Tipping in Las Vegas – Who? And How Much?

How Much to Tip Slot Attendants on a Handpay Jackpot in Vegas

You hit a slot jackpot in Las Vegas! Congrats! Now your slot attendant is counting your handpay and you’re having a mini panic attack deciding how much to tip. You don’t want to overdo it, but also don’t want to be stingy.

I recommend tipping around 1% ($20 on a $2,000 jackpot) but it’s common for folks to tip slightly more, up to 2% on small jackpots depending on the level of service received.

While I’ve never hit a big jackpot, I’d scale the tip amount back to around 0.5% ($500 tip on a $100,000 win) for a major hit.

Play the slots with a plan. know in advance how much you plan to tip the attendant on both small jackpots as well as the big one should it hit to avoid the stress of a split-second decision.

How Much to Tip For Free Drinks in Vegas

Free drinks while gambling is one of the best aspects of Las Vegas, but how much should you tip the cocktail waitress? The baseline acceptable tip amount here is $1 per drink delivered, however, that amount should be treated as a bare minimum.

If I know I’ll be at a table or slot machine for a while and have been getting great service, I’ll slip in a few $2, $3, or $5 tips every few drinks as a thank you and to show my appreciation and to ensure better service.  

How Much to Tip Street Performers

You are not obligated to tip a Las Vegas street performer anything. Although they work for tips, they are not able to set a price for their services.

If you do choose to pose for a souvenir photo, tipping a few dollars up to $5 at most is appropriate.   Oftentimes, you’ll be aggressively pressured to pay more, up to $20 per person. Don’t be shamed into giving more than you feel comfortable.

Related: Scams in Las Vegas – What to watch for.

How Much to Tip Bellmen in Vegas

I always get to the Hotel before check-in and store my bags at the bell desk until my room is ready. How much should you tip the bellman for stowing your bags?

It’s appropriate to tip a $1-$2 per bag upon pickup unless of course, they go above and beyond, you can always adjust upward. 

The same tipping structure is applicable for the delivery of bags to your room.

More often than not, I’m traveling with just a backpack or carry-on size bag and tip $5 at both drop-off and pick-up.

How Much to Tip Hotel Housekeeping

Too many Las Vegas Visitors skip this tip. After all, you won’t even make eye contact before the maid has to clean the room after your weekend of debauchery.

Housekeeping staff deal with a lot of disgusting situations. Make their day and leave something, anything, behind. I recommend leaving them $5-$10 daily… or more… depending on what you put them through.  

Note too that a different person could clean your room daily. I’d recommend tipping daily, leaving the money on a table with a little note so they know it’s for them vs. a lump sum at the end of your stay.

How Much to Tip Ride Share Drivers

It’s appropriate to tip Uber & Lyft drivers around 15% – 20% of the base fare amount.  

How Much to Tip Shuttle Drivers

Typically, dropping a few singles into the tip jar when exiting the bus at your destination is sufficient.

How Much to Tip Restaurant Servers

A tip based on service received. I recommend starting at 20% of the final bill and going up from there if you had an exceptional experience. If all or part of your meal was comped or a coupon was used, don’t be cheap, tip on what the full amount would have been.  

You are also not obligated to tip when ordering “fast food” even if there is a tip jar present. More and more credit card terminals are prompting customers to tip in situations where tipping hasn’t always been customary. While I personally tip if I had a great interaction, it’s completely optional.

How Much to Tip at Buffets in Vegas

Due to the self-service nature of most buffets, you can scale your tip back and leave a few bucks a person. 

If you dine at a buffet in which drinks are delivered to your table vs. being self-service, I’d recommend sticking to the standard 20%.

How Much to Tip at the Hotel Front Desk

There is no need to tip when checking into your Las Vegas hotel unless you receive an unprecedented level of service or an upgraded accommodation that was not expected.

Some Vegas travelers will use the $20 trick, sliding the front desk worker $20 upfront, in an attempt to obtain an upgrade.

Related: More on the $20 trick.

How Much to Tip the Valet in Vegas

I don’t drive a car in Vegas, because I am pretty consistently inebriated. For those of you that use Valet service, consider $3-$5 an acceptable tip per interaction.

Some choose to split the tip between drop off and pick up or they choose to fork it over at pickup.  

Related: Should you rent a car in Las Vegas?

How Much to Tip Tour Guides in Vegas

Whether you are going for a tour to visit the haunted sites around Las Vegas or taking a full-day trip out to Bryce Canyon or the Hoover Dam, I recommend tipping your tour guide between $5-$20.

The tip amount can be determined by the cost and time commitment of the excursion and the experience provided by the guide. Many don’t tip at all, you can’t go wrong if you choose to.  

Panhandlers

I recommend you don’t “tip” or give money to the homeless individuals lining the strip with “Need Money for Weed” or related signs. Instead, direct a donation to a local charity supporting that population.

Nightclub Staff

It’s not my scene. I wouldn’t even know what I would do in a nightclub. Like, what are you supposed to do with your hands?  

I’d look like one of those wacky inflatable arm guys you see at car dealerships. I’d rather just throw dice all night. You’re on your own here, but I’m sure plenty of tipping is involved.