Splitting a restaurant bill is a relatively common custom in the United States. No matter what city you find yourself in, odds are that you’ll have little to no issue requesting separate checks. But the same doesn’t necessarily hold true internationally. In some countries, splitting a bill is simply unheard of, while in others it’s considered impolite or culturally taboo. For this reason, it’s a good idea to brush up on restaurant etiquette before trying to pay for a meal abroad, especially if you find yourself dining with locals. Here are six nations where locals rarely split the bill, and why.

Greece

In Greece, there are two reasons why splitting the bill isn’t common. The first has to do with local customs: Many Greeks consider it their duty as hosts to cover the bill for any friends or family they may have invited out. Rather than divide up restaurant checks, it’s common for people in Greece to alternate who pays. So if you front the money for one meal, expect to be treated next time.

Another reason that splitting the bill is a challenge in Greece is that many point-of-sale systems don’t allow it to be done easily if you’re paying by credit card. In 2023, Greece introduced a new, more complicated five-step payment process that makes it more cumbersome for restaurants to split the bill, so establishments tend to strongly prefer you pay with one credit card.

Lebanon

Like in Greece, Lebanese people and those in other Arab cultures consider it a point of pride to cover the check when out at dinner. Many individuals go so far as to argue (in good spirits) over who gets to pay, whether it’s a formal affair or a casual get-together among friends. 

Because of this, suggesting to split the bill is likely to be met with confused stares. Writing for the blog 365 Days of Lebanon, one local said, “We Lebanese do NOT split the tab at the restaurant. We fight to death for the right to pay up (while sometimes, wistfully thinking that the ‘opponent’ is going to pay it all).” So, if you find yourself dining out with locals in Lebanon, feel free to engage in a lighthearted argument, but don’t be surprised if your meal gets covered in the end.

Vietnam

The idea of “going Dutch” is also uncommon in Vietnam. Many Vietnamese diners — especially men or the oldest person in the group — will insist on picking up the cost of a meal or the entire alcohol bill. Some people, especially those in older generations, consider this to be a cultural obligation. While the practice of splitting the bill is becoming more common with younger generations, restaurants generally won’t provide individual checks, so the total is usually split evenly.

Mexico

Despite Mexico’s close proximity to the United States, splitting the bill is an uncommon practice with our neighbors to the south. According to Tasting Table, a request to split the total into separate checks is generally frowned upon at restaurants in Mexico. If you’re dining out with a group, it’s best to use just one card to pay, and figure out splitting up the bill later through a service such as Zelle, Venmo, or Splitwise.

China

While splitting the bill is certainly gaining steam with younger folks in China, it’s still an unfamiliar concept to older generations. In the 2010s, many Chinese restaurants began making it possible for each diner to scan a QR code and pay their individual share. The practice was particularly popular with young Chinese diners, who found it easier to pay with smartphones.

Writing for CNN in 2015, however, Beijing-based journalist Shen Lu said that many people still found the concept of splitting the bill to be “embarrassing and stingy,” since the practice of one person paying is ingrained in Chinese culture. So if you find yourself dining out in China, keep these age differences in mind.

France

While splitting the bill isn’t unheard of in France, friends are far more likely to take turns paying and treating each other, and the person who orchestrated the outing is generally the one who’s expected to pay. It’s usually possible for tourists to split the bill in France, and many restaurants are capable of doing so, but if you’re dining with French locals it’s generally considered impolite to share the bill or even to talk about money among friends.

You might not realize it if it’s included in the price of your airfare, but many countries raise funds for infrastructural improvements and airport facilities through a charge broadly known as a departure tax. Let’s take a look at why it’s needed and how to recognize if you’ll have to pay a departure tax in the fine print of your ticket’s terms and conditions. 

What Is a Departure Tax?

A departure tax is a fee levied by many countries on international travelers leaving their borders. This is to cover certain costs relating to airport infrastructure and services, such as noise reduction initiatives, security, customs, air traffic control, and immigration facilities. Some countries may also direct departure tax revenue to fund tourism-related endeavors, and some types of departure taxes may apply to all passengers, even domestic travelers. 

Where such a tax exists, the amount charged can vary considerably, and it can be raised frequently as a result of changing policy. For instance, a higher price might be set if a government wanted to boost its green credentials. However, some countries — including Ireland, the Cayman Islands, and the UAE — don’t impose a departure tax at all, especially if policymakers fear that levying such a fee would be detrimental to tourist numbers.

Changes to Departure Tax Payment Procedures

Japan was the first country to introduce a departure tax, when Tokyo Narita International Airport opened in 1978. Back then, the payment of such taxes often needed to be made at a separate desk within the airport before you could check in or drop off bags. This often caused frustration for passengers due to the increased queuing time, which added to time it could take to reach the gate. 

Today, for the most part, the process is quicker, thanks to departure taxes becoming part of airline ticket prices, meaning there’s usually no need to pay it at the airport. However, there are a few rare exceptions, such as flights leaving from Costa Rica or Jamaica on certain airlines or to specific destinations. 

How To Find Out if a Departure Tax Is Included in Your Ticket

When you book a flight online, you’ll see a section on the booking page or a link that takes you to a detailed list of fees and charges. However, even if your ticket includes a departure tax, it may not be listed as such. Instead, it may be described as an Airport Improvement Fee (charged to both domestic and international travelers leaving Canada), an Air Passenger Duty (for all travelers from U.K. airports, though domestic passengers pay less), or a Passenger Movement Fee (Australia), to name a few examples. Additionally, other charges listed — such as a boarding tax, security charge, and baggage handling fees — may form part of a departure tax.

When Departure Taxes May Influence Your Routing

If you’re not flying nonstop, you may want to pay close attention to the airport you choose for your international layover. Where the departure tax is set at a relatively high rate, this might make your airfare more expensive, so it’s worth playing around with various options at the time of booking. To get the best deal as you compare flights, it’s a good idea to stay flexible about the route and airline you fly with.

Departure Tax Examples Around the World

Scotland

The U.K.’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) is among the steepest in the world, particularly if you’re traveling in premium economy, business class, or first class. However, there’s a workaround, nicknamed the “Inverness Immunity,” which might be convenient if you hope to include Scotland in your plans. The Scottish government’s protective measures for the Highlands and Islands mean that travelers leaving these northerly and outlying parts of the country are exempt from paying the APD. So, if you begin your journey home from Inverness on British Airways via London Heathrow, you could pay no APD at all.

Japan

Japan’s “Sayonara Tax” is currently 1,000 yen, which is less than $7 USD. The charge was introduced in 2019 in the hope of raising as much as 50 billion yen ($339 million) to improve tourist facilities. However, with record inbound tourism numbers, talks are underway to raise the country’s departure tax to 5,000 yen. Authorities believe this could help combat overtourism issues in the nation’s most popular spots and bring the cost of Japan’s departure tax closer in line with that of other countries such as Australia, whose flat rate Passenger Movement Charge amounts to $70 AUD (about $46 USD).

Costa Rica

Passengers departing from Costa Rican airports have to pay a tax of $29 USD. The country started the process of transitioning to automatic departure tax payments in 2014, so these days it’s usually included in the price of your ticket if your flight is with carriers such as Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United. You’ll see it listed as a boarding tax and separate baggage inspection fee. 

Brunei Darussalam

In some parts of the world, departure taxes vary according to your destination. For example, if you’re flying from the Southeast Asian country of Brunei Darussalam to a fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), you’ll fork out $12 BND ($9 USD) per person. Traveling outside of that region, you’ll pay a fee of $20 BND ($15 USD), which is set by the Department of Civil Aviation of Brunei Darussalam. Until relatively recently, travelers had to pay in cash, but the tax has now been absorbed into the ticket price. 

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Visitors to this pretty Caribbean nation may choose to travel to the island of Bequia, the largest of the Grenadines. On departure, travelers often hop on the ferry back to St. Vincent, but some catch charter flights with Grenadine Alliance or Mustique Airways bound for destinations such as Barbados. Those leaving by air who stay for more than a night will need to pay a departure tax. Travelers over the age of 12 currently have to make a payment of $150 ECD (about $56 USD) per person at the airport after they check in. 

You don’t need to be traveling on a shoestring to keep an eye on expenses — even billionaires have some sort of budget. And unless your funds are essentially unlimited, no one enjoys a final bill that’s more than expected, or having to suddenly skimp and watch every penny while on the road. With that in mind, here are seven popular travel destinations and vacations where things can be more expensive than you may have thought. 

Iceland

Black-sand beaches, aurora-washed skies, waterfalls, and hot springs — Iceland is a dream destination for travelers seeking out the wild and extraordinary. But in spite of affordable flights (and Icelandair’s attractive free stopover program), Iceland ranks as 2025’s most expensive destination for U.S. travelers, according to a recent study by financial trading company Forex Complex.

The cost of living in Iceland is over 15% higher than in the United States, and food can be particularly expensive. This makes sense when you consider the country’s harsh climate (which limits the agricultural growing season) and the high cost of importing goods. Additionally, Iceland has Europe’s highest gas prices; filling your (expensive) rental car to tour along the country’s famed Ring Road will set you back more than $9 a gallon. Popular activities such as entry to the famous Blue Lagoon ($80 and up) and glacier tours can quickly drain budgets, and even camping can cost around $25 per person per night.

Las Vegas

Viva, “Lost Wages”: Gambling or no gambling, the days of $1 shrimp cocktails and affordable all-you-can-eat buffets left Las Vegas not long after Elvis. Today, tourism numbers are down, as visitors rebel against outrageous ATM fees (some venues charge a percentage instead of a flat fee), pricey parking, and resort fees that add an average of $40 per night to those “budget” hotel rooms. 

Still, the city’s a sports and entertainment mecca, so if you do visit, make a stop at a drugstore and stock up on supplies before you succumb to an overpriced bottle of water from your minibar. And be sure to check the fine print before ordering room service — MGM Resorts now charge a $25 “operation fee” for the luxury of eating from real plates with napkins and silverware. 

African Safaris

The dream of seeing the “big five” (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos) up close and personal on safari is a lifelong dream for many, and making that dream come true is understandably expensive. But even after base prices are budgeted for, many other costs can impact the bottom line of your once-in-a-lifetime trip. 

First, there’s clothing: Light and neutral colors are recommended to repel insects while not disturbing the wildlife, so a new wardrobe may be in order. The CDC also recommends a number of vaccinations, as well as malaria medication for travelers visiting certain parts of Africa, and a visit to a travel medicine clinic can add hundreds of dollars per person to your trip costs. (Don’t forget about sunscreen and insecticide, either.) 

Visas increase the cost, too: Tanzania’s visa fee is $100 USD (American citizens are required to have the Multiple Visa), as is the East Africa Tourist Visa, which covers Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. Park and conservation fees also may not be included in a safari’s base rate, and can run $100 per day or more.

Additionally, transfers by road or bush plane can add up quickly, and there is a substantial safari tipping culture. Local experts suggest $20 for your safari guide, $10 to $20 for general hotel or camp staff, $15 for a butler, and $15 or more for your safari tracker, per person, per day.

Cruises

Hitting the high seas can come at a high cost. Advertised cruise fares often don’t include mandatory gratuities, which are charged per day per person, not per room. For example, Royal Caribbean charges $21 per guest per day for suite passengers and $18.50 for other staterooms. For a family of four on a weeklong cruise, that’s more than $500 in automatic gratuities alone. 

Add in drink package gratuities (charged even on “free” drink packages), shore excursions, extra dining fees, photos, and internet packages, and you may find that these expenses can easily double the advertised cruise price. Want a Coke? On Carnival Cruise Lines, the nonalcoholic drink package will cost you $30 per day, per person. (There’s an automatic 18% service charge, too.)

Australia

The Land Down Under remains at the top of many wanderers’ wish lists. And while travelers know to budget for expensive long-haul flights, many underestimate how costly everything can be once those long flights finally land. In fact, Australia is the second-most expensive destination for U.S. tourists in 2025, according to the same study from the Forex Complex. 

The continent’s massive area (roughly the size of the lower 48), small population, and high fuel and vehicle prices keep costs elevated. Domestic flights between cities can run more than $500, while hotels average around $150 per night. Rental cars can also be expensive, and popular attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef often involve costly tours and boat transfers. There’s some bright news, however: Currently, the U.S. dollar is quite strong against the Australian dollar.

Norway

Though Norway is consistently ranked as one of Europe’s most expensive countries, the Scandinavian country’s dramatic fjords and natural beauty still attract travelers who may quickly realize they’ve underestimated costs. Norway’s standard of living (and wages) are quite high, and that’s reflected in the prices. 

While hotels can be surprisingly reasonable (averaging around $120 per day, according to some sources), a three-course meal in a midrange restaurant costs over $55 per person on average, beers are at least $10, and groceries are up to 60% more expensive than elsewhere in Europe. Plus, the costs of activities like fjord cruises and the gorgeous Flåm Railway (around $60) can add up quickly. 

The Maldives

While everyone knows that luxury overwater villas in island paradises don’t come cheap, the hidden transportation costs in the Maldives can shock even those prepared for high resort prices. Transfers from Malé Airport to the resort islands cost anywhere from $100 to $200 for a speedboat or $300 to $700 round-trip per person for a shared seaplane — an expense that’s rarely included in advertised rates. For an eye-watering example, the cheapest transfer to the Waldorf Astoria resort runs a cool $900 per person — and that doesn’t include the 28.7% tax and service charge. 

Once they arrive, guests are captive to resort pricing: On-site meals, drinks, and activities are often the only options, and markups are substantial. Even “budget” guesthouse islands have limited affordable dining. Many resorts also charge hefty government taxes (17%) on top of room rates, and may include mandatory service charges of 10%.

The TSA’s ever-changing rules are confusing enough on their own, but things get even more complicated when you travel overseas. Airport security policies can be very different from country to country — until recently, for instance, international passengers passing through security at a U.S. airport may have been surprised by the TSA’s shoes-off policy. As we previously reported, this requirement was recently abolished, but there are some other key differences that persist. Here are five international travel rules that differ from the TSA’s rules.

The 3-1-1 Liquids Rule

In August 2006, authorities foiled a plot to bring liquid explosives aboard a plane. Measures were introduced immediately to ensure such methods couldn’t be attempted again and have largely remained in place ever since. The TSA’s current advice states:

“Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, and lotion.”

However, some European airports have recently relaxed this rule following the introduction of advanced CT scanners, which can take a 3D image of baggage contents. As a result, at airports such as Birmingham and Edinburgh in the U.K., Dublin in Ireland, and Krakow in Poland, you can now travel with a carry-on containing an unlimited number of containers that each have a capacity of up to 2 liters of liquid (equivalent to about 2.1 U.S. quarts). Note that different size restrictions imposed by individual airlines may apply, so you should be sure to check with your carrier.

The rollout hasn’t yet extended to all airports in Europe, either, so you could find that the rules for your outbound flight differ from your return journey. Nonetheless, it’s a start — and a change that many people will be pleased to see, particularly anyone who’s fallen afoul of the rules and had liquid items confiscated in the past.

Scissors

Sharp objects are also restricted on board an aircraft for safety and security reasons. For travelers hoping to carry scissors in their hand luggage, the TSA’s rules state, “If packed in carry-on, they must be less than 4 inches from the pivot point.”

However, this length differs from what’s allowed in some airports in other parts of the world. For instance, fly through or out of Amsterdam Schipol Airport and the scissors you pack in your carry-on can be no more than 6 centimeters (2.4 inches).    

Power Banks

As more and more of us are traveling with portable electronic devices, it’s no wonder that many travelers look to power banks to be able to keep their cellphones and other devices fully charged during their journeys.

But power banks contain rechargeable lithium ion batteries that can combust due to thermal runaway. Following incidents where power banks have started smoking or caught fire on airplanes, various agencies and organizations have taken action to ensure onboard safety. But regulations over the size of power banks vary considerably around the world and from airline to airline. Currently, the TSA guidance states, “Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags.” 

However, in some countries, the rules are far stricter. For example, in July 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China tightened up legislation governing their manufacture and size. Now, any passenger boarding a domestic flight in China with a power bank that doesn’t bear the code CCC will have it confiscated. 

Food

The need to protect domestic agriculture from pests and diseases unwittingly imported from abroad drives strict regulations on the transportation of food by airline passengers. However, the specifics of what you can and can’t bring into each country varies.

Take nuts, for example. The TSA permits their import (so long as the way they have been prepared falls in line with CBP guidance) but may ask that they be screened separately from other luggage. Try to do the same on arrival in Australia, though, and you may find yourself in trouble. Down Under, any nuts must be declared so that they can be inspected by an official; they also must be commercially prepared and packaged.

The SSSS Code

If you see the letters “SSSS” on your boarding pass, this refers to the TSA’s Secondary Security Screening Selection. While other countries may have similar programs in place, the “SSSS” code is unique to the U.S. Those passengers selected must consent to an additional inspection before they can board the plane.

If your boarding pass is marked with “SSSS,” you can expect a full pat-down and swabs taken of your hands, clothing, and carry-on bags. Any portable electronic devices you’re carrying are also potentially open to closer inspection. 

The reasons why passengers are flagged vary. The TSA may require this additional search because a traveler is flying from a destination considered relatively high risk, or they may have bought their ticket at the last minute. But according to a 2023 report published by the U.S. Senate, in the majority of cases, passengers were randomly selected for secondary screening.