Do You Tip in Turkey? Here’s What You Need to Know

Do you tip in Turkey? It’s one of the little details that popped up while I was planning our trip—and honestly, I had no clue how it worked either. Tipping in a foreign country can feel confusing, and Turkey has its own set of unspoken rules.

My husband and I spent two unforgettable weeks visiting Turkey. We even eloped in Cappadocia! Along the way, we joined group tours, booked private drivers, hired photographers, and had plenty of moments where tipping came up. So we learned quickly what’s actually expected.

In this post, I’m breaking it all down for you. You’ll learn when to tip, how much, and where it really matters (and when you can skip it without feeling awkward).

By the end, you’ll feel totally confident navigating Turkey’s tipping culture.

Oh, and here’s your first tip—pun intended: the word for tip in Turkish is bahşiş (pronounced bar-sheesh). Look at you, already ahead of the game!

Do You Tip in Turkey?

Tipping isn’t a big deal in Turkey, but it’s becoming more and more common—especially in touristy areas. It’s not expected everywhere, but it’s greatly appreciated. Their economy has really taken a hit, and a little can go a long way!

If you do tip, try to use Turkish lira (that’s the official currency).

Stick to paper bills if you can—coins aren’t really used for tipping here.

Where and How Much Do You Tip

Tipping practices in Turkey can vary a bit depending on where you are and what you’re doing. In tourist areas, tipping is definitely more common and sometimes even expected. But in the smaller towns, it might not come up.

Don’t stress, though—I’ll walk you through exactly where to tip and how much is appropriate in each situation.

Tipping Taxi Drivers

Alright, let’s talk taxis first because this will probably be your first tipping situation when you arrive in Turkey especially if you’re grabbing a cab from the airport.

You’re not expected to tip, but rounding up the fare or leaving a few extra lira is a nice gesture.

Most drivers don’t carry a lot of change, so don’t be surprised if you don’t get coins back when you pay in cash.

For our airport transfer, we actually skipped the taxi and booked a private transfer instead—which I’ll get into next!

Tipping Private Drivers

Tipping for private transfers isn’t usually expected, but in Turkey, we couldn’t help it—our drivers were amazing! We booked Welcome Pickups in Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Kas, and every driver went above and beyond. I highly recommend them!

Every driver spoke great English, answered all our questions, and shared awesome tips for our Turkey itinerary.

Our Istanbul driver even gave us his phone number just in case we needed help with anything during our three days in Istanbul.

We gladly tipped them a few dollars, and they were very surprised and super grateful for the generous tip.

Tipping Uber Drivers

Tipping is not required when using Uber in Turkey. The price is already pre-determined prior to your ride.

But before you book an Uber—especially in Istanbul—you might want to check out my post on Uber in Istanbul. I break down what it’s really like to use the app there and why even our local tour guide suggested avoiding it.

Tipping in Turkish Restaurants

Tipping at restaurants in Turkey usually falls around 10–15%, depending on the service.

Sometimes, it’s already included in the bill, so definitely check before leaving more.

Also, just a heads up—some restaurants in touristy areas have been known to take advantage of visitors. If you want to know about this scam and other common scams to watch out for, I cover them all (and how to avoid them) in my Turkey travel tips guide.

One more thing: most credit card slips in Turkey don’t have a spot to add a tip like they do in the U.S. If you want to leave something extra, bring some paper lira and hand it directly to your server.

Tipping Street Food Vendors

Turkey has some of the best street food out there. And while we’re on the topic—no, you don’t need to tip street food vendors. It’s not expected.

But if you feel like it, no one’s going to stop you!

Tipping in Turkish Bars

We visited several local bars throughout Turkey, including rooftop bars in Istanbul with insane views.

Just like we do back home, we left a small tip for the bartenders.

It’s not strictly expected in Turkey, especially if you’re just ordering drinks at the bar, but in more upscale or touristy places, like in Istanbul, it’s much-approved. Every bartender we tipped seemed genuinely thankful.

Tipping Tour Guides

We had several tour guides during our two-week trip to Turkey, and they were all fantastic. From a food tour in Istanbul to a private guide in Cappadocia and a boat tour in Kas, each one made our excursions way better with their knowledge and guidance.

Tipping isn’t required, but it’s very much appreciated. And all of our guides went above and beyond and deserved it!

If you do tip, just hand it to them directly at the end of the tour.

Tipping in Turkish Hammams

If you plan on taking a traditional Turkish bath (you should definitely put this on your Istanbul Bucket List!), tipping is generally expected.

Most locals leave around 10–20% of the total cost, especially if you received a massage after your scrub. The attendants and masseuses work hard and really appreciate a small tip handed directly to them after your treatment.

Just be sure to bring cash with you, since you won’t be able to add a tip with a credit card.

Tipping Hotel Staff

You’re not expected to tip hotel staff in Turkey.

But, if you’re in a higher-end place and the hotel concierge goes out of their way—like arranging transfers, booking tours, or helping with reservations—then leaving a tip is a nice way to acknowledge that extra effort.

The same goes for room service or housekeeping staff. It’s not required, but a little show of appreciation is in line with the warm Turkish hospitality we experienced everywhere we stayed.

Tips for tipping in Turkey

Tipping in Turkey isn’t complicated, but there are a few things that can make it easier—and help you avoid awkward moments. These quick tips will help you feel more confident and make sure your generosity lands the right way.

Tip in The Local Currency

Whenever possible, it’s best to tip in the local currency, which is the Turkish Lira.

Small tips in U.S. dollars can be a hassle for locals to exchange.

That said, for larger tips—like the one we gave our amazing photographer in Cappadocia—U.S. dollars were gladly accepted. But for everyday situations, stick with lira.

Pro Tip: Don’t exchange your money at the airport—you’ll get a much better rate at local exchange offices in the city or by using a debit card at an ATM.

Definitely Avoid Tipping in Foreign Coins 

Avoid giving foreign coins. They can’t be exchanged, which means they’re basically useless to the person receiving them. Stick to paper cash, and you’re good to go!

Tip Might Already Be Added

Check your receipt before tipping—some places, especially in big cities, add it automatically. But if the service was awesome and you want to throw in a little extra, go for it!

Use Your Own Judgement

Tipping is personal, so go with what feels right to you. If someone goes above and beyond, a small tip is a thoughtful way to say thanks. But if the service is terrible, the food is bad, or someone is just plain rude, don’t feel obligated to tip. Tipping should reflect your experience, not just what’s expected.

That’s a Wrap

So, do you tip in Turkey? Sometimes yes, sometimes no—but now you know exactly when it matters and how much to give.

Before you go, don’t forget to grab my free Turkey Travel Planning Checklist. It covers everything from how to plan to what to pack and where to go so you can stress less and enjoy more.