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Tipping in the United Kingdom

Tipping customary

A tip is customary at table-service restaurants, not in pubs.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Restaurants

About 10%

If there's no service charge, around 10% for good service (guides range from 5% to 15%). Many restaurants add an optional service charge of about 12.5% instead.

Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Service charges

Don't double tip

If a service charge is on the bill, you don't tip on top. An optional charge can be removed if the service was poor.

Sources: [1] [2]

Bars and pubs

No

Don't tip for drinks in a pub. Offering to buy the bartender a drink ("and one for yourself") is the local way.

Sources: [2] [3]

Taxis

Round up

Not expected; rounding the fare up to the next pound is common.

Sources: [2] [3]

Planning dates? See what's closed.

Public holidays in the United Kingdom

Sources

Every line above is backed by at least two of these. Researched 2026-10-05. Customs shift, so treat amounts as a guide.

  1. Wikipedia: List of tipping customs by country

  2. Wikivoyage: United Kingdom

  3. Lonely Planet: Tipping in Europe

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