Tipping in Iran: The Complete Guide
Quick Answer
Tip 10% at Iranian restaurants. Cash in Iranian rials (Tomans) is expected — ta'arof culture means you may need to insist before a tip is accepted.
Iran has a unique tipping culture shaped by ta'arof — a deep-rooted social custom of polite refusal. When you offer a tip, the recipient may initially decline out of courtesy; offer again and they will usually accept. This gracious politeness is not a signal to put your money away.
The Iranian rial (IRR) is the official currency, but Iranians commonly quote prices in Tomans (1 Toman = 10 Rials). Due to ongoing economic sanctions, foreign credit cards are not accepted; bring cash in euros or USD to exchange on arrival. Tipping in cash is essential.
Restaurants: 10%
Tip 10% at sit-down restaurants in Tehran and other cities. At upscale restaurants in the northern Tehran neighbourhoods of Zafaraniyeh or Elahiyeh, 10–15% is appreciated.
At local kebab houses and traditional teahouses (chaikhaneh), rounding up by 50,000–100,000 IRR is a friendly gesture. Service charges are rarely included.
Bars & Cafes
Iran is a dry country and alcohol is prohibited. Coffee shops and juice bars are popular social venues. Leaving a small tip of 50,000–100,000 IRR for counter service is appreciated but not expected.
At cafe-restaurants serving food and non-alcoholic beverages, 10% is appropriate.
Hotels
Tip hotel porters 100,000–200,000 IRR per bag. Leave 100,000–200,000 IRR per night for housekeeping.
At international-class hotels in Tehran (e.g. Espinas Palace), euro or USD tips are also acceptable and sometimes preferred by staff.
Taxis & Ride-Share
Snapp (Iran's Uber equivalent) is the dominant ride-hailing app in Tehran. Fares are displayed in the app — round up by 50,000–100,000 IRR or give a small cash tip for excellent service.
Traditional orange taxis may use meters or charge negotiated fares. Add 10% for good service.
2026 World Cup Tips
Iranian football fans are passionate — the national team (Team Melli) draws enormous support. Visitors attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States will encounter a very different tipping culture: 18–20% at restaurants is standard.
North American card terminals typically prompt for tip before the transaction completes. Enter a percentage or dollar amount directly — do not skip this step.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Offer tips twice if initially refused — ta'arof means a polite 'no' often means 'yes'
- Carry small denomination cash — IRR notes of 500,000 and 1,000,000 are practical
- Tip guides generously — knowledgeable English-speaking guides are rare and valuable
Don't
- Don't rely on credit cards — they are not accepted due to international sanctions
- Don't confuse rials and tomans when calculating tips — clarify which unit is being used
- Don't skip tipping at traditional teahouses — it's warmly appreciated
Practical Tips
- Iranians quote most prices in Tomans (divide any rial amount by 10 to get Tomans).
- Bring euros or USD in cash and exchange at official exchange offices (sarafi).
- Due to sanctions, ATMs do not accept foreign cards — budget your cash carefully.
Need to Leave a Cashless Tip?
No cash on hand? LeaveTip lets you send a digital tip to hotel staff, valets, and other service workers — no app download needed for the recipient.
Try LeaveTipCalculate Your Tip Instantly
Snap a photo of your receipt and let Gratiq's AI figure out the rest. No math, no guessing.