Planning a trip to Romania and wondering how much you should tip?
You’re not alone.
Tipping in Romania can feel a bit different compared to what you’re used to in the U.S., and knowing the local expectations can save you from awkward situations — and even earn you a few extra smiles.

Let’s break it all down in simple, clear advice you can actually use — no confusing stuff, just real answers.

Quick Tipping Cheat Sheet for Romania 🇷🇴

Here’s a fast glance at what you need to know:

Pro Tip: In Romania, tipping cash is still king — even when cards are accepted for the main bill.

What Does “Bacșiș” Really Mean in Romania?

You’ll hear the word bacșiș a lot in Romania.
It doesn’t just mean a “tip” — it’s more like a small reward for kindness, good service, or extra effort.

Tipping here isn’t seen as a strict rule like it is in the U.S.
Instead, it’s a personal gesture of gratitude. Locals usually tip based on how good the experience was, and service workers really do notice and appreciate it.

Tipping in Restaurants and Cafés: What’s Expected?

In Romania, restaurants and cafés are the most common places where tipping happens.
But there are a few small differences compared to American habits:

• Expected Tip: 10–15% of your bill
• Cash is better: Some places don’t have an option to add a tip to your card payment.
• Bills don’t include service fees: Always check — it’s rare, but fancy places might include it.

What Counts as “Exceptional Service” Here?

• Friendly personalized recommendations
• Fast and attentive service without being pushy
• Handling special requests (like food allergies) smoothly

If a waiter really goes above and beyond, feel free to tip closer to 15% or even a bit more — they’ll truly appreciate it.

Story Example:
At a cute café in Bucharest, I asked for gluten-free options. The waiter not only listed dishes but even checked with the chef personally. That little bit of extra care? Deserved a nice 20% tip, no question.

How to Tip at Hotels in Romania

Tipping hotel staff isn’t mandatory, but it’s definitely a kind gesture — especially for good service.

Bellhops:

• Tip about 5–10 lei per bag depending on the weight and effort.
• Hand the tip directly after they drop your luggage off.

Housekeeping:

• Tip 5–10 lei per day, especially if you’re staying multiple nights.
• Best practice? Leave the tip daily on the pillow or on the desk with a thank you note.

Concierge Services:

• If they arrange something complex (like last-minute reservations), 20–50 lei is a nice thank you.

Taxis and Rideshares: What You Should Know

Taxis:

• Round up the fare or tip 5–10% if the driver is polite, helpful, or helps with your bags.

Cash vs Card:

• Traditional taxis prefer cash tips.
• Apps like Bolt allow small in-app tips (5%, 10%, 15%) if you’re paying by card.

Important:

• Always confirm the price is metered before starting the ride — and only tip if the service is honest and decent.

Tipping Tour Guides: A Sign of True Appreciation

Tour guides in Romania are often incredibly passionate about their work.
Tipping here depends on the type and length of your tour:

• Walking Tours (Half-Day): 20–50 lei per person
• Full-Day Tours: 10–20% of the total tour price
• Private or Multi-Day Tours: Tip higher, especially if the guide makes your experience extra special.

Story Example:
I did a Transylvania castles tour, and our guide even organized a surprise wine tasting for our group. The experience? Totally unforgettable. I tipped 20% and it felt absolutely right.

Dos and Don’ts of Tipping in Romania 🇷🇴

Dos:

• Do tip in cash when possible.
• Do hand the tip directly when appropriate (bellhops, guides).
• Do tip more for personalized, outstanding service.

Don’ts:

• Don’t overtip like in the U.S. (25–30% is unnecessary).
• Don’t leave coins as tips — it can feel disrespectful.
• Don’t force a tip if service was truly bad — it’s acceptable to tip less or nothing.

Common Tipping Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking tipping is optional:
In Romania, it’s technically optional, but it’s socially expected in most service scenarios.

Leaving a tip too small:
A 2% tip can actually come across as rude, almost like saying “the service sucked.”

Assuming a service charge is already included:
Always double-check your bill — unless you see a clear “service included” line (rare outside luxury spots), it’s not added automatically.

Cultural Insight:
Romanians are polite but they also notice gestures of respect. A thoughtful tip, even a small one, builds goodwill.

Final Thoughts: Tipping Made Easy in Romania

Tipping in Romania is all about showing appreciation, not following strict rules.
If you aim for around 10–15% at restaurants, small cash tips for hotel staff, and respectful rounding up for taxis, you’ll fit right in.

And honestly? Your little acts of kindness will be remembered — because good service, when acknowledged, just makes travel better for everyone.