How Much to Tip
a Valet?

Restaurant · Hotel · Hospital / Medical · Event · Casino

The US standard for valet is $2–$5 at casual venues and $5–$10 at hotels, luxury restaurants, or events. Tip at pick-up — not drop-off — since the attendant who retrieves your car is the one doing the work. Use the calculator below for a suggestion based on your venue and city.

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Valet tip norms vary by city and venue type.

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Venue Type
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When do you tip? (optional)

Most valets prefer a tip at pick-up. Tipping at both is generous but not required.

How much do you tip a valet?

The standard valet tip is $2–$5 when picking up your car, paid directly to the attendant. At upscale venues, $5–$10 is more appropriate.

Do you tip valet when dropping off or picking up?

Most people tip only at pickup. Some tip at both — $2 at drop-off and $3–$5 at pickup. The calculator accounts for when you prefer to tip.

Cash only for valet tips?

Yes — valet tips are almost always cash. Have small bills ready before arriving at a valet stand.

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Valet Tipping in the United States

Here's what's standard at every venue — and when to hand over the tip.

Tip at Pick-Up, Not Drop-Off

The standard practice in the US is to tip at pick-up rather than drop-off. The attendant retrieving your car is the one doing the active work, and they may be a different person than who parked it. Some guests tip at both — that's generous but not required.

Hotel Valet

Hotel valet typically warrants $3–$5 per retrieval at a standard hotel and $5–$10 at a luxury property. For multi-day stays, tip each time you retrieve your car rather than a lump sum at checkout.

Restaurant Valet

Restaurant valet runs $2–$5 at a casual venue and $5–$8 at an upscale restaurant. The valet tip is separate from your server tip — both are expected when valet service is available.

Hospital Valet

Hospital valet is often used during stressful circumstances. A $2–$3 tip is appropriate and appreciated for the convenience and care provided during what is often a difficult visit.

Frequently Asked Questions — Valet Tips

Do you tip valet when dropping off or picking up?

At pick-up is the standard. The person retrieving your car is doing the active work and typically receives the tip. Some guests tip at both points — $2–$3 at drop-off and $3–$5 at pick-up — which is generous but not expected.

How much to tip valet at a hotel for multiple days?

For a multi-night hotel stay, tip $3–$5 each time your car is retrieved — not one lump sum at checkout. Different attendants may handle each retrieval, so daily tipping ensures each person is recognized.

Should I tip valet in cash?

Yes — cash is strongly preferred. Many valet operations share tips among the team and may not have card readers available. Having $3–$5 in cash ready when you pull up for retrieval is considered good etiquette.