Tipping Culture in Nepal Explained: Is Tipping Expected?

Is Tipping Expected in Nepal When and Where to Tip

Tipping is generally appreciated in Nepal. However, you do not have to tip every service and every time. Tipping is typically done for tourist activities, particularly in cases where a lot of effort and time has been expended. People in Nepal will view tipping as something to show how thankful you are for good service rather than as a policy.

Generally, the best time to leave a tip is when you finish your trekking job with your guide and porter. This is also the way to tip most often in Nepal. When you stay at a hotel or eat at a restaurant, tipping is also expected if the staff provides satisfactory service. While service charges are sometimes included on the bill in most restaurants, many times customers will give an additional amount as a thank-you for good service. In addition to this, hotel bellboys and housekeepers usually receive small tips as well.

You do not need to tip in local shops, banks, public transport, street food stalls, or government offices. Taxi drivers usually do not expect tips, but rounding up the fare is polite

How Much to Tip in Nepal General Guidelines for Travelers

While there are no absolute standard amounts for tipping, guidelines are a good way for consumers to tip fairly. If there is no service charge, restaurants are typically tipped at 5% to 10% of the bill. In hotels, tipping bellboys is typically between NPR 100 and NPR 300, and between NPR 100 and NPR 200 per night for housekeepers, depending on the level of service provided.

For trekking and adventure activities, there are more defined standards regarding tipping practices. Many trekkers choose to tip based on the total package cost instead of how much they are spending each day. On average, it is customary to give tips equal to 12% to 15% of the total cost of the trekking package to the guides and 10% to 12% of the trekking package to the porters as a token of appreciation for their role in the expedition. Tipping should always occur at the end of the trek as a representation of the total service received.

Taxi drivers in Nepal do not generally anticipate tips; however, it is customary to round up the fare. Travelers should tip their guides or drivers when taking a one-day tour, 5% to 10% of the total tour price for good quality.

Tipping in Nepal for Trekkers Guides Porters and Staff

In Nepal, however, tips are generally expected for guides and porters, and trekkers typically give their tip at the end of the trek based on overall service as well as the degree of difficulty of the trek itself. Many trekkers will use an informal guideline of approximately 12–15% of the entire trekking package price for tipping trekking guide in Nepal and 10–12% of the total trekking package price tipping for a porter.

If you would like to give daily tips, most trekkers will provide their tip at approximately NPR 1,500–2,000 per day for a guide and NPR 1,000–1,500 per day for a porter; however, the amount given should depend on the quality of service, length of the trek, size of group and effort that was put forth by the individual providing guide or porter service.

If you are trekking as part of a group, you should collect the tips as a group and provide them together in an envelope at the end of the trek. Always provide tips in Nepali rupees , USD or INR and give them in private and with respect.

Tipping Hotel Staff and Restaurant Workers in Nepal

In Nepal, it is customary to tip hotel and restaurant staff but not necessary for every instance. Before you tip in restaurants; stay informed about the receipt or bill in advance of paying your bill to make sure that you are receiving an appropriate amount for service; if no service charge is included on the bill, you should typically tip around 5-10% of the total price of the meal for good service. At small, local eateries, tipping is appreciated but should be voluntary; leaving a small amount is also polite.

When tipping hotel personnel, it is best to consider how satisfied you are with the service you received. Bellboys regularly receive around NPR 100-300 for carrying luggage for guests. Most housekeeping services are normally tipped between NPR 100-200 per night. Hotel receptionists do not typically expect to receive tips.

Tipping Taxi Drivers and Tour Guides in Nepal

Nepal does not expect passengers to leave a tip for their taxi driver; therefore, for any kind of taxi driver that gives a good service and assists with luggage usually only receives a rounded fare. In most instances, passengers will just pay what was agreed to for short trips. However, for longer bus rides or airport shuttles, it is customary to include a little bit more as a tip in recognition of the driver's assistance and courtesy.

Most tour operators and tour guides consider tips to be customary for full day or multi-day tours. Typical tips are 5-10 percent of the total tour price, based on how well the tour guide provided you with valuable information, etc., and the overall enjoyment of your tour. If you’re using a tour guide every day for an extended period of time, a fair tip amount would be of NPR 1,000-2,000 per day for tour guide; however, this will depend on the level of service you received.

When Not to Tip in Nepal Avoid Common Mistakes

• Tipping is not a part of virtually everything people buy and sell on the street. Also, tipping at street food vendors and small tea shops doesn't apply, because the prices for food items and beverages sold at these locations are predetermined.
• Public buses, local transport, and shared taxis do not typically allow for driver tipping; thus, tipping may not be anticipated by drivers.
• It is neither acceptable nor appropriate to tip government offices, public service employees, or other officials.
• Tipping children who assist you accomplishes little more than simply creating an expectation of tipping; thus, this may lead to developing unhealthy behaviours relating to dependencies upon funds offered after providing assistance.
• Tipping is often prohibited in temples, monasteries, and other religious venues. Donations to temples and other similar institutions should be made through official venues.
• Don't flaunt publicly your level of generosity; doing so may cause embarrassment to the locals.
• Don't be intimidated into tipping in the event that you received a subpar product or service.
• If a service already includes an associated service charge, don't use the value of the tip to make up for that lost revenue; instead, simply include that amount as part of the total price paid for that service.

Cultural Etiquette for Tipping in Nepal Dos and Donts

• When giving tips in Nepal, please be respectful and humble.
• Keep your tips at reasonable amounts depending on how well you were treated by the provider.
• Make sure to create a budget for tipping before leaving for your trip, particularly for tours or trekking days, so that you know what to expect, and to have cash available.
• Whenever possible give your tip in person, rather than in front of other people, as well as verbally thanking the person for the service you received, shows you truly appreciate it.
• Do not give a tip simply as a way of showing off your wealth or status.
• Do not discuss how much you tipped with other travelers in front of the workers, as this can make them uncomfortable and is just rude.
• Only give tips based on the service you received, not randomly or inconsistently.
• Only give a tip in a situation where you received a service, e.g., restaurants or hotels, but not in places where no service is involved, e.g., shops or transportation providers.
• Do not use tipping as a way to cover or replace an agreement of wages or contracts you made with the service provider.

FAQs

What is the usual tipping practice in Nepal for travelers?

There are many travellers that tip in Nepal to show their appreciation for exceptional service. It is not always required, but it is always welcomed to tip staff in hotels, restaurants, and all trekking guides and porters. Tipping is usually done in small amounts such as a couple of dollars or some Nepali Rupees.

How much should trekkers tip guides and porters in Nepal?

As for trekkers, it is appropriate to tip your guide approximately $5-$10 per day depending on the guide's support throughout the trek as well as how long you were actually out on the trek. Similarly, porters should receive between $3-$5 per day based upon both the service provided and trek duration. 

Do Nepali restaurants and hotels expect tips?

Tipping is not compulsory in Hotels and Restaurants in Nepal, but many establishments will add a service charge to the total of your bill. For example, if your total bill came to 1000 Rupees, then leaving between 50 to 100 Rupees on top would be average, and is always appreciated.

How should tourists tip taxi drivers and tour guides in Nepal?

When using a taxi, it is appropriate to round up the fare to the nearest Rupee, or give a small amount more, especially when excellent service has been provided. For tour guides, the normal range for gratuities is between 5 to 10% of the cost of the tour, or a set small amount. It is best to hand cash directly to the person you are tipping.

Are there any cultural rules or taboos for tipping in Nepal?

It is not a good idea to give tips out in public or in front of other people. Doing so may make local people uncomfortable or embarrassed. You should not be tipping children or street vendors. Always give the cash you wish to give there, and treat that person with respect.

What currency is preferred for tipping in Nepal?

The best currencies to tip in Nepal are Nepali Rupees, USD, Euro, and INR. When tipping, use small denominations, and don't bring foreign currency with you unless you're going to remote trekking areas where Rupees might be difficult to obtain.

Do I need to tip during popular treks like Everest Base Camp?

It is customary to tip the guides and porters who assist you on your journey to the Everest Base Camp Trek. When using a trekking service, you should expect to tip $10-$20 per day for the guide and $10-$15 per day for the porter. The best time to tip would be at the end of your trek as a way of expressing gratitude for their services.

Conclusion

Tipping in Nepal is an optional way of showing your appreciation for decent service rather than being forced into it. Even though it isn't a requirement, many travellers will find themselves needing to provide tips for their trekking guides, porters, hotel workers and tour guides. If you are trekking in Nepal for a longer period, a good rule of thumb is to provide between 12 to 15 percent of your total trip for your guide and between 10 to 12 percent for your porter, or to pay your guide between NPR 1,500 to 2,000 a day, and your porter between NPR 1,000 to 1,500, based on their quality service. 

Many restaurants and hotels in Nepal expect tips to be provided for meals or accommodation, which is 5 to 10 percent of your bill. Most taxi drivers are happy to receive a rounded amount for the fare.

It's always best to tip in a respectful manner, ideally using Nepali rupees. Tipping in public is discouraged, and so is giving money to children. Following these guidelines will help create an enjoyable experience for you and all the local workers. If you require any specific information on trekking services in Nepal, please feel free to contact Himalayan Recreation.