Tipping Culture in Turkey
Tipping in Turkey is appreciated but not obligatory. Service charges are sometimes included in restaurant bills. When they are not, tipping 5–10% is the norm. Turks are generally not aggressive tippers — rounding up is common.
Restaurant Tipping
Leave 5–10% of the bill if service charge is not included. For excellent service, 10–15% is generous. At casual cafes and lokantası (local restaurants), rounding up to the nearest convenient amount is sufficient.
Other Tipping Guidelines
Taxi drivers: Round up the fare. Hotel porters: 20–50 TL per bag. Hamam attendants: 50–100 TL. Tour guides: 50–100 TL per person for a full day. Hairdressers: 10–20%. Hotel housekeeping: 20–50 TL per day.
Should I tip in cash or add to card?
Cash tips are preferred as they go directly to the service person. If paying by card, you can tell the waiter the total amount including tip, but cash is more appreciated.