As a local tour guide, I'm frequently asked by my tour guests, "How much do you tip in New York City?"
I'm a native New Yorker who has been tipping for decades so I can answer this question for an array of services for my tour guests and you!
I've created this New York Tipping Guide which answers how much to tip in New York and who you should tip.
I'll explain why tips are expected, who to tip, how much to tip, and other advice on tipping.
At the bottom of this post, I've included some opinions about tipping in NYC from members of the more than 319,000 members of our popular NYC Travel Tips Facebook group.
You don't need to become a member to read the posts, comments, and recommendations.
So check out the group after you've read this post!
- Why Tipping is Expected
- Who and How Much to Tip
- Some "Tips" on Tipping
- Advice from Locals and Travelers
- How to Get a Taxi in NYC
- Getting Around NYC as a Tourist
WHY TIPPING IS EXPECTED
For those unfamiliar with what tipping is, here's a definition: "Tipping is the customary act of giving additional money (or gratuity) to someone who has provided a service".
This includes, for example, waitstaff in restaurants, taxi drivers, and hotel concierges, maids and luggage handlers. There are more though which I go over below.
I know that in many parts of the world, tipping isn't the custom.
In France, for example, a tip is included in the check. In Japan, the culture is one of excellent service and tipping can be considered rude!
So why do we tip in the United States?
The answer is simple. Many jobs, like waiting tables or handling luggage in hotels don't pay well.
As of 2025, in NYC, the minimum wage for restaurant waitstaff is $15.00 per hour.
This is certainly not enough to live in this city!
Tips are the only way that such employees can make a livable wage.
Those who provide certain services in NYC expect (and depend on) tips.
Having said that, if you receive horrendous service, perhaps the worst service in your entire life, don't feel obligated to tip.
When I am extremely dissatisfied with service in restaurants, I'll still leave a tip, but a minimal one.
While you shouldn't ever feel pressured by anyone to tip, there are some services that you really should.
But...if you are unhappy, tip small!
WHO TO TIP AND HOW MUCH
Here are some of the most common occupations that rely on tips, along with the standard tipping amount for each.
The amounts are based on what a majority of locals tip in New York as of 2025. Trends do change though, and for the most part, the percentages go up.
I'm pretty sure that the percentages I list below will be around for a while.
These are some services you may receive when visiting NYC that warrant a tip.
FOOD SERVICE
Sit-down Restaurant Waitstaff:
Tip 15% for basic service where the waitstaff takes your order, drops off the food and brings you the bill.
Tip 18% for good service which, to me, means a friendly attitude and checking in at least once during my meal to make sure I have everything I need.
Bump it up to 20% for very good service. This means all of the above and two or more check-ins and quickly brings you anything you ask for like more water or condiments.
Tip 22% for excellent service which includes everything above and a willingness to spend time answering questions about the menu and checking in three or more times to make sure you are enjoying your meal.
You can see on this bill that there is a section for suggested tips. This is very helpful so you don't have to do the math.
However, the options begin at 20%. If you want to leave less, go ahead.
Here's a trick to calculate an 18% tip. Double the tax, which in NYC is 8.875%. Very little math involved!
Tip 10% if service was bad. To me, this means that the waitstaff forgets you are there and when they do come around they are rude.
I cannot stand having to flag down staff for something and be kept waiting for a while because they are playing on their phone.
If it's busy I understand. But if not, I shouldn't have to get up from my table and walk to the staff!
This may sound impatient, but I'm one of those people known as 'foodies' who seek out the best foods and dining experiences.
And don't feel obligated to tip anything if you were treated badly and your waitstaff forgot about you for hours because they were busy scrolling on their phone looking at TikTok!
There have been a few times where I've tipped 25% or more when my waitstaff has gone above and beyond and by the time I leave we are practically friends!
Bartenders:
This is for service at the bar, not table service, which some bars offer.
The trend is 15% to 18% of your total bill. If you buy a round, say 4 or 5 drinks at a time, absolutely tip 20%.
I keep things simple in my mind so I don't have to calculate anything. I slap down $1 per drink. This is for beer, wine and other uncomplicated drinks.
Some people will leave two bucks for fancy cocktails, which, in NYC cost $15 and up.
Fast Food Servers:
You don't have to tip in fast food and takeaway restaurants, but if there is a tip jar it's nice to leave something.
Baristas at coffee houses:
I've been asked by many of my tour guests about this. Not everyone is from a place where coffee houses are a thing.
Being a barista requires some skill to make a great coffee or add a pretty swirl or design on the foam.
Coffee houses usually have a tip jar and credit card terminals offer the option to leave a tip.
For one coffee, I usually dont tip. But for multiple coffees, I'll leave a buck or two.
TAXIS AND UBER DRIVERS
At a minimum, you should tip 15% for basic services, like help with one of two small suitcases into the trunk, safe driving and a decently clean cab.
The standard tip for a good ride is 20%. Safe driving, friendly attitude, responsive to any questions you have.
You can tip any amount for outstanding service. You will know what outstanding service is when you experience it!
I have no problem tipping 10% (or less) for unsafe driving and talking on the phone while driving. This is illegal, by the way.
I've had cab drivers who were watching TV on their car console! Tell them to turn it off. That is simply reckless.
As for paying, it is required by law for official NYC taxi rides to accept credit or debit cards, or cash.
All official taxis are outfitted with a TV screen on the back seat and a meter on the dashboard.
At the end of the ride, both the TV screen and the meter will show the total amount you owe.
Here's what to do if paying with a card:
Before dipping your card, you will be given the option to choose how much you want to tip, with three suggested amounts of 20%, 25% or 30%.
You can, however, choose your own amount by typing it into the screen. Again, no pressure to tip those amounts just because they are there on the screen to you.
If this is the first time you have paid for an NYC taxi with a card, I suggest going through this process slowly to make sure you are pressing the right buttons
Drivers always appreciate a cash tip.
If you take an Uber or Lyft, check their policy on tips. See our post on how to use Uber in NYC.
HOTEL SERVICE
If you're wondering how much to tip in NYC for hotel services, the list below covers the average cost of a tip for each service.
Room Service: 15% of the total bill, but make sure it is not already included.
Concierge: $3-5 for providing useful information and time spent assisting you.
If the concierge helps you with a complicated matter and spends considerable time with you, consider leaving $10 and up.
You can also consider leaving one large tip at the end of your stay.
Bellhop or Doorman: $1-$2 per bag.
Housekeeping: $5 per night, more if you are a large (or especially messy) group. You can leave a tip each day as the cleaning staff may change daily.
Good to Know: If you are not staying at a hotel, but need a place to stow your luggage for a short time, ask at a hotel if they can hold your bags for a tip of $5-$10. They may accept.
I prefer using a reputable luggage storage service like Vertoe, NannyBag and Stasher. Find out more from our post on New York Luggage Storage.
Tour Guides
Most tour companies pay their guides an hourly or per-tour salary.
However, the guides that lead some of our Tours by Foot do not receive any compensation other than tips from guests.
This guarantees that your guide will be working hard to give you the best tour experience possible.
We do realize that travelers are on a budget. That is why our tours are offered on a pay-what-you-like basis.
It is free to join our tours (but please make a reservation). At the end of a tour, you decide what your experience was worth.
The beauty of our pay-what-you-like system is that you can factor in your budget, the length of the tour, and the quality of the tour when deciding how much to tip, or if to tip at all.
Guests of Free Tours by Foot tours tip, on average, a minimum of $7-10 dollars per person.
You can certainly tip more if you have a fantastic time. We think you will!
SOME TIPS ON TIPPING
Carry $1 bills
Have small bills handy for when you are ready to tip.
If you only have large bills, tipping gets complicated. It's awkward to ask for the large bill to be broken so that you can leave a few dollars.
Tipping for large groups
Many restaurants include the tip for parties of 6 or more, so check your bill before tipping so you don't tip twice.
Avoid double tipping
Be sure to read your bill at restaurants before leaving gratuities, especially in a tourist district.
Many restaurants anticipate that tourists will leave insufficient, or even no gratuities as it is not custom to do so in every country.
They may automatically add in an 18% service charge.
Look for the words "Service Included" for example.
THOUGHTS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS
Here are some thoughts on tipping in NYC from members of our New York Travel Tips group on Facebook.
You don't need to become a member to read the posts, comments, and advice.
So when you are done reading this post why not have a look? Perhaps even ask some questions yourself!
Members of our group generally agree with the information about tipping in this guide, though some have different opinions.
Most members agree with our thoughts on tips for hotel staff. One member included some wise advice about when to leave the tip for housekeeping.
For food-related service there was also general agreement.
Here are two shortcuts to figure out the tip quickly at a restaurant.
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