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When travelling to a new country, tipping is one of those small details that can raise big questions. And with an emerging tourist hotspot like Cambodia, you’re definitely not alone, thousands of first-time visitors also wonder the exact same thing.
You should know that tipping isn’t required in Cambodia. However it’s often welcomed, especially in areas where tourism plays a major role in daily life. Still, how much should you give? Who should you tip? And which Cambodian currencies should you use?
Discover every ins and outs about Cambodian tipping culture with Asia King Travel
No need to stress because Asia King Travel is here to help. In this article, we’ll put together every ins and outs about Cambodian tipping culture, so you can travel with ease and make the most of your journey.
As we have mentioned above, although tipping is not a mandatory practice of Cambodia, it has become more common nowadays, primarily in areas heavily influenced by tourism.
For example, in cities such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, where international visitors are frequent, leaving a small tip is often appreciated and sometimes even expected with certain service settings like karaoke bars (KTVs) and casinos. On the other hand, outside of these urban centers, locals may not anticipate any gratuity at all. In fact, many people in the countryside might even be surprised to receive one.
With that being said, travellers should know that you are encouraged to tip as a gesture of satisfaction rather than obligation. Cambodia remains a country where kindness and respect carry more weight than strict social rules, so there’s no need to worry too much. Just tip when you feel the service deserves it and avoid contributing to a toxic tipping culture that feels forced or transactional.
With tipping etiquette in Cambodia, it's important to use the right Cambodian currency to ensure your act is actually helpful.
Although both the Cambodian Riel (KHR) and the US Dollar (USD) are widely accepted across the country, local people often prefer Riel when they receive a tip.
Moreover, tuk-tuk drivers and market sellers usually deal in Cambodian currency is Riel, so having small denominations like KHR 1,000 or 5,000 notes on hand is great advice for you.
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Both Cambodian Riel (KHR) and US Dollar (USD) are commonly used and accepted throughout Cambodia
At the same time, hotels and upscale restaurants are more likely to accept USD. Yet, if you have Riel available, it’s still the more recommended choice since it avoids costly currency exchange fees for them.
In short, despite USD being really convenient, tipping in Cambodian Riel often has more impact. If you have extra dollars during your trip, consider exchanging them at money exchange offices before tipping, so your generosity reaches its full value.
One of the most important factors to consider when deciding how much to tip in Cambodia is the quality of service you receive.
If a service provider goes out of their way to make your experience exceptional whether it's a hotel staff member offering thoughtful recommendations or a tour guide showing genuine passion and care, giving a more generous tip is a meaningful way to show your appreciation. On the other hand, for routine or average service, a standard tip or no tip is still fine.
The quality of service is one of the key factors to keep in mind when determining whether to tip in Cambodia
Tipping based on service quality not only rewards good work but also encourages a culture of hospitality, which benefits both travelers and locals alike.
Before deciding to tip in Cambodia, it’s important to check if any service charge has already been added to your bill or not.
In some hotels or bars; a service charge of around 5-10% may be included automatically. This fee often serves as a built-in tip, shared among staff. Therefore, always take a moment to review your bill carefully. If a service charge is already included, you don’t have to leave an additional tip, though you may still choose to do so if the service of any individual was particularly outstanding.
Being mindful of this not only helps you avoid double tipping but also ensures that your money goes where it's most valued.
Before leaving a tip in Cambodia, make sure to see whether a service charge has already been included in your bill
Another factor to consider of Cambodian tipping culture is the length and complexity of the service provided. For short, simple interactions like a brief taxi ride or quick meal, rounding up the bill is usually sufficient.
However, for multi-day tours or personalized experiences, a more generous tip is both appropriate and appreciated. For example, it could be a tour guide sharing insightful local information or a highly skilled barista preparing your cappuccino. These types of services often involve long hours and experienced staff. As a result, a tip at the end can be a meaningful expression of thanks.
Read more: Cambodia Tour 9 Days: A Passion Journey
In Cambodia, whether a price is negotiated or fixed can definitely influence your decision to tip. For services where you've already agreed on a price in advance such as a market bargaining deal, tipping is generally not expected, since the final cost reflects the full amount both parties agreed upon.
However, when you're dealing with fixed prices, it’s considered polite to leave a tip especially if no service charge is included.
Tipping is not expected for Cambodian market bargain deals
In Cambodian restaurants, a general guideline is to tip around 10-15% of your total bill, depending on the level of service and the type of establishment.
In casual or local eateries, even a small tip is good to go. For more upscale restaurants or when you’ve received excellent service, leaving a tip closer to 15% is ideal. In fact, waiters and waitresses often share their tips with kitchen staff, so your generosity may support more than just the person who served you.
If you’re not satisfied with the service, you don’t have to tip any amount. But such situations are rare in Cambodia, where hospitality is often warm and genuine.
In Cambodia, tipping hotel staff is a thoughtful way to acknowledge the behind-the-scenes efforts that make your stay more comfortable. Different roles often call for different tipping norms:
Luggage Attendants / Porters
When you arrive at your hotel, it’s customary to tip porters who help with your luggage especially if you're staying at a large hotel and arriving with multiple bags. The recommended tipping amount would be usually around KHR 200-300 per bag.
Housekeeping
Housekeepers work hard to keep your room clean and comfortable, often without being seen. It’s common practice to leave a small daily tip of around KHR 4,000-5,000 as a token of appreciation for their consistent efforts.
You should tip housekeepers in Cambodia's hotels KHR 4,000-5,000 daily for their behind-the-scenes effort
Reception Staff
If the reception staff goes above and beyond, like giving you a hand in a stressful situation, a tip of KHR 8,000-20,000, depending on the level of assistance, is a generous way to say thank you. However, no tip is expected for routine tasks like checking in or giving basic directions.
Valets
For those using hotel valet services, tipping around KHR 5,000-10,000 per retrieval is a polite act each time the valet brings your car around.
Tipping taxi drivers in Cambodia is not expected, but it’s gratefully received as many drivers earn low daily incomes.
If your driver provides a smooth ride or helps with luggage, giving tips is a nice way to say thanks. A common and simple way to do this is by rounding up the fare and letting the driver keep the change.
For instance, your fare is KHR 18,000, then you should give KHR 20,000 and tell the driver to keep the change. In cases where the service is truly outstanding, like helping during bad weather or navigating difficult routes, tipping an extra KHR 2,000-5,000 is a generous yet affordable way to acknowledge their effort.
Round up the fare or add KHR 2,000-5,000 as a simple yet meaningful way to thank taxi drivers in Cambodia
Tour guides play a major role in shaping your travel experience. You should tip around 10% of the tour cost if you think your guide is knowledgeable and goes the extra mile to enhance your trip.
For free or donation-based tours, tipping becomes even more important, since it's often the guide’s only source of income. In this case, tipping KHR 20,000-40,000 is generally considered fair.
Besides money, your guide might suggest another “tipping” way is leaving a positive review on Google. This can help them gain more clients or earn commissions from tour platforms.
In conclusion, you don’t have to tip for every service you use in Cambodia, but it’s a great means to show appreciation for good service. While there's no rigid rulebook, using the guidelines we've outlined alongside your own judgment and cultural sensitivity, will ensure your gratitude is both respectful and well-received. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Asia King Travel if you are planning a Cambodian tour. We’re always here to help you travel through Cambodia with confidence.
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