Driver/Guide Tips in India
 

I searched the forum and found recommendations of 100-200 rupees per day as driver/guide tips. I also asked our travel agent in India for recommendations. He came back with $10-$15 per person per day for the guide and $10-15 per day for the driver. We want to tip generously for work well done but we don't want to be taken for fools. Anybody have more information?

For a driver I've used that went above and beyond, I have tipped as much 600 rupees ($15) for two days.

For a guide, I assume you mean one that's with you 24/7, right? I personally wouldn't be likely to tip more than 500 rupees ($12) total per day (regardless of # of people), and that would be if he was a completely amazing guide. I'd probably tip closer to the 100-200 amount listed on the forum.

Hi Marija, I tend to tip the same internationally - if we are on a private tour about $20-25 for the three of us per person per day for the usual sightseeing tours. If on a bus tour $15 to 18 per day. Now of course I tip the standard amounts plus plus for Safaris or any special service. I find that Indians dont use the 10% or 15% rule for tipping and will just tip a round amount that has bears no relation to the service. This is a personal opinion gleaned from my many trips to India. I am of Indian origin but live in Canada.

Given Indian standards I think our tipping is considered generous. A small amount goes a long way to the hard working guides so err on the side of generosity.

Enjoy your trip to India. After two consecutive Safaris we are going to China and Japan this year.

Miriam

to give a sense of scale, we had a driver 9-5 (not overnight) in Delhi and the whole day cost total Rs700! and this was for a good new car and english-speaking driver. so, a tip that is more than the total cost of a day is completely out of proportion. a 24/7 driver/guide is different, but in India money is on a different scale. also, remember that you are already paying for his lodging and food if he's with you 24/7 in your rate, so he's actually spending very little of his money while he's with you (of course, he's away from family...)

We just returned from a 2 week trip to India. We hired Ramesh Meena of FourWheelsDriveIndia (however, he may be changing his business name). He was a very safe driver and extremely knowledgeable. His rate for large car was 2360 rupees per day. That was an all-inclusive rate, no extra taxes or charges. Considering that the road tolls were substantial, we were quite satisfied. As far as tipping goes, I think you should tip by your standards, not theirs. If you feel that the service was excellent, you should tip the same way you do at home - in our case over 15%.

Where's Dogster when you need him! He was just there and should have names and contact info galore.

"I think you should tip by your standards, not theirs.". Oh dear, not again! Would you think it right for Japanese visiting the US to tip according to their standards?( That would mean NO tip.)

I assume bonnieheather did not mean that you should ignore local tipping habits altogether. Surely, no matter where you are in the world, you ought to be free to reward someone or not depending on your experience with the service he or she provides to you.

Exactly my point. You should reward based on the experience. Although tipping is expected here in the US, I never tip unless the service meets a respectable standard. If it's above standard, the size of the tip grows accordingly. I was simply disagreeing with the writer who suggested that because the going rate for the driver includes his costs, and because the wages and cost of living in India are lower, we westerners shouldn't tip what we would at home. I believe that discretionary costs should be paid according to your experience and your means.

I like the tone of this thread immensely.

Good common sense.

(Although I am staying out of the discussion).

bonnieheather: when you say a "large car," what specific model was it?

toyota innova - seats 5 plus an extra pop-up seat in the cargo area.

the toyota above is the perfect car for touring....i would not want to be in a small tata....

lcuy had a fabulous driver, i will see if she will post his info

Toyota Qualis is another larege vehicle option. No tiny cars!!!

Avoid driving after sundown outside the metro areas. Roads at night in India are sketchy - poorly lit for starters and often other cars have headlights that are very dim and some don't have them on at all. Further, you don't want to break down and be out on a dark road.

Find out ahead of time if your price does or does not include gasoline. If it's included, make sure the driver understands that before you head out.

We returned last Thursday and we did the following for 2 pax - not per person!:

Driver for a whole day 400INR - guide 500INR
Driver for half day 200INR - Guide 300INR
Lodge staff 500INR/day

park guide in a gypsy/or lodge vehicle per game drive 100INR per drive

SV