How much to tip a food delivery driver in China (2026 Guide)
Optional ¥1–5 via in-app "reward rider" (打赏骑手)
Tipping calculator
Cultural notes
Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么) — the two dominant delivery apps — each offer a small "reward the rider" (打赏骑手) option of typically ¥1–5 inside the order flow. Usage is light and concentrated during heavy rain, snow, or peak heatwaves as an explicit acknowledgement of difficult conditions. This is one of the few tipping behaviours that has been normalised digitally in mainland China. There is no expectation to tip the rider in cash at the door.
Common mistakes
Offering the rider cash at the door — most have no time to stop and will wave it off.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tip a Meituan rider during a typhoon?
After the order is placed (or after delivery), open the order detail and tap "打赏骑手" / "Reward Rider." ¥3–5 is a generous amount.
Will my rider be upset if I do not tip?
No. It is well outside the norm.
Tipping other services in China
- Sit-down restaurant¥0; 10% service charge sometimes added at hotel/luxury restaurants
- Counter / takeaway¥0
- Café¥0
- Bar¥0 at local bars; ¥10–20 at high-end Western cocktail bars
- Housekeeping¥10–20 per day at international 5-star hotels; ¥0 elsewhere
- Porter¥5–10 per bag at international hotels; ¥0 elsewhere
- Concierge¥50–100 for substantial help; otherwise none
- Taxi¥0
- Rideshare¥0 — DiDi has no in-app tipping for standard rides
- Grocery delivery¥0
- Hairdresser¥0
- Spa¥20–50 at high-end hotel spas; ¥0 at local foot-massage shops
- Tour guide¥100–200 per day private English guide; ¥50–100 per day for drivers
- Tattoo artist¥0
- Valet¥10–20 at international 5-star hotels; ¥0 elsewhere
- Airport baggage¥5–10 per bag for skycap-style airport porters; no tip for hotel-shuttle drivers
- BuskerSmall change (¥1–10) if you stop to listen; payment via WeChat QR is more common
- Movers¥0; ¥20–50 per worker for stairs, heavy items, or long hours
- Tradesperson¥0 — the quoted price is the price
Tipping a food delivery driver in nearby countries
Last verified: · Sources: chinasurvivalkit.com