Tipping in NYC: How Much to Tip and When

How much do you tip in New York? Check out this NYC Tipping Guide! What you need to know about tipping in New York: who, how much to tip and when. Tipping in the USA can be very confusing because we tip a lot more than in many other counties. Why? Because servers and bartenders are paid way below the minimum wage (it varies by state), so their tips are an essential part of their earnings.

When you are budgeting, keep the tips in mind.

Something you should know first: you don’t need to tip on tax. Most people tip on the total amount of the bill (tax included), so be aware of that.

How Much to Tip in NYC Bars & Restaurants

Waiters and Waitresses

• Regular restaurant: 15-20% of the total bill for good service. Usually, people tip 18%.
• High-end restaurant: 20% is more the norm.
• Parties of 6 or more: a gratuity of 15-20% will automatically be added to the bill in some restaurants.
• Coatroom attendant: $1-2 per coat (usually cash only).

Don’t double-tip: many times people tip extra when they didn’t realize that the tip was already included in the bill.

You might want to check out: NYC Restaurant Week and NYC Foodie Tips.

Bartenders

• $1-$2 per drink ordered at the bar, or a 15-20% tip.
• At an upscale bar, a $15 drink might be worth a tip of $2.
• $2-3 if you are buying rounds of 4-5 drinks at a time.

Tipping at Airport & Transportation Services

• Taxi Drivers: 10-15% of the total fare. An extra $1-2 for help with bags.
• Skycap at the airport: $1 per bag and $2 per bag if they bring your bags to the check-in counter.
• Valet Parking: $2-5.
• Shuttle drivers: $2 per person or 15% of total amount.

You may be interested in How to Go from: JFK to Manhattan and/or LGA to Manhattan.

How Much to Tip in NYC Hotels

• Hotel Doorman: $1-5 for help with luggage, bringing a car from valet, getting you a taxi or other. You don’t have to tip them every time they get a cab for you.
• Hotel Bellhop: $2 per bag in luxury hotels and $1 per bag elsewhere. $2 for the first bag.
• Housekeepers: $1-5 per day. You can leave a note saying “To housekeeping, thank you!”
• Room Service: 15-20% if the tip wasn’t included in the bill (you should always check!).
• Hotel Concierge: no tip necessary when you ask for directions, recommendations or attractions. You don’t need to tip them every time. Typically: $3-5 for ordinary dinner reservations or tour arrangements; $5 for getting you tickets reservations, $10 or more if the concierge gets you tickets or reservations that are hard to get or performs extraordinary services such as getting your computer repaired, finding you a good doctor, etc.

You can look for hotels in NY on Booking. They have a friendly website and it’s good to compare prices and reviews.

Tipping Guide – Others

• Tour guides: $5-20 or 10-15% of ticket charge. You should first check if the tips were included in the cost of the tour.
• Tour bus driver: $1-5 per person.
• Food delivery person: 10% of the bill or $2. Should tip 15-20% for a difficult delivery.
• Barber / Hairdresser: 15-20% of bill.
• Nails (Manis and Pedis): 15% of bill.
• Spa service: 15-20%. If service is provided by the owner, no tip.
• Movers: $10-15 per person minimum. You can provide them water and snacks.
• If you use a coupon or gift certificate, the tip should be based on the total amount before the discount.

Hope this general NYC Tipping Guide was helpful 🙂 Please, recommend and share!

@NewYorkerTips