Short answer: Appreciated, not expected. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge, so an extra tip is optional. Leaving small change is common, and hotel porters and housekeeping are usually tipped a little in cash. Taxi drivers are tipped by rounding up.
Is service included?
A 10% service charge is common at restaurants, bars and hotels, and it is shown on the bill. It stands in for the tip. Cha chaan teng (local cafes) and street stalls usually do not add it.
How much to tip in Hong Kong
| Who | Usual tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (sit-down) | 10% service charge, spare change extra | Up to 15% in high end places without a service charge. |
| Cafes and bars | Round up or HK$10 to HK$20 | A service charge is often already added. |
| Taxis and rideshare | Round up, HK$10 to HK$20 with bags | |
| Hotel housekeeping | HK$20 to HK$40 per day | |
| Hotel porters | HK$20 per bag or task | |
| Tour guides | Often set by the tour operator | |
| Hairdressers and spas | Up to 10%, or HK$20 at budget salons | |
| Food delivery | Not usual, small tip welcome |
Amounts are in the local currency (HKD). They are common customs, not rules: tip more for great service and less where it was poor.
How to tip
Check the bill first for a 10% service charge. If it is there, no extra tip is needed, though some people leave coins. In places without a service charge, leave small change or round up. For hotels, leave cash in the room or hand it to the porter.
Tipping by card
Card terminals in Hong Kong do not usually offer a tip step. Tips are mostly given in cash.
Useful phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 唔使找 (m4 sai2 zaau2) | Keep the change |
| 多謝 (do1 ze6) | Thank you |
Tips and the law in Hong Kong
Who keeps the tips
Under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) section 2, tips and service charges paid to an employee in connection with work count as the employee's wages. No separate rule on pooling was found.
Are tips taxed?
The Inland Revenue Department lists tips paid by customers as income chargeable to Salaries Tax. Employers report them on form IR56B.
Tips and the minimum wage
Yes, the Labour Department says wages for the Statutory Minimum Wage use the Employment Ordinance definition, which includes tips and service charges, subject to its exclusions.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Work out a tip
The tip calculator is set to Hong Kong and the local currency: enter the bill, pick a percentage and split it between the table.
Tipping with no cash
When you have no local cash, ask whether a tip can go on the card. More and more guides, drivers and performers show a QR code instead: point your phone camera at it and you can tip by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay without installing anything.
Sources
- A Concise Guide to the Employment Ordinance, Chapter 3: Wages
- Concise Guide to Statutory Minimum Wage
- Employee's Income
- Everything you need to know about tipping culture in Hong Kong
Checked in October 2026 against the sources above. Customs change and vary between cities and venues.
Common questions
Is tipping expected in Hong Kong?
Appreciated, not expected. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge, so an extra tip is optional. Leaving small change is common, and hotel porters and housekeeping are usually tipped a little in cash. Taxi drivers are tipped by rounding up.
How much should you tip at a restaurant in Hong Kong?
10% service charge, spare change extra. Up to 15% in high end places without a service charge.
Is a service charge added to the bill in Hong Kong?
A 10% service charge is common at restaurants, bars and hotels, and it is shown on the bill. It stands in for the tip. Cha chaan teng (local cafes) and street stalls usually do not add it.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Hong Kong?
Round up, HK$10 to HK$20 with bags.
How much do you tip hotel housekeeping in Hong Kong?
HK$20 to HK$40 per day.
Are tips taxed in Hong Kong?
The Inland Revenue Department lists tips paid by customers as income chargeable to Salaries Tax. Employers report them on form IR56B.
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