Tipping in Qatar: Who, How Much, and When to Tip

Tipping in Qatar is not mandatory, but service staff do expect it. The standard rate is 10% of the bill at restaurants and 5–10 QAR per individual service at hotels. The main catch is the 10–15% service charge that many establishments add automatically – but this money rarely reaches the person who served you. Below are exact amounts for every situation and tips on avoiding common mistakes.

• Tipping is a gesture, not an obligation. There is no cultural pressure to tip the way there is in the US, but service workers genuinely appreciate it.
• Service charge ≠ tip. The 10–15% on your bill goes to the establishment, not your waiter. If you want to thank someone directly, leave cash separately.
• Cash is preferred. Electronic tips through card terminals often do not reach the staff member. Small QAR bills work best.
• Use Qatari Riyals only. USD and EUR are inconvenient for staff to exchange. The rate is fixed: 1 USD ≈ 3.64 QAR.
• Be discreet. Hand over tips quietly – folded in your palm or tucked under a plate. Modesty is valued in Qatari culture.
• No tipping at self-service spots. Food courts in malls, street food counters, and cafeterias do not expect tips.
• Service wages are low. Most restaurant and hotel staff are expats from South and Southeast Asia on fixed salaries. Tips make a real difference.

Doha has hundreds of dining spots – from kebab joints at Souq Waqif to waterfront restaurants on The Pearl Island. Tipping rules depend on the venue level.

A service charge of 10–15% is automatically added to most mid-range and upscale restaurant bills. But here is the key issue: this money typically goes to the owner, not the staff. So if you received good service, an additional 5–10% in cash is appropriate.

Important: Check your receipt before tipping. A "Service Charge" line means the fee is already included. Adding more is your choice, not your duty.

An average meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Doha costs about 8 $ (≈ 30 QAR), while a two-person dinner at a mid-range restaurant runs around 55 $ (≈ 200 QAR). Prices in tourist zones like The Pearl Island and Katara Cultural Village are 20–30% higher (Updated: February 2026).

Qatar is synonymous with five-star hospitality, and hotel staff are accustomed to receiving tips from international guests. But the amounts are more modest than you might expect.

Pro tip: break 100–200 QAR into small bills (5 and 10 QAR) at Hamad Airport right away. This prepares you for the first tips – porter and transfer driver – before you even reach your hotel.

Doha has two main ways to get around: Karwa taxis (turquoise cars) and Uber. Tipping culture differs between them.

Karwa and regular taxis. Tips are not required, but rounding up the fare is standard practice. If your ride costs 27 QAR, you hand over 30 QAR. For longer routes (such as Hamad Airport to Lusail), adding 10–15 QAR on top is appropriate.

Uber. You can add a tip through the app after your ride. 5–10% of the fare is standard. However, drivers prefer cash: app-based tips arrive with a delay and after commission deductions.

Private transfers. If you booked an airport pickup through a service like KiwiTaxi or Welcome Pickups, tipping the driver 20–30 QAR for a standard ride and 40–50 QAR if they helped with luggage is customary.

For more on taxi fares and booking options, check Taxis in Doha: Karwa, Uber – prices and how to book.

Tours are one situation where tipping truly matters. Guides in Qatar often work as freelancers and depend on reviews and guest appreciation.

• Group tour (half-day): 20–30 QAR per person
• Group tour (full day): 40–50 QAR per person
• Private guide: 50–100 QAR per day
• Desert safari driver: 30–50 QAR, depending on duration and intensity

You can book excursions through GetYourGuide or Viator – tips are never included in the tour price and are left at your discretion.

At hotel spas in Doha and on The Pearl Island, tipping is common practice. The standard is 10–15% of the treatment cost. Hand the money directly to the therapist, not at the reception desk – this ensures it actually reaches them.

At barbershops and hair salons, 10–15 QAR is customary. If multiple staff members worked on you, 10 QAR each is sufficient.

At gas stations (if driving a rental car via Localrent or EconomyBookings), attendants handle all the fueling for you. 5–10 QAR is the standard thank-you.

Not every interaction in Qatar calls for a tip. Here is where you can walk away without one:

• Doha Metro – no staff interaction, fully automated.
• Fast food and food courts – self-service, no tipping expected.
• Shops and malls – sales staff do not expect tips. This applies to Place Vendôme in Lusail and boutiques at Katara Cultural Village.
• Government venues and museums – tipping is not practiced at Museum of Islamic Art or National Museum of Qatar.
• Shoe attendants at mosques – a small gesture (5 QAR) is welcome but not required.

Get change early. Hamad Airport has currency exchanges and ATMs. Grab at least 200 QAR in small bills (5 and 10 QAR) – enough for the first two to three days.

Check your card compatibility. Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay are widely accepted for payments. But for tips, you still need cash, so withdraw from an ATM right after landing.

Do not leave tips on tables in public areas like food courts – anyone could take them. In restaurants, hand them over personally or tuck them inside the bill folder.

Do not confuse tips with baksheesh. Baksheesh is a "gift" for unsolicited help (like a pushy "helper" at a market). You are not obligated to pay for services you did not request.

Souq Waqif tip: If a vendor offers you tea or coffee during bargaining, that is part of the culture, not a prompt for a tip. Simply say thank you.

1. Is tipping mandatory in Qatar? No, tipping is not mandatory or regulated by law in Qatar. However, service staff in restaurants and hotels do expect it, as base salaries in the hospitality sector are modest. The standard is 10% at restaurants and 10–20 QAR per individual service at hotels.

2. Is a service charge included in restaurant bills? Yes, most mid-range and upscale restaurants add a 10–15% service charge automatically. However, this money typically goes to the establishment rather than the server. Check for the "Service Charge" line on your receipt and, if you wish to thank your server personally, leave additional cash.

3. How much should I tip a taxi driver in Doha? Simply round up the fare. For short rides, this means 3–5 QAR extra; for longer trips (airport to hotel), 10–15 QAR. On Uber, you can add 5–10% through the app, though drivers prefer cash.

4. What currency should I use for tips? Qatari Riyals (QAR) only. USD and EUR are costly and inconvenient for staff to exchange. Break small bills at Hamad Airport currency exchange right after arrival.

5. Should I tip hotel housekeeping? Yes, 10–20 QAR per day is standard practice. Leave the tip daily on the nightstand or pillow rather than on your last day – housekeepers rotate shifts, and the person who cleaned your room may not be working at checkout.

Tipping in Qatar is simple once you know the basics. Remember three numbers: 10% at restaurants, 10–20 QAR at hotels, round up in taxis – and you will handle any situation with confidence. For a full breakdown of travel costs, see How much a trip to Qatar costs.

Read also:

• Qatar for tourists: what you can and cannot do
• Safety in Qatar: rules, cameras, and fines
• Souq Waqif in Doha – complete visitor guide

Visit Qatar – service standards and etiquette

Central Bank of Qatar – QAR exchange rate