How much to tip a taxi driver in South Korea (2026 Guide)
₩0 — drivers return exact change
Cultural notes
Korean taxi drivers are metered, regulated, and paid through the fare. They count out exact change including ₩100 coins and do not expect a tip. The only soft exception is "keep the change" when the rounding is very small (e.g. ₩500–₩1,000) and the fare paid in cash — this reads as a convenience, not a formal tip, and is socially acceptable. Most Koreans now pay by card via T-money or Kakao, eliminating the question entirely.
Common mistakes
Telling a card-paying driver to add a tip — there is no mechanism for it. Cash "keep the change" on large rounding (e.g. ₩5,000) feels excessive.
Frequently asked questions
Do I tip taxi drivers in Korea?
No, but you can let small cash change go ("keep the change") if it is under ₩1,000.
Can I tip on a card-paid taxi ride?
No — there is no tip option on the card terminal.
Tipping other services in South Korea
- Sit-down restaurant₩0 — service and VAT are included in menu prices
- Counter / takeaway₩0
- Café₩0
- Bar₩0
- Housekeeping₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional)
- Porter₩0; ₩1,000–₩2,000 at international 5-star hotels (optional)
- Concierge₩0; ₩10,000–₩30,000 envelope for an exceptional favor
- Rideshare₩0
- Food delivery₩0
- Grocery delivery₩0
- Hairdresser₩0
- Spa₩0 — including jjimjilbang, sauna, and luxury spas
- Tour guide₩0 group; ₩20,000–₩50,000 private English-speaking full day
- Tattoo artist₩0
- Valet₩0
- Airport baggage₩0
- Busker₩1,000–₩5,000 if a case is set out
- Movers₩0
- Tradesperson₩0
Tipping a taxi driver in nearby countries
Last verified: · Sources: wise.com, koreaherald.com