Gratuities

Why tip in Bhutan?

Tipping is a common practice worldwide, including Bhutan, to express gratitude for a service or job well done. If one is satisfied with a service, it's customary to provide an additional gratuity as a token of appreciation. Conversely, if the service does not meet expectations, one may choose not to leave a tip. This practice applies in Bhutan as well. Tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service, which is especially meaningful in a country where one-fifth of the population lives in poverty and struggles to make ends meet. However, how much should one tip in Bhutan?

Where to tip in the Land of Happiness?

It's important to note that tipping is not common practice in restaurants and hotels in Bhutan, but it's certainly not prohibited. Kitchen staff, service personnel, and cleaners also appreciate any form of gratuity, as the cost of living in the country is relatively high compared to the income of the population. Bhutan is therefore a very expensive country - even for its residents. Consequently, locals also appreciate gifts in the form of used clothing. If you have clothing that you no longer wish to take home, consider distributing it to Bhutanese residents.

How much should a tip be?

For those planning a trip to Bhutan, it's essential to have some tipping money on hand. Therefore, it's advisable to exchange enough Euros into Ngultrum (the country's currency) before traveling - preferably in many small denominations of 10s. However, it doesn't always have to be the local currency.

In Bhutan, US dollars are also widely accepted. However, early currency exchange is crucial. When traveling (especially in rural areas), it can sometimes be challenging to exchange Euros into Ngultrum or dollars. Therefore, good trip preparation is essential. For a 7 to 9-day trip, it's recommended to budget around 60-120 Euros in Ngultrum or dollars per person for tipping. But how much do you tip and whom? Here are some guidelines:

Tip for the Bhutan guide + driver on an excursion

Approximately 300 Ngultrum per day (= about 5-10 Euros) for both the driver and guide. The amount of the tip depends on the group size. If the group is smaller, a higher tip would be appropriate. Please discuss this with the other participants of the excursion.

Tip for luggage porters at the hotel

• 10 Ngultrum

Tip for a maid at the hotel

• 20 Ngultrum

Tip for the waiter at the restaurant

• Here you can give a tip as you like. There are no fixed rules. If you wish to tip the waiter or bartender, we recommend about 10% of the consumption value.