Last checked: November 2026. Prices and rules change, so confirm before you go.
Tipping in Indonesia is optional. Nobody will chase you down the street for not tipping, and many Indonesians don’t tip at local places. But wages are low, so a small tip for good service goes a long way and is always appreciated.
The rule of thumb: if the bill already has a service charge, you’re done. If it doesn’t and someone looked after you, round up or add 5–10%.
Quick tipping guide
Rough amounts in rupiah, with USD at about IDR 18,000 to the dollar (late 2026):
| Who | Expected? | Typical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Warung, street food | No | Leave the small change if you like |
| Mid-range restaurant, no service charge | Appreciated | 5–10% |
| Restaurant with service charge on the bill | No | Extra only for great service |
| Grab / Gojek driver | No | Round up, or IDR 5,000–10,000 (USD 0.30–0.55) in the app or cash |
| Private driver, full day | Appreciated | IDR 50,000–100,000 (USD 3–5.50) |
| Tour guide, full day | Appreciated | IDR 50,000–100,000+ per day, more for multi-day or small groups |
| Hotel porter | Appreciated | IDR 10,000–20,000 (USD 0.55–1.10) per bag or trip |
| Housekeeping | Appreciated | IDR 20,000–50,000 (USD 1.10–2.80) per night, left at the end |
| Spa or massage | Appreciated | About 10%, or IDR 20,000–50,000 at local spas |
| Parking attendant | Expected (it’s a fee) | IDR 2,000–5,000 for a scooter, a bit more for a car |
These are customs, not rules. Adjust for the service and your budget.
How to read an Indonesian bill
This is what confuses people most. At many restaurants, cafes and hotels, especially in Bali and Jakarta, you’ll see two extra lines:
- Service charge (often 5–10%). Set by the restaurant. There’s no national standard rate.
- Regional restaurant tax. Usually 10%, often printed as “PB1” or just “tax”. It’s a local government tax, not a tip.
The tax is usually calculated on the food plus the service charge. So a menu price of IDR 100,000 with 10% service and 10% tax ends up around IDR 121,000. That’s the “21%” you’ll see mentioned. Menus that say “++” or “prices subject to tax and service” mean exactly this.
What it means for tipping:
- Service charge on the bill? That’s your tip. Extra is optional.
- Only tax on the bill? The tax goes to the government, not staff. A 5–10% tip is a nice gesture if service was good.
- Neither? Common at warung and small local spots. Leave the change, or nothing.
Whether service charge money reaches the staff varies between employers. If someone was great, a little cash handed directly to them is the surest way to make it count.
Restaurants and cafes
At local warung, nobody expects a tip. Paying IDR 23,000 for a plate of nasi campur with a 25,000 note and saying “sudah, ambil saja” (it’s fine, keep it) is plenty.
At tourist cafes and mid-range restaurants without a service charge, 5–10% is generous. Leave it on the table or in the bill folder, or say “kembaliannya untuk Anda” (the change is for you).
Paying by card? Card machines rarely have a tip option. Tip in cash.
Drivers
Grab and Gojek: not expected. Both apps let you add a tip after the ride. Rounding up a cash fare or adding IDR 5,000–10,000 for a driver who waited, helped with bags or braved the rain is a kind move.
Private drivers for day trips: IDR 50,000–100,000 for a full day is the common range, more if they went out of their way. Find out if lunch for the driver is included in the deal. If not, buying them lunch is a nice touch on top of the tip.
Taxis (Bluebird and similar): round up to the nearest IDR 5,000 or 10,000.
For more practical advice, browse our Travel Tips section.
Tour guides
For a day tour, IDR 50,000–100,000 per day is the typical range. For a multi-day trek, boat trip or private guide, budget more and give it at the end, in an envelope if you can.
On a group trek with porters or a boat crew, ask the guide how tips are shared and whether there’s a common tip box. Give the crew’s tip together rather than picking favourites. Most guides will happily tell you what’s normal.
Hotels and villas
- Porters: IDR 10,000–20,000 per bag or trip.
- Housekeeping: IDR 20,000–50,000 per night, left at the end of your stay with a note. Many hotels already add a service charge, so this is extra, not required.
- Villa staff: In Bali private villas, cooks, cleaners and gardeners often look after you for days. A tip at the end, shared among the team, is common. Many villas have a staff tip box.
Spas and massages
At local spas, IDR 20,000–50,000 is fine. At resort spas, the service charge is often already on the bill, so tip extra only if the therapist was excellent. Hand it to the therapist directly.
Places you don’t need to tip
- Shops and supermarkets
- Warung and street food (beyond leaving change)
- Fast food chains
- Government offices, immigration or customs. Never offer cash here. It can look like a bribe and land you in real trouble.
Visiting temples or villages? A donation box or entry fee isn’t a tip, it’s normal. In smaller towns off the tourist circuit, people are less used to tipping and might wave it away. That’s fine. A sincere “terima kasih” (thank you) counts too. Heading somewhere quieter, like the Garut highlands? Expect fewer service charges and more warung. Our Garut travel guide is a good place to start.
Tipping etiquette and mistakes
- Tip in rupiah. Foreign coins are useless to staff, and foreign notes cost them a trip to a money changer.
- Use your right hand to give money, or both hands for a more respectful touch. The left hand is considered unclean in Indonesia.
- Don’t make a show of it. A discreet hand-over with a smile beats waving notes around.
- Carry small notes. Tipping is easier with IDR 10,000 and 20,000 notes. Break big notes at minimarts.
- Don’t overtip wildly in one place. A huge tip is kind but can distort expectations for the next visitors. Generous and sensible beats extravagant.
- Don’t feel guilty skipping it. If service was bad, you don’t owe a tip.
Staying longer than a holiday? Browse the Living in Indonesia section.
FAQ
Is tipping expected in Indonesia?
No. It’s not expected, but it’s appreciated, especially in tourist areas like Bali. Locals often just round up or leave change.
Is service charge the same as a tip?
Basically, yes. If the bill shows a service charge, you don’t need to tip on top. The separate tax line is not a tip.
Why is my restaurant bill 21% higher than the menu?
Many places add a service charge (often 10%) and a regional restaurant tax (often 10%) calculated on the food plus service. Together that’s roughly 21%.
How much should I tip a driver in Bali?
For a full-day private driver, IDR 50,000–100,000 is common. For Grab or Gojek, rounding up or a small in-app tip is plenty.
Should I tip in US dollars or rupiah?
Rupiah. It’s easier for staff to spend and avoids exchange fees.
Do I tip at a warung?
Not expected. Leaving the small change is a kind gesture, but nobody will mind if you don’t.
