Tipping a taxi driver around the world
Tipping a taxi driver is customary in 6 of the 15 countries we track, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and 2 more. In the United States, 15–20% of fare, $2 minimum. It is unusual or unwelcome in Japan, South Korea, and China.
Traditional metered or hailed taxis. Customs vary widely — here is what to expect country by country.
Europe
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Appreciated | Round up to nearest £ or ~10% |
| 🇫🇷France | Optional | Round up to nearest euro, or up to 5% |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Optional | Round up the fare to the nearest €1–5 |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Optional | Round up to nearest €1; ~5–10% for long airport runs |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Appreciated | Round up + 5–10% |
North America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Expected | 15–20% of fare, $2 minimum |
| 🇨🇦Canada | Expected | 10–15% of fare, $2 minimum |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Optional | Round up to nearest 10 MXN; 10–20 MXN for luggage help |
Asia
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japan | Unusual | ¥0 — drivers return every yen of change |
| 🇨🇳China | Unusual | ¥0 |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | Unusual | ₩0 — drivers return exact change |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | Appreciated | Round up to the nearest ฿10–20 |
Oceania
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | Appreciated | Round up to nearest A$5 or A$10 |
South America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Optional | Round up to the nearest real; 10% if luggage help |
Middle East
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | Optional | Round up to nearest AED 5; AED 5–10 for luggage help |
Tipping a taxi driver: common questions
Do you tip a taxi driver?
It depends on the country. Tipping a taxi driver is expected or appreciated in 6 of the 15 countries we track — including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Thailand, and 1 more — and is unusual in Japan, South Korea, and China.
How much do you tip a taxi driver?
In the United States, 15–20% of fare, $2 minimum. Across all countries the usual range is 5–20% of the bill. Amounts vary by country — see the table above for each one.
Which countries expect you to tip a taxi driver?
A tip is genuinely expected in the United States and Canada. In these countries staff often rely on tips as part of their income.
Where should you not tip a taxi driver?
Tipping a taxi driver is unusual or can cause awkwardness in Japan, South Korea, and China. A polite thank-you is enough.
Should you tip a taxi driver in cash or by card?
Cash is the safer choice in Italy, Germany, Thailand, and Mexico, where card tips may not reach staff. Elsewhere adding the tip to a card payment is normally fine.