What is the tipping culture in London?

Typically, people tip around 10-15% in London, except for when using taxis or public transport, where a smaller tip is frequently accepted. Tour guides do not need to be tipped, but this is up to the customer to decide. Some restaurants add an automatic tip to your bill. This is commonly known as the service charge.



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Tipping is appreciated but not always appropriate in London. There are some situations where it is customary, for example in restaurants.

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It is 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 £1 and tell the driver to keep the change.

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Unless the waiter or porter is laying the table and setting the dishes out for you, you don't have to tip for room service. In mid-range and chain hotels, you can simply take the tray and say thank you. In 5-star hotels, though, guests often hand over one or two pounds at the door.

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Can you tip in USD in London? While you might technically be able to tip in USD in London, it's generally not a common practice. Employees, taxi drivers, and housekeeping staff, for example, would usually expect tips in the local currency, which is the British Pound.

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No, it is not expected to tip Uber drivers. It is also not expected to tip other kinds of taxi drivers in London, except that you might round up to the nearest convenient change if paying in cash. Your Uber driver will be quite happy to be doing an LHR to SW1 transfer as it is. As others have said, there is no need.

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The expectation does vary from place to place - in fine dining restaurants where you receive personal service, a tip would always be expected (while never compulsory, it would be considered rude unless there was a problem with the service), whereas in the most casual of restaurants tipping is not universal.

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Tipping in hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs in the UK is a kind gesture. Tips are not expected but are greatly appreciated. The most commonly tipped employees are the porters and chambermaids, although in anything less than a 4-star hotel it is rarely common.

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Door staff: No need to tip for someone opening the door. But if the door staff calls you a cab, offers you an umbrella or helps with your bags, consider a $2 to $5 tip. Front desk/Concierge: At the bare minimum, be polite and patient when checking in to a hotel, says Dasmann.

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In America, tipping is optional in name only. Legally it's voluntary but if you slink out of a restaurant without leaving a gratuity of between 15 and 25 per cent, you're likely to be chased by a waiter demanding to know why.

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Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

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Us dollars are not generally accepted in the UK. Nor, in fact, are Euros. With the exception of places like airport stores, you'll need to use UK currency in cash or a payment card during your time in the UK.

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“It is not customary to tip at a continental breakfast that is served buffet-style,” Bergen says. “It is customary and appreciated to tip during breakfast when there is a server who takes your order or serves coffee and juice.”

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Should you leave a tip? In Paris, the bill in bars and restaurants includes a service charge, so you do not have to leave a tip. However, if you have been satisfied with your meal and the service you are welcome to do so. A tip in general amounts to 5 to 10% of the bill.

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Other Considerations When Tipping at 5 Star Hotels
For housekeeping, it is recommended to leave a daily tip of $5-10 per day, depending on the quality of service provided. If you are staying at a resort, it is also common to leave a tip for the person who delivers your luggage to your room.

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