Tipping a hotel porter around the world
Tipping a hotel porter is customary in 12 of the 15 countries we track, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and 8 more. In the United States, $2 per bag ($4–$5 heavy or oversized). It is unusual or unwelcome in Japan and South Korea.
Bellhops who carry luggage at hotels. Customs vary widely — here is what to expect country by country.
Europe
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Appreciated | £1–2 per bag |
| 🇫🇷France | Appreciated | €1–2 per bag |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Appreciated | €1–2 per bag, €2–3 minimum |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Appreciated | €1–2 per bag |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Appreciated | €1–2 per bag |
North America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Expected | $2 per bag ($4–$5 heavy or oversized) |
| 🇨🇦Canada | Expected | $2–$5 per bag |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Expected | 20–50 MXN per bag |
Asia
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japan | Unusual | ¥0 |
| 🇨🇳China | Appreciated | ¥5–10 per bag at international hotels; ¥0 elsewhere |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | Unusual | ₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional) |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | Appreciated | ฿20–50 per bag |
Oceania
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | Optional | A$2–5 per bag at upscale hotels; nothing elsewhere |
South America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Appreciated | R$5 per bag |
Middle East
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | Expected | AED 5–10 per bag |
Tipping a hotel porter: common questions
Do you tip a hotel porter?
It depends on the country. Tipping a hotel porter is expected or appreciated in 12 of the 15 countries we track — including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and 7 more — and is unusual in Japan and South Korea.
How much do you tip a hotel porter?
In the United States, $2 per bag ($4–$5 heavy or oversized). Amounts vary by country — see the table above for each one.
Which countries expect you to tip a hotel porter?
A tip is genuinely expected in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates. In these countries staff often rely on tips as part of their income.
Where should you not tip a hotel porter?
Tipping a hotel porter is unusual or can cause awkwardness in Japan and South Korea. A polite thank-you is enough.
Should you tip a hotel porter in cash or by card?
Cash is the safer choice in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and 9 more, where card tips may not reach staff. Elsewhere adding the tip to a card payment is normally fine.