We often get asked, How much to Tip in Bangladesh? In different instances. This article can be used as a guide on how much you should be tipping in Bangladesh and in which models.
Tipping in Bangladesh
Tipping is commonly known as Bakshish (Baksheesh) in Bangladesh. Tipping in Bangladesh is part of the culture, and you should be tipping in restaurants, hotels, drivers, boatmen, tour guides and so on. While it is typical to tip in Bangladesh to the different service providers, if the service you’re receiving is not good, you may decide to give a tip lower than what is stated as the average tipping amount and even choose not to give any tip at all.
Do You Tip In Bangladesh?
Yes, visitors in Bangladesh typically give tips for services & service providers such as Drivers, Guides, Waiters, Restaurant Delivery, Takeouts, Bartenders, Taxi & Uber Drivers, Hotel Staff, Doorman, Maid and more.
Tipping at Restaurant(s)
96% of the people in Bangladesh’s average tipping percentage in restaurants is between 10% to 15%. The actual tipping percentage is determined according to the level of service given in the restaurant. The tipping percentage can go above 15% if the service is superb or under 10% if the service is bad.
If eating a small meal, breakfast or snack with bill amounts less than 300 Taka, then a 10% tip (or 20-50 Taka) is expected/respected. If you have small bills handy, you can tip in multiples of 10 Taka notes.
On bill amounts ranging from 500 Taka to 1000 Taka, you can tip around 7% to 10% of the bill amount (or 50-100 Taka). So, for example, a 100 Taka tip on a BDT 1000 bill is excellent; you can also tip about 50 Taka, which would be fine.
On bill amounts above 1000 Taka, the tip amount of BDT, 10% to 15%, is sufficient.
Some restaurants in Dhaka and other major cities generally charge a ‘Service Charge’; no tip is expected when a ‘Service Charge’ is levied.
Tipping at Hotel(s)
In Bangladesh, 69% of the people’s average Hotel tipping percentage is 2 to 5 USD/EURO/GBP. The tipping rate is determined according to the level of service at the Hotel, and the tipping portion can go above US $5 if the service is excellent or go under $5 if the service is not good. The bell boy usually gets about 2 USD/EURO/GBP per luggage.
Tipping at hotels in Bangladesh is slightly confusing and annoying at times. Therefore, as a general rule, we encourage you to tip cumulatively if you see a central tip box whenever possible. The cumulative tip should be between 5% to 7% of the hotel tariff per night over the number of days.
So if you are at a hotel with BDT 3000 a night and staying for three nights, you should tip about 300-500 Taka overall. When staying at expensive hotels, reduce this to 3% to 5% of the tariff amount.
Note:
- Exclude restaurant tips from tips to hotels.
- If you do not find a central tip box, you can ask if they have one; if not, tip one prominent person at the reception and indicate this is a tip for everyone.
- If you are a young budget traveller(s), you can tip lower or avoid tipping at hotel rooms.
Why tipping at Hotel (s) can be annoying?
Not as a rule, but often bell boy(s) will wait outside your room expecting a tip. If you ask for a small help or task from room service, the staff(s) might wait outside the door expecting a tip from you. Another thing, when there is no central tip box, we recommend avoiding tipping individually. This might mean telling a bell boy or a room service staff a polite thank you with a smile and walking away.
If in an uncomfortable situation, small notes of BDT 20-50 Taka are a good tip for small tasks.
Tipping multiple-day, day Car Hire Driver(s) and Transfers from Airport or Taxis
89% of the people in Bangladesh’s average tipping percentage for Taxi Driver is between 10% to 20%. The tipping rate is determined according to the level of service given by the taxi driver. The tipping percentage can go above 10% if the service is satisfactory or under 20% if the service is not good. Usually, it will be no less than 3 to 5 USD.
For instance(s) for Airport transfers, you can tip between BDT 50-100 Taka.
If you rent a car for a day to tour the city, depending on how happy you are with his service(s), you can tip him between BDT 200-500. Base this on if he gave you good local tips on places to eat or monuments to visit. Didn’t take you to the Tourist-Trap shop(s).
If you take a taxi or a Tuk-Tuk (Rickshaw/CNG) between point “A” to point “B” after bargaining the rate, a tip is usually not expected in these instances.
When you have a driver for multiple days, you should tip him between BDT 300-500 Taka daily.
Again depend on this how happy you were with his service(s) and local knowledge.
Tipping Tour Guide(s)
You should tip a guide between BDT 500-1500 Taka per Day depending on how happy you are with their guided tour if this is a personalized tour. But if it is a group tour, BDT 500-1000, Taka is a fair tip.
Good to know
Bangladesh culturally does have a strong tipping tradition. We recommend tipping at different instances (s) as explained above, but tipping Higher only when you are pleased with the service. We also encourage tipping Higher than the range specified if you feel an individual went out of his way to help you and you are delighted.
Below is a quick guide to tipping for Bangladesh tourists.
The amount(s) may appear low, but remember that over-tipping can also be rude. Alter suitably to fit your budget, experience and satisfaction within individual service(s).
Try to carry as many small bills of BDT/Taka 10, 20, 50 & 100 notes as possible. Finding change for 100 Taka when giving a tip can be considered impolite and, if nothing else, awkward. Carry as many small notes as comfortable to avoid over-tipping at places that don’t require large tips.
Beggars:
10 Taka maximum, if anything, preferably nothing.
Boat Crew & Driver:
Half Day 200-300 Taka, 500 Taka maximum.
Full-Day 1000 Taka maximum.
Multi-Day, 500 Taka per Day, or as you see fit.
Guides (Pick-Up or Arranged):
Half-Day or less 300-500 Taka, 1000 Taka maximum.
All Day BDT 500-1000 Taka, 1500 Taka maximum if the entire Day was spent.
Multi-Day, 1000 Taka per Day, or as you see fit.
Porters/Bellboys/Coolies:
20 Taka per bag
Dorbesh/Fakir/Sadhus:
10 Taka, 20-50 Taka maximum, if asking for a photo.
Services (Massage, Barber):
50-200 Taka or as you wish.
Shoe Handler(s) at Temples/Mosques:
5-10 Taka average, 10 Taka maximum per pair.
Toilet Attendants/Pay to use Toilets:
BDT10-20 Taka maximum. Anything more is a scam.
Tuk-Tuk/Cycle/Rickshaw:
BDT 20-50 Taka maximum.
Waiter/Restaurant/Hotels:
10% or less of the total check.
