Imagine you’re having a special dinner with a great meal and a beautiful view of London. The service has been excellent, and the staff has been friendly and attentive, improving your experience. Now, you want to show your appreciation with a tip, but you might wonder: How much should I leave? Is tipping expected, or is it optional? Will a smaller tip seem unappreciative? 

If you’re unsure about how tipping works in London, keep reading! This guide’ll explain everything you need about tipping in London, from restaurants to taxis, hotels, and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of when and how much to tip, ensuring you feel confident and comfortable during your visit.

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Do you have to tip in London?

First, let's address whether tipping is required. While it’s not compulsory, it is greatly appreciated. In restaurants, it’s common to leave a tip of around 10 to 15% of the bill as a gesture of appreciation for good service. However, this practice is done discreetly and depends on whether you are happy with the service you received. Now let’s break down the scenarios where you are expected to leave a tip for the service provider, but before that, let's see what people are saying about their experience when they are in London:

Tipping in Restaurants

Do you need to tip in restaurants?

In most sit-down restaurants, tipping is common, but the way it is handled can vary. Many restaurants automatically add a service charge to the bill, usually around 12.5%. Before leaving an extra tip, check your bill to see if a service charge has already been included.

How much should you tip?

• In case of no service charge: It’s customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip.

• In case service charge is included: You do not need to tip extra, but you can leave more if you wish.

• In casual eateries or cafes: Tipping is unexpected, but you can raise the bill or leave small change.

Do you have to tip in fast food or takeaways?

Tipping is unnecessary at fast food restaurants or when taking away takeaway food. However, some delivery services allow you to tip online when ordering. A tip of £1-£2 is usually appreciated for food deliveries.

Here is what people wrote:

Tipping in Pubs and Bars

Tipping at pubs is not common in the UK. When ordering drinks at the bar, there is no expectation to tip. However, rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip is a nice gesture if you're at a fancy cocktail bar or receiving table service.

Some people say, "And one for yourself," when handing over cash to bartenders, which means they are leaving extra money for the staff to take a drink later (or pocket the tip). However, this is entirely optional.

Here is what people wrote:

Tipping in Hotels

Hotels in London range from budget-friendly stays to five-star luxury experiences, and tipping customs can vary.

Who should you tip in hotels?

• Hotel porters: A tip of £1-£2 per bag is appreciated if a porter carries your luggage to your room, as it is a part of tipping culture in London.

• Housekeeping staff: If you’d like to tip housekeeping, leaving £1-£2 per night in the room is a nice gesture.

• Concierge: If the concierge provides special assistance, such as booking reservations or arranging transport, a tip of £5-£10 is appropriate, depending on the level of service.

• Room service: If a service charge is included in the bill, you don’t need to tip extra. Otherwise, rounding up or leaving 10% is sufficient.

Please note: Tipping in hotels is always discretionary, and there’s no obligation.

Tipping in Taxis and Ride-Sharing Services

Cabs

Tipping taxi drivers is not mandatory, but passengers often round up the fare. For example:

• If your fare is £9.40, you can round up to £10.

• A tip of 10% of the fare is appreciated for longer rides.

Ride-Sharing Apps

Tipping on Uber is optional. The app allows passengers to add a tip after the ride. A small tip of £1-£3 is a nice way to show appreciation for good service.

Here is what people wrote:

Tipping in Hair and Beauty Salons

Tipping is fairly common when visiting a hairdresser, barber, or beauty salon. If you’re happy with the service, leaving a tip of 10% of the total bill is a good rule of thumb. A tip by rounding up to the nearest pound or leaving a few pounds in cash.

Here is what people are saying: 

Tipping in Tour Services

If you’re taking a guided tour in London, tipping depends on the type of tour.

• Paid guided tours: If you enjoyed the tour, tipping the guide £5-£10 per person is a nice gesture.

• Free walking tours: These tours operate on a pay-what-you-like basis, meaning guides rely on tips. It’s common to tip £10-£20 per person, depending on the length and quality of the tour.

• Private chauffeurs: A tip of 10% of the fare is a standard practice.

Here is what tourists are saying: 

Tipping in Theatres and Entertainment Venues

Tipping is not expected at theatres, cinemas, or music venues in London. However, if an attendant helps you to your seat or provides exceptional service, you can offer a small tip of £1-£2.

Tipping Delivery and Other Services

Food and Grocery Deliveries

Tipping is appreciated but not expected for food delivery services like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat. A tip of £1-£3 is a kind gesture.

For grocery delivery services, tipping is rare, but if a driver carries heavy bags upstairs or provides extra help, offering £1-£5 in cash is considerate.

Furniture and Large Item Deliveries

Tipping is not expected for large furniture deliveries or moving services, but if the workers go above and beyond, a tip of £5-£10 per person is generous.

Things to Keep in Mind while Tipping in London

1. Check for a service charge: Many restaurants and hotels include a service charge, so always check before tipping extra.

2. Cash vs. Card tips: While cash is preferred in some places, many businesses allow tipping via card.

3. No pressure: Tipping is a personal choice in London. If you receive great service, tipping is a great way to show appreciation, but it’s never an obligation.

4. Round up if unsure: If you’re unsure how much to tip, simply rounding up the bill is a polite and easy option.

Tipping in London is generally more relaxed than in some other countries. While tipping is not mandatory, it is a great way to show gratitude for good service. Whether dining in a restaurant, staying at a hotel, or taking a taxi, understanding local customs will help you decide when and how much to tip.

By following this guide, you’ll feel more confident about tipping in London and can enjoy your visit without any awkward moments. Again, tipping is optional as there is no rule, so you are not obligated to tip anywhere. If you feel like tipping just do it.