Experts weigh in on tipping etiquette.

Ask most travelers what they tip for room service, and chances are you’ll be met with a blank stare. Tipping is tricky, yet necessary, but the etiquette can vary depending on where you are.

“It’s the most awkward thing to tell someone what to tip because [expectations are] so different everywhere,” says Julie Danziger, managing partner of Embark Beyond in New York City. “Especially for Americans who are used to tipping in one way, which other countries might take as an insult.”

There are no hard and fast rules for tipping, so do what makes you most comfortable, and don’t be afraid to ask your host or travel advisor for guidance. Try not to stress over it — we’ve all gotten it wrong at times. Fortunately, there are some guidelines to keep you on top of the tipping trends at home and abroad. Read on for tipping advice from travel and etiquette experts.

When to Tip for Room Service

Tipping for room service is expected in destinations where tipping is customary and when a room service charge has not already been added to the bill. For those staying abroad, where tipping customs may not be as clearcut, do your homework, says Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute in Waterbury, Vermont. “Take the time to look up standards for the area,” she says.

Tipping is customary in Canada, for example, as it is in the U.S. It’s also customary in the Caribbean, the Middle East, Mexico, and parts of Europe and South America, but the standard tip amount in these regions is less than in the U.S. Places like the U.K., Australia, and much of Asia do not have as much of a tipping culture.

At top-tier hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, guests should expect to pay gratuity on top of a service charge, says Danziger, who rarely sees such fees omitted from bills. And if you’re unsure whether your hotel has a service charge, just ask.

If you’re paying with a card, Betty Jo Currie, founder of Currie & Co. Travels Unlimited in Atlanta, says to find out if tip is included. If you’re not paying by card, you may decide to leave a little cash. “I generally leave $5 or so,” she says, noting how little these workers are compensated. Just because there’s a service charge and gratuity included doesn’t mean the person who brought up your food will receive it.

“Ask whether the person is receiving tips from the actual bill,” says Danziger.

How Much to Tip for Room Service

Danziger finds applying the same mentality she uses when dining at American restaurants to be helpful. “As Americans, usually we’re trained to double the tax or pay 18% or 20% on top,” she says. Assuming the food came from the hotel, it should be fine to do the same for room service. (If it didn’t, you can pretend it did, Danziger says.)

The most recent “Gratuity Guide” from the American Hotel and Lodging Association, published in 2014, confirms that 15% to 20% is standard in the U.S. where a room service charge hasn’t already been added to the bill. In regions where tipping is expected but the amount is less, you might tip 5% to 15% — it’s important to do your research in advance.

That standard applies to full-service chains and boutique hotels all the same. “Logically, one would think motels would provide less service and thus require less in terms of tips,” Currie says, but that isn’t the case.

While Post stresses that tipping is a personal decision, she warns against tipping based on the type of establishment you’re staying in. “You want to make sure workers feel valued for the work they’re doing,” she says. “If it’s not as high class, don’t decrease your tip because of that.”

Currie agrees, saying, “if the service is good, my amount wouldn’t change — and I urge others to think the same way.”

How Much to Tip for Other Hotel Services

The standard tipping amount for hotel bartenders and waiters is the same as the rule of thumb for room service: 15% to 20%, depending on how satisfied you are with the service. The AHLA recommends tipping courtesy shuttle drivers and door staff $1 to $2 per person. It says you should tip housekeeping and bell staff $1 to $5 and adds that these workers should be tipped every time their services are used. Tip the same amount for parking attendants, but only when you retrieve your car.

Tip the concierge $5 to $10 “depending on how involved the service,” the AHLA says, and for “delivery of special items” the standard is $2 for a single item and $1 for each additional item.

Ahead of the summer holidays, long flights and luxe locales await. But, here’s why holding back on drinking alcohol in flights is recommended.

Summer brings the promise of hearty holidays, novel destinations, and bucketloads of experiences. Whether you’re travelling to a tropical wonderland or a chalet in the hills, chances are rife that a long-haul flight is in tow. And while refilling the champagne flutes and downing bubbly mid-air is seemingly exotic, scientists recommend otherwise. We break down key findings from a study conducted by researchers at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne (Germany) about the impact of alcohol consumption on a flight and its corresponding effect on the heart.

Long haul flights and alcohol: A deceptive pair

Published in the journal Thorax, the research builds on the known fact that sleeping on a plane throttles the fall in blood oxygen saturation (Spo2) because of the drop in oxygen partial pressure in aircraft cabins. The study digs into the collective impact of atmospheric partial pressure (also called hypobaric hypoxia) and alcohol consumption on the passengers’ heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep.

The experiment: The researchers mustered 48 participants who were divided into two groups. While the first group was required to sleep in a sleep laboratory with atmospheric pressure similar to sea level, the other was exposed to that of an aircraft at cruising altitude. Further, these groups were divided into two sub-groups each, one that consumed alcohol and the other that didn’t. Post this, they were required to sleep for four hours. The study was conducted for over two nights.

While science contests the consumption of alcohol in general, the activity takes a worse form mid-air. Alcohol is an active somnogen (a substance that causes sleepiness) which furthers rapid eye movement, cognitive impairment, heightened heart rate during sleep, difficulty in concentration, and even memory disorder.

“Together these results indicate that, even in young and healthy individuals, the combination of alcohol intake with sleeping under hypobaric conditions poses a considerable strain on the cardiac system and might lead to exacerbation of symptoms in patients with cardiac or pulmonary diseases. Cardiovascular symptoms have a prevalence of 7% of inflight medical emergencies, with cardiac arrest causing 58% of aircraft diversions,” the study authors mentioned in the paper. The study also mentions, “Our findings support the recommendations of the BTS Clinical Statement on Air Travel to avoid alcohol in the 12 hours preceding and during air travel when suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or obesity hypoventilation syndrome.”

In a nutshell, if you choose to indulge in spirits of any kind, it’s highly advisable to refrain from pouring a glass mid-air and wait until you reach the destination.

Whether you’re planning a trip to the serene hills or to beautiful beaches, your itinerary must include taking care of your skin and hair while travelling. Here are some skincare and hair care tips when travelling.

Holiday = travel = fun times! Whether the distance is short or long or the destination is hills or beach or just an adventure trek, travelling is always exciting. Travelling, even if it is for work sometimes, is a beautiful experience. But if you become very laidback about your hair and skin care during travel, you may end up spoiling it!

The new location, new climate, disrupted eating routines and the stress of travel can impact the skin and hair negatively. It could result in dull hair days, breakouts, acne flare ups, dry lips, tan lines and more problems. However, you need not worry because skin and hair during travelling are not a tough task.

Hair care and skin care tips for travelling

Here are some tips to make sure your skin and hair remain healthy during your sojourns.

1. Research the weather

When going to a new place, don’t guess about the weather and climate. Read about it and make a note of it. Your choice of moisturiser, face wash, shampoo and sunscreen and even the makeup that you will carry depends on whether the weather is cold, rainy or dry. For example, you would require a pore cleansing and hydrating skincare in humid weather whereas you would require creamy moisturiser in cold weather.

2. Follow your regular skincare routine in holidays too

Skin and hair cells never go on a break and therefore there should be no break in your skincare routine too. A consistent routine is the key to happy hair and skin days. Carry your regular skin care products in travel-size bottles to avoid spilling and baggage weight.

3. Essentials are all you need

You don’t need to bring your dresser everywhere you go. Carry key ingredients that you use in your normal routine as well like cleanser, toner, moisturiser, night cream and sunscreen. Also, don’t forget to carry disposable makeup wipes to remove the makeup.

4. Keep the moisturiser in your purse

Hydrate your skin with a moisturiser before you board the flight or before driving with the air conditioner. Keep reapplying it to keep the skin hydrated. You can even carry some hydrating sheet masks for a quick skin revival. Products with rich hyaluronic acid and vitamin C content should be your preferred choice.

5. Carry a toner

Toner is good to mattify greasy skin and re-energising travel skin. However, if you don’t have a toner, use a blotting paper. It will help soak the oil right up and prevent dirt build-up. They also work well on sensitive skin.

6. Stay hydrated

Make sure you have a water bottle with you at all times. Keep sipping water at regular intervals. Many people avoid drinking water when travelling but this is not a good idea. Lack of water can affect your skin and hair in a bad way. Not drinking water robs the skin of its radiance and the hair of its shine. Always drink water.

7. There is no way around sunscreen

You can leave everything at home, but not the sunscreen. You need to apply it before you step out of the house and keep reapplying every 3-4 hours. Yes, even on your flight and in the taxi! Sunscreen helps in preventing tanning, skin damage, pigmentation and premature ageing. Use a gel-based sunscreen during summers and cream based one in cold weather. Use an SPF of more than 30.

8. Cover your hair with a scarf or hat

Protect your hair from dirt and pollution and the harsh sun by covering it. This also prevents scalp ageing and makes sure your hair stays younger and darker longer.

9. Keep the hair tied up

We know it is tempting to let the hair flow in the wind and get those celebrity-like selfies and photos but they are may not be doing good for your hair. Continuous exposure to heavy wind can damage your hair. The wind carries with it dirt and particles that cause greasy scalp, clogged pores and tangled hair that become prone to breakage. Keep the hair tied into a bun or a braid to prevent hair damage.

10. Keep the makeup basic

Too much makeup runs a risk of running down and dirt gets stuck in it. Also, if you are not able to remove it, it can cause breakouts, skin pigmentation, dry skin and even fine lines. You don’t want that. So, keep the makeup to the bare minimum.

11. Avoid using hotel toiletries

Your skin is unique and needs specific products and unknown toiletries are not going to help your skin and hair. They are not often the top quality and are made for general use. Your skin or the scalp can react to the product adversely. Hence, don’t use these products unless necessary. Or read the ingredients carefully before use.

Travelling should be fun and not spent worrying about skin and hair. Follow the given tips, and you won’t have to worry about anything. Keep good skin and hair products handy and customised for travelling.

Summer is the most popular time of year for Americans to travel, and despite concerns about inflation, 2024 could be a bustling year for summer vacations. A Nerdwallet travel report showed that more than 2 in 5 (45%) Americans plan to take a summer trip that involves booking a flight or hotel.

Family is a big component of summer plans. Four out of 5 surveyed are either planning to vacation with family or visit family this summer. With children out of school during the summer months, this is the time of year that families tend to take their longest venture away from home—and for many, that means an international trip.

Others want to get away from home to immerse themselves in a bucket list-worthy adventure. A trend report by American Express found that 65% of people looking to travel this year plan to splurge on a major trip, from off-the-beaten-path journeys to vacations through multiple European countries.

Whether travelers intend to make memories with family and friends or take the trip of a lifetime, many will look to international destinations for their summer vacations. To find out which global cities will be at the top of the list, Airalo compiled a ranking of the five most popular international summer travel destinations, according to Google Flights search data collected between January 2024 and March 2024.

Read on to see if your dream travel destination made the list.

#5. Cancun

Cancún has long been a favorite resort destination and in 2022 alone, 9.5 million international passengers arrived by plane, which made the city México’s most popular flight destination. Its close proximity to the United States and abundant direct flights help boost its rankings among American travelers. Perhaps the biggest draws for tourists are the white sand beaches and the temperate Caribbean Sea.

Travelers can choose from more than 35,000 rooms at different price points across dozens of Cancún resorts and hotels. Once visitors have had their fill of the Yucatán peninsula’s beautiful beaches, many enjoy visiting nearby historic ruins, including Chichén Itzá and Tulum.

#4. Rome

History buffs love Rome for its ancient architecture, which still stands among more modern parts of the city. The best-known tourist site is likely the Colosseum, the massive amphitheater that has hosted gladiator fights, animal hunting, and other public spectacles beginning in the first century. Visitors walking around the Eternal City may also see other landmarks of its long, storied history including ancient aqueducts, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. Food lovers can get a taste of authentic local cuisine, such as its celebrated carbonara, cacio e pepe, and suppli.

Nearby is Vatican City, the Roman Catholic church headquarters and the site of art masterpieces including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and Raphael’s The School of Athens.

#3. Tokyo

Japan welcomed a record-setting 3.1 million international visitors in March 2024, many of whom came to the nation’s capital city, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Travelers enjoy visiting the busy Sensō-ji temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple, which features a golden icon of the Buddhist goddess of mercy. If you want a unique taste of the city, head to Harmonica Yokocho to find delectable dishes from tiny, unassuming restaurants.

Before tourists leave, many make a stop at Shibuya Crossing. Surrounded by stores and restaurants, the world’s busiest intersection is flooded by seas of strangers crossing under the bright lights of nearby advertisements.

#2. Paris

Paris remains one of the busiest tourist cities in the world, and it’s gearing up for an even bigger summer this year as the host of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Many tourists beeline to the Eiffel Tower to snap a picture of the most visited monument in the world, but most don’t know about the gardens below the tower, which are free to access and a great place for a picnic.

Another iconic stop in Paris is the world’s largest museum, the Louvre. Of course, you can find art all over the City of Love—near the Pont de Grenelle bridge, for example, is a roughly 38-foot-tall replica of New York City’s Statue of Liberty. Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without sampling the city’s many breads, cheeses, and pastries.

#1. London

Packed with plenty of things to see and do, the capital city of the United Kingdom is this summer’s most popular international destination for U.S. travelers. One of London’s top sites is also one of its oldest: once a royal palace, the Tower of London was built in 1066 by William the Conqueror and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buckingham Palace, another former residence of the British monarchy, is also a favorite tourist attraction today.

Westminster Abbey is another must-see. Buried or commemorated here are 3,300 notable individuals, including William Shakespeare, Sir Isaac Newton, and Queen Elizabeth I. When you’re ready to move on from historic sightseeing, check out the London Eye, where glass capsules offer a 360-degree view of the city.