Tipping In India - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
🍽️ Restaurant - 5-10% If No Service Charge
🏍️ Delivery Driver - 5-10% In Cash On arrival
🍹 Bar - 10%
🚕 Taxi - Round Up - For Rickshaws Too
🛎️ Porter/Bellhop - ₹20-40/Bag
🛏️ Housekeeping - ₹150/Day in Tip Box (All Staff)
📸 Tour Guide - ₹200-500/Day
🚗 Personal Driver - ₹200-500/Day
Tipping is an integral part of the Indian service industry, particularly in tourist towns. However, tips here should reflect the hospitality you receive and should be based on your level of satisfaction.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for India using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in Restaurants, Bars, Taxis, Hotels, Personal Drivers etc.
India Tip Calculator
Good Price For India
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Tipping in Restaurants
In India, it’s customary to tip around 5-10% if there’s no “Service Charge” (not to be confused with the “Service Tax” that goes to the government). Tip on the higher end of that range if you’ve got a cheaper meal.
You can usually tip via cash or card but handing your server cash directly will ensure they get 100% of the tip.
If you’re buying street food, tipping isn’t required as you’ll usually negotiate the price.
Tipping Delivery Drivers
If you’re using a food delivery app like Zomato or Swiggy, I’d remove any auto-added tip and give anything up to about 10% in cash. Reserve the more generous tips for fast service or when the weather’s bad.
Tipping in Bars
In Indian bars, a 10% tip is standard. Hand your tip directly to the bartender or leave it on the counter.
Tipping Taxi or Rickshaw Drivers
Tipping your taxi or rickshaw driver usually just involves rounding up. If your ride costs ₹250, give ₹300. Alternatively, the tip can be built into the fare if you negotiate the price before you leave.
Tipping The Porter/Bellhop
Porters are the only hotel staff that you should tip directly. Tip ₹20-40 per bag depending on the weight of your luggage, the number of bags and the distance to your room,
Tipping Housekeeping
Rather than tipping your housekeeper directly, it’s customary to leave a tip for all the staff in the tip box at the end of your stay equivalent to around ₹150 per day.
They have this custom because Indian hotels typically have numerous employees that work behind the scenes so it’s seen as a fair way to compensate everyone.
The tip box can usually be found in reception. If you can’t see it, ask a receptionist and if there isn’t one (and you deem them trustworthy) give them the tip and ask for it to be distributed amongst the staff.
You should tip in all hotels, whether budget or high-end.
Tipping Tour Guides
A tip of ₹200-500 per day is standard for a tour guide. Tip based on satisfaction but tip on the higher end of that range if you’re on a private tour.
Hand a cash tip directly to the tour guide at the end of the tour.
Tipping Personal Drivers
If you have a personal driver, tip ₹200-500 per day, the same as you would a tour guide.
The exact amount will depend on your level of satisfaction. If they offered you local knowledge, if they avoided crowded tourist traps and took good care of you, tip on the higher end.
Which Currency To Use
The official currency used throughout India is the Indian Rupee (INR). You can tip by card in many establishments but using cash will ensure the tip goes directly to the right person. ATMs are widely available.
"शुभ यात्रा!" (Shubh Yatra!) - Hindi for Happy Journey! 🇮🇳 🕌 🐘
