← Part of the Philippines money guide
Philippineschecked Jul 2026Tipping in the Philippines
The Philippines tips more than most of Asia, closer to the US: about 10% is customary and appreciated. The one thing to check is the service charge already on many bills. Here is what you actually owe.
At a glance
Tipping
Customary, about 10%
Restaurants
Check for a 10% service charge
Also tipped
Bellhops, drivers, guides
How
Cash, in pesos
The Philippines has a tipping culture, more like the US than the rest of Asia: about 10% is customary and appreciated for good service. Many restaurants already add a 10% service charge (which by law now goes to staff), so check the bill: if it is there, an extra tip is optional, and if not, around 10% is normal. It is also customary to tip bellhops, drivers, tour guides and Grab drivers a small amount. Leave tips in cash, in pesos.
About 10%, and it is customary
Unlike much of Asia, the Philippines does tip, a legacy of close US ties. At a restaurant, about 10% for good service is customary and genuinely appreciated, and staff often rely on it.
At a casual eatery or carinderia, rounding up or leaving the small change is fine. It is warm and welcome rather than strictly obligatory.
Check the bill for a service charge
Many restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge to the bill, and by law this is distributed to the staff. If a service charge appears, you do not need to add a full tip, though leaving a little extra in cash for great service is a kind gesture.
If there is no service charge, leaving around 10% is the norm. So read the bill first to see which applies.
Who else to tip, and paying
Beyond restaurants, a small tip is customary for bellhops and porters, hotel housekeeping, drivers, tour guides, and rounding up for a Grab driver. Amounts are modest, a few pesos to a couple of hundred depending on the service.
Keep small peso notes for tips, since cash reaches the person directly. For more, see taxis in the Philippines, cash or card in the Philippines, and the Philippines money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Do you tip in the Philippines?
Yes, more than most of Asia and closer to the US: about 10% for good service is customary and appreciated. Many bills already include a 10% service charge, so check first, and tip bellhops, drivers and guides a small amount.
Is there a service charge in Philippine restaurants?
Often: many restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge, which by law is distributed to staff. If it is on the bill, an extra tip is optional; if not, around 10% is the norm.
How much should I tip in the Philippines?
About 10% at a restaurant for good service if no service charge is added. For bellhops, drivers, housekeeping, guides and Grab drivers, a small amount, from a few pesos to a couple of hundred, is customary.
Cash or card for tips in the Philippines?
Cash, in pesos. Keep small peso notes for tips, since cash reaches the person directly, even where you pay the bill itself by card.
More on Philippines
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Do I need cash in the Philippines, or can I use cards?Short answer: carry cash, and use cards only where they are taken. Here is where each works, how to handle the low ATM limits, and the one habit that saves you money.
- Do US citizens need a visa for the Philippines?Short answer: no visa for a normal visit, but there is a free form you must do before you fly, and scam sites try to charge for it. Here is exactly what you need.
- Getting around the Philippines: Grab and jeepneysShort answer: use Grab in the cities, carry coins and small bills for jeepneys and tricycles, and be firm about the meter with taxis. Here is how each works and what it costs.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- Philippine Department of Tourismofficial travel information
- US State DepartmentPhilippines country information
Our own readFilipino tipping is customary at about 10%, closer to US norms than the rest of Asia, and the service charge on many bills is distributed to staff by law. Amounts here are our own read from recent traveler reports and local guidance, not a single official table. Checked July 2026.
How we checkHow every guide is researched, checked and dated