Tipping in United Kingdom

At a glance

• Restaurants●●○Common10–12.5%
• Cafés○○○Not expectedNot expected
• Bars○○○Not expectedNot expected
• Taxis●●○CommonRound up, or 10%
• Hotel porters●○○Optional£1–2 per bag
• Housekeeping●○○Optional£1–2 per day
• Tour guides●●○Common£5–10 per person
• Private drivers●○○Optional£10–20 per day

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.

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%. 10–12.5%, unless service is already on the bill. Check the bill before adding anything: most mid-range and upmarket restaurants add a discretionary 12.5% service charge. If they haven't, 10–12.5% is the norm for table service. Nothing is expected at a café counter, a takeaway or a chain where you order at the till.

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.

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