How Much to Tip Valet Parking
Tip your valet parking 2-10%. Tip valet attendants $2-$10 when they return your car. The standard is $3-$5 for most restaurants and hotels. Tip on car retrieval, not drop-off.
Recommended Tip
2–10%
of the service total
Valet Parking Tip Amounts by Bill Size
| Bill | 2% Tip | 20% Tip | 10% Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat tip | $2 | — | $10 |
| $5.00 | $0.10 | $1.00 | $0.50 |
| $10.00 | $0.20 | $2.00 | $1.00 |
| $15.00 | $0.30 | $3.00 | $1.50 |
| $20.00 | $0.40 | $4.00 | $2.00 |
| $25.00 | $0.50 | $5.00 | $2.50 |
Valet Parking Tipping Etiquette
- +$3-$5 is standard at restaurants
- +$5-$10 at upscale hotels or events
- +Tip when your car is returned, not when you drop it off
- +Tip in cash — have small bills ready
- +Tip more during bad weather, holidays, or busy events
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you tip valet?
Tip valet $3-$5 at restaurants, $5-$10 at hotels or upscale venues. Give the tip in cash when your car is returned. During bad weather or busy events, tip on the higher end ($7-$10).
Do you tip valet when dropping off or picking up?
Tip when picking up your car, not when dropping it off. The retrieval is when the attendant does the most work — finding your car, bringing it to you, and potentially navigating a crowded garage.
Do you tip valet at a hotel every time?
Yes, tip each time the valet retrieves your car ($3-$5). If you're at a hotel for multiple days, you'll tip each retrieval. Consider a larger tip ($5-$10) on the final pickup.
Need to Split a Tip?
Use our free tip calculator to split any bill with tax and tip between any number of people.
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