Hotel Tipping Guide by Country — How Much to Tip in 50+ Countries

Hotel tipping is the most inconsistent practice in travel. In the United States, not tipping your housekeeper is considered rude. In Japan, the same act would be insulting. In Scandinavia, it's unnecessary. In Dubai, it depends on the hotel. This guide provides clear, country-specific guidance for every service you'll encounter during a hotel stay.

One universal principle: when in doubt, a small tip delivered with genuine thanks is always welcome. Cash in local currency is preferred everywhere — avoid giving coins in upscale settings.

United States — tipping is essentially mandatory. Bellhop: $2-5 per bag. Housekeeping: $3-5 per night (leave daily, not at checkout). Concierge: $5-20 depending on service complexity (restaurant reservations vs securing sold-out tickets). Room service: 18-20% if not included in the bill. Valet: $3-5 at both drop-off and pick-up.

Canada — similar to the US but slightly lower expectations. Bellhop: CAD $2-3 per bag. Housekeeping: CAD $2-5 per night. Concierge: CAD $5-15. Room service: 15-18%.

Mexico — tipping is expected and appreciated. Bellhop: MXN 30-50 per bag. Housekeeping: MXN 30-50 per night. Concierge: MXN 100-300. All-inclusive resorts: MXN 20-50 per service interaction despite 'all-inclusive' branding — staff wages depend on tips.

Brazil — 10% service charge is usually included in hotel bills. Additional tipping is appreciated but not expected. Bellhop: BRL 5-10 per bag. Housekeeping: BRL 5-10 per night for longer stays.

United Kingdom — tipping is appreciated but less rigidly expected than in the US. Bellhop: £1-2 per bag. Housekeeping: £2-5 per night (optional). Concierge: £5-10 for exceptional service. Room service: check if service charge is included (usually 12.5%).

France — service charge ('service compris') is included in all hotel bills by law. Additional tipping is purely optional and reserved for exceptional service. Bellhop: €1-2 per bag. Housekeeping: €2-5 for a multi-night stay. Concierge: €5-20 for above-and-beyond service.

Italy — similar to France. Service is included. Bellhop: €1-2. Housekeeping: €1-2 per night. Concierge: €5-10. Hotel restaurants: round up or leave small change.

Germany & Austria — modest tipping is customary. Bellhop: €1-2 per bag. Housekeeping: €1-2 per night. The word for 'keep the change' is 'stimmt so.'

Scandinavia — tipping is genuinely not expected. Wages are high and service charges are included. A rare exception: exceptional concierge service might warrant €5-10 as a personal thank-you. Hotel workers will not expect or wait for a tip.

Japan — do not tip. Tipping is considered rude, implying the service wasn't included in the price. If you want to show appreciation, a polite thank-you with a slight bow is the appropriate gesture. In ryokans, if you wish to give a gift to your personal attendant (nakai-san), place cash in a decorative envelope (noshi-bukuro) and present it at the start of your stay — never hand cash directly.

China — officially, tipping is not customary and was historically discouraged. In international luxury hotels in Beijing and Shanghai, bellhop tips of ¥10-20 per bag and housekeeping tips of ¥10-20 per night are now occasionally given. Follow the hotel's lead.

Thailand — tips are appreciated and wages are low. Bellhop: ฿20-50. Housekeeping: ฿20-50 per night. Spa therapists: ฿100-300. Tuk-tuk/taxi: round up.

Australia & New Zealand — tipping is not culturally expected. Hotel staff are paid living wages. A$5-10 for a bellhop or exceptional concierge service is generous but never anticipated.

UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) — tipping is expected in hotels. Bellhop: AED 10-20 per bag. Housekeeping: AED 10-20 per night. Concierge: AED 20-50. Restaurant: 10-15% if service charge isn't included. Valet: AED 10-20.

Morocco — tipping (baksheesh) is embedded in the culture. Hotel bellhop: MAD 10-20. Housekeeping: MAD 20-30 per night. Riad staff (who often serve as guides): MAD 50-100 at departure. Hammam attendants: MAD 20-50.

South Africa — tipping is customary and important (many service workers earn minimum wage). Bellhop: ZAR 20-50. Housekeeping: ZAR 20-50 per night. Safari guides: ZAR 100-200 per person per day. Tracker: ZAR 50-100 per person per day. Lodge staff: ZAR 100-200 per person per day to the staff fund.

Kenya & Tanzania — safari tipping guidelines: guide $15-25/day, cook $10-15/day, camp staff $10-15/day (per group). Lodge tips: $5-10 per person per night to the staff box. These tips form a significant portion of staff income.