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Tipping in the United Kingdom 💰

How much do you tip in the United Kingdom? Compact guidelines plus an interactive calculator with live currency conversion — for restaurants, taxis and guides.

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The rules at a glance

Situation	Tip	Note
🍽 Restaurant	10–13 %	Often 12.5 % service charge included
🚕 Taxi	10 %	–
🧭 Guide	10 %	–

Usual tipping currency on the ground: GBP (Pound).

When to tip in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, tipping is customary and appreciated. At restaurants the norm is around 10–13 % of the bill; for taxis 10 %, and for guides 10 %. Check your bill for an existing service charge — if included, you can give nothing extra or just a small amount.

How to pay a tip in the United Kingdom

Easiest in cash and in GBP (Pound), small change ready before you head ashore. Cards work in many restaurants too — add the tip to the amount or write it on the slip. In many countries small notes are more appreciated than large ones.

Tip calculator

Basis: In Europe and most countries, tips are calculated on the total bill including VAT/service. In the USA, it is common to tip on the pre-tax amount — simply enter the pre-tax subtotal there.

Conversion uses live ECB rates (with fallback). Values are guidelines only, without guarantee.

Frequently asked

How much do you tip in the United Kingdom at a restaurant?
Rule of thumb: 10–13 %. Often 12.5 % service charge included

Do you tip taxi drivers in the United Kingdom?
Rule of thumb: 10 %.

Which currency should I use for tips in the United Kingdom?
Easiest in GBP (Pound) – have small change ready before you leave the ship.

Cruise ports in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, cruise ships call at 16 ports — from Belfast to Stornoway (Hebriden). Tipping rules apply everywhere the same way; prices on the ground can vary slightly per port.

Belfast

Quay in the port area, shuttle bus into the centre; Titanic Belfast is near the port.

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Dover

Terminals at the Western Docks – shuttle into town, the white cliffs in view.

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Falmouth (Cornwall)

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Greenock (Glasgow)

Ocean Terminal – train to Glasgow about 40 minutes.

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Harwich

Terminal with its own station – train to London about 90 minutes.

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Holyhead (Wales)

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Invergordon

Pier right by the village – starting point for Loch Ness and the Highlands.

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Kirkwall (Orkney)

Hatston pier about 2 km from the centre, shuttle buses available.

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Lerwick (Shetland)

Smaller ships use the town quay, larger ones tender or berth at Holmsgarth.

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Liverpool

Cruise terminal at the Pier Head right in the city.

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Newcastle (Tyne)

Terminal in North Shields, Newcastle reachable by shuttle or metro.

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Portland (Dorset)

Industrial quay – shuttle buses to Weymouth are usual.

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Portsmouth

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South Queensferry (Edinburgh)

Tender port beneath the Forth Bridge – Edinburgh about 30–40 minutes by bus or train.

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Southampton

Several cruise terminals; the centre is a 15–30 minute walk depending on the terminal.

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Stornoway (Hebriden)

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Other countries in Northern Europe

Sources and freshness

Values from common travel practice, cross-checked with country guides and travel publications. Last updated: 2026-09-08. All values are guidelines only, without warranty.

The calculator for your journey

This tipping calculator is available in your browser for free and without an account. The Portolana app is still in development.

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