Tipping in Bhutan: Complete Guide for Guides, Drivers, Trekking Crews & Hotels

Published On : 27th Jan, 2026 By Himalayan Dream Team

Tipping in Bhutan: A Practical & Cultural Guide for Travelers

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Traveling to Bhutan is an experience. From the lovely local people to the quiet and peaceful monasteries. Everything is at a gentle pace: even tipping in Bhutan. Many travelers wonder: Is tipping a normal thing in Bhutan? How do I tip a guide or a driver? Is tipping a must, or a nice thing to do?

This is the complete guide by Himalayan Dream Team, and in our guide, you will learn everything there is to know about tipping in Bhutan. We will take the stress out of tipping in Bhutan for you, and will explain how to tip guides, drivers, trekking crew, hotels, and even restaurants. Now you can travel and respect the culture of Bhutan with confidence.

What Is the Tipping Culture in Bhutan?

Tipping is not compulsory in bhutan but still due to the tipping culture people expect from tourists. Bhutan does not have a tipping-heavy culture like someWestern or neighboring countries, yet over the years, tipping has become an important source of additional income for tourism professionals.

In Bhutan, tipping is:

Voluntary
Based on gratitude, not obligation
Quietly expected for guides, drivers, and trekking crews
Never demanded

If you decide not to tip, you will never be treated differently.

Is There Tipping in Bhutan?

While you can tip in Bhutan, it operates a little differently than other places. Guides, drivers, and trekking crews do not get service charges, and unlike hotels and restaurants, they do not get them automatically. Their initial salary is set in stone, but tips assist them in daily expenses, family needs, and periods of work, especially for trekking crews. Tips are not mandatory and are at your own discretion, and that is part of why they are so valued.

Is Tipping Expected or Customary in Bhutan?

Expected? Gently, yes
Customary? Yes, especially among international travelers
Mandatory? No

Tipping in Bhutan is best understood as a thank-you, not a rule.

Tipping Guides in Bhutan

Salary of a Tour Guide in Bhutan

Professional Bhutanese guides are licensed and professionally trained. They are paid monthly salaries that are similar to what a government employee would make. These salaries are seasonal and tips are a big part of guides earning potential. This is especially true during busy trekking periods and festivals.

How Much to Tip Your Guide in Bhutan

Tipping in Bhutan is a little different depending on what country you are coming from. You should consider these amounts when traveling.

International Tourists

(All nationalities except for India, Bangladesh, and Maldives)

USD 10 to 15, per day, for the whole group, for up to 5 people.

Example – 10-Day Bhutan Tour:
USD 15 × 10 days = USD 150 (total tip)
Shared among 5 travelers = USD 30 per person

Regional Tourists

(India, Bangladesh and Maldives)

200 to 500 rupees per day for the total group.

Example:

For a 10 day tour:

500 rupees x 10 days = 5,000 rupees

If it is divided by 5 people it would be a total of 1,000 rupees per person.

If you decide not to tip, that is perfectly okay.

Tips for Drivers in Bhutan

Driving in Bhutan is not only about driving. They help with safe driving on mountains, and with luggage, change routes when there is bad weather, and support the guide throughout the drive.

How Much to Tip Bhutanese Drivers

International Visitors

5-10 USD daily (for the entire group)

Example: For 10 days and 10 USD, the total is 100 USD.

If 5 people share, each one pays 20 USD.

Regional Visitors

150 - 300 INR daily (for the entire group)

Example: For 10 days and 300 INR, the total is 3,000 INR.

If 5 people share, each one pays 600 INR.

Tipping Trekking Crews in Bhutan

Trekking in Bhutan is seasonal, and trekking crews depend heavily on tip-based appreciation.

Trekking crews usually include:

Trekking chef
Kitchen helpers / waiters
Horsemen

International Tourists

USD 20–30 per day (total from the group)

Example:
10-day trek
USD 30 × 10 days = USD 300
Shared by 5 people = USD 60 per person

Recommended Tip Distribution:

Trekking chef – 45%
Helpers / waiters – 30%
Horsemen – 25%

Best Practice:
Hand tips personally at the end of the trek. Your guide will help with envelopes if needed.

Regional Tourists

INR 500–700 per day (total from the group)

Example:
10 days × INR 700 = INR 7,000
Shared by 5 people = INR 1,400 per person

(Same percentage distribution applies)

Tipping Hotel Staff in Bhutan

Most hotels in Bhutan include a 10% service charge, which is shared among staff.

Extra tipping is not expected
Optional personal tips are welcome for exceptional service (housekeeping, porter, concierge)

Tipping in Restaurants in Bhutan

Restaurants also include a 10% service charge in the bill.

No additional tipping required
Optional if service feels especially warm or personal

Luxury Lodges & High-End Experiences in Bhutan

At luxury properties and wellness-focused lodges, service charges are already included. However, discreet tipping for outstanding service is appreciated.

This applies to:

High-end spa treatments
Personal guides
Special cultural or wellness sessions

Always tip quietly and respectfully.

Bhutan Currency & Best Currency for Tipping

You may tip using:

Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)
Indian Rupees (INR)
USD
Euro
GBP
AUD

Practical Tip:
Local currencies are used immediately, while foreign currencies are often saved.

Bhutan Travel Tips: Tipping vs Nepal

Tipping in Bhutan: Soft, optional, gratitude-based
Tipping in Nepal: More structured and expected, especially for trekking

For more information regarding tipping culture in Nepal please go through our blog: Tipping Culture In Nepal

Understanding this difference helps travelers feel more relaxed in Bhutan.

Festivals and Cultural Travel Packages in Bhutan

If your trip coincides with major celebrations, please keep in mind that your guides and drivers will be working extended hours and will be providing more cultural insight, making tips even more valuable.

7-Day Thimphu Tshechu Festival - A Cultural Celebration

This 7-Day Thimpu Tshechu Festival trip is perfect for those who wish to indulge in Bhutan’s capital’s most colorful religious celebrations. With the help of your licensed Bhutanese guide, you will enjoy cultural sightseeing. Your guide will help you understand the different rituals and the significance of the various dances during the festivities. That is the reason most travelers are accustomed to providing tips on festival tours. While tipping in Bhutan is not a requirement, it is a common practice for visitors to tip their guide and driver after long days of the festival, busy public squares, and cultural activities.

Paro Tshechu Festival – A Celebration of Bhutanese Culture (9 Days)

One of Bhutan’s most sacred festivals is featured in the event Paro Tshechu Festival – A Celebration of Bhutanese Culture (9 Days) along with visits to the Paro Valley, monasteries and other cultural heritage sites. Festival days in Bhutan generally include very early starts, and involved cultural interpretation and crowd control, so there is gentle expectation for stopping in Bhutan from satisfied travelers to their guide and driver. Although stopping in Bhutan is completely voluntary, this tour has pointed out the fact that considerate stopping does show appreciation for the care taken, the seamless flow of the activities, and the complexity of the cultural appreciation.

Punakha Tshechu Festival Tour (27 Feb – 1 March 2026) | 10 Days

Punakha Tshechu Festival Tour (27 Feb – 1 March 2026) | 10 Days also has a very nice blend of festival, dzong and driving activities of central Bhutan’s stunning scenery. Because this tour requires so much driving, it leads to the guide and driver being even more appreciated for their service. Because this is the case, stopping in Bhutan for guides and drivers really does take on a new meaning. Of course, stopping in Bhutan is never mandatory, however, so travelers do have the choice to provide a tip, and for some, this is their way of demonstrating that their service and cultural appreciation were more than just a cash value.

Bhutan with Gangtey Festival Tour (10 Days)

The Bhutan with Gangtey Festival Tour (10 Days) is an evenly distributed cultural trip where you enjoy the major Bhutanese highlights with the one of a kind Gangtey festival in the Phobjikha Valley. Because of the longer travel distances, remote locations, and closer dealings with the local communities, Bhutan is one of the countries where you might experience tipping, which is an expression of appreciation. Although tipping in Bhutan is always a personal decision, patrons tend to tip their guides and drivers because of the local insights, care and coordination.

This is the journey that incorporates culture and spirituality with abundant expert guidance.

Top 10 FAQs: Tipping in Bhutan

Is tipping compulsory in Bhutan?
No, tipping is never compulsory.
Is tipping expected in Bhutan?
Yes, gently expected for guides, drivers, and trekking crews.
How much should I tip a guide in Bhutan?
USD 10–15 per day (group total).
How much should I tip a driver in Bhutan?
USD 5–10 per day (group total).
Do hotels expect tips in Bhutan?
No, service charges are included.
Do trekking crews rely on tips?
Yes, due to seasonal work.
Can I tip in foreign currency?
Yes, USD, Euro, GBP, and INR are accepted.
Is tipping different for Indian travelers?
Yes, INR-based recommendations apply.
What if I don’t tip?
That is completely acceptable.
Is tipping part of Bhutanese culture?
It is a modern practice linked to tourism, not tradition.

Final Words from Himalayan Dream Team

In Bhutan, tipping has its cultural values interwoven with the hospitality and cultural values of the country. It is uncomplicated and moreover, stress-free, because it is never expected nor is it demanded. It is, however, appreciated. Bhutanese hospitality is even more rooted than mere business. It is sincere and humble and respectful. Therefore, relax, and travel without the pressure of having to part with your hard earned dollars.

In Bhutan, the generosity of kindness coupled with the awareness of the culture will take you much farther than money. You will get a lot more by observing customs of the places you visit, and expressing thanks where the feeling is authentic. This will even help you experience Bhutan in its true spirit; calm, meaningful and enriching.

If you would like to plan a Bhutan tour with Himalayan Dream Team, please feel free to contact us for personalized advice and expert support.