Visiting Singapore for business or leisure? Read our guide about who to tip in Singapore, when to tip - and how much to hand over. Then avoid any tipping missteps with our handy tip calculator. We’ll also cover how to save on currency exchange with Wise, so you can tip generously and still have more to spend on yourself!
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Do you tip in Singapore?
Tipping in Singapore is not expected. Instead, a service charge will normally be added to your bill. The service charge will usually be declared on the menu if you’re in a cafe or restaurant, for example, and is paid directly to the company rather than to an individual member of staff.
Not all sectors will add a service charge as standard, but you’ll be able to see if one has been added by looking at your bill.
Even if it’s not customary to tip in Singapore, a little extra is always appreciated as a thank you for exceptional service. Read on to find out how to tip in Singapore across different sectors.
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Tip in local currency with Wise Singapore dollar travel card.
No matter where you are, it makes sense to tip in local currency. Want to save money on currency exchange so you can tip generously and still have more to spend on yourself?
With the Wise Singapore dollar travel money card it’s easy to top up in your local currency, and switch to Singapore dollar whenever you need to pay for your day to day expenses in Singapore.
With Wise you’ll always get the real exchange rate with no hidden costs. There’s just a low, transparent conversion fee - and then it’s free to spend any currency you hold. Simply top up your card and convert to the currency you need in real time using the Wise app.
No matter where your adventures take you, Wise has you covered. Hold and spend 40+ currencies with the same card, make ATM withdrawals and manage your account on the go using the Wise app.
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Tipping in Singapore in restaurants & bars
Plan to tip around 10-15% in Singaporean restaurants. However, the exact tip amount when eating out in Singapore depends on the place, occasion, and order size. It’s customary to give your waiter or waitress a slightly higher tip than you would a bartender, as they are likely sharing their tip with the kitchen staff.
In bars and cafes in Singapore you can round the bill to the next significant amount, or leave a small tip each time you order a drink. If you are in a fancy co*cktail bar, where co*cktail making is a craft - or have a particularly skilled barista make your cappuccino - you might wish to splash out and leave a bigger tip.
Suggested tip:
100 Singapore dollars meal = suggested tip of 10 or 15 Singapore dollars
10 Singapore dollars for a drink = suggested tip of 1-2 Singapore dollars
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Tipping in hotels in Singapore
Tipping in hotels in Singapore
If you’re staying in a hotel in Singapore it’s standard practise to tip between 10-20%. In top end hotels with high service levels you’ll likely want to tip a range of staff, such as maids, bellboys, valets and front desk employees.
Who you tip, and how much, is ultimately at your discretion, and should be based on the levels of service you receive. To help you figure out how to budget and approach hotel tipping, check out our handy cheat sheet for tipping in Singaporean hotels.
Staying in a hotel in Singapore? You can save on currency conversion fees when checking out or tipping hotel staff with our Wise travel money card for Singapore
| Hotel staff | Suggested Tip | Reasons to tip |
|---|---|---|
House-keeping | 5-10 SGD | Housekeepers and maids are among the hardest working hotel staff. It’s common to say thanks for great service with a small daily tip. |
Luggage attendants / Porters | 1 SGD / per bag | When you arrive at your hotel in Singapore you’ll probably need help getting your bags to your room. It’s customary to give a small tip to porters so don’t forget to have some small change when checking in! |
Concierge/ Receptionist | 10-15 SGD | If the hotel concierge during your stay in Singapore offers exceptional service, you may want to tip. Tips aren’t needed if reception staff simply helped ordering a cab or booking dinner reservations. |
Valets | 5-10 SGD / each time | If you’re driving, pay a small tip every time a valet retrieves your car from the hotel parking lot. |
Tipping taxi drivers in Singapore
It’s common to tip 10% in Singapore for a longer journey, and if you were helped with your luggage. For short journeys the easiest option is to round up the bill to the nearest significant amount in Singapore dollars. Don’t forget, if you’re using local taxis rather than a ride-hailing service such as Uber, you’ll need to agree on the fare before your journey.
Suggested tip:
50 Singapore dollars taxi bill = 5 Singapore dollars tip for a longer journey
7.50 Singapore dollars taxi bill = 0.50 Singapore dollars tip for a short journey
Hopping on a cab from the airport in Singapore? You can save on currency conversion fees when traveling with Wise travel money card
Tipping tour guides in Singapore
Your tour guide can make or break your experience when travelling - so when you find a great guide in Singapore do tip them the standard 10%. Tips are equally welcome whether you’re taking a private, multi-day, or walking tour.
If you join a free tour in Singapore it’s worth tipping too. Tours like these often operate on a ‘pay what you like’ basis. Your tips may be the only income your guide makes.
Sometimes you may be asked to leave a TripAdvisor review if you enjoyed your experience instead of tipping. This might help guides earn commission - and help other travellers have their own great experience in future.
Going for a tour in Singapore? You can save on currency conversion fees when traveling with Wise travel money card
Tipping at a spa in Singapore
If you need a massage to unwind after your adventures in Singapore it is appropriate to leave a small tip to the therapist. Budget around 10-15% of the treatment price.
That means that for a massage costing you 100 Singapore dollars, you might consider leaving a tip of 10 Singapore dollars if the service was average, or as you’d expect - or say thanks with a 15% tip if the therapist provided an outstanding treatment.
Suggested tip:
100 Singapore dollars massage bill = 10 Singapore dollars tip to masseuse for a standard treatment
100 Singapore dollars massage bill = 15 Singapore dollars tip to masseuse for an outstanding treatment
Tips for tipping in Singapore
- Whenever you tip during your trip to Singapore it is important to use the local currency, that is - Singapore dollars. Otherwise you’ll leave your service providers with cash they can’t use without paying high fees on currency exchange. Prepare some small change in the local currency before leaving the airport if you can, to tip drivers and hotel porters.
Tip in the local currency
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- Service charges may be added to the bill automatically when you’re in a restaurant, hotel or bar in Singapore. Double check your bill before deciding whether or not to tip. In some countries adding a service charge is a common practice, in others less so.
The tip may already be included in your bill
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- Don’t get caught out in an embarrassing situation at a business dinner. As tipping etiquette varies by country, it’s important you familiarise yourself with international tipping standards, to avoid doubt and awkward moments!
Tipping on a business trip
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- Tipping is a great way to acknowledge and reward great service. If the service charge is not already added to your bill, then tipping is at your discretion - but will always be appreciated. The staff working in restaurants and hotels in Singapore often have tough jobs for lower end wages - think twice before canceling any gratuity tip request on their payment terminals.
Use your own judgement
Tipping in other countries:
Tipping in other countries:
Argentina | Australia | Austria | Bahamas | Belgium |
Belize | Brazil | Bulgaria | Cambodia | Canada |
Chile | China | Colombia | Costa Rica | Croatia |
Cuba | Denmark | Dominican Republic | Ecuador | Egypt |
Fiji | Finland | France | Germany | Greece |
Hungary | Iceland | India | Indonesia | Ireland |
Israel | Italy | Jamaica | Japan | Kenya |
Malaysia | Maldives | Malta | Mexico | Morocco |
Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Panama | Poland |
Portugal | Qatar | Romania | Scotland | Singapore |
Slovenia | South Africa | South Korea | Spain | Sri Lanka |
Sweden | Switzerland | Thailand | Turkey | United Kingdom |
United States | Vietnam |
Tipping in different cities:
Tipping in different cities:
Abu Dhabi | Amsterdam | Bangkok | Berlin | Budapest |
Chicago | Copenhagen | Dubai | Dublin | Hong Kong |
Las Vegas | Lisbon | London | Madrid | Mexico City |
Miami | Montreal | Munich | New York City | Paris |
Prague | Rome | San Francisco | Sydney | Toronto |
Vancouver | Venice | Vienna |
Tipping in Singapore FAQ
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Tip and spend in local currency with Wise Singapore dollar travel card.
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