Tipping rules by country

Myanmar

Tipping is not traditional in daily life. An optional 10% or small cash tip in kyat (MMK) is fine at restaurants for good service, but tour guides and drivers appreciate tips more consistently than cafés or shops.

Namibia

Tipping is customary in Namibia. In restaurants, 10-15% is common for good service, while safari guides and lodge staff are usually tipped separately at the end of a stay.

Nauru

Tipping is not expected or customary in Nauru. Pay the stated AUD price for meals and rides, and leave a small thank-you only when service stood out. Arrive with enough Australian dollar cash for the whole trip — ATMs and cards are unreliable.

Nepal

Tipping is customary in Nepal, especially for trekking staff. In restaurants, check for a service charge first. If none appears, leave about 5-10% at tourist sit-down spots. Trek guides tip about 10-15 USD per person per day, and porters tip separately. City taxis tip with a round-up at most.

New Caledonia

Tipping is not expected in New Caledonia. Official guidance says prices already include service tax. Round up or leave small XPF cash only when service felt worth it.

Nicaragua

Tipping is customary in Nicaragua, but it is voluntary. Around 10% is common in tourist restaurants, and you should check the bill before adding extra.

Nigeria

Tipping is customary in Nigerian upscale restaurants, hotels, and tourist services, though not as rigid as in the US and less common in casual local eateries. In restaurants, 5-10% is appreciated for good service when no service charge is listed; taxis usually only round up.

North Macedonia

Tipping is optional in North Macedonia, but it is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, around 10% is common, while cafes and taxis usually just round up.

Around 5-10% in restaurants when servis is not already on the bill. Leave restaurant tips in cash Turkish lira. Card terminals rarely offer a tip line.

Northern Mariana Islands

Tipping in the Northern Mariana Islands follows U.S. habits. Sit-down restaurants expect 15-20% when no service charge appears. Check the bill first, because some Saipan hotel restaurants add a 10% service charge.

Norway

Wages are high and prices already reflect service, so tipping is never required. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% is a quiet thank-you for standout restaurant meals. Taxi rides need only the nearest crown or nothing at all.

Oman

Tipping is not mandatory in Oman, but it is appreciated for good service. Around 10% is common in tourist restaurants, while casual places and taxis usually just round up.

Pakistan

Tipping is not obligatory in Pakistan, and larger hotels and restaurants often already add a 10% service charge. Otherwise, people usually round up or leave a small cash tip for good service.

Palau

Tipping is not required in Palau. Official guidance says leave cash only for standout service, and check the bill first because large places often add a 10-20% service charge. Dive and boat crews often receive optional USD thank-yous.

Panama

About 10% is common at sit-down restaurants when no service charge appears on the bill. By law, tipping is voluntary. You can refuse a suggested tip or an automatic propina added without consent. Taxis tip lighter with a simple round-up. Carry small USD notes for cash tips.

Papua New Guinea

Tipping is not customary in Papua New Guinea. Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges; it is not common to tip waiters. If you tip round up 5-10% or small kina amounts. Some locals say tipping can create jealousy; tip discreetly if you do.

Paraguay

Tipping is optional in Paraguay, but it is appreciated for good service. Around 10% is common in sit-down restaurants, while taxis usually just round up.

Peru

Around 10% is a fair thank-you at tourist restaurants when no service charge is listed. Check the bill first — 10% servicio may already appear, and IGV is tax, not tip. Local casual eateries and taxi rides usually need only a small round-up in soles.

Philippines

Tipping is not required. A 10% service charge is common on restaurant and hotel bills, and by law that charge must go to staff. Extra cash is optional. If no service charge appears, leave about 10% for good sit-down service or round up. Grab and short taxis tip with a small round-up.

Poland

Tell the server the final total you want to pay when settling in cash, not just the bill amount. Around 10% is a fair thank-you at restaurants, with tourist areas sometimes expecting a bit more. Round up in taxis and casual bars.

Puerto Rico

At sit-down restaurants in Puerto Rico, plan on 15-20% for good service. Local norms match mainland U.S. expectations. Check the bill before adding extra, since some venues include a service charge or auto-gratuity for groups.

Qatar

Tipping is customary in Qatar hospitality, though not legally required. A 10-15% tip as a gesture of satisfaction is appreciated; many outlets already add a service charge (often not passed fully to staff). If no charge is on the bill, leave about 10-15%. With service charge, an optional 5-10% cash tip to staff is appropriate. QAR preferred; avoid small coins.

Republic of the Congo

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in the Republic of the Congo. At mid-range and upscale restaurants, leave 5-10% when no service charge appears. Maquis tip lighter with a small XAF round-up.

Réunion

Service is already included on Réunion bills, as in mainland France. Extra tipping is never required. Round up or leave a little cash only when service felt worth it.

Romania

At sit-down restaurants, locals usually leave 10-15% because service is not included on most bills. Cash works best for small tips, though card tipping is common too. Counter service and casual spots often need much less than a full restaurant tip.

Russia

At sit-down restaurants, leave 10% in cash when service was good and no service charge (obsluzhivanie) is on the bill. Tips are appreciated rather than obligatory, taxis are fine with a round-up, and small RUB notes matter because foreign Visa and Mastercard tip options rarely work for visitors.

Rwanda

Tipping is appreciated in Rwanda, especially in tourism. In restaurants, around 10% is common for good service, while gorilla trekking and lodge tipping are usually handled separately.

Saint Barthélemy

Service is already included on Saint Barthélemy bills under French rules. Extra tipping is never required. Round up or leave a little cash only when service felt worth it.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Most hotels and restaurants in Saint Kitts and Nevis add a 10% service charge. If none is listed, leave 10-15% for good service. Round up taxis or tip 10-15%, and keep small XCD or USD notes for hotel staff.

Saint Lucia

Tipping is discretionary in Saint Lucia. Around 10% is common for restaurants when no service charge is listed — many bills already add about 10% plus VAT. Taxis often get about 10%; hotel porters a few dollars or XCD notes when you tip.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Hotels and restaurants in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines often add a 10% service charge. If none is listed, leave 10-15% for good service. Round up taxis and water taxis, and keep small XCD cash for tips across the Grenadines.

Samoa

Tipping is not customary or expected in Samoa. Official guidance says leave a gift only to thank staff. Round up a tourist restaurant bill only for standout service.

San Marino

Tipping is optional in San Marino and follows nearby Italian customs. Round up restaurant and taxi bills; leave about 5-10% only when service stands out and no coperto or servizio is already listed.

Saudi Arabia

Tipping is not mandatory in Saudi Arabia, but small tips are appreciated for good service. In restaurants, 10-15% is mainly for very good service, while taxis and ride-hailing usually just round up.

Senegal

Tipping is appreciated in Senegal, but it is not mandatory. Larger hotels and restaurants often already include a 10-15% service charge, while taxis usually just round up.

Serbia

About 10% is common at sit-down restaurants for good service, though tipping stays modest overall. Cafes and taxis need only a small round-up in dinars. Card terminals rarely add a tip, so leave cash after you pay. Check the bill for any service fee before adding more.

Seychelles

Tipping is not expected in Seychelles, but small extras are appreciated in resorts and for good personal service. Service charge is often already included in restaurant and hotel bills.

Sierra Leone

Tipping in Sierra Leone is appreciated but soft. At mid-range Freetown restaurants, leave 5-10% when no service charge appears — many established spots already add 10-15%. Cookshops and street stalls need only a small SLE round-up.

Sint Maarten

Many restaurants on Dutch Sint Maarten add a 10-15% service charge. Extra tipping is discretionary. If no charge is listed, leave about 10-15% for good service.

Slovakia

At sit-down restaurants, round up or leave about 5-10% for good service. Tip is not mandatory. Say the total you want to pay when the bill arrives, not how much change you want.

Slovenia

Tipping is optional. Round up everyday bills, or leave about 5-10% for good sit-down service. Bars, cafes, and taxis need only a small euro round-up. Cash is simplest for small tips, because not every terminal can add a tip on the card.

Solomon Islands

Tipping is not customary or expected in the Solomon Islands. Travel guides ask visitors to honour the local no-tip custom. A small SBD thank-you for standout service is optional, never required.

South Korea

Tipping is not part of local culture. Pay the bill as shown. Extra gratuity can confuse staff and may be refused or handed back. Luxury hotels may include a service charge, but everyday restaurants, cafes, and taxis need nothing on top.

Sri Lanka

A 10% service charge is common on restaurant and hotel bills, so everyday extra tipping is optional. Leave about 5-10% only when no charge appears and service stood out. Private drivers tip about 500-2000 LKR per day at the end of the trip, separate from the hire rate. Short tuk-tuks and ride apps tip lighter.

Suriname

Tipping is not mandatory in Suriname, but 10% is standard at restaurants when no service charge appears. Check the bill first. Warungs and street stalls tip lighter with a small SRD round-up.

Sweden

Tipping is not expected in Sweden. Most people round up to the nearest krona for everyday service, and 5-10% is reserved for genuinely outstanding sit-down meals. Wages are high, so nothing extra is required to be polite.

Taiwan

Tipping is not expected. Many hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill, so nothing extra is required. Extra cash can confuse staff. Round up or leave a little only when service went above and beyond and no charge is listed.

Tajikistan

Tipping is not traditionally expected in Tajikistan, but it is appreciated in tourist services. In restaurants, service charge is sometimes already included, while taxis usually just round up.