A Practical Guide to Tipping in London in 2026 (from a local!)

Whether you’re planning a trip to London or just moved to the city, here’s some handy tipping etiquette to know before you arrive – from a Londoner!

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When I first moved to London from America one of my first questions was ‘How does tipping work?’.

Tipping culture in London is not as strict as in some other cities and countries, but it is still appreciated and expected in certain situations.

However, the exact amount of the tip and even the way it is offered depends on the place, occasion, and service.

As a tourist or someone who just moved to the city, understanding tipping etiquette is a must.

Not only does it make you fit into the local culture, but it also reflects your respect towards it.

It can also help you avoid overpaying (or underpaying!) and express your gratitude for good service while you’re in the UK.

In this tipping etiquette guide, I’ll be sharing all you need to know to make sure your London experience is gratifying (see what I did there?). Let’s get into it!

About the Author

Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.

On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.

P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

🗞️📺As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.

A Practical Guide to Tipping in London

P.S. – Coming to London? Have the perfect trip planned for you with our 3,5, or 7-Day London Tourist Itineraries 🇬🇧

Tipping Practices in London

In London, the customary tip percentage is around 10-15% of the total bill, although the amount and way vary depending on the place and occasion.

Tipping in restaurants and pubs

Like in many other big cities, people usually leave 10 to 15% of the bill when eating out. However, a lot of restaurants in London often add a service charge (normally 12.5%) to the total, so don’t forget to check your bill before you add anything to avoid tipping twice.

Also, keep in mind that a lot of card machines have an option to add gratuity, so you don’t have to leave it in cash (a quite useful tip considering London is a mostly cash-free city).

If you’re having fast food, self-service, or takeaway meals, then don’t worry about tipping. Same with pubs, believe it or not!

People normally don’t tip when ordering a pint or a cocktail at the bar. But if you would still like to leave some, there are usually tipping jars or trays at the counter.

Another option at pubs for tips is when ordering on an app or a website (something quite common in London as well, especially with big chains). So feel free to add whatever percentage of your bill before paying.

Tipping in cafes and coffee shops

In cafes in London, tipping is not as black and white as it is in restaurants.

While it is not mandatory, any tip left is appreciated as a sign of good service.

You will usually see a tip jar next to the till or cash register in some cafes, and it’s customary to drop a few coins in to display your appreciation for the service you’ve received.

Tipping in hotels and hospitality services

Tipping in hotels and hospitality services in London varies depending on the service provided.

In high-end London hotels, it’s suggested to tip around £1–£2 per bag to the porter, and £5–£10 (or up to £20 for truly exceptional service) to the concierge. These gestures aren’t expected — tipping isn’t standard in the UK — but they’re a nice way to show appreciation.

Tipping housekeeping staff, while not required, is a kind gesture to show your appreciation for their hard work.

You can drop a few pounds per day or a good sum at the end of your stay.

Regarding room service and hotel restaurants and bars, always check your bill first to see if a service charge is already included. If not, consider tipping around 10-15% of the bill.

With that said unlike places like the US, tipping is generally not expected from London/UK workers — but it is appreciated.

Tipping taxi drivers and transportation services

While public transport in London is considered one of the best in the world and I would highly encourage using it, you may still prefer to move around in a cab (especially when going to or coming from the airport!).

It is not mandatory to tip taxi drivers in London but you can if feel the service/ride was exceptional (this applies to ridesharing apps in London as well such as Bolt, Free Now, or Addison Lee).

If you are tipping, consider about 10-15% of the total fare.

If you’ve had a longer journey and the driver has helped you with your luggage, you may want to tip a bit more. But again, this is at your discretion!

Another option is simply rounding up the fare to the nearest £1 and telling the driver to “keep the change”.

Common Misconceptions about Tipping in London

Even when the service charge is included in the bill, you can always ask to remove it if you feel like it (they exist as a convenience to customers, so they know exactly what they’ll be paying and don’t have to calculate a tip separately).

This is a system that has become particularly popular in London, where tipping culture has grown aggressively in recent years to ensure that the staff is rewarded for their service. But it is also kind of new, so make sure you always check the bill before paying.

When is it not necessary to tip in London?

Generally, tipping is not necessary in London in situations where service isn’t specifically provided. You usually wouldn’t tip in self-service establishments, fast food chains, or local pubs.

Tips for Proper Tipping Etiquette in London

In addition to calculating the appropriate percentage amount in your bill or on your fare, please make sure that you are also considering the tip when splitting with other people in your party.

It may be a bit awkward for the person charging you (especially in restaurants) that you need to consider the service charge to pay the total if it’s already included in the bill.

Some establishments operate a “tip-sharing” system, where all tips are pooled and shared out amongst staff. Feel free to ask how the system works if you want to make sure your waiter gets the reward.

Alternative Ways to Show Appreciation

Keep in mind that kindness has a ripple effect. If you choose not to tip in London it’s completely okay to express gratitude in other ways! Here are some ideas:

➡️ Give a compliment in person: Believe me, they go further than you’d think. They would love to hear you enjoyed the meal or that their assistance was invaluable. It can be the boost they need to finish an already long day!

➡️ Write a positive review on platforms such as TripAdvisor, Google, or Yelp: If you remember the names, don’t forget to include them. Sometimes they get rewarded for the mention!

➡️ Speak to the manager or supervisor to let them know about the excellent service you received: Everyone complains when something bad happens, but why not let them know when they provided a great service?

➡️ Recommend to others!: Personal recommendations often mean more than any advertisement, especially when going to a local restaurant, cafe, or pub in London. I mean, just read my blog!

Final Thoughts on Tipping in London

Overall tipping in London is generally discretionary and dependent on the quality of service you’ve received, so feel free to do it when you feel like it.

But also (and I know I’ve said this a couple of times already), don’t forget to look at the bill! Remember that service charge is sometimes included, so you may have it in one place but not in the next.

Remember that expressing your gratitude for great service can lead to even better service in the future. And people in London are always working hard to guarantee you have a great time in our cosmopolitan city. So enjoy!

Thanks for reading my Tipping in London Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!

CHECK OUT MORE LONDON TRAVEL GUIDES:

• How to Get Around London: Your Ultimate Transport Guide
• How to Get to Central London from Heathrow Airport: A Quick Practical Guide
• Oyster vs Contactless: Which Should I Use?
• 10 Unique Experiences in London to Try
• Top 10 Attractions to Visit in London
• 10 Tourist Mistakes Not to Make in London
• London Neighbourhood Guides

Happy Londoning,