Updated for 2026
Wondering whether you need to tip in London — and how much is expected? Tipping culture in London can be a little different from what visitors are used to, and it’s not always clear when a tip is appropriate.
In London, tipping is usually optional, but there are some common guidelines depending on where you are — whether you’re dining in a restaurant, taking a taxi or staying in a hotel. Service charges are also often added, which can make things even more confusing.
This guide explains how tipping in London works, including when you might want to leave a tip, typical amounts and what’s standard across different situations. You’ll also find insight into what Londoners actually do, so you can feel confident navigating tipping etiquette during your visit.
Tipping in London at a glance
❌ Tipping is not mandatory in London.
🍽️ Restaurants: 10-15% if no service charge (often already included).
💳 Service charge: Usually 12.5%, no extra tip needed.
🍻 Pubs and bars: Tipping is not expected.
🚖 Taxis: Round up the fare or add around 5-10%.
🏨 Hotels: Optional (£1-£2 per bag for porters, small tips for housekeeping).
🎭 Tour guides and services: Optional, around £5-£10.
Jump to a section:
- Do you have to tip in London?
- What Londoners actually do
- How much should you tip?
- Tipping in restaurants, cafes and bars
- Is service charge a tip in the UK?
- Tipping taxis, hotels and other services
- Common tipping mistakes visitors make
- London v the US: what’s different about tipping?
- More to know about tipping in London
Do you have to tip in London?
No, you don’t have to tip in London, though it is always appreciated. Tipping in London is discretionary and based on the level of service you receive.
In many places, especially restaurants, a service charge is already included, so additional tipping is often unnecessary.
What Londoners actually do
Londoners take a relaxed approach to tipping, keeping it simple and situational:
- Check if a service charge is already included before tipping.
- Tip in restaurants if service charge isn’t added.
- Rarely tip in pubs when ordering at the bar.
- Round up taxi fares instead of calculating percentages.
- Leave small tips in hotels for helpful service.
- Tip tour guides, especially on free or walking tours.
How much should you tip?
Tipping in London is generally optional, but it’s still helpful to know what’s typical in different situations. Here's a quick guide to help you understand when to tip and how much is considered appropriate.
| Situation | What to do | Typical amount |
| Restaurants (no service charge) | Leave a tip | 10-15% |
| Restaurants (with service charge) | No extra tip needed | £0 |
| Cafes | Optional | Round up or small change |
| Bars and pubs | Not expected | £0 |
| Taxis | Round up fare | Round up or 5-10% |
| Hotel (porter) | Optional | £1-£2 per bag |
| Hotel (housekeeping) | Optional | £1-£5 per night |
| Hotel (concierge) | Optional (for special help) | £5-£10 |
| Tour guides | Optional | £5-£10 per person |
| Hairdressers, spas and other services | Optional | 5-10% |
Tipping in restaurants, cafes and bars
Restaurants
When it comes to tipping in London restaurants, it’s customary to leave 10 to 15% of the bill when eating out. However, restaurants often add on a service charge (usually 12.5%), especially if you're in a large group. It's worth checking your bill if you don't want to tip twice.
It's not customary to pay a tip (or gratuities) for fast food, self-service or takeaway meals.
Top tip: Although restaurants (and other businesses) should make their policy clear, it's worth checking with your waiter that they will personally receive your tip rather than the company – particularly if you're paying by credit card.
Cafes
Tipping isn’t usually expected in cafes and coffee shops, though it is always appreciated. You can round up or leave small change if you feel like it. Some cafes have an option to add on a tip when you pay by card. You might also spot a tip jar by the till, where you can give small change.
Bars and pubs
People generally do not tip in bars and pubs in London. Bartenders sometimes hand back change on a tipping tray, although it's still up to you to choose to leave a tip.
Is service charge a tip in the UK?
Yes. Service charge or gratuities are the same as a tip. You can ask for it to be removed if you’re unhappy with the service.
Tipping taxis, hotels and other services
Taxis
It’s polite to tip 10 to 15% of the taxi fare for black cabs and licensed minicabs in London. However, most people simply round up the fare to the nearest pound and tell the driver to "keep the change".
If you've had a longer journey and the driver has assisted you with luggage, you may wish to tip a little more, up to £5.
If you’re using a ride-hailing app, you usually have the option to add a tip after your journey is complete.
Hotels
If there's no service charge added to your bill in a hotel restaurant, it's customary to tip as for any other restaurant (10 to 15% of the bill).
For room-cleaning staff, you can leave an amount of your choosing on departure. Tips in the UK for other hotel staff such as concierges and door staff are discretionary and are most commonplace for porters.
Tour guides
It’s common to tip your tour guide in London. Free walking tours in particular rely on tips, so tipping is expected – a good range is £5 to £10 per person, but you can usually find a suggested amount on the tour operator’s website.
Other services
Some other places you might wonder about tipping in London include:
- Hairdressers – tipping is optional but usually around 10%.
- Spa treatments – tipping is at your discretion but around 10%.
- Food delivery – a small tip or rounding up a cash order is common.
Common tipping mistakes visitors makes
Here are some common tipping mistakes you should avoid:
- Tipping on top of an already included service charge.
- Assuming tipping is mandatory everywhere.
- Over-tipping at pubs or bars.
- Not checking the bill before paying.
- Thinking service charge always goes directly to staff.
London v the US: what’s different about tipping?
Tipping culture in London is very different from countries like the US, where it’s often expected. This comparison highlights the key differences so you know what to expect and what’s considered normal during your visit.
| Aspect | London (UK) | US |
| Is tipping expected? | ❌ Not mandatory | ✅ Expected in most situations |
| Typical restaurant tip | 10-15% (often included as service charge) | 18-25% (usually added separately) |
| Service charge | Often included (12.5%) | Rare |
| If service charge is included | No extra tip needed | Expected to tip |
| Tipping in bars and pubs | ❌ Not expected | ✅ Common (per drink or tab) |
| Taxi tipping | Round up or 5-10% | 15-20% |
| Hotel tipping | Small, optional (£1-£2) | Expected ($2-$5+) |
| Cultural expectation | Seen as a bonus | Seen as part of income |
More to know about tipping in London
A few extra things to keep in mind when tipping in London:
- Card machines often prompt for tips, but this is optional.
- Service charges don’t always go directly to staff.
- London is increasingly cashless, so digital tipping is common.
- Rounding up is widely accepted instead of exact percentages.
- Tipping is based on service quality, not obligation.
For more practical information and useful visitor tips, learn about British currency and find other useful traveller information.
