tipping in United Kingdom
Tipping in the United Kingdom isn’t a big part of the culture, unlike in North America, where the waiters are paid below minimum wage. Tips will usually be appreciated, but for some services offering a tip may create confusion.
tipping etiquette for hotels in United Kingdom
In the UK Tip mostly at high end hotels
At high end hotels in the United Kingdom it is customary to tip. You can tip your porter about 1 or 2 pounds per bag, or 5 if you are in a 5 star hotel. You do not need to tip room service or your housekeeper but it would not be inappropriate to do so. If you tip your housekeeper you can leave a few pounds on the night table.
Famous UK Hotels
There are many famous hotels in England including:
- The Savoy in London
- The Balmoral in Edinburgh
- Lough Erne in Northern Ireland
tipping in restaurants in United Kingdom
In restaurants Tip 10% for good service
At restaurants in the UK a tip of around 10% is expected if you order at your table. A ‘service charge’ or ‘optional charge' may be included so check your bill. If there is a service charge, don’t tip extra. If there is a service charge you may like to ensure that it goes to the waiter or waitress. If it doesn’t, you can always ask for the charge to be removed, and tip the waiter/waitress directly. If you receive bad service, don’t tip.
In the UK you are not expected to tip if you order at the counter. You are not expected to tip for fast food, in cafeterias or for coffee. You are not expected to tip in pubs, bars or clubs.
tip etiquette at spas in United Kingdom
At spas DON'T TIP in the UK
Unlike many places in the world, tipping in a Spa in the United Kingdom is not expected.
Spas in the UK
Famous Spas in the UK include "Spa" at Blythswood Square in Glasgow, Champneys in Hertfordshire and Chuan Spa at the Langham Hotel, London.
should you tip your tour guide?
tip tour guides £2-£4 per day
In the UK you should tip your tour guide £2-£4 per person per day. You can tip more than this if you want, but don't tip more than 10%. You can tip the driver directly. Only tip if you receive good service
Visiting the UK
The United Kingdom has a lot to offer: The bustling streets of London, the quaintness of small villages all around, the mystery of Stonehenge, the sandy beaches across the South, the beautiful landscapes in the Scottish Highlands and breathtaking views of the Lake District in Cumbria are but a few of the gems of this island nation.
should you tip your taxi driver?
for taxi drivers Round Up the fare
It is customary to simply round up to the nearest pound (leave £7 for a cab fare of £6.30), although you are not expected to tip. This is simply more for convenience.