Short answer: Taxi drivers in the US are usually tipped 15 to 20% of the fare, plus a dollar or two per bag if they load luggage. With no cash on you, the options are: use the back-seat screen, pay through a taxi app, ask the driver to add it, or scan the driver's code.
How much to tip a taxi driver
| Situation | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| $20 city fare | $3 to $4 |
| $60 airport fare | $9 to $12 |
| Help with luggage | $1 to $2 per bag |
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 taxi driver?
It is customary in the US and Canada. Many drivers lease the cab by the shift and pay for fuel, so the fare alone leaves a thin margin.
Can you tip a taxi driver by card?
In most large cities, yes: the back-seat card screen offers tip options. In smaller towns the reader may be "broken", the driver may add a card surcharge, or the cab may be cash only.
4 ways to tip a taxi driver without cash
- Use the back-seat screen. Choose custom if the preset percentages look high.
- Pay through a taxi app. Apps such as Curb let you pay and tip from your phone in participating cabs.
- Ask the driver to add it. With a handheld reader, tell the driver the total you want charged.
- Scan the driver's code. Some drivers display a QR code on the partition for card tips.
What a tip QR code does
If a taxi 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
Ask the driver to stop at a cash machine before the destination. They get the waiting time on the meter and the tip.
Outside the United States
In the UK round up to the nearest pound, or add about 10% in a black cab. In Australia and most of Europe, round up. In Japan do not tip.
Do you work as a taxi driver?
When the card reader takes the fare, your tip arrives days later through the fleet, if the passenger adds one. Passengers who would have said "keep the change" have no change to leave.
See how taxi 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 taxi driver?
Taxi drivers in the US are usually tipped 15 to 20% of the fare, plus a dollar or two per bag if they load luggage.
Do I have to tip a taxi driver?
It is customary in the US and Canada. Many drivers lease the cab by the shift and pay for fuel, so the fare alone leaves a thin margin.
Can I tip a taxi driver with a card or Apple Pay?
In most large cities, yes: the back-seat card screen offers tip options. In smaller towns the reader may be "broken", the driver may add a card surcharge, or the cab may be cash only.
What if I have no cash to tip a taxi driver?
Ask the driver to stop at a cash machine before the destination. They get the waiting time on the meter and the tip.