Tipping in Malaysia
Visiting Malaysia for business or leisure? Read our guide about who to tip in Malaysia, when to tip - and how much to hand over. Then avoid any tipping missteps with our handy tip calculator. We’ll also cover how to save on currency exchange with Wise, so you can tip generously and still have more to spend on yourself!
Save with Wise when tipping in Malaysia.
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Do you tip in Malaysia?
Tipping in Malaysia is not expected. Instead, a service charge will normally be added to your bill. The service charge will usually be declared on the menu if you’re in a cafe or restaurant, for example, and is paid directly to the company rather than to an individual member of staff.
Not all sectors will add a service charge as standard, but you’ll be able to see if one has been added by looking at your bill.
Even if it’s not customary to tip in Malaysia, a little extra is always appreciated as a thank you for exceptional service. Read on to find out how to tip in Malaysia across different sectors.
Whether you're tipping with cash or card, always use the local currency to save money. Use the Wise travel money card.
Tip in local currency with Wise Malaysian ringgit travel card.
No matter where you are, it makes sense to tip in local currency. Want to save money on currency exchange so you can tip generously and still have more to spend on yourself?
With the Wise Malaysian ringgit travel money card it’s easy to top up in your local currency, and switch to Malaysian ringgit whenever you need to pay for your day to day expenses in Malaysia.
With Wise you’ll always get the real exchange rate with no hidden costs. There’s just a low, transparent conversion fee - and then it’s free to spend any currency you hold. Simply top up your card and convert to the currency you need in real time using the Wise app.
No matter where your adventures take you, Wise has you covered. Hold and spend 40+ currencies with the same card, make ATM withdrawals and manage your account on the go using the Wise app.
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Tipping in Malaysia in restaurants & bars
Plan to tip around 10-15% in malaysian restaurants. However, the exact tip amount when eating out in Malaysia depends on the place, occasion, and order size. It’s customary to give your waiter or waitress a slightly higher tip than you would a bartender, as they are likely sharing their tip with the kitchen staff.
In bars and cafes in Malaysia you can round the bill to the next significant amount, or leave a small tip each time you order a drink. If you are in a fancy cocktail bar, where cocktail making is a craft - or have a particularly skilled barista make your cappuccino - you might wish to splash out and leave a bigger tip.
Suggested tip:
100 Malaysian ringgits meal = suggested tip of 10 or 15 Malaysian ringgits
10 Malaysian ringgits for a drink = suggested tip of 1-2 Malaysian ringgits
Eating out in Malaysia? You can save on currency conversion fees when paying or tipping with our travel money card for Malaysia
Tipping in hotels in Malaysia
If you’re staying in a hotel in Malaysia it’s standard practise to tip between 10-20%. In top end hotels with high service levels you’ll likely want to tip a range of staff, such as maids, bellboys, valets and front desk employees.
Who you tip, and how much, is ultimately at your discretion, and should be based on the levels of service you receive. To help you figure out how to budget and approach hotel tipping, check out our handy cheat sheet for tipping in malaysian hotels.
Staying in a hotel in Malaysia? You can save on currency conversion fees when checking out or tipping hotel staff with our Wise travel money card for Malaysia
| Hotel staff | Suggested Tip | Reasons to tip |
|---|---|---|
House-keeping | 5-10 MYR | Housekeepers and maids are among the hardest working hotel staff. It’s common to say thanks for great service with a small daily tip. |
Luggage attendants / Porters | 1 MYR / per bag | When you arrive at your hotel in Malaysia you’ll probably need help getting your bags to your room. It’s customary to give a small tip to porters so don’t forget to have some small change when checking in! |
Concierge/ Receptionist | 10-15 MYR | If the hotel concierge during your stay in Malaysia offers exceptional service, you may want to tip. Tips aren’t needed if reception staff simply helped ordering a cab or booking dinner reservations. |
Valets | 5-10 MYR / each time | If you’re driving, pay a small tip every time a valet retrieves your car from the hotel parking lot. |
Tipping taxi drivers in Malaysia
It’s common to tip 10% in Malaysia for a longer journey, and if you were helped with your luggage. For short journeys the easiest option is to round up the bill to the nearest significant amount in Malaysian ringgits. Don’t forget, if you’re using local taxis rather than a ride-hailing service such as Uber, you’ll need to agree on the fare before your journey.
Suggested tip:
50 Malaysian ringgits taxi bill = 5 Malaysian ringgits tip for a longer journey
7.50 Malaysian ringgits taxi bill = 0.50 Malaysian ringgits tip for a short journey
Hopping on a cab from the airport in Malaysia? You can save on currency conversion fees when traveling with Wise travel money card
Tipping tour guides in Malaysia
Your tour guide can make or break your experience when travelling - so when you find a great guide in Malaysia do tip them the standard 10%. Tips are equally welcome whether you’re taking a private, multi-day, or walking tour.
If you join a free tour in Malaysia it’s worth tipping too. Tours like these often operate on a ‘pay what you like’ basis. Your tips may be the only income your guide makes.
Sometimes you may be asked to leave a TripAdvisor review if you enjoyed your experience instead of tipping. This might help guides earn commission - and help other travellers have their own great experience in future.
Going for a tour in Malaysia? You can save on currency conversion fees when traveling with Wise travel money card
Tipping at a spa in Malaysia
If you need a massage to unwind after your adventures in Malaysia it is appropriate to leave a small tip to the therapist. Budget around 10-15% of the treatment price.
That means that for a massage costing you 100 Malaysian ringgits, you might consider leaving a tip of 10 Malaysian ringgits if the service was average, or as you’d expect - or say thanks with a 15% tip if the therapist provided an outstanding treatment.
Suggested tip:
100 Malaysian ringgits massage bill = 10 Malaysian ringgits tip to masseuse for a standard treatment
100 Malaysian ringgits massage bill = 15 Malaysian ringgits tip to masseuse for an outstanding treatment
Tips for tipping in Malaysia
- Whenever you tip during your trip to Malaysia it is important to use the local currency, that is - Malaysian ringgits. Otherwise you’ll leave your service providers with cash they can’t use without paying high fees on currency exchange. Prepare some small change in the local currency before leaving the airport if you can, to tip drivers and hotel porters. Get free ATM withdrawals with a travel money card
Tip in the local currency
- Service charges may be added to the bill automatically when you’re in a restaurant, hotel or bar in Malaysia. Double check your bill before deciding whether or not to tip. In some countries adding a service charge is a common practice, in others less so. Save where you can pay with Wise travel card
The tip may already be included in your bill
- Don’t get caught out in an embarrassing situation at a business dinner. As tipping etiquette varies by country, it’s important you familiarise yourself with international tipping standards, to avoid doubt and awkward moments! Manage business multi-currency banking from your phone
Tipping on a business trip
- Tipping is a great way to acknowledge and reward great service. If the service charge is not already added to your bill, then tipping is at your discretion - but will always be appreciated. The staff working in restaurants and hotels in Malaysia often have tough jobs for lower end wages - think twice before canceling any gratuity tip request on their payment terminals.
Use your own judgement
Tipping in other countries:
Tipping in Malaysia FAQ
Save on trip to Malaysia with your Wise Travel Card
Tip and spend in local currency with Wise Malaysian ringgit travel card.