Tipping In The UK - A Complete Guide
Quick Guide
🍽️ Restaurant - 10-15% If No Service Fee
🍹 Bar - Not Expected
🚕 Taxi - Round Up or 10%
🛎️ Porter/Bellhop - £1-2/Bag
🛏️ Housekeeping - Not Expected
📸 Tour Guide - 10-15%
🍻 Pub - Not Expected
In the UK, tipping for good service is customary and appreciated. Legislation also prevents employers from withholding tips meaning service charges and tips paid by card are distributed amongst staff.
Calculate a culturally appropriate tip for the UK using the calculator below and read on for more detail on tipping in Restaurants, Bars, Taxis, Hotels, Pubs, etc.
UK Tip Calculator
Good Price For The UK
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Tipping in Restaurants
A 10% tip is customary and polite if you’re dining out in the UK. However, check your bill as service charges of 10-12.5% are common (more likely with larger groups). There’s no need to tip on top of this amount unless you really loved the service.
If a service charge has been included but your service was truly awful, you retain the right to ask for it to be removed.
Tipping in Bars
Bartenders in more casual bars won’t expect tips. However, if you’re happy with the service and you’re paying in cash they’ll appreciate it if they can “keep the change”.
If you’re in a higher-end establishment with table service, tipping 10% is a good rule of thumb. But, again, there’s no need to tip extra if a service charge has been added to your bill.
Tipping Taxi Drivers
It’s customary to tip your taxi, black cab or Uber driver around 10% if they’ve provided excellent service (got you to your destination on time, opened the door for you, unloaded your luggage, etc.).
If you’re paying in cash, rounding up your bill is a fair way to tip. However, if your fare was agreed in advance, there’s no exception for you to tip on tip of this amount.
Tipping The Porter/Bellhop
Porters, more common in high-end hotels, will appreciate a £1-2/Bag tip (depending on how heavy your suitcases are).
Tipping Housekeeping
In the UK, it’s not customary to tip your maid. Instead, it’s considered polite to ensure your room is reasonably tidy when you leave for the day.
Place all your towels together on the bathroom floor, group your glasses and mugs on the desk and dispose of any rubbish in the bin.
Tipping Tour Guides
On guided tours, a tip of 10-15% is standard but only if you enjoyed the experience. Hand your tip directly to your guide at the end of your tour.
Tipping In British Pubs
If you’re just getting drinks, it’s not customary to tip your bartender at the pub. Like in casual British bars, they will appreciate it but it’s not expected.
If you’re eating, stick to restaurant-tipping etiquette. Tip 10% unless there’s a service charge and don’t tip for poor service.
Which Currency To Use
Only use the local currency, the British Pound (£) when tipping or making payments. Other currencies aren’t accepted. You can tip via card or cash (staff will get their tips in either case) but cash is always a thoughtful touch, especially in traditional pubs or smaller establishments.
Cheers! 🎩🇬🇧
