We recommend tipping a taxi driver in India 5–10% of the fare. On a short trip, rounding the fare up to the next 10 rupees can be the whole tip.
Do you tip taxi drivers in India?
Yes. We recommend 5–10% of the fare in rupees. On a short trip, you can round the fare up to the next 10 rupees instead, and not also add 5–10%. One tip, not two.
This page is taxis. Restaurants, hotels, and tour guides are not this range. The country page is Tipping in India.
How much to tip a taxi driver in India
For a longer ride, multiply the fare by 0.05 or 0.10. For a short trip, pay the next multiple of 10 rupees and let the difference be the tip.
The fares below are examples for the math only. They are not Indian tariffs.
| Example fare | Tip at 5% | Tip at 10% | Short-trip round-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹184 | ₹9.20 | ₹18.40 | pay ₹190 if you are only rounding |
| ₹260 | ₹13 | ₹26 | pay ₹260, or use 5–10% |
| ₹500 | ₹25 | ₹50 | use 5–10% |
| ₹900 | ₹45 | ₹90 | use 5–10% |
A ₹184 fare rounded to ₹190 is a ₹6 tip. That is the short-trip version. The 5–10% version of a ₹500 fare is ₹25 to ₹50.
Cash
Rupees are the practical way to pay the tip. If the car is hailed in an app and the app has a tip field, you can put the same 5–10% there. If you want to know how that app pays the tip, check its help page.
Two passengers, one fare
If two of you share the taxi, tip 5–10% of the whole fare once, then split that tip. Do not each tip 5–10% of the full fare. A ₹500 fare at 10% is one ₹50 tip, or ₹25 from each person.
When to use 5% or 10%
Use 10% when the driver loads bags or waits at a stop you asked for. Use 5%, or the short-trip round-up, for a direct ride. We do not recommend a tip when the driver is rude or takes a route you did not agree to.
The rest of the country starts at Tipping in India.