Do you tip taxi drivers in Korea, and is tipping expected anywhere else?

Published on June 26, 2026

Answered by the Everyday Korea Stories team — Korea-based, verified information.

No. You do not tip taxi drivers in Korea. You pay exactly what the meter shows — including any late-night or intercity surcharge — and getting your change back is completely normal. In fact, if you try to tip, the driver may be confused or insist on giving you the change anyway.

This is not just true for taxis. Korea simply does not have a tipping culture. Tips are not expected at restaurants, cafés, hair salons, or hotels. Restaurant prices already include tax and service, and apart from a small number of high-end hotels and restaurants that add a separate service charge to the bill, there is nothing extra to pay.

For visitors coming from the United States, this is the most confusing part: in Korea, *not* tipping is not rude — it is the normal, expected thing to do. Payment is usually by card or instant local transfer, and for taxis it is safest to use the Kakao T app, which logs your fare and route. If you want to show appreciation for good service, a simple "gamsahamnida" (thank you) is more than enough — no money required.