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Tipping in United Kingdom

Tipping commonGBP (£)Tips: card or cash

Here's the tip.

Tip in restaurants and taxis. Never at the bar.

The UK sits between European restraint and American expectation. Sit-down restaurants usually add a discretionary service charge of 12.5%, and taxi fares get rounded up. Pubs, cafés and counter service are firmly no-tip territory.

At a glance

Card tipping. Card tipping is normal and easy, terminals routinely prompt. Since the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act came into force in October 2024, employers must pass tips on to staff in full.

  • A 'discretionary service charge' of 12.5% is common in London restaurants. You are allowed to ask for it to be removed.
  • If service has been added, there is no need to tip again on top.

Tip calculator

10%
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12.5%
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UNITED KINGDOM

The tipping cheat sheet

  • Restaurants10–12.5%
  • CafésNot expected
  • BarsNot expected
  • TaxisRound up, or 10%
  • Hotel porters£1–2 per bag
  • Housekeeping£1–2 per day

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Things to do in United Kingdom

Where are you actually going? These are the best rated in each place.

LondonThe Great British Pub Walking Tour: London5.0·237 reviews·from €38.53EdinburghLuxury Private Tour of The Highlands Loch Ness from Edinburgh5.0·201 reviews·from €1120.82BelfastGame of Thrones - Private Audi A6 tour with Richard the Wildling5.0·133 reviews·from €632.21GlasgowKelpies and Falkirk Wheel Private Tour for 1 - 4 people from Greater Glasgow5.0·55 reviews·from €674.36

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Travelling in United Kingdom?

Stay connectedGet an eSIM before you land so you can check fares, maps and this guide without roaming charges.View eSIM plansAirport transfersBook a fixed-price transfer in advance and skip the taxi-rank negotiation.Book a transfer

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Common questions

Do you tip in United Kingdom?
Tip in restaurants and taxis. Never at the bar. The UK sits between European restraint and American expectation. Sit-down restaurants usually add a discretionary service charge of 12.5%, and taxi fares get rounded up. Pubs, cafés and counter service are firmly no-tip territory.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in United Kingdom?
10–12.5%, unless service is already on the bill.
Can you tip by card in United Kingdom?
Card tipping is normal and easy, terminals routinely prompt. Since the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act came into force in October 2024, employers must pass tips on to staff in full.

Reviewed by Greg Kockott on 3 September 2026.

Figures checked against the sources below on 4 September 2026.

Sources