Yes—plan for 15–20% before tax at sit-down restaurants, 10–15% in taxis, C$1–2 per bag and C$2–5 per day for housekeeping. Check for an included gratuity before adding more. A payment-screen suggestion is not a fixed fee.
15–20% before taxDining quick answer
Guidance applies to the services described below; customs can differ by provider.
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Canada tipping cheat sheet
Amounts, whether a tip is expected, and the exceptions that matter. Open a row for details.
RestaurantsAdvice & exceptions15–20% before tax
For table service, calculate the tip on the meal subtotal. A C$60 subtotal means C$9–12.
When & how: Check for an included gratuity before adding anything.
Cash or card: Cash or the card terminal; enter a custom dollar amount to use the pre-tax subtotal.
Bars & cafésAdvice & exceptionsC$1–2 per drink
Or 15–20% on a bar tab. Counter coffee is a different situation from bartender service.
When & how: Tip as you pay, or once when closing the tab.
Taxis & ride-hailingAdvice & exceptions10–15%
For taxi service; Sun Life also suggests C$1 per bag for luggage help. A C$40 fare means C$4–6 before any extra.
When & how: Tip at the end of the ride.
Cash or card: Use the terminal when offered, or Canadian cash.
Airport transfersAdvice & exceptions10–20% for airport taxis
Vancouver airport taxi guidance recommends this range and confirms card acceptance. It does not establish a gratuity for courtesy shuttles or transfers sold with tips included.
When & how: Pay after arrival; check prepaid bookings for included gratuity.
Cash or card: Canadian cash or the taxi’s card terminal.
Hotels & resortsAdvice & exceptionsTip by service
Budget separately for bags and room cleaning; the dining percentage is not a tip on your accommodation bill.
Bellhop & luggage helpAdvice & exceptionsC$1–2 per bag
A practical starting point for luggage assistance.
When & how: Hand over cash after your bags arrive.
HousekeepingAdvice & exceptionsC$2–5 per day
This is Authentik’s range; Sun Life’s older advice is C$1–2.
When & how: Leave clearly marked Canadian cash for housekeeping.
ConciergeAdvice & exceptionsOptional thank-you
A gratuity is appreciated for helpful arrangements. The older country guide sets no useful current benchmark for substantial concierge work, so we do not present a fixed tariff.
When & how: Thank the concierge after the assistance.
Tour guidesAdvice & exceptions10–20% of tour price
Sun Life’s percentage approach suits separately priced tours. For multi-day trips, Authentik instead suggests C$5–10 per person per day. These are alternatives, not amounts to add together.
When & how: Give it after the tour; check whether gratuities were prepaid.
Tour driversAdvice & exceptionsC$5–10 / person / day
Authentik gives this range for tour guides and bus drivers. Confirm the allocation when an operator collects a shared pool.
When & how: Give the driver a separate thank-you at the end of their service.
Food deliveryAdvice & exceptionsAbout 10%
Sun Life recommends 10% for restaurant-meal delivery. This is a courier tip, separate from the price of the meal.
When & how: Use the delivery app’s tip option or hand cash to the courier.
Spas & massageAdvice & exceptions10–20%
For beauty treatments and spa services; prepaid gratuities change what remains to pay.
When & how: Add it at checkout or hand it to your therapist.
Salons & barbersAdvice & exceptions10–20%
For haircuts and beauty services; C$5–10 on a C$50 service.
When & how: Pay after the service.
Cash or card: Cash or the salon’s tip facility.
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.
A terminal percentage may use the tax-inclusive total. Enter the dollar amount yourself when calculating a pre-tax tip. Beauty-service advice differs: Sun Life suggests 10–15% for hair and 5–10% for spa, below Authentik’s 10–20%.
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.
