How to Tip a Taxi Driver

Note the fare amount. When your ride concludes, the driver will tell you the total amount due. Calculate your tip as a percentage of the fare, or estimate it by rounding up to the nearest $5 or $10.

• Many taxis display a fare meter, so you can track your fare increase as you near your destination. If you're pressed for time, this can help you anticipate and calculate your tip before you even exit the cab.

Calculate the tip as a percentage of the fare. A tip of 10-15% of the total fare is generally acceptable. If the fare is under $10, a 10% tip is fine, but ensure it's no less than $1. For fares above $10, aim for at least a 15% tip. Keep in mind, the percentage is an approximation of the ride's duration and quality, adjusted for convenience. Choose the tip percentage that best reflects the situation.

• If the driver provided outstanding service, consider tipping 20% or more. This could be due to great conversation, useful sightseeing recommendations, or their effort to get you to your destination on time despite heavy traffic.
• Some cabs have credit card machines with preset tip options. For example, in New York, cabs offer 20%, 25%, or 30% options. You can select any of these or input your own tip amount.

Give a little extra if your driver assists with luggage. If you have five bags or fewer, add $1 per bag. For more than five bags, or if your bags are particularly heavy, add $2 per bag. These aren't rigid rules but general guidelines that you can adjust as needed depending on the situation.

Offer the cab driver an even bill. When the fare is close to a round number, consider paying with a bill that brings the total to an even amount and tell the driver to "keep the change." For example: if your fare is $17.28, paying with a $20 bill will leave a tip of $2.72, which is slightly above 15%. This method saves you from calculating the exact tip and is helpful if you're in a rush. From the driver's perspective, a $20 bill is often easier to handle than a pile of loose change.

• If your fare is less than $4, simply give the driver a $5 bill. A 15% tip for fares under $5 would be less than $1, so this is a good alternative.
• For fares between $7-$9, offer the driver $10.
• If your fare falls between $11-$13, consider giving the driver $15.
• For fares around $33-$35, just hand the driver $40.

Assess the ride's quality. Consider factors like the driver's familiarity with the area, how quickly the service was provided, their level of effort, and their overall attitude. These are all subjective factors, so trust your instincts and adjust your tip based on the situation. Here are some guidelines to help you decide:

• If the service was poor, consider tipping 5-10% or nothing at all. Perhaps the driver took the longest route, was rude, or made you feel uncomfortable.
• A 15% tip is appropriate for a solid, average ride. The driver got you to your destination in a reasonable time and made you feel at ease, though there was nothing extraordinary about the experience.
• If the ride was exceptional—maybe the driver shared insightful local knowledge, took a shortcut that saved you time, or helped with your bags—consider tipping 20% or more.

Take note of the speed of service. A good driver will choose the most efficient route to ensure you reach your destination on time. If the journey took longer than expected due to heavy traffic, it’s likely not the driver’s fault. However, be cautious of drivers who deliberately drive slowly or take unnecessary detours to increase the fare.

Consider if your driver went above and beyond. If the driver didn't offer assistance with your luggage, there’s no need to tip more than usual. However, if the driver made an extra effort to ensure you got to your destination on time or shared valuable local tips, they might deserve a larger tip than the average fare.

Assess the driver’s attitude. Think about how friendly and accommodating the driver was. A polite and helpful driver deserves a higher tip. On the other hand, if the driver was rude or demanded a tip aggressively, they may receive a lower tip—or no tip at all.

Evaluate the driver's knowledge of the area. A skilled driver should not need directions and should know the quickest routes to get you to your destination. They should also be prepared with backup routes in case of traffic or accidents. For tourists, the driver should be able to offer recommendations on local attractions and activities.

Use a tip calculator app if you're with a group. When traveling with multiple people, it can be tricky to figure out how much everyone owes, but tip calculator apps can easily divide the tip based on the fare, percentage, and number of passengers. You can download these apps or access tip calculator websites through your phone’s browser.

• Some apps let you input your location, helping you calculate the appropriate tip based on local factors such as housing costs, minimum wage, and typical service tips.

Tip an Uber or Lyft driver. With the rapid shift from traditional taxis to peer-to-peer ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft, tipping can be confusing. These services handle payments through the app, but tips aren’t included unless you give them directly to the driver. Unless you're using the UberTaxi feature, tipping via the app isn’t an option, so don’t hesitate to offer cash in person just like you would with a traditional taxi driver.

Consider offering a non-monetary tip of similar value. If you choose to tip with something other than money, make sure it’s something the driver actually wants—an unwanted gift can be more of a hassle than a help. Don’t force a non-cash tip as a mandatory option; instead, offer it as a choice. Ideally, stick to cash unless you’ve already spent all your available funds on the fare.

• If you have a gift card you won’t use, like a $10 Applebee's card, you could offer that instead of cash. For example, you could say, "I have this gift card I won’t use, would you prefer it over a cash tip?"
• Keep in mind that many drivers are working hard to make ends meet, paying for cab leases, housing, and fuel, often out of pocket. Since card payments don’t immediately pay out, cash is often preferred over non-monetary tips, even if they’re creative.

Be courteous and respectful. Mutual respect fosters trust. Let the driver know your destination as soon as you enter the cab, and be respectful of the vehicle. Pay promptly when you arrive, and don’t forget to tip before you leave. A simple thank you and a friendly comment like “have a great day” can elevate your tip beyond the financial aspect.

• Always be polite when giving directions to your driver. A respectful tone can make the ride smoother and might encourage the driver to follow your instructions more attentively.
• Make sure to say "thank you" and "have a nice day" when exiting the cab. A few kind words can brighten someone’s day in a big way.

• Avoid tipping excessively. Too large a tip might make the driver curious and ask questions.