Play Iceland
  • Self Drive Tours
  • Day tours
  • Information Center
  • About
Select Page

Is It Normal To Tip In Iceland?

Tipping etiquette varies significantly from country to country. When it comes to Iceland, tipping is appreciated but not expected. 

You are welcome to tip for good service when visiting Iceland, but it isn’t mandatory or even standard practice. Restaurants typically include service charges in the bill. Plus, servers will not be relying on your tip because they will make a fair wage. But tipping is a way to show your appreciation when you’ve seriously enjoyed your meal or activity. 

This article will help you navigate the tipping culture in Iceland. So if you aren’t sure how much money to leave as a tip in different situations, keep reading!

THANKS FOR THE INQUIRY!

WE'LL RESPOND SHORTLY.
1
1
  • 1
    Want to visit Iceland?
    Step 1 Want to visit Iceland?
  • 2
    What are you looking for?
    Step 3 Dates and travelers
  • 3
    Personal details
    Step 4 name email addition
0%
https://playiceland.is/wp-content/plugins/nex-forms-express-wp-form-builder
false
message
https://playiceland.is/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php
https://playiceland.is/guide/is-it-normal-to-tip-in-iceland
yes
1
fadeIn
fadeOut

WANT TO VISIT ICELAND?

PICK YOUR FAVOURITE

WANT TO VISIT ICELAND?

...just a few more details

--Select--
--Select--
Comfort
Comfort
Quality
Quality
Luxury
Luxury

WANT TO VISIT ICELAND?

- The perfect trip
- Tailored to your needs
- Sent within 24 hours!

THIS MIGHT INTEREST YOU
ICELAND SOUTH & WEST ROAD TRIP
LEARN MORE

How Much To Tip In A Restaurant In Iceland

Most restaurants include a service charge on the bill, so no one is expecting you to tip. But if you think your server went above and beyond to make sure you had a great time, of course, you can leave them a little thank you. 

10% of the food bill would be more than enough, especially if you have already paid a service fee. Tips are usually left in small notes or change rather than added on to a credit card. 

That’s worth bearing in mind because Iceland is otherwise an almost cashless society. You might like to get a bit of cash, especially for tipping!

But honestly, the hospitality sector negotiates the wages for servers, baristas, and other service workers, ensuring that everyone earns a fair salary that they can pay their bills with. No one is relying on a tip from you!

How Much To Tip A Taxi Driver In Iceland 

Surprise, surprise, taxi drivers aren’t expecting a tip from you either. 

That may feel strange if you come from a culture where people expect tips,  but you just don’t have to do it in Iceland. If your taxi driver also gave you loads of helpful information that you will use during your vacation, you might give them up to $10. 

But tipping doesn’t always feel natural or comfortable to Icelanders. So you’d be better off saying, “thank you so much for all your advice, please grab a drink on me tonight.” rather than saying, “here is your tip.”

How Much To Tip A Tour Guide In Iceland 

The same goes for Tour Guides. 


If you had a fantastic experience and you really want to thank them for going the extra mile, you can leave them a tip of $10 – $20 (or $2-$5 a day for long-term tours). Tipping is a kind act and a compliment, but you would only give it if the service were terrific. If you found your tour guide mediocre or rude, don’t waste your money!

You can typically leave a tip in either ISK or dollars; both are common in Iceland. 

But telling your guide that you appreciate their efforts can be enough. It depends on the situation. 

THIS MIGHT INTEREST YOU
ICELAND RING ROAD AND SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA
LEARN MORE

Is it rude to tip in Iceland?

In some countries, tipping is offensive. (In a lot of Asian countries, it would be received as an insult!)

That’s not really the case in Iceland, but if someone declines your tip, don’t try and push it on them more than twice, and be humble about it. Even though tipping is supposed to be an act of generosity, it can come off wrong if you keep insisting. It will be probably be appreciated by an Icelander, but you’re best to go by their reaction because everyone is different. 

Who shouldn’t you tip in Iceland?

Tipping could come off as inappropriate in some situations. So just to be clear, here are the places that tipping would be kind of weird:

  • Non-Service Jobs (especially police officers, that’s suspicious behavior!)
  • Fast food restaurants 
  • Hotel staff (such as cleaners or receptionists)
  • Gas stations 

You also might get chatting to a local who offers to show you around the city. They are not doing this to get money from you; they are being friendly. 

So if you then try and hand them money, you could offend them or make them feel strange. 

If someone kindly takes time to help you out, you could offer to pay for the gas or buy lunch. But if you asked someone for directions and they help you out, offering to buy them dinner could sound more like a come-on than anything else. Proceed with caution. 

THIS MIGHT INTEREST YOU
NORTHERN LIGHTS, SOUTH COAST & THE WILD WEST
LEARN MORE

Final Thoughts 

Tipping in Iceland is a way to thank service industry workers for an outstanding experience. But it’s not standard practice, and no one is expecting it from you. 

Remember that Icelanders get decent wages, so they don’t rely on tips to make ends meet. 

In most cases, people will genuinely appreciate your generosity. But it could be weird in some situations. Sometimes, “thanks” is enough!

We hope you found this article helpful. Don’t hesitate to check out more of our travel tips and guides. And if you’re ready to come and visit Iceland, we’ve got some fantastic self-drive tours for you to check out too. 

THANKS FOR THE INQUIRY!

WE'LL RESPOND SHORTLY.
1
1
  • 1
    Want to visit Iceland?
    Step 1 Want to visit Iceland?
  • 2
    What are you looking for?
    Step 3 Dates and travelers
  • 3
    Personal details
    Step 4 name email addition
0%
https://playiceland.is/wp-content/plugins/nex-forms-express-wp-form-builder
false
message
https://playiceland.is/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php
https://playiceland.is/guide/is-it-normal-to-tip-in-iceland
yes
1
fadeIn
fadeOut

WANT TO VISIT ICELAND?

PICK YOUR FAVOURITE

WANT TO VISIT ICELAND?

...just a few more details

--Select--
--Select--
Comfort
Comfort
Quality
Quality
Luxury
Luxury

WANT TO VISIT ICELAND?

- The perfect trip
- Tailored to your needs
- Sent within 24 hours!

GET SPECIAL OFFERS AND TRAVEL TIPS!

You are successfully subscribed!

→

Travel tips

Packing for Iceland

Weather in Iceland

Traveling Safely in Iceland

Paying in Iceland

The Iceland Ring Road

The Northern Lights

Top locations

Þingvellir National Park

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Gullfoss Waterfall

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Geysir Hotspring

Vatnajökull National Park

Poplar tours

Northern Lights Break Iceland

Iceland Classic Highlights Road Trip

Highlights of South & West Iceland

South Iceland and Landmannalaugar

Iceland Ultimate Road Trip

South Iceland and Northern Lights

Play Iceland


About



+354-8998844



playiceland@playiceland.com



Ofanleiti 19, Reykjavik, Iceland

b

Terms & conditions



Cookie policy

© Play Iceland 2022 | All rights Reserved.
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow