Ultimate Guide To Tipping In Las Vegas

Wondering what and who you should be tipping in Las Vegas? I got you! I’ve created the ultimate guide to how much and who to tip while you’re in Sin City.

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Looking For Information On Tipping In Las Vegas?

Tipping is a hotly debated topic in almost any location, and Las Vegas is no exception. Here in the United States, our tipping culture is way different than in most other countries around the world.

Tipping in Las Vegas can feel confusing, especially if it is your first time in town. You have hotels, casinos, rides, shows, buffets, tours, and a million people helping you all day long.

The good news is that tipping in Vegas is pretty similar to most big cities. It’s just helpful to know what’s normal so you don’t feel awkward or end up guessing.

I put this guide together to keep things simple. These are the basic amounts that people usually tip in Vegas, but keep in mind that this is to be used as a guide only.

Your experiences and situation may mean you leave more or less of a tip than I suggest. Do what you are comfortable with!

What Is A Tip?

Dictionary.com defines a tip (or gratuity) as “a gift of money, over and above payment due for service”.

A tip is basically extra money you give someone to say thanks for good service. That’s it. Nothing fancy. Just a little appreciation on top of what you’re already paying.

Different jobs handle tipping differently, and people definitely have strong opinions about it. I’ve seen tipping arguments get almost as heated as talking about politics at Thanksgiving.

In a lot of countries, tipping is not really a thing because workers are paid more. In some places, tipping can even feel rude.

But here in the United States, tips are a big part of how many service workers make a living. Their hourly pay is usually pretty low, so tips help fill in the gap.

You can debate whether it’s fair or not, but for now, tipping is just how things work here.

Who To Tip In Las Vegas

So all that being said, who exactly are you supposed to tip? What’s the norm for tipping in Las Vegas? Well, there are quite a few people you are going to want to take care of while you are on your trip.

Some of these people you will encounter over and over again (ahem, bartenders). Others you may not even see at all (housekeeping, for example).

Generally, your list of who to tip will include the following people. Some of them may not apply to you, but it’s highly likely that you will be interacting with at least of few of them during your vacation.

• Taxi, Uber, Lyft drivers
• Bartenders
• Waiters/Waitresses
• Bellhops
• Housekeeping
• Valets
• Tour Guides
• Street Performers
• Casino Dealers
• Casino Floor Drink Servers
• Spa Staff
• Exotic Dancers

How Much To Tip In Las Vegas

Now that you know who to tip, the question of how much to tip still remains. You don’t want to be stingy, but you don’t want to just be throwing your money away at everyone you encounter either.

Taxi, Uber, Lyft Drivers

Your driver will likely be your very first encounter with anyone once you reach Las Vegas. You are definitely going to want to tip whoever is giving you a ride from the airport to your hotel.

Taxis have a flat rate to hotels, and ride share options are plentiful. Regardless, you’re going to want to tip about 15%.

More often than not, you’ll want to pit stop at a liquor store before you head to your hotel. Taxi drivers generally are more than happy to oblige. In that case, I recommend giving a 20% tip as a thank you for the extra stop.

Bartenders

Alcohol is not cheap in Las Vegas, unless you’re getting the free drinks that many casinos will give you while gambling. So if you go out, which you likely will, be prepared to pay.

When you order drinks at a bar, you should be tipping your bartender. I recommend tipping at least $1 per drink for basic drinks, like beers or Jack and Coke.

If you order anything with more than two ingredients, tip $2 per drink.

Expert Tip: For your first round of drinks, tip your bartender generously. You’ll wind up with faster service for your next rounds!

Waiters/Waitresses

Like anywhere in the United States, it is expected that you tip your Las Vegas waiters and waitresses 20% of your total bill.

If you are in a larger group, many restaurants will automatically add a 20% gratuity to your final bill. In that case, you are not required to give any additional amount.

Bellhops

If you fly to Las Vegas on an early flight, you’ll probably get to your hotel before check-in time. Hotels generally will keep your bags for you, so you can go off into Vegas and start exploring right away.

Once you go to pick up your bags, it’s not a bad idea to tip a couple dollars as a thank you for them keeping an eye on your stuff.

If they also bring your bags to your room for you, you should tip them $2-$3 per bag, or more if your bags are very heavy.

Housekeeping

Housekeeping is one of those jobs that never gets enough credit, and in Vegas it is on a whole different level.

This is the land of bachelor parties, late nights, spilled drinks, and who knows what else. I cannot even imagine half the stuff these housekeepers walk into every day.

Even if you keep your room clean and barely touch anything, I still recommend tipping at least $5 a day. That includes days when you only get fresh towels or your trash emptied.

Some people like to leave one big tip at the end of their trip, but you might not have the same housekeeper every day.

That’s why leaving a smaller amount each morning makes more sense. It goes to the person who actually cleaned your room that day.

Valets

If you’re driving to Vegas or renting a car once you get there, you are probably going to use a valet at some point. Parking garages can be chaotic, so valet is honestly worth it for the convenience alone.

Most people tip around $5-$10. Some split it up by giving a couple bucks at drop off and a couple at pickup. Others only tip when the car comes back. Either way works.

If you ask for anything special, like keeping your car up front, tip a little more. It goes a long way.

Tour Guides

Vegas has a tour for everything. You can take a helicopter into the Grand Canyon, hop on a bus to the Hoover Dam, ride ATVs in the desert, or join a walking tour of the Strip. There are Jeep tours, big group tours, tiny private tours, crazy extreme activities, and probably a tour for any random hobby you can think of.

Tour guides usually know a ton about Vegas and the surrounding desert. They are your storyteller, your navigator, and sometimes your photographer.

Most people tip somewhere between $5 and $20 per person. Think about the length of the tour, how much fun you had, and how good the guide was. If they kept the group laughing or shared things you would never have known otherwise, go higher.

Casino Dealers

A lot of people tip their dealers when they are winning. It is kind of like sharing the good luck. Some people toss out small tips as they play, others wait until they cash out.

If you are gambling, plan to tip the dealer a few bucks or go higher if you hit a nice win. A common guideline is around 2% of your winnings.

Casino Floor Drink Servers

Most casinos offer free drinks while you are gambling, which is one of the best perks in Vegas. A drink server will stop by your table or machine and take your order, and as long as you keep tipping, she’ll keep coming back.

A good way to start is with a $5 to $10 tip on the first drink. It gets you on her radar.

After that, tip at least $1 each time she brings you something. Every few rounds, it helps to add another $5. You will be surprised how fast the drinks show up when you do that.

Spa Staff

Vegas has amazing spas, and a lot of them automatically add a 20% gratuity to your bill. If that happens, you don’t have to add more unless someone really went above and beyond.

If the gratuity isn’t included, plan to tip around 20% anyway. That’s standard for massages, facials, and salon services.

Street Performers

Last but not least, you have your street performers. These can vary from photographers at the Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas sign, to Elvis impersonators, to Showgirls, to street musicians and more.

You’ll encounter people with exotic pets that will let you take a picture with them, folks in full costumes, magicians, and literally anyone you can imagine, all trying to earn a few bucks.

Some of them will pressure you into paying $20 or more, but street performers are not actually permitted to set a price. A normal tip is $2 to $5 if you take a photo or watch them perform for a minute.

What About Tipping For Bad Service?

So what happens if the service is bad? If it’s bad enough that you feel like leaving nothing, it is probably worth talking to a manager so they know what happened. They might fix the situation or pass feedback along to their staff.

Just remember that sometimes the issue is not with the person serving you. If your food was late or wrong, that’s usually on the kitchen, not your server.

If you are dealing with something like a bad ride share experience and there is no manager to talk to, tip based on how you feel.

People are not owed a tip. Tips are meant to be a thank you for good service, not something automatic when the service was rough.

Final Thoughts

Tipping in Las Vegas does not have to be stressful. Once you know the usual amounts, it becomes second nature.

Most people in service jobs here work long hours, deal with nonstop crowds, and pretty much keep Vegas running. A small tip goes a long way and can really brighten someone’s day.

Bring some small bills, tip as you go, and trust your gut. If someone goes out of their way for you, tip a little extra.

If the service was just okay, keep it simple. And if it was bad, it is fine not to tip.

Vegas is a wild, busy, fun place, and good service really stands out. A few dollars here and there keeps things moving and helps you get better service all trip long.

FAQ About Tipping in Las Vegas

Do I have to tip everywhere in Vegas?

Not everywhere, but you will end up tipping pretty often. If someone helps you, brings you something, or spends time making your experience better, tipping is expected.

Can I tip with a credit card?

Yes but remember cash is king. Almost every place in Vegas lets you tip on your card, and rideshare apps make it easy too. Street performers and some casino staff are the only real exceptions, so keep some small bills on you.

Can you tip with casino chips in Las Vegas?

Yes, you can tip with chips in most casinos. Dealers usually expect it, and they can easily cash them out. Small $1 chips are the most common for tips, and they make everything simple.

You can tip with larger chips if you’re on a hot streak, but make sure you hand them the chip directly and say it’s a tip so there’s no confusion.

For drink servers, it’s better to stick with cash. They technically can take chips, but it slows them down and most prefer bills because they’re running around nonstop. So chips for dealers, cash for everyone else.

Should I bring cash for tipping?

Yes. Bring a stack of $1s and a few $5s at the start of your trip. Vegas moves fast and you will end up needing them more than you think.

Are tips included anywhere?

Sometimes. Spas often add a 20% percent gratuity automatically, and a few restaurants do this for large parties. Always double check your receipt so you don’t accidentally double tip.

Do I still tip for terrible service?

If the service was bad enough that you don’t want to tip, it’s usually worth letting a manager know what happened. If it is something like a rideshare or street performer, use your judgement. Tips are earned, not guaranteed.

Should I tip for comped drinks at casinos?

Yes. Even though the drink is free, the service is not. Start with a bigger tip on the first drink and at least $1 each time after that.

Do you tip slot attendants?

Only if they actually help you. If they pay out a jackpot or fix an issue, tip a few dollars. If you just sit and play, you do not have to tip anyone.

How much should I tip at the buffet?

A couple dollars per person is totally fine. Someone still clears the plates and grabs drinks, even though you get your own food.

Do dealers expect tips?

Dealers do not expect them, but tipping is definitely the norm if you win. Most people tip a few dollars here and there or around 2-5% of their winnings.

Is it rude not to tip?

Not if the service was bad or the server was rude. You are not obligated to tip when the experience was poor or someone made the situation worse instead of better.