Is tipping customary in India?

Yes, it's customary to tip in India. While travelling through India, on a tour or otherwise, travellers are generally expected to tip porters, drivers, restaurant staff and other service workers given the low wages they earn. Some restaurant bills will have a service fee added, but otherwise, a tip of 10–15 per cent of the bill is considered reasonable. For luggage porters, a small tip of USD 0.50 or so should suffice, and USD 2–3 for a private driver or tour guide each day. The tipping amounts we've mentioned above are guidelines, but you're more than welcome to tip more if you're extremely happy with a service – there are no doubts it'll be warmly welcomed!

Using a group kitty to tip

If you're travelling in a group or on an organised tour, your local leader may discuss the idea of running a group tipping kitty on the first day of your trip. In a group tipping kitty, everybody contributes an equal amount of cash at the start of the tour that your leader uses to tip drivers, local guides and hotel staff on your behalf as you go. The leader will keep a running record of all monies spent, which can be checked at any time. Any cash remaining at the end of the tour is returned to group members.

A kitty is often the easiest way to avoid the hassle of needing small change and knowing when and what is an appropriate amount to tip. Participation in this kitty is optional, and you are welcome to manage your own tipping separately if you prefer. Please note the tipping kitty excludes tips for your tour leader.

Return to India FAQs

Our tours in India

15 Days From 1679

Travel to India and visit the Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar through...

8 Days From 1003

Take an action-packed eight-day tour through the essential sights and bites of India’s...

14 Days From 3704

Take in north India’s fabled cities and encounter the exotic wildlife of Ranthambhore...

11 Days From 710

Get the most out of 11 days in India on this trip exploring the best of Delhi, Varanasi...

15 Days From 2610

See the best of Rajasthan on this 15-day tour. Behold the delights of Agra, Jaipur,...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

22 Days From 1072

See the essentials of India’s north on a 22-day trip through Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur,...

10 Days From 3012

Take a 10-day India Premium adventure with Intrepid through the country’s north,...

15 Days From 1866

Explore the tropical and spiritual southern India. Ride the toy train in Ooty, relax in...

15 Days From 1900

Travel to India and Nepal on a tour from Delhi to Kathmandu. Visit the Taj Mahal of...

10 Days From 1095

Take an action-packed family tour of India, following tiger trails, visiting Delhi and...

13 Days From 1726

Travel to India and visit Delhi, Shimla, Mandi, Dharamsala, Rishikesh and Amritsar on...

13 Days From 3651

Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore the beaches, bazaars and backwaters of...

15 Days From 1052

Discover India in all its glory on this 15-day spice-filled adventure from Delhi...

16 Days From 1195

See the landscapes of South India on a 16-day adventure from Varkala to Goa via Kerala...

22 Days From 7781

Join Intrepid on a Premium adventure to explore opulent places, holy Ganges, dense...

12 Days From 1347

Join an all-women group and female leader on an inspiring women’s expedition through...

15 Days From 2460

Relish the sights and flavours of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Goa on this...

13 Days From 2216

Explore the backroads of India’s south on this 13-day tour. Travel from Chennai to...

13 Days From 900

Explore India and Nepal on an adventure that hits Delhi, Jaipur, Tordi, Lumbini, Agra,...

37 Days From 2392

Discover the colours and cultures of India on this trip visiting Delhi, Rajasthan's...

10 Days From 1994

Adventure through North India, hitting all the highlights like Delhi, Varanasi, the...

19 Days From 2920

Spend 19 days touring India and Nepal, departing from Delhi and visiting Jaipur, Agra,...

29 Days From 3766

This 29-day tour traverses India from south to north, winding from Kochi to Delhi and...

14 Days From 1400

Tour Northern India on this comfortable family holiday from Delhi to Agra, Ranthambhore...

16 Days From 729

Get an authentic slice of the real Rajasthan on a trip that takes you to Delhi,...

15 Days From 2052

Travel to India and cycle the romantic Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar and...

19 Days From 2648

Visit India and tour the famous Golden Triangle of Dehli, Agra, and Jaipur, delve into...

20 Days From 1350

Take a journey through India and Nepal, exploring Kathmandu, Tordi, Jaipur, Agra,...

3 Days From 425

Visit India and travel from Delhi to Agra. Travel to the Taj Mahal and Agra’s Red Fort,...

11 Days From 734

Jaunt around north India, with rickshaws in Delhi, spirituality in Varanasi, yoga in...

15 Days From 1298

Get on the road from Kathmandu to Delhi on a trip from Nepal to India, through Pokhara,...

11 Days From 1107

Discover northern India on this tour through Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nimaj,...

22 Days From 4569

Get a cultural insight into India’s north and south, travelling through Delhi, Agra,...

20 Days From 2410

Spend time in Kathmandu and Pokhara and then see where Buddha did his thing. Get active...

16 Days From 3479

Discover the beauty of India’s most remote area on an expedition that visits Sikkim,...

4 Days From 378

Lift your spirits as you float on the Ganges at dawn in Varanasi, and explore the city...

18 Days From 6822

Explore Northern India and Sri Lanka on this 18-day Premium adventure