Tipping in Hong Kong
Tipping expectedService Breakdown
Notes by Service
Check for 10% service charge; if absent, 5–10% is appropriate.
HK$10–20 per night for housekeeping; HK$20 per bag.
Round up to nearest dollar; not expected.
10% is appreciated.
Optional; leave small change or round up.
HK$20–50 is polite.
HK$50–100 per person for guided tours.
Optional; a few dollars is appreciated.
About Tipping in Hong Kong
Hong Kong operates its own distinct tipping culture — separate from mainland China and aligned with its international status. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge automatically; after that, additional tipping is optional. Outside service-charge venues, a 5–10% tip for good service is appropriate.
Tip at restaurants when no service charge is included, hotel housekeeping (HK$10–20 per night), tour guides, and at spas. Taxi drivers don't expect tips but rounding up is a common courtesy. At local cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong diners) and hawker stalls, tipping is minimal and entirely optional.
Check your bill for the 10% service charge before adding anything. If not included, leave cash directly on the table. For hotel stays, tip housekeeping in HK$ notes; for guided experiences on Victoria Peak or day trips to outlying islands, HK$50–100 per person is appropriate.
Hong Kong's tipping culture reflects its hybrid identity — British colonial service standards, Chinese hospitality norms, and decades of international business travel have created a pragmatic middle ground. Workers here earn far higher wages than their mainland counterparts, so tips are appreciated extras rather than structural necessities. The city's extraordinary restaurant scene rewards regulars who tip well with the warm welcome that locals take for granted.