Tipping guide

Tipping in India

Tipping is woven into Indian service life, and the amounts are small but frequent. The bigger thing to know is your right to refuse the service charge many restaurants add.

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Tipping in India at a glance

Customary in hotels, restaurants and anywhere tourists go

  • Restaurant (sit-down)
    5-10%
  • Cafe / Bar
    Round up
  • Taxi / Rideshare
    Round up
  • Food delivery
    5-10%
  • Tour guide / Driver
    10%
  • Spa / Salon / Barber
    10%
  • Hotel housekeeping
    ₹150 per night
  • Hotel porter / Bellhop
    ₹100 per bag
  • Valet parking
    ₹100 per car
  • Hotel concierge
    ₹300 per request

Small notes for small services is the rhythm here. Keep low-denomination notes on you — you will use them several times a day.

Many restaurants add 5-10% as a service charge. It is not a government tax and, since 2022, you are legally allowed to ask for it to be removed.

Rates shown are typical amounts, converted to local currency at approximately 27 Aug 2026. Tipping customs evolve and vary from region to region, so treat this as your best starting point rather than a hard rule. Where a bill already shows a service charge, that is usually the tip.

Common questions

How much do you tip in India?

5-10% at restaurants, 50-100 rupees for a porter or housekeeping, and more for a driver who has been with you all day.

Can I refuse the service charge in India?

Yes. Since 2022, guidelines from the consumer protection authority state that service charges are voluntary and cannot be added automatically — you are entitled to ask for it to be removed.

Do you tip drivers in India?

A driver hired for a day or a multi-day trip is normally tipped 200-500 rupees a day depending on the effort involved. Auto-rickshaws are just rounded up.

International tipping guides by country

Open the free online tipping calculator — or read the guidance for another destination.