🇬🇧United Kingdom · Tour Guide
How much to tip a tour guide in the United Kingdom (2026 Guide)
ExpectedCash preferred
10–15% of tour cost, or £5–10 per person for free walking tours
10–15% of the bill is the typical range.
Tipping calculator
£
Cultural notes
Free walking tours (London, Edinburgh, Bath) operate on a tip-based model — £5–10 per person is the realistic norm; £10–15 for a great two-hour tour. Paid tours: 10–15% of the cost. Coach drivers on multi-day tours get £2–3 per person per day. Bring cash; many small operators do not take cards on the spot.
Common mistakes
Treating a "free" walking tour as actually free — guides are unpaid and rely entirely on tips.
Frequently asked questions
What is a "free walking tour"?
A tip-funded model — guides earn only what attendees tip, so £5–10 per person is expected.
Do I tip a coach driver?
Yes, £2–3 per person per day on multi-day tours.
Tipping other services in the United Kingdom
- Sit-down restaurant10–12.5% — check bill first; many restaurants add a discretionary service charge
- Counter / takeaway£0 — not customary; round-up or tip jar appreciated
- Café£0 — round up or drop change in tip jar
- Bar£0 — or offer "one for yourself" (~£1)
- Housekeeping£2–5 per night for mid- to high-end stays
- Porter£1–2 per bag
- Concierge£5–20 if they secure something hard to get
- TaxiRound up to nearest £ or ~10%
- RideshareOptional — £1–2 or ~10% via app
- Food delivery£1–3 or ~10% via app
- Grocery delivery£0 for supermarkets (Tesco/Sainsbury's policy bars it); £1–2 for app couriers
- Hairdresser10% standard
- Spa0–10%; many high-end spas add service charge
- Tattoo artist£0 — not customary; 10–20% if you do tip
- Valet£2–5 on return of vehicle
- Airport baggage£1–2 per bag (porter service is rare at UK airports)
- Busker£1–5 if you stopped to listen
- Movers£20–50 per mover for a good job
- Tradesperson£0 — not customary; tea and biscuits preferred
Tipping a tour guide in nearby countries
- 🇫🇷France€5–10 per person group; €20+ private; €5–10 per person for free walking tours
- 🇮🇹Italy€5–10 per person half-day; €10–20 per person full-day; €10+ for free tours
- 🇪🇸Spain€5–10 per person half-day; €10+ full-day; €10–15 for free walking tours
- 🇩🇪Germany€5 per person group, €10–20 per person for free walking tours, 10% private
Last verified: · Sources: travelawaits.com, getawayguide.co.uk