Tipping in Prague | How Much to Tip and When

Tipping in Prague is appreciated but never mandatory. In restaurants, locals round up or leave 10–15 % for good service. Taxi drivers get the change rounded up. Hotel staff and tour guides are tipped at your discretion. Nobody in the Czech Republic will chase you for skipping a tip — but a small one is a genuine sign of thanks.

That said, tipping culture in the Czech Republic has its own rhythm, and it differs from what you may be used to in North America or Western Europe. The biggest difference: tips are handed directly to your server, not left on the table. Leaving cash on the table after you walk out is considered strange — and sometimes the next guest pockets it.

We guide visitors through Prague every day, and tipping questions come up on almost every tour. Here is how it actually works, situation by situation.

Restaurants and Cafés

The standard tip in a Prague restaurant is 10–15 % of the bill for good service. If the service was average, rounding up to the nearest 50 or 100 CZK is perfectly fine. For a 340 CZK lunch, saying "400" when you pay covers it.

Here is the important part: you tell the server how much you want to pay when they come to collect. If the bill is 470 CZK and you want to leave a 10 % tip, you say "520" or hand over 520 CZK. The server makes change from that amount. You do not leave coins on the table and walk away.

If paying by card, some terminals now offer a tip option — but many still do not. In that case, you can leave the tip in cash separately and hand it to the server directly. Saying "to je pro vás" (that's for you) is the polite phrase, and servers always appreciate the effort.

One thing we notice with our guests: the fancier the restaurant, the more Western the tipping expectations. Upscale places in Prague 1 often expect 15 %, while a neighbourhood pub in Žižkov or Vinohrady is happy with a rounded-up bill.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

For taxis, rounding up is the norm. A 280 CZK ride gets rounded to 300. A 450 CZK fare might go to 500. Nobody calculates a percentage — it is about convenience, not obligation.

With Bolt and Uber (the two main ride-hailing apps in Prague), tipping through the app is optional and most local riders skip it. Drivers do not expect it. If the driver helped with heavy luggage or navigated a complicated pickup point, a 20–30 CZK tip through the app is a nice gesture.

One practical tip we share with guests: always use an app-based service from the airport. Metered taxis at Václav Havel Airport have improved over the years, but ride-hailing apps lock in the price before you get in, which removes any uncertainty.

Hotels

Tipping at Prague hotels follows a simple pattern:

Porters/bellhops: 50–100 CZK for helping with bags
Housekeeping: 50–100 CZK per day, left on the nightstand with a note (this is the one exception where leaving cash on a surface is fine — the note makes intent clear)
Concierge: 100–200 CZK if they arranged reservations, tickets, or solved a genuine problem

At mid-range hotels and pensions, housekeeping tips are less common and not expected. At five-star properties, the standards align more closely with international norms.

We often stay at the same hotels as our guests during multi-day tour packages, and the staff remember people who tip — not because they expect it, but because it is relatively uncommon from European travellers.

Tour Guides

This is our territory, so we will be straightforward. Tipping a tour guide in Prague is customary but never required. For a private tour, 10–15 % of the tour price is generous and appreciated. For a free walking tour (tip-based model), 200–400 CZK per person is reasonable given that the guide's entire income comes from tips.

The key distinction: on a private tour, your guide is already being paid for their work. A tip is a thank-you for a particularly good experience. On a free tour, the tip is the payment — so going below 100 CZK per person for a two-hour walk is below the cost of the guide's time.

When our guests ask what is appropriate, we tell them honestly — tip what feels right. We have had guests leave nothing and guests leave 100 EUR, and both are fine. The quality of a private tour should never depend on the tip.

When NOT to Tip

Not every situation in Prague calls for a tip, and over-tipping can actually create awkward moments. Here are the cases where tipping is unnecessary:

Fast food and self-service cafés — if you ordered at a counter and carried your own tray, no tip is expected
Bars where you pay per drink at the counter — rounding up by a few crowns is enough; calculating 15 % on each beer would be unusual
Public transport — obviously, but worth mentioning since some visitors ask
Museum or attraction staff — ticket sellers, security, and audio guide desk staff are not tipped
Shops — retail staff are never tipped in the Czech Republic

One scenario that catches visitors off guard: some tourist-heavy restaurants in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square add a service charge directly to the bill. Check the receipt before tipping on top of it. The line item is usually labelled "servis" or "service." If it is already included, you do not need to add more.

Experience It With a Private Guide

Understanding local customs is one of those things that separates a comfortable trip from a slightly awkward one. On our All Prague in One Day private walking tour, we cover the practical side of Prague alongside the history and architecture — how to pay, where to eat, what to avoid, and how to navigate the city like someone who actually lives here.

Just your group, no strangers. We adjust the pace and the route to what you want to see, and yes — we are happy to answer every tipping question along the way.

For an evening that captures Czech hospitality at its loudest, try the medieval dinner show at U Pavouka Tavern — unlimited beer and mead, fire dancers, and a feast you eat with your hands. The tip for the serving staff is included in the experience price, so you can focus on the roasted pork.

Browse all our private tours in Prague and the Czech Republic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tipping mandatory in Prague?

No. Tipping in Prague is voluntary. Locals tip for good service in restaurants — usually 10–15 % — but nobody will confront you if you do not. It is a social courtesy, not a legal or cultural obligation.

How much should I tip in a Prague restaurant?

For good service, 10–15 % is standard. For average service, rounding up the bill is enough. Tell the server the total you want to pay when they come to collect — do not leave cash on the table after leaving.

Do I tip with cash or card in Prague?

Cash tips are more common and always preferred by staff. Some card terminals offer a tip option, but many still do not. If paying by card, you can hand the tip separately in cash.

Should I tip free walking tour guides in Prague?

Yes — free tours are tip-based, meaning the guide earns nothing without tips. A fair tip is 200–400 CZK per person for a two-hour tour. Going below 100 CZK per person is below the guide's cost of time.

Do Prague restaurants add a service charge?

Some tourist-oriented restaurants in central Prague include a service charge on the bill (labelled "servis" or "service"). Always check your receipt. If a charge is already added, no additional tip is needed.

Tipping in Prague — How Much, When, and Where