Tipping a valet around the world
Tipping a valet is customary in 11 of the 15 countries we track, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and 7 more. In the United States, $3–$5 at retrieval; $5–$10 at luxury hotels. It is unusual or unwelcome in Japan and South Korea.
Valet parking attendants at hotels, restaurants, and venues. Customs vary widely — here is what to expect country by country.
Europe
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Appreciated | £2–5 on return of vehicle |
| 🇫🇷France | Appreciated | €1–2 on return; €5+ at luxury hotels |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Appreciated | €2–5 per car retrieval at hotels and high-end restaurants |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Appreciated | €2–5 per car retrieval |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Appreciated | €1–2 on return |
North America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Expected | $3–$5 at retrieval; $5–$10 at luxury hotels |
| 🇨🇦Canada | Expected | $2–$5 on car return |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Expected | 20–50 MXN at retrieval (up to 100 MXN at upscale) |
Asia
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japan | Unusual | ¥0 |
| 🇨🇳China | Optional | ¥10–20 at international 5-star hotels; ¥0 elsewhere |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | Unusual | ₩0 |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | Appreciated | ฿20–50 per drop-off/pickup |
Oceania
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | Optional | A$2–5 cash on car return |
South America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Appreciated | R$5–R$10 at retrieval; R$20 at upscale clubs |
Middle East
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | Expected | AED 5–20 at retrieval |
Tipping a valet: common questions
Do you tip a valet?
It depends on the country. Tipping a valet is expected or appreciated in 11 of the 15 countries we track — including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and 6 more — and is unusual in Japan and South Korea.
How much do you tip a valet?
In the United States, $3–$5 at retrieval; $5–$10 at luxury hotels. Amounts vary by country — see the table above for each one.
Which countries expect you to tip a valet?
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 valet?
Tipping a valet is unusual or can cause awkwardness in Japan and South Korea. A polite thank-you is enough.
Should you tip a valet in cash or by card?
Cash is the safer choice in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and 8 more, where card tips may not reach staff. Elsewhere adding the tip to a card payment is normally fine.