An International Traveler’s Guide to Tipping: Asia and the Pacific

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 An International Traveler’s Guide to Tipping: Asia and the Pacific details the tipping customs of popular Asian and Pacific destinations from China to Australia.

It’s time for the fourth and final installment in the tipping guide series. An International Traveler’s Guide to Tipping: Asia and the Pacific covers many popular Asian destinations, Pacific islands, and of course, the Land Down Under.

It’s important to do your research when traveling to this part of the world. Gratuity customs vary. In some countries, tipping is considered an insult while others will include gratuity in a service charge. Always check your hotel and restaurant bills before deciding if you should tip and how much.

Australia and New Zealand

Tipping is not customary in Australia or New Zealand. Service workers are paid an acceptable wage in both countries.

If you feel like you’ve received exceptional service at hotels and restaurants you can always give a few dollars but it’s not expected.

Taxi drivers do not expect tips either but you can always round up the fare if you want.

China

Tipping is not customary in China. Some higher end restaurants may add a service charge but nothing more than that is expected. There is an exception for hotel porters and ten yuan is standard.

French Polynesia and Fiji

Tipping is not customary here. If you receive exceptional service at your hotel, look to see if the resort has what they call a Christmas box for the staff. Otherwise, leave nothing.

You can always round up the bill at restaurants and the fare for taxi drivers but nothing much more than that.

Hong Kong

Dining: It is standard for a 10% service charge to be added to the bill. You can leave an additional 5 – 10% for exceptional service at a higher end restaurant.

Hotel: There may be a service charge added to your hotel bill but the porter may still expect a few dollars per bag. If there isn’t a service charge leave between $2 – $5 per day for housekeeping.

Taxi: Don’t tip but you can round up the fare.

India 

Dining: Leave a 10% tip if there’s no service charge for good service.

Hotel: Keep cash in hand for porters and housekeeping. Twenty to fifty rupees is an acceptable tip for porters. Just keep an eye on your bags and don’t let anyone grab them if you don’t want to tip because it will be expected.

Taxi: Round up the fare.

Indonesia

Dining: It is standard for a 5 – 10% service charge to be added to the bill. If there is no service charge then a 10% tip is standard.

Hotel: Indonesian hotels have a high tax that includes a service charge so it is not necessary to tip. However, feel free to reward excellent service with cash.

Taxi: Round up the fare.

Japan

Tipping is considered an insult in Japan. Do NOT tip anywhere, not hotels, restaurants, or taxi drivers.

Malaysia

Dining: A 10% service charge is added to the bill.

Hotel: Tipping is not required but feel free to reward excellent service. Tip two to ten ringgit per bag for porters and two to ten ringgit per day for housekeeping.

Taxi: Tipping is not expected.

The Philippines

It is not customary to tip in the Philippines, however, the more the islands are influenced by western culture, tipping from tourists is expected more, especially in larger cities like Manila.

Dining: Check to see if an SC is added to your bill, if there is, it’s a service charge and there is no need to leave a tip. If not, then 10% is a standard tip.

Hotel: Tipping is not expected. However, if you are staying at a four or five star resort, porters and housekeeping do appreciate tips for excellent service.

Taxi: Tip 10% of the fare.

Singapore

It is not customary to tip in Singapore and it is not allowed at Changi airport.

Dining: A 10% service charge is added to the bill but usually goes to the restaurant and not the server. If you feel that the service deserves to be recognized leave up to a 10% tip.

Hotel: Tipping is not accepted, the bellhops are an exception and one to two dollars per bag is standard.

Taxi: Don’t tip but you can round up the fare.

South Korea

Dining: Tipping is not customary in most restaurants. Due to western influence there are some western style restaurants. In those restaurants a 5 – 10% tip is recommended.

Hotel: Tipping is not customary nor is it expected. If you do decide to reward excellent service the amount is up to you.

Taxi: It’s not customary but you can always let the driver keep the change.

Taiwan

Dining: If there’s no service charge, tip 10% to 15% for good service.

Hotel: Tipping is not expected but it is acceptable to give $1 per bag for porters. You can leave gratuity in cash or in a form of a gift with housekeeping if they provide you with excellent service. Small gifts are a very big part Taiwanese culture.

Taxi: Tipping is not expected but you can let the driver keep the change.

Thailand

Dining: If there’s no service charge, tip 10% for good service. Give the gratuity directly to the server.

Hotel: Tipping is not expected but it can go a long way in the type of service you receive. Porters will be appreciative of twenty to fifty baht. You can leave housekeeping twenty to fifty baht in an envelope on the pillow of the bed.

Taxi: Tipping is not expected, but you can round up the fare.

That is the end of our tipping guide series! I hope this series has provided great value to you and will benefit you on all future travel adventures.

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