How much to tip in South Africa 🇿🇦

Tipping around 10 to 15 percent is well established in South Africa, including for petrol attendants and car guards.

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Bill amount

🇿🇦South Africa · Customary

Enter your bill amount to see a suggested tip.

Split between

Restaurant: 10 to 15 percent

Café & bar: Round up or 10 percent

Taxi: 10 percent

Hotel: R10 to R20 per bag

Tour guide: R50 to R100 per person per day

Amounts are in local currency. Tipping is a custom, not a rule, so use these as a friendly guide.

Tipping in South Africa, explained

It is normal to tip petrol attendants R5 to R10 and informal car guards a few rand.

South Africa tipping FAQ

How much should I tip in South Africa?

Tipping around 10 to 15 percent is well established in South Africa, including for petrol attendants and car guards. In restaurants: 10 to 15 percent.

Do you tip taxis and hotels in South Africa?

Taxis: 10 percent. Hotels: r10 to r20 per bag. Tour guides: r50 to r100 per person per day.

Is tipping expected in South Africa?

Tipping customary. A modest tip is normal and appreciated for good service, though not as large as in the United States.

Last reviewed 2026-06-03. Tipping is a custom that varies by region and venue, so use this as a guide. Sources: Fodor’s & Rick Steves travel etiquette guides, Wikipedia: list of tipping customs by country, national tourism boards.