Tipping In Israel - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
🍽️ Restaurant - 10-15% If Satisfied
🛵 Delivery Driver - ₪5-20 Expected
🍹 Bar - 10-15% If Satisfied
☕️ Café - 10-15% (Sit Down) or Nothing (Counter)
🚕 Taxi - Not Expected
🛎️ Porter/Bellhop - ₪10-20 Total Expected
🚪 Doorman - ₪10-20 Once on Arrival
🛏️ Housekeeping - Not Expected - Can Tip ₪5-20/Day With Note
📸 Tour Guide - 10-20% If Satisfied
⛽️ Fuel Attendant - Not Expected Unless Extra Service
In Israel, tipping is expected for good service in a lot of scenarios. A lot of service sector employees rely on tips to supplement their income.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for Israel using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in Restaurants, Cafés, Bars, Taxis, Hotels etc.
Israel Tip Calculator
Good Price For Israel
Tip
$0.00
Total With Tip
$0.00
Split Bill By
0 Each
Tipping in Restaurants
Waiters in Israel are usually low paid and/or students so it’s common to tip generously. Tip 10-15% in Israel if you’re satisfied (10% if acceptable, 15% if excellent). You’re not expected to tip more than that and you can still tip nothing if unsatisfied.
Service charges, more common in tourist areas, are usually in the 10-15% range too. You don’t need to tip extra if this is added to your bill. If service is included, you’ll usually see a percentage (e.g. 15%) next to “שירות” which means “service” in Hebrew. VAT is tax, not a tip.
You don't need to write your tip on the bill and whilst you can usually pay cash or card, it’s better to leave a cash tip (coins or bills) to ensure your waiter gets it. Just leave it on the table. If you don’t have cash, check if you can tip by card when you ask for the bill.
Tipping Delivery Drivers
If you’re getting food delivered (Wolt and Tapingo are popular here), your delivery driver will expect a tip of ₪5-20. Tip on the higher end if it’s dark or the weather’s bad.
Tipping in Bars
Due to their typically low pay, it’s customary to tip bartenders in Israel the same as waiters, around 10-15% (tip nothing if unsatisfied). That’s true whether you’re getting table service, sitting at the bar or just ordering a drink.
Tourist often forget that bartenders expect tips, leading to unnecessary awkwardness. In fact, tipping can actually benefit you as your bartender will usually be more attentive from that point on.
If the bartender gives you a free shot, top-up or free food, that’s called a “pinuk” (פִּינּוּק), Hebrew for “treat”. Tip generously in that case.
Tipping in Cafés
If you’re sitting down, tip like you would in a restaurant (10-15% for good service). If you’re just ordering at the counter, you don’t need to tip. However, feel free to leave your change if they provided you with great service.
Tipping Taxi Drivers
Taxi, Uber and Gett drivers won’t expect tips even though they’re paid below average earnings. If you’re paying cash, they’ll usually offer you your change without asking.
Any taxi you take in Israel should be metered. Israeli cities and districts publish binding taxi fares ensured by officially licensed taxi meters. The fare is calculated based on the time, route, distance and vehicle so you don’t need to worry about tipping or negotiating.
Tipping The Porter/Bellhop
Porters will expect tips of ₪10-20, especially from tourists.
Tipping The Doorman
If you’re staying in a luxury hotel and there’s a doorman, tip them around ₪10-20 on arrival and they’ll tend to display their appreciation for the remainder of your stay.
Tipping Housekeeping
Whilst housekeepers are also low paid, they won’t expect a tip. However, if you’d like to ensure great service during your stay, feel free to tip them around ₪5-10 daily.
Either leave your tip with a note (so they know it’s for them) or hand it to them directly.
Tipping Tour Guides
It’s customary to tip your tour guide 10-20% in Israel depending on the tour’s length and your level of satisfaction.
Private tours aren’t cheap but that doesn’t mean tips are built into the cost.
Tip in bills, not coins as that might be deemed insulting.
Which Currency To Use
It’s best to stick to Israel’s official currency, the Israeli Shekel (ILS, ₪) when paying and tipping. The ₪5, ₪10 coins and ₪20, ₪50 bank notes are particularly useful for tipping in a lot of scenarios.
"טיול בטוח" ("tiyul betuach") - safe trip! 🇮🇱 🕍 🥙
