How Much to Tip an Airport Porter or Skycap
$2–5 per bag
Tip an airport porter or curbside skycap $2–5 per bag, with about $5 as a minimum for the whole job. Go higher for heavy, oversized or awkward items like golf bags and car seats, or if they wheel your bags all the way to the counter.
Within the usual $2–$5 per bag.
How much to tip, situation by situation
| Situation | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Curbside check-in, 1–2 bags | $5 total |
| Standard suitcase | $2–3 per bag |
| Heavy or oversized (golf bag, stroller, car seat) | $5 per item |
| Porter takes bags from car to counter | $3–5 per bag |
| Wheelchair assistance through the airport | $5–10 (optional, if allowed) |
| Airline curbside fee charged | Fee goes to the airline; tip still customary |
Worth knowing
- Some airlines charge a per-bag fee for curbside check-in. That fee is not a tip, so skycaps still count on a cash tip.
- Keep small bills handy before you leave home; skycaps generally cannot take card tips.
- Abroad, porter rates are sometimes posted as a fixed fee per bag; follow the posted rate.
Working it out by hand? See how to calculate a tip. Travelling? Customs differ abroad: tipping by country.
Questions people ask
How much do you tip a porter at the airport?
About $2–5 per bag, and at least $5 in total. Tip more for heavy or oversized items or if the porter takes your bags a long way.
Is the curbside check-in fee a tip?
No. Where airlines charge a curbside fee, it goes to the airline. The skycap still expects a cash tip.
Do you tip airport wheelchair attendants?
It is not required, but $5–10 is a common thank-you where staff are allowed to accept it. Some contracted staff are not permitted to take tips; a thank-you is fine then.