Tipping in Jordan
Tipping is expected in Jordan. Not tipping can be considered rude.
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Tipping quick reference
| Service | Recommended | Range | Payment | Service charge? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant ~10% customary; hotels and restaurants often add a service charge | 10% | 10–15% | Card or cash | Often included |
| Taxi Round up to the nearest dinar | 5% | 0–10% | Card or cash | No |
| Hotel housekeeping A small daily cash tip for housekeeping is customary | د.ا2 per night | د.ا1–د.ا3 | Cash only | No |
| Hotel porter A small tip per bag for porters is customary | د.ا1 per bag | د.ا1–د.ا2 | Cash only | No |
| Bar Small change or a note per drink is appreciated | د.ا1 per drink | د.ا0–د.ا2 | Card or cash | No |
| Café Small tips or tip jars are common at counters | 5% | 0–10% | Card or cash | No |
| Hairdresser Tipping around 10% is customary in salons | 10% | 5–15% | Cash only | No |
| Tour guide Guides at Petra and Wadi Rum: roughly 25–35 JD per day for private guides | د.ا25 per person | د.ا10–د.ا35 | Cash only | No |
| Food delivery A small tip for delivery drivers is customary | 5% | 0–10% | Card or cash | No |
| Spa & massage Therapists are commonly tipped around 10% of the treatment | 10% | 5–15% | Cash only | No |
| Valet parking A small cash tip when the car is returned is customary | د.ا1 per service | د.ا1–د.ا2 | Cash only | No |
Tipping Culture in Jordan
Jordanian hospitality runs deep — guests are treated with a warmth rooted in Bedouin tradition — and tipping fits naturally into that spirit rather than feeling like an imposition. At restaurants, a 10% service charge is often added to the bill, but it’s genuinely worth knowing that this charge frequently doesn’t reach your server directly; tipping an additional 10% in cash, handed over personally, is standard practice even when a service charge already appears.
Petra deserves special attention, because it’s where tipping gets genuinely tricky for first-time visitors. The horse ride from the entrance to the Siq is technically included in your ticket, but horse handlers routinely expect — and sometimes firmly request — a tip once you dismount, often 5 JOD or more. The same dynamic applies to camel and donkey handlers on steeper sections. Agreeing on a price before you accept any ride or assistance avoids most friction; if you didn’t ask for help and don’t want to pay, a polite but firm decline works better than getting drawn into a negotiation afterward.
Wadi Rum’s desert camps run on a different, more personal logic. Your Bedouin jeep guide is typically tipped directly at the end of the tour, but it’s the camp cooks and kitchen staff — often the lowest-paid people in the whole operation — who benefit most from a direct tip, ideally handed to them personally or left at breakfast before you depart.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A restaurant service charge doesn’t guarantee your server gets it. An additional 10% in cash, given directly, remains standard practice in Jordan.
- Agree on a price before accepting a Petra horse, camel, or donkey ride. Handlers often expect a tip on top of the included fare, and settling it upfront avoids awkward negotiation.
- At Wadi Rum, don’t forget the camp cooks. They’re often paid the least of anyone at the camp, and a direct tip makes a real difference.
- Carry small Jordanian dinar notes. US dollars aren’t the norm here the way they are in some other tourist destinations — dinars are expected.
Tipping FAQ for Jordan
Do I still tip if a service charge is already on my restaurant bill? Yes — the charge frequently doesn’t reach your server, so an additional 10% in cash directly to them is standard practice.
Why do Petra horse handlers ask for a tip if the ride is included? The ride itself is covered by your entrance ticket, but handlers routinely expect a separate tip afterward — agreeing on this upfront avoids surprise demands.
Who should I prioritize tipping at a Wadi Rum desert camp? Your jeep guide is tipped directly, but camp cooks and kitchen staff are often the lowest-paid — a direct tip to them is especially meaningful.
Should I tip in US dollars or Jordanian dinars? Jordanian dinars are expected and preferred — unlike some other tourist destinations, US dollars aren’t the standard tipping currency here.