Short answer: For airport, hotel and car rental shuttles in the US, $1 to $2 per bag the driver handles, or $2 to $5 per person, is usual. With no cash on you, the options are: look for a code by the door, ask the hotel desk, tip in the booking app, or get change at the terminal.
How much to tip a shuttle driver
| Situation | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| Hotel or parking shuttle, driver loads bags | $1 to $2 per bag |
| Shared airport shuttle | $2 to $5 per person |
| Private transfer | 15 to 20% of the fare |
These are customary amounts in the United States, in US dollars. They are a guide, not a rule: tip more for exceptional service.
Do you have to tip a shuttle driver?
It is customary when the driver lifts your bags, and optional when you carry your own on and off.
Can you tip a shuttle driver by card?
No. Free shuttles involve no payment at all. A jar by the driver's seat is the usual arrangement, and passengers arriving from a flight are the least likely people to have small notes.
4 ways to tip a shuttle driver without cash
- Look for a code by the door. Some shuttle drivers post a QR code near the jar. Scan it during the ride.
- Ask the hotel desk. A hotel may add a gratuity for its shuttle driver to your room.
- Tip in the booking app. Pre-booked shared shuttles often include a tip option at checkout or after the ride.
- Get change at the terminal. Buying a coffee with a larger note before you board is the old method, and it still works.
What a tip QR code does
If a shuttle driver shows you a QR code, point your phone camera at it. A payment page opens in your browser, you choose an amount, and you pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card. You do not install anything or create an account, and it works with cards from other countries.
If you cannot tip on the day
Thank the driver and tip on the return trip. On hotel and parking shuttles it is often the same driver.
Outside the United States
In the UK, Europe and Australia shuttle drivers are not usually tipped. A thank-you is enough.
Do you work as a shuttle driver?
You load forty bags an hour for passengers who have just landed with foreign money or none. The ride is free, so there is no payment to add a tip to.
See how shuttle drivers take card tips with a QR code: where to put it, what to write on the sign and how to mention it.
Common questions
How much should I tip a shuttle driver?
For airport, hotel and car rental shuttles in the US, $1 to $2 per bag the driver handles, or $2 to $5 per person, is usual.
Do I have to tip a shuttle driver?
It is customary when the driver lifts your bags, and optional when you carry your own on and off.
Can I tip a shuttle driver with a card or Apple Pay?
No. Free shuttles involve no payment at all. A jar by the driver's seat is the usual arrangement, and passengers arriving from a flight are the least likely people to have small notes.
What if I have no cash to tip a shuttle driver?
Thank the driver and tip on the return trip. On hotel and parking shuttles it is often the same driver.