TIPPING IN HOTELS

Tipping in Hotels and Restaurants

It is not compulsory to tip in restaurants and hotels, although it is often appreciated.

When and how much you are expected to tip depends on the type of establishment. Staff at a basic cafe would never expect a tip.  More upmarket places will expect a tip of about 10-15%, especially from foreigners.

Waiters will be happy with anything, as most Russians do not tip them. More common now is for smarter places to add a service charge to bills automatically, so check before leaving a tip. Where a service charge is compulsory, it ranges from 10 to 15 percent.

Five-star hotel staff, such as doormen and room service staff, usually expect a few dollars.