Tipping a private chauffeur: the etiquette to know in France
Tipping a private chauffeur is never compulsory in France: it is a free gesture that rewards a service you appreciated. Here are the customs, and the simple rules that make every journey more relaxed.
Tipping a private chauffeur is never compulsory in France: it is entirely your choice. If you are satisfied, the travel press reports 5 to 10% of the price as the custom for a booked transfer or a day with a chauffeur. At Aura Chauffeur, no tip is expected or requested.
Do you have to tip in France?
No. In establishments serving food or drink, service has even been included in the displayed prices since an order of 27 March 1987, as a ministerial answer published in the Journal officiel in 2019 points out. For a journey too, a tip remains a voluntary gesture, which the client adds if they appreciated the service. No one can demand it of you, and not leaving one is in no way impolite.
What are the customs in each situation?
There is no official scale. Travel guides do, however, note fairly consistent habits, summarised below.
| Situation | Most common practice | Compulsory? |
|---|---|---|
| Paris taxi | Round up to the next euro, or leave up to 5%; 5 to 10% if the service was outstanding | No |
| Ride-hailing app | Tip option offered in the app, after the ride | No |
| Booked transfer or day with a chauffeur | 5 to 10% of the price, if you are satisfied | No |
| Help with heavy luggage | €1 or €2 per bag | No |
These benchmarks are customs reported by the travel press, not rules: nothing obliges you to follow them.
Tipping a taxi, a ride-hailing driver or a private chauffeur: what changes
Tipping in a taxi is often limited to rounding up the fare, paid on arrival. With a ride-hailing app, the tip is offered in the app once the journey is over. With a private chauffeur booked in advance, the price is set and paid before departure: any tip comes on top, freely, and has no connection with the fare. To compare these options, read our guide private driver vs taxi in Paris.
When a tip makes sense
If you choose to leave one, it is generally to thank a chauffeur for particular attention: carrying heavy suitcases, adapting to a changing schedule or making a long journey pleasant. Both the amount and the way you give it remain your choice, with no need to justify it.
And with us?
Our fixed prices include VAT and cover the name-board welcome, flight tracking and 60 minutes of waiting time at the airport. No tip is expected or requested, and no payment is taken on board: any tip for your private chauffeur is entirely at your discretion.
What else should you know before your journey?
Waiting time at the airport
Your chauffeur is on site 15 minutes before the scheduled time, with a sign bearing your name. Waiting time at the airport is included up to 60 minutes, enough to collect your luggage and clear the checks. After these 60 minutes, our terms and conditions consider you a no-show: if baggage delivery or formalities drag on, let us know straight away on WhatsApp, so that we can find a solution together.
What if your flight is delayed?
Nothing in particular: give your flight number when you book. Your chauffeur tracks your flight in real time and adjusts the pick-up time to your actual landing time. If your flight is cancelled or diverted to another airport, write to us as soon as possible: we will work out a suitable solution with you.
Declaring your luggage
When booking, state the number of passengers and pieces of luggage, without forgetting bulky items: skis, trunk, musical instrument, professional equipment. This lets us choose the right vehicle: a sedan for 1 to 3 passengers, a van for up to 7 or 8 passengers, a minibus or a coach beyond that. Luggage that has not been declared may not fit. Discover our vehicles on our fleet page.
Pets
Small pets are welcome in their closed cage or carrier bag: simply mention them when booking. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are always welcome.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in our vehicles, whatever the length of the journey.
Payment and cancellation
Payment is made online only, before the journey: by bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, via the Stripe platform. No payment is requested on board. If you cancel more than 24 hours before pick-up, you receive a 100% refund; between 24 hours and 6 hours before, 50%; less than 6 hours before, or in the event of a no-show, no refund is possible. Cancel by email or on WhatsApp: the time your message is received is the reference.
Confidentiality
Discretion is part of the job: your conversations and your appointments are your business alone. On request, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is signed before the journey. Our chauffeurs, bilingual in French and English, work in suits, and a bottle of water and chargers await you on board.
For any other question, see our FAQ or book your Paris airport transfer directly.
On quotation: you receive a fixed price before you book, with a bilingual chauffeur (French and English) and no night or weekend surcharge.
Frequently asked questions
How much should you tip a chauffeur?
Nothing is compulsory. The travel press reports 5 to 10% as customary for a booked transfer or a day with a chauffeur; with us, no tip is expected.
Is the tip included in your prices?
No. Our fixed prices cover the whole service, including the name-board welcome and waiting time at the airport, but not a tip: that remains a free gesture.
Can I pay my chauffeur on board?
No. Payment is made online only, before the journey, by bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. No payment is requested on board.
Can I smoke during a long journey?
No. Smoking is not allowed in our vehicles, whatever the length of the journey.
Can I travel with my cat?
Yes, if it travels in its closed cage or carrier bag, to be mentioned when booking. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are always welcome.
Related articles
- Travelling with a private chauffeur
Which vehicle to choose for your group and your luggage?
For up to 3 passengers, a sedan is enough: €119 between Charles de Gaulle and Paris.
Checked in November 2026 - Travelling with a private chauffeur
What happens if my flight is delayed? What your chauffeur does
Your chauffeur tracks your flight and adjusts the pick-up time to your actual landing time.
Checked in November 2026 - Travelling with a private chauffeur
What is included with a private chauffeur?
The fixed price of a transfer includes the name-board welcome, flight tracking, 60 minutes of waiting time at the airport, a bilingual chauffeur (French and English) in a suit who is there 15 minutes early, a bottle of water and chargers, with no night or weekend surcharge.
Checked in November 2026
Book a private chauffeur online · Paris chauffeur prices
Sources
- Written question no. 16558 on tipping and the ministry's answer, Journal officiel of 2 April 2019 (French National Assembly)
- Do You Tip in France? Sometimes—Here's When and How Much to Give, updated 24 February 2026 (Afar)
- What to Tip Waiters, Hotel Staff, and Taxi Drivers in France (Frommer's)
Prices and timetables of other means of transport may change: check the official websites before you travel.
Prices and information checked in November 2026 · Updated 6 November 2026.
Written by the Aura Chauffeur team, private chauffeurs in Paris.