Tipping in Saudi Arabia: The Complete Guide
Quick Answer
Tip 10–15% at Saudi restaurants. Service charges are sometimes included — check your bill. Cash in Saudi riyals is preferred.
Saudi Arabia's tipping culture is evolving as the country opens to international tourism under Vision 2030. Tipping is increasingly common in Riyadh, Jeddah, and tourist destinations like AlUla. Many restaurant and hotel staff are expatriates from South and Southeast Asia who rely on tips to supplement modest wages.
The Saudi riyal (SAR) is pegged to the USD at 3.75 SAR = $1 USD. Both cash and card tips are accepted at most establishments, though cash is always preferred by staff.
Restaurants: 10–15%
Tip 10–15% at restaurants in Riyadh and Jeddah. Some upscale restaurants and hotel dining rooms include a service charge of 10–15% — check your bill before adding extra.
At traditional Saudi restaurants and shawarma spots, rounding up or leaving SAR 5–10 is appreciated.
Cafes & Shisha Lounges
Saudi Arabia has a vibrant café culture. At popular specialty coffee chains and local cafes, leaving SAR 5–10 for counter service is appreciated.
At shisha lounges, tip the server SAR 10–20 per session for attentive service.
Hotels
Tip hotel porters SAR 10–20 per bag at international hotels in Riyadh's King Fahd Road or Jeddah's Corniche district.
Leave SAR 10–20 per night for housekeeping. Concierge staff who arrange restaurant reservations or tours merit SAR 20–50.
Taxis & Ride-Share
Uber and Careem are dominant in Saudi cities. Round up the fare or tip SAR 5–10 for long rides via the app.
Traditional airport limousine services (black car transfers) appreciate 10% on top of the fixed fare.
2026 World Cup Tips
Saudi Arabia's Green Falcons shocked the world at the 2022 World Cup and fans will travel in force for 2026 in North America. US and Canadian restaurants expect 18–20% tips — significantly higher than back home.
North American card terminals prompt for a tip amount before the transaction completes. Enter a percentage or specific dollar amount.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Check for included service charges before adding your own tip
- Tip in Saudi riyals — USD is occasionally accepted but SAR is preferred
- Tip hotel staff individually — expatriate workers depend on it
Don't
- Don't assume tipping is disrespectful — it's increasingly expected in tourist venues
- Don't shortchange restaurant staff — many earn very modest base wages
- Don't rely solely on card tips at smaller establishments
Practical Tips
- SAR 3.75 = $1 USD. The riyal is pegged to the dollar, so conversion is simple.
- Card payments are widely accepted in Riyadh and Jeddah, including contactless.
- During Ramadan, service hours change and tipping etiquette remains the same.
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