Free tool
Dubai Tipping Guide & Calculator
Type the bill total, tell us whether a service charge is already on it, and get a fair tip and each person's share.
Tipping in Dubai is customary but never compulsory. Visit Dubai suggests 10–15% at restaurants and AED 5–10 for taxi drivers, porters and delivery riders. Check the bill first: many restaurants already add a service charge, and then you don't need to tip unless the service was exceptional.
How much to tip in Dubai
| Who | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10–15% |
| Cafes | AED 5–10, or 10% of a larger bill |
| Lounges | AED 5–10, more for great service |
| Taxi drivers | AED 5–10 |
| Delivery drivers | AED 5–10 for good service |
| Porters and valets | AED 5–10 |
| Hotel housekeeping | AED 5–10 per night |
| Hair and beauty salons | AED 10–20 |
| Petrol station attendants | Round up, or AED 5 |
| Tour guides | 10%, up to AED 100 for great service |
| Yacht crews | 10–15% |
These are Visit Dubai's guidelines. Front-desk staff and concierges aren't usually tipped unless they've gone out of their way for you. Hungry? Start with our best restaurants in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
Do you tip in Dubai?
It is customary but not compulsory. Visit Dubai, the city's official tourism site, says there are no set rules and that tips are appreciated rather than expected. At restaurants the usual tip is 10 to 15% for good service; for most other services people give a few dirhams.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in Dubai?
10 to 15% of the bill, according to Visit Dubai. Check the bill first: many restaurants add a service charge automatically, and if they have, you don't need to add a tip unless the service was exceptional. That service charge doesn't always go to the staff, so ask if it matters to you.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Dubai?
A small tip is normal: Visit Dubai suggests AED 5 to 10. Our Metro and nol fare calculator lists RTA's taxi starting fares.
Is VAT included in Dubai prices?
The UAE charges 5% VAT on most goods and services. Check your bill to see whether VAT and a service charge are already in the total; the calculator above works from the total you are asked to pay.
Should I tip in dirhams or dollars?
Dirhams. Visit Dubai says you can tip in US dollars and other currencies, but most people prefer the local currency, which is easy to get from banks, exchange houses and ATMs.
Sources and how current this is
Every fare, rate and norm on this page comes from the official source below and was checked in November 2026. Operators change prices, so check the source before you rely on a number.
- Visit Dubai — Guide to tipping in Dubai (March 17, 2026) — every tipping norm above; service charges; tipping in dirhams
- Federal Tax Authority — VAT — 5% VAT
Left out because we could not confirm it from an official source: a fixed restaurant service-charge rate (no official source we reached sets one; check your bill).
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