Restaurants and hotels often include service, so a separate restaurant tip is not routine. Guides, drivers and trekking teams commonly receive discretionary gratuities; ask your operator for the correct per-person or group basis.
Check inclusionsDining quick answer
Guidance applies to the services described below; customs can differ by provider.
FIND YOUR SITUATION
Bhutan tipping cheat sheet
Amounts, whether a tip is expected, and the exceptions that matter. Open a row for details.
RestaurantsAdvice & exceptionsCheck inclusions
Restaurants and hotels often include service, so a separate restaurant tip is not routine. Guides, drivers and trekking teams commonly receive discretionary gratuities; ask your operator for the correct per-person or group basis.
Before paying: Check for an included service charge or gratuity. If adding a card tip, confirm the total before completing payment; with cash, make clear what is a tip and what change you need.
Tour guidesAdvice & exceptionsAsk operator
Tips for guides and trekking staff are familiar. Confirm whether the suggested budget is per guest, per group or per day before the trip.
Tour driversAdvice & exceptionsAsk operator
Drivers commonly receive discretionary tips. A group tipping kitty may cover some staff but exclude the tour leader.
FROM ARRIVAL TO CHECKOUT
Your journey
Arriving & getting around
Keep a prepaid airport transfer separate from a metered taxi or a full-day driver. For tour budgets, check the unit and whether guide and driver tips are separate.
If you choose to give a personal cash tip, use a currency the recipient can spend and make its purpose clear. Card payment for the bill does not guarantee a card-tip facility. Check the final total before approving it.
For a prepaid tour or resort stay, read the gratuity inclusions. A service fee, a staff tip pool and an individual guide tip may cover different people.
