Hotel Tipping Guide: How Much to Tip in the US, UK and Australia
Who to tip at a hotel and how much: housekeeping, porters, valet and room service in the USA, the UK, Australia and abroad.
Key takeaways
- In the US, tipping hotel staff is customary: housekeeping, bell staff, valet and concierge all expect tips.
- In the UK, tipping is appreciated but not expected; check whether a service charge is already on your bill.
- In Australia, tipping is optional because staff earn a higher minimum wage; small tips for great service are welcome.
- Always check room-service and restaurant bills for an included service charge before tipping again.
In this guide
Tipping causes more travel anxiety than almost anything else. Tip too little in New York and you may feel awkward; tip the same way in Melbourne and you may confuse people. This guide gives clear, practical guidance for the three countries our readers come from, plus common holiday destinations.
Figures below are typical ranges reported by travellers and industry guides, not rules. Tip according to the service, your budget and local custom.
Quick comparison
| Hotel service | United States | United Kingdom | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housekeeping | Customary, per night | Optional | Optional |
| Porter / bellhop | Customary, per bag | Optional, small | Optional |
| Doorman (taxi) | Small tip customary | Rare | Rare |
| Valet parking | Customary when car returned | Rare | Rare |
| Concierge | For special help | For special help | Rare |
| Room service | Check bill; often service charge included | Check bill | Not expected |
| Hotel bar / restaurant | 15–20%+ customary | Often 10–12.5% service charge | Optional, ~10% for great service |
United States
Tipping is woven into the US service economy because many hospitality workers earn low base wages. Expect to tip:
- Housekeeping: a few dollars per night at most hotels, more at luxury properties or for suites and larger groups. Tip daily, as staff change. Leave the money with a short "thank you, housekeeping" note so it is clear it is for them.
- Bellhop / porter: a few dollars per bag, a bit more for heavy or many bags.
- Doorman: a small tip for hailing a taxi, especially in bad weather.
- Valet: a few dollars when your car is brought back; some people also tip at drop-off.
- Concierge: nothing for simple directions; a tip for hard-to-get reservations or tickets.
- Room service: check the bill. A service charge or "gratuity" is often included, plus a delivery fee. If gratuity is already included, an extra tip is optional.
- Hotel restaurants and bars: 15–20% or more is standard in the US.
Watch for resort fees and service charges that are not tips. A resort fee goes to the hotel, not staff. See our resort fees guide.
United Kingdom
Tipping in UK hotels is more relaxed:
- Housekeeping: not expected. Some guests leave a few pounds at the end of a longer stay.
- Porters: a pound or two per bag is a kind gesture at upmarket hotels.
- Concierge: tip for exceptional help, such as securing a hard-to-get table.
- Restaurants: many add a discretionary service charge, typically 12.5%, especially in London. If it is on the bill, you do not need to tip more. You can ask for it to be removed if service was poor.
- Bars: tipping at the bar is not customary; you might offer to "get one for yourself" in a pub.
Since October 2024, UK law requires employers to pass all tips, gratuities and service charges to workers in full, so you can be confident service charges reach staff.
Australia
Australian hospitality staff are paid comparatively high award wages, so tipping is genuinely optional:
- Housekeeping, porters and concierge: not expected. A small tip for outstanding service is appreciated.
- Restaurants and bars: rounding up or around 10% for excellent service at nicer restaurants is common but never required.
- Surcharges: some restaurants add a surcharge on Sundays and public holidays to cover higher wage costs. This is not a tip.
Australians travelling to the US are often surprised by how much tipping is expected there; budget for it.
Popular destinations
- Canada: similar to the US, slightly lower in some places.
- Mexico and the Caribbean: tipping is customary, including at all-inclusive resorts. US dollars are widely accepted in resort areas.
- Europe (France, Italy, Spain, Greece): service is often included; leaving small change or rounding up is common.
- UAE: service charges are often included; small tips for good service are appreciated.
- Bali and Southeast Asia: tipping is not mandatory, but small tips are appreciated and go a long way given local wages. Many hotels add a service charge.
- Japan: tipping is generally not practised and can cause confusion. Excellent service is part of the culture.
Practical tips
- Carry small notes in local currency for the first day.
- Check bills for service charges before adding a tip.
- Tip housekeeping daily where tipping is customary.
- Use the hotel app or card where offered. Some hotels allow digital tipping.
- Do not feel pressured by tipping screens in countries where tipping is optional.
Tipping quick reference card
United States - Housekeeping: daily, with a note. - Bell staff: per bag. - Valet: when car returned. - Restaurants and bars: 15–20%+ unless gratuity included.
United Kingdom - Housekeeping: optional. - Porters: small tip at upscale hotels. - Restaurants: check for 12.5% service charge.
Australia - Optional throughout; small tips for exceptional service.
Tipping at all-inclusive resorts
In Mexico and the Caribbean, tipping bartenders, waiters and housekeeping is customary even at all-inclusive resorts. Many guests bring small US dollar notes. In Europe, tipping at all-inclusive resorts is appreciated but not expected. See is all inclusive worth it?
Digital tipping
Some hotels now offer tipping through QR codes or apps, especially for housekeeping. This is convenient if you do not carry cash. Check that the tip goes directly to staff.
When not to tip
- When a service charge is already included and you did not receive extra service.
- For basic directions from the concierge.
- In Japan, where tipping can cause confusion.
- When service was genuinely poor (raise the issue with management instead).
The bottom line
In the US, budget for tipping as part of your hotel costs. In the UK and Australia, tipping is a thank-you for great service, not an obligation. Abroad, follow local custom and check whether a service charge is already included.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I tip hotel housekeeping in the US?
A common guide is a few dollars per night, more at luxury hotels or if you leave extra mess. Leave it daily with a note, because different staff may clean your room each day.
Do you tip hotel staff in the UK?
It is not expected but is appreciated. A pound or two for a porter carrying bags, or a small tip for an exceptional concierge, is common. Restaurants may add a discretionary service charge, often 12.5%.
Is tipping expected in Australian hotels?
No. Australian hotel staff are paid relatively high award wages, so tipping is optional. Rounding up or leaving a small tip for excellent service is a nice gesture but never required.
Prices, fees, taxes and booking rules change often and vary by hotel, date and country. Figures in this guide are typical ranges for planning, not quotes. Always confirm the total price and cancellation terms with the hotel or booking site before you pay.
