is facultative and based on your satisfaction.
General rules for tipping in Paris:
- Everyday cafés and restaurants: A few coins (around 5%) are enough if you’re happy.
- High-end restaurants: A 5% to 10% tip is more expected, especially if the service was excellent.
- Bad service? No need to tip at all.
Important:
In Paris, tipping is always facultative. It’s entirely based on your satisfaction. Also read my complete Paris tipping guide for more insights.
Watch out for Card Machine Tipping Traps
Over the past year, some restaurants in Paris started offering the option to add a tip directly by credit card. No issue with that — it’s convenient, especially since almost no one carries cash anymore.
The process works smoothly: you pay, add a small tip if you want, and you’re done.
But — and this is a big warning —
The suggested percentages on the card machines are often completely off.
It’s not unusual to see 20%, 25%, or even more suggested.
This is not customary in Paris.
Tipping 20% or more is not expected and not part of the local culture.
If you see high suggested percentages, it’s best to ignore them and either:
- Manually add a small amount (that’s what I do if I feel like tipping)
- Or simply tip a few euros in cash if you prefer.
High tip prompts are often a way to pull extra money from tourists who don’t know better.
Don’t feel pressured.
Tip: Also read my guide on Scams in Paris: 13 Top Tips to Avoid Common Cons
Want more Paris recommendations? Here’s my free Google Map with 200+ spots 🗺️
À bientôt,
Lena
Parisienne since 2006 🇫🇷
Sharing Paris life, French culture, cafés, food & honest travel tips
Join me on Facebook for updates and news about Paris.
NEW: The Salut from Paris Travel Guide:
Must-Haves for Paris:
- eSim card to stay online while in Paris. I used Airalo for my travels.
- You likely need a travel adapter to plug your devices.
- Travel Insurance – if you don’t have one, VisitorsCoverage is a good option.
- If your flight is delayed or even canceled, use AirHelp to get compensation.
Tours & Attractions:
- I book tours & activities through Get Your Guide or Viator.
- Museum & Landmark tickets can be cheaper on the official page, but they are often sold out.
- I love the GoCity Travel Passes for easy planning
Flights & Transportation:
- I use Omio to compare flight fares & connections
- Airport transfers I book through Welcome Pickup
- For car rentals, I use AutoEurope. It’s easy to compare prices
- Train Tickets, you can book through Omio
- Here’s my Parisian Metro Guide
Accomodation:
- Hotels in Europe I mostly book through Booking.com (check reviews carefully)
- Vacation Rentals through Airbnb or VRBO