Tipping in Indonesia: The Indonesia Tipping Guide
Tipping expectedHow much to tip in Indonesia
Notes by Service
Restaurant
Hotel / Housekeeping
In Indonedia don't tip at hotels
Taxi / Rideshare
Round up app fares; a few thousand rupiah for ojeks.
Spa & Massage
Bar
Round up per drink.
Hairdresser / Barber
A small tip is appreciated.
Tour Guide
In Indonesia Don't tip your tour guide
Food Delivery
Rp 5,000–15,000 is appreciated.
About Tipping in Indonesia
Overview
If you are traveling to Indonesia in the near future, then you will need to research the currency and tipping etiquette before you arrive. The currency is called the rupiah and abbreviated Rp. The currency code is IDR. Rupiah is divided into 100 sen. Tipping in Indonesia is common to a certain extent. How much to tip always depends on how satisfied you are. This guide will tell you more..
When to tip
Check for service charge on restaurant bills before tipping. Tip hotel housekeeping and porters, taxi and ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers, spa therapists, and tour guides for Borobudur, Komodo Island, and Bromo volcano excursions. For diving liveaboards in the Banda Sea and Raja Ampat, tip boat crew and dive masters at the end of the expedition.
How to tip
Indonesian rupiah in small denominations is the practical tipping currency; Rp 10,000–50,000 (roughly $0.65–$3 USD) covers most everyday tips. USD is accepted at major tourist venues. For liveaboard diving, tip the crew collectively and the dive master personally — $50–100 USD per week per guest is a rough guide for premium operations.
Cultural context
Indonesia's archipelago spans over 17,000 islands and the cultural norms around tipping vary dramatically. In traditional communities in Toraja (Sulawesi), Komodo National Park, and the Raja Ampat islands, guides often carry the weight of ecological stewardship alongside their tour duties. Tipping in these contexts acknowledges a responsibility that goes well beyond standard hospitality service.