Tipping in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, tipping is expected for 3 of the 20 services we track. At a sit-down restaurant, 10–12.5% — check bill first; many restaurants add a discretionary service charge. Tipping is unusual for 3 services.
Tipping in the UK is appreciated but generally more modest than in the US. Many sit-down restaurants add a discretionary service charge.
Tipping in the United Kingdom at a glance
- Sit-down restaurant
- 10–12.5% — check bill first; many restaurants add a discretionary service charge
- Taxi
- Round up to nearest £ or ~10%
- Bar
- £0 — or offer "one for yourself" (~£1)
- Housekeeping
- £2–5 per night for mid- to high-end stays
- Concierge
- £5–20 if they secure something hard to get
- Tour guide
- 10–15% of tour cost, or £5–10 per person for free walking tours
- Café
- £0 — round up or drop change in tip jar
- Tattoo artist
- £0 — not customary; 10–20% if you do tip
Tipping by service in the United Kingdom
| Service | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurant | Expected | 10–12.5% — check bill first; many restaurants add a discretionary service charge |
| Counter / takeaway | Optional | £0 — not customary; round-up or tip jar appreciated |
| Café | Optional | £0 — round up or drop change in tip jar |
| Bar | Unusual | £0 — or offer "one for yourself" (~£1) |
| Housekeeping | Appreciated | £2–5 per night for mid- to high-end stays |
| Porter | Appreciated | £1–2 per bag |
| Concierge | Appreciated | £5–20 if they secure something hard to get |
| Taxi | Appreciated | Round up to nearest £ or ~10% |
| Rideshare | Optional | Optional — £1–2 or ~10% via app |
| Food delivery | Appreciated | £1–3 or ~10% via app |
| Grocery delivery | Unusual | £0 for supermarkets (Tesco/Sainsbury's policy bars it); £1–2 for app couriers |
| Hairdresser | Expected | 10% standard |
| Spa | Optional | 0–10%; many high-end spas add service charge |
| Tour guide | Expected | 10–15% of tour cost, or £5–10 per person for free walking tours |
| Tattoo artist | Optional | £0 — not customary; 10–20% if you do tip |
| Valet | Appreciated | £2–5 on return of vehicle |
| Airport baggage | Appreciated | £1–2 per bag (porter service is rare at UK airports) |
| Busker | Appreciated | £1–5 if you stopped to listen |
| Movers | Appreciated | £20–50 per mover for a good job |
| Tradesperson | Unusual | £0 — not customary; tea and biscuits preferred |
Compare one service across every country
Compare the United Kingdom to other countries
Tipping in the United Kingdom: common questions
Do you tip in the United Kingdom?
Yes, for some services. Of the 20 services we track in the United Kingdom, tipping is expected for 3 and appreciated for 9. Tipping in the UK is appreciated but generally more modest than in the US. Many sit-down restaurants add a discretionary service charge.
How much do you tip at a restaurant in the United Kingdom?
10–12.5% — check bill first; many restaurants add a discretionary service charge. That works out to 10–12.5% of the bill. Sit-down restaurants in the UK commonly add a "discretionary service charge" of 12.5% to the bill, especially in London.
How much do you tip a taxi driver in the United Kingdom?
Round up to nearest £ or ~10%. That works out to 0–10% of the bill. London black cabs and minicabs are not tipped percentage-wise — passengers usually say "keep the change" rounded up to the next pound or rounded to a tidy figure.
Do you tip hotel housekeeping in the United Kingdom?
£2–5 per night for mid- to high-end stays. Tipping housekeeping is more common in 4–5 star hotels than budget properties.
Which services should you tip in the United Kingdom?
A tip is genuinely expected for 3 services: sit-down restaurant, hairdresser, and tour guide. For everything else it is optional or unusual.
Where is tipping not expected in the United Kingdom?
Tipping is unusual for 3 services: bar, grocery delivery, and tradesperson. Leaving nothing is completely normal in these situations.
Should you tip in cash or by card in the United Kingdom?
Cash is preferred for 11 of the 20 services we track in the United Kingdom, because card tips do not always reach staff. Carrying small notes is worth it.