Not tipping a taxi driver in Vancouver is not automatically rude, but tipping is the custom and most drivers expect something for a decent ride. Leaving nothing after good service is the case most likely to come across as unfriendly.
The usual taxi tip in Canada is 10% to 15% of the fare, and sometimes 15% to 20%. Either way, a tip is treated as a normal part of paying for a cab, much like at a restaurant.
When skipping the tip is understandable
Tipping is a thank-you for service, so a poor ride is a fair reason to leave less or nothing. A driver who was rude, drove unsafely, ignored the route you asked for or arrived with a dirty car has not earned one. Short, tiny fares are another gray area, and rounding up to the next dollar is a polite way to handle them.
Some people also pay with a card at a terminal and are unsure how the tip prompt works. If that happens, ask the driver. A friendly question reads far better than an awkward silence and a missing tip.
How drivers tend to read it
Most drivers know that circumstances vary. A passenger who greets them, gives clear directions and says thanks at the end will usually leave a better impression than one who tips and says nothing. Still, when the ride went well, a tip is the way to show it, and the absence of one is noticed.
Tipping customs in other countries
Customs differ, and a visitor to Vancouver may come from a place where tipping works another way.
- Canada: a tip is standard for taxis, usually 10% to 15% and sometimes 15% to 20%.
- United States: taxi tips of about 15% to 20% are expected.
- Japan: tipping a taxi is not customary, and drivers do not expect it.
Travellers who are not sure about a country can check a current tipping guide before the trip or ask staff at the hotel.
Practical points for paying a cab driver
Carry a few small bills so you can tip in cash without waiting for change. If you pay by card, look at the screen and the receipt before adding anything, so you do not tip twice. Tip a little more when the driver handles heavy luggage or waits for you, and a little less when the service was lacking.
To get a sense of the fare before you ride, you can use the taxi fare estimator, then work out your tip from the percentages above.