Is 10 Dollars A Good Tip In Cambodia Or Are You Overpaying Everywhere?
The simple tipping rules in Cambodia that save your wallet, respect locals, and stop that awkward “was that too much” feeling.
Learn exactly when 10 dollars feels generous, when it feels strange, and how to tip in Cambodia with total confidence.
Is 10 dollars a good tip in Cambodia? Short answer: yes, it is generous, and in many cases it is more than locals would expect. Is 10 dollars a good tip in Cambodia for your guide or driver on a full day like an Angkor Wat tour or a Siem Reap floating village sunset tour?
That is actually a very fair and appreciated amount when you have had great service. For restaurant staff or short rides, you will probably want to tip much less and think in the 1 to 3 dollar range instead. Use 10 dollars as your “top tier thank you” tip for standout guides and drivers, not as your standard for every small service.
Is 10 Dollars A Good Tip In Cambodia? Your Real-World Guide To Tipping Without Overthinking It
You are not the only one wondering this.
Is 10 dollars a good tip in Cambodia, or are you overdoing it? Or worse, are you being rude by not leaving enough?
Good news: you do not have to stress. Tipping in Cambodia is flexible, people are usually grateful for anything fair, and once you understand a few simple “rules of thumb,” it all starts to feel easy.
Let us walk through how tipping really works here, when 10 dollars makes perfect sense, when it is too much, and how to handle tips on popular tours like a Siem Reap sightseeing day, an Angkor Wat sunset tour, or a Siem Reap floating village tour on Tonle Sap.
You will feel much more relaxed about money, and your guide will feel genuinely appreciated, not awkward.
How To Think About Tipping In Cambodia Without Getting Lost In Numbers
The first thing to know: Cambodia does not have a strict tipping culture like the United States. You are not going to offend anyone by missing a tip once or getting the amount slightly “wrong.”
Tipping is appreciated, not demanded.
So is 10 dollars a good tip in Cambodia? Yes, but the context matters a lot.
A simple way to think about it:
1. Small, quick services
Think tuk tuk rides, cheap meals, coffee shops.
Here, a tip of 0.50 to 2 dollars is already generous.
2. Sit down restaurants and mid range spots
For a proper meal where you sit down, order, and get table service, 5 to 10 percent of the bill is a nice guideline. On a 20 dollar bill, 2 dollars feels very fair.
3. Full day tours and private experiences
This is where 10 dollars really starts to shine. If a guide has spent 6 to 10 hours with you, shared stories, helped with photos, and made the day easier, 10 dollars per couple is a respectful, generous thank you.
So instead of asking only “Is 10 dollars a good tip in Cambodia,” ask yourself:
“How long were they with me, and how much did they really help?”
Is 10 Dollars A Good Tip In Cambodia For Tours In Siem Reap?
Here is where you will most often feel unsure, because tours involve more time, more service, and more people.
On a private or small group tour in Siem Reap, especially with expert local guides, 10 dollars is a strong, generous tip. It sends a clear message: “You did a great job. I really appreciated today.”
For example:
– On a full Siem Reap sightseeing tour where your guide walks you through temples, local markets, and city highlights, 10 dollars for the guide is a very nice gesture.
– On an Angkor Wat sunset experience with hotel pickup, storytelling, photo help, and timing everything perfectly, 10 dollars is again a very good tip.
– On a Siem Reap floating village tour on Tonle Sap, where your guide manages transport, boat timing, local interactions, and answers all your questions, 10 dollars is more than fair.
You do not need to tip 10 dollars to each staff member. Usually:
– Give the main tip to the guide.
– If the driver has been especially helpful, you can add 3 to 5 dollars just for them, or hand a slightly larger envelope and say, “This is for you and the driver.”
You do not have to make it complicated. What matters most is the feeling behind it.
Who Else Wants To Know When 10 Dollars Is Too Much In Cambodia?
Let us be honest: a lot of travelers accidentally overtip in Cambodia because they convert everything in their head from dollars to their home currency and think, “Ah, it is still cheap.”
But locally, that can be a lot.
Here is when 10 dollars is usually too much:
1. Street food or small cafes
– A bowl of noodles for 2 dollars does not need a 10 dollar tip.
– Round up the bill, or leave 1 dollar if you really want to be generous.
2. Short tuk tuk rides around town
– If your ride costs 2 dollars, handing over 10 for a “tip” will feel huge.
– Better approach: pay the 2 dollars, then add 0.50 to 1 dollar if they helped with bags or waited for you.
3. Quick massage or beauty services
– On a 10 to 15 dollar massage, 2 dollars is already very kind.
– Save the 10 dollar level for things that took a big part of someone’s day.
So, is 10 dollars a good tip in Cambodia? Yes, but think of it as a “top tier” thank you, not your default for every transaction.
Is 10 Dollars A Good Tip In Cambodia On These Specific Tours?
Let’s make it very practical.
1. Sightseeing Siem Reap Tour
On a full sightseeing Siem Reap day, your guide is with you for hours, handling temple timings, entrance points, explanations, and usually a lot of “Can you take our photo?” moments.
On a day like this:
– 10 dollars as a tip for your guide is generous and absolutely appropriate if you are happy with the service.
– If your driver has been careful, patient, and always ready with cold water, an extra 3 to 5 dollars is a nice additional touch.
If you want inspiration for a well-organized day, this style of experience fits perfectly with a sightseeing Siem Reap tour that combines temples and local life.
2. Angkor Wat Sunset Tour
The Angkor Wat sunset tour is one of those days where timing is everything. You want to avoid the worst crowds, get the best angles, and not waste time standing in the wrong place.
On this type of tour:
– If your guide gets you to the right spots at the right moments, answers questions, and keeps the day flowing smoothly, 10 dollars is a very good way to say thank you.
– For couples or small groups, you can give 10 dollars total from the group to the guide, and if you feel like it, a smaller amount to the driver.
You do not need to overcomplicate it. If you walk away from sunset thinking, “Wow, that was special,” then yes, 10 dollars is a good tip in Cambodia for that day.
3. Siem Reap Floating Village Tour On Tonle Sap
The Siem Reap floating village tour on Tonle Sap Lake is more than just a boat ride. It involves logistics, timing, and a lot of local knowledge.
You are picked up at your hotel, driven out to the lake, guided through stilted villages and mangroves, then positioned for sunset over the water. It is a full afternoon into evening.
Here, 10 dollars is honestly a sweet spot for a tip:
– It respects the effort, the storytelling, and the time spent with you.
– It feels meaningful in local terms without being over the top.
On top of that, your main costs like boat tickets, community fees, and transport are usually already included in what you paid for the tour itself. Your tip is that personal extra that says, “You made this feel special.”
How Is 10 Dollars A Good Tip In Cambodia Compared To Your Other Costs?
To get a better feel, it helps to compare:
– Angkor temple passes are sold through Angkor Enterprise. A one day ticket is dozens of dollars.
– Your visa and arrival process is handled through official portals such as Arrival Cambodia and the eVisa system. Those fees are fixed and paid online.
– Your tours are often in the 40 to 100 dollar range per person, depending on how private and detailed they are.
Against those numbers, 10 dollars as a tip for a full day with a guide is generous but still balanced.
You are not tipping more than the cost of your tour. You are simply adding a strong thank you on top of the official prices you already paid for your ticket and experience.
So, Is 10 Dollars A Good Tip In Cambodia?
Let us bring it back to your original question.
Is 10 dollars a good tip in Cambodia?
– For a street snack: too much.
– For a tuk tuk ride: more than needed.
– For a sit down meal: generous if your bill was low.
– For a full day private or small group tour in Siem Reap: yes, it is a very good and respectful amount, especially from a couple.
Use smaller tips for small services, and keep 10 dollars as your “this was genuinely great” thank you for guides and drivers who turned your day at Angkor or Tonle Sap into something you will talk about for years.
You will feel good. They will feel appreciated. And that is exactly how it should be.
More helpful resources from My Siem Reap Tours
About My Siem Reap Tours – Learn about our local expertise and commitment to authentic Cambodian experiences
Connect and Contact My Siem Reap Tours – Get in touch with our team for personalized tour assistance
Where to Buy Angkor Wat Tickets: Complete Guide – Essential information for purchasing your temple pass
Ultimate Siem Reap Adventure Tour – Experience the best of Siem Reap in one comprehensive adventure
Kompong Khleang Floating Village Tour from Siem Reap – Discover authentic Cambodian life on Tonle Sap Lake
Discovering Preah Khan Temple: Complete Visitor Guide – Explore this magnificent Angkorian complex with expert insights
Brought to you by Dan and Mat, Your tour planners.
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