🇨🇦Canada · Hotel Porter / Bellhop
How much to tip a hotel porter in Canada (2026 Guide)
ExpectedCash preferred
$2–$5 per bag
Tipping calculator
$
Cultural notes
Bellhops at Canadian hotels expect $2–5 per bag, with the higher end at luxury properties and for heavy luggage. CTV's guide cites approximately $1–2 per bag as a floor, with most travel guides converging on $2–5 per bag. Tip in cash, hand-to-hand at the door, on both check-in (if porter brings bags up) and check-out (if porter brings bags down). Curbside check-in skycaps at hotel entrances also expect $2 per bag.
Frequently asked questions
One $20 for a family of four's bags ok?
Yes — split mentally as ~$5 per bag, that is generous.
Do I tip both on arrival and departure?
Yes, separately, because it may be different staff.
Tipping other services in Canada
- Sit-down restaurant15–20% pre-tax (national average 17.2%)
- Counter / takeaway$1–$2 or 10–15% if you choose to tip
- Café$1–$2 per drink, or 10–15% via POS prompt
- Bar$1–$2 per drink at the bar, or 15–20% on a tab
- Housekeeping$3–$5 per night, left daily
- Concierge$5–$20 for a meaningful favour
- Taxi10–15% of fare, $2 minimum
- Rideshare15–20% in-app, $2–$3 minimum
- Food delivery15–20% of order, $5 minimum
- Grocery delivery10–15% of order, $5 minimum
- Hairdresser15–20% on the service
- Spa15–20% on the treatment
- Tour guide15–20% of tour price, or $10–$20 per person full day
- Tattoo artist15–20% of the piece cost
- Valet$2–$5 on car return
- Airport baggage$2 per bag for skycap/porter
- Busker$1–$5 if you stop to listen
- Movers$20–$40 per mover half-day; $40–$60 per mover full-day
- TradespersonNo tip routinely; $20–$50 cash for emergency or after-hours
Tipping a hotel porter in nearby countries
Last verified: · Sources: ctvnews.ca