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Indonesiachecked Jul 2026Tipping in Indonesia
Indonesia has a light tipping culture, and the main thing to know is the plus plus (++) service charge at hotels and restaurants. Where it is added you need not tip; where it is not, a small tip is appreciated. Here is what you actually owe.
At a glance
Tipping
Not obligatory
Hotels, restaurants
Often a ++ (service + tax)
Where not added
A small tip is appreciated
Bali
Small tips are common in tourist areas
Indonesia has a light tipping culture, and the main thing to know is the plus plus (++): many hotels and restaurants, especially in Bali and tourist areas, add roughly 10% service plus tax on top of listed prices. Where a service charge is added, you do not need to tip on top. Where it is not, a small tip for good service is appreciated but not obligatory. It is common to tip drivers, guides, porters and spa staff modestly. Leave tips in cash, in rupiah.
The plus plus (++): service and tax
The main thing to understand is the plus plus (++). Many hotels and mid-range to upscale restaurants, especially in Bali and tourist areas, add about 10% service charge plus a government tax on top of the listed prices.
Where a service charge is on the bill, that stands in for a tip, so you do not add more. Expect the total to run meaningfully above the menu price at these places.
Where a small tip is appreciated
Where there is no service charge, a small tip for good service is appreciated but not obligatory: rounding up or leaving a little. At a street warung or local eatery, no tip is expected.
It is common to tip drivers, guides, porters and spa staff a modest amount for good service, especially in tourist areas.
Bali, drivers, and paying
Leave any tip in cash, in rupiah. Small notes are easiest, since rupiah figures run into the thousands. A private driver for the day in Bali, a common way to get around, is usually tipped a modest amount on top of the agreed fare. For the wider picture, see the Indonesia money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Do you tip in Indonesia?
It is not obligatory. Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge (the ++), which covers the tip. Where none is added, a small tip for good service is appreciated. At street warungs, no tip is expected.
What is the plus plus (++) in Indonesia?
It means a service charge (about 10%) plus a government tax are added on top of listed prices, common at hotels and mid-range to upscale restaurants, especially in Bali. Where it appears, you do not tip on top.
Should I tip a driver or guide in Indonesia?
Yes, a modest tip for a driver, guide, porter or spa staff is common and appreciated for good service, especially in tourist areas. A private driver for the day in Bali is usually tipped a little on top of the fare.
How much do you tip in Indonesia?
Little, and only where no service charge applies. Round up or leave a small amount in rupiah for good service. Where a ++ service charge is on the bill, no extra tip is needed.
More on Indonesia
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Do I need cash in Indonesia, or can I use cards?Short answer: cards in tourist hubs like Bali and Jakarta, and rupiah cash for daily life. Watch the big numbers and the ATM withdrawal caps. Here is how to handle it.
- Staying connected in IndonesiaCoverage in Indonesia is not one thing, it is a carrier question. If your trip stays in South Bali almost any plan is fine, but the moment you head to Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands or a remote dive site, the network behind your eSIM decides whether you have signal.
- Taxi apps in Bali, and the pickup zones to knowBali has no trains and barely any public transport, so the apps matter, but a local taxi mafia complicates them in a few tourist spots. Here is which app to install, how to spot a fake Bluebird, and where the apps quietly stop working.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- US State DepartmentIndonesia country information
Our own readIndonesian tipping is light, with the plus plus service charge common at hotels and tourist restaurants, especially in Bali. Amounts here are our own read from recent traveler reports and local guidance, not a single official table. Checked July 2026.