tipping tour guide in scotland

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A guide to tipping in Scotland

How does tipping work in Scotland, is it expected? What is the tipping etiquette in our bonny wee country ? Are you anxious about offending Scots? The fact that you're on this page shows that you care about local customs - so good on you! Let's investigate  tipping in Scotland .

Service charge

To be honest, tipping was lost on me a little when I first visited Orlando, Florida, in 2017. We had just arrived and decided to grab breakfast at Denny's to kick-start our holiday. The breakfast was fine, and the service was OK, but when I went to pay, the waiting staff asked how much gratuity I would like to add - 10%, 15% or 20%.

She went on to explain it was a tip for them for serving us... my brain began whirring (hopefully not audibly), an extra charge for their service? Now I had tipped at home in Scotland when I had received exceptional service, but in America, it seemed that a tip was required for everything regardless of good service. I didn't realise that in America, the waiting staff's main income was from tips.

Slightly taken aback, I chose the middle option of 15% gratuity so as not to look too tight on our first day in America, but it made me think about the differences in tipping culture in Scotland.

Tipping for good service

I live in Moray in northeast Scotland, far from the big cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, where tipping is becoming more common, especially in the touristy areas. But for me tipping in my area of Scotland is not typical and not "expected" as standard.

For me, tipping is a reward given for good service. If the staff had been particularly nice, good with the kids, offered up a nugget of helpful information, or generally looked after us well, I would feel a tip was in order.

My personal experience as a local is tipping is never expected in Scotland. Each time I have paid for something, the staff always have the exact change ready for me if I pay in cash, and when paying by card, there is no automatic prompt for me to add extra.

It's normal to pay the final total you are given, and you won't offend by not adding extra. However, tips are very much appreciated, and providing one is considered very kind.

There is not as much pressure to tip in Scotland, as staff are paid a regular wage for their work; the tips offer them additional income, not their sole income.

How much should I tip in Scotland?

Absolutely nothing if you don't want to, don't feel like your HAVE to, but if you would  like  to give one for great service, here are some guidelines.

Automatic service charge

Be aware that some businesses can add a "service charge" of 10-15% to your bill, so do not tip if this has already been added to your bill, and don't pay more money.

Tipping in restaurants

It is common to leave a tip if you have had a great meal and fantastic table service at a restaurant. 10% is average, but £10 would be considered a great tip; anything more is an exceptional tip. Most people will likely leave a tip even though they are not required to.

Tipping taxi drivers

It's common practice in Scotland to tip 10% a taxi driver at the end of the journey, or at least round up to the nearest pound (this also saves hassle if paying by cash). I'm probably a bit of a miser, but I've never paid a 10% tip, just rounded up occasionally; the driver just says the amount, I pay, and nothing else is said.

Tipping tour guides

Tours in Edinburgh can already be quite expensive, but if you feel an additional tip is warranted for an especially good tour guide, then again, 10% of your tour fee is typical. If the tour is free then it's nice to give a tip; you might be giving them the only money they earn that day.

Check out these  Edinburgh tours  with the fantastic Katrina Milne.

You do not need to tip the staff member when purchasing clothes, foodstuffs, souvenirs, etc.

Do you tip bartenders in Scotland?

No, it's not common to tip a bartender each time you purchase drinks, but you can tell them to "keep the change" if paying with cash or offer to buy them a drink, the convention being they will just take a tip.

If it is a fancy bar with custom-made cocktails, it can be nice to tip the bar staff but again, not expected. You could tip for a pub meal if you received good food and service.

Tipping in Hotels / Hotel Staff

For standard hotels, as a general rule, tipping is not the norm, but for high-end hotels with valet service and porters etc., it can be more common and polite to offer a small tip for services rendered.

Housekeeping - £5 per day.

Hotel porters - £1-2 per bag.

Concierge/ Receptionist - £10-15.

Valets - £5-10 per car collection.

Minimum wage

Hospitality workers in Scotland, especially in the large cities, are some of the worst paid in the country. For 16 to 17-year-olds, the minimum wage is just £4.81 per hour, which is not great when the living wage for Edinburgh is considered to be £9.50 per hour.

Therefore a tip for these workers makes a world of difference and should be considered, especially if you are within a large group (6+) and create more work/mess. Again it's not mandatory or expected to pay a tip, just kind to the lower-paid workers who really will appreciate it.

Key takeaways:

Staff get paid by their employer, and tips are an added bonus.

Tipping is not widespread in Scotland, but a nice thing to do for good service.

Consider tipping younger staff as their pay is very low.

A 10% tip is average.

It's ok to tip nothing; you will not cause offence.

Do not tip if service charges have already been added to your bill.

Tipping in Scotland is not a requirement or expected, but just a nice thing to do if you receive good service. Scots are generally a kind, helpful bunch, so you may even find that your tip may not be accepted on some occasions!

I hope this short guide on tipping in Scotland was helpful to you. If you are on a budget while visiting Edinburgh, why not check out my article on  free things to do in Edinburgh .  Also, see my guide to currency in Scotland if you want to learn how money works in Scotland.

All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive.

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Hi, please leave a comment below, or why not start a discussion on the forum ?

Noreen Roesser 29th of August 2023 @ 23:45:03

Very helpful information. It is our first trip to Scotland!

ChrisLBS 15th of September 2022 @ 16:44:30

Hi Jordon, I would generally say you don't need to, but it's a nice thing to do if you get exceptional service.

Jordan 15th of September 2022 @ 12:41:17

What about staff at a bed and breakfast?

Dave 16th of August 2022 @ 03:24:22

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How Much Do You Tip A Tour Guide In Scotland?

Published: December 12, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Taryn Rigby

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Introduction

Welcome to bonnie Scotland, a land renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. As you traverse this picturesque country, you may find yourself wondering about the appropriate etiquette for tipping your tour guide. Tipping practices can vary from country to country, and Scotland is no exception. In this article, we will explore the factors to consider when tipping a tour guide in Scotland, the average tipping rate, alternative options, cultural norms and expectations, as well as personal preferences and budgets.

Scotland is a popular destination for tourists eager to discover its majestic castles, explore the rugged highlands, and indulge in its world-famous whiskey. Tour guides play a crucial role in enhancing the visitor experience, providing valuable insights, historical knowledge, and local anecdotes. Tipping is often seen as a way to express appreciation for their services, but it is important to understand the customs and expectations surrounding tipping in Scotland.

While tipping is not obligatory in Scotland, it is still customary to show gratitude for exceptional service. However, the amount to tip and the decision to do so ultimately depends on your personal discretion and the quality of the tour experience.

So, let’s delve into the various factors to consider when deciding how much to tip your tour guide in Scotland.

Factors to consider

When determining how much to tip your tour guide in Scotland, there are several factors to take into consideration:

• Service quality: Consider the level of service provided by your tour guide. Did they go above and beyond to ensure your enjoyment and satisfaction? Were they knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating? If you had a remarkable experience, you may want to show your appreciation with a generous tip.
• Group size: The size of your tour group can influence your decision. If you are in a smaller group, the guide may have more opportunities to interact with each individual and provide a personalized experience. Conversely, if you are part of a larger group, the guide may have less one-on-one interaction. In such cases, you might consider a lower tip amount.
• Duration of the tour: Longer tours may require more effort and energy from the guide. If you participated in a full-day or multi-day tour, you could take into account the extra dedication and time spent by the guide when determining your tip amount.
• Extra services: Did your guide provide any additional services or go out of their way to make your experience extra special? For example, did they arrange transportation, recommend local attractions, or assist with any special requests? Taking these extra efforts into account can help guide your tipping decision.
• Tour price: Consider the overall cost of the tour when determining your tip amount. If the tour was expensive, you may want to allocate a higher tip budget. On the other hand, if the tour was budget-friendly, a smaller tip amount might be more appropriate.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision on the appropriate amount to tip your tour guide in Scotland. However, it is important to note that tipping is ultimately voluntary, and you should never feel obligated to tip if you did not receive satisfactory service.

Average tipping rate

When it comes to tipping tour guides in Scotland, there is no hard and fast rule regarding the exact amount. Tipping practices can vary depending on personal preferences and the circumstances of each tour. In general, a common guideline is to tip around 10-15% of the total cost of the tour as a way to show your appreciation.

For example, if you participated in a day tour that cost £100, a tip of £10-£15 would be considered reasonable. However, it’s important to consider the factors mentioned earlier, such as the quality of service and the overall satisfaction of the experience, when deciding whether to tip more or less.

It’s worth noting that some tour companies may include a service charge or gratuity as part of the initial tour cost. In such cases, tipping may not be necessary, but you can still consider leaving a small extra amount to acknowledge exceptional service.

Keep in mind that this is just a general guideline and tipping is ultimately discretionary. If you feel that the service was exceptional or if you had an outstanding experience, you might choose to tip more generously. Alternatively, if you feel that the service did not meet your expectations, you may opt not to tip at all.

Ultimately, the decision on the tipping amount should be based on your personal satisfaction with the tour and the level of service provided. It’s important to remember that tipping is a way to express gratitude and appreciation, so choose an amount that reflects your overall satisfaction and appreciation for the tour guide’s efforts.

Alternative options

While tipping is a common practice to show appreciation for tour guides in Scotland, it’s important to note that it is not the only way to acknowledge their efforts. If you prefer not to give a monetary tip or if it is not feasible for you, there are alternative options to consider:

• Write a positive review: One of the most valuable forms of appreciation for a tour guide is a positive review. Take some time to share your experience on review platforms, such as TripAdvisor or Google Reviews. Highlight the guide’s knowledge, professionalism, and any standout moments from the tour. By doing so, you can help generate more business for the guide and show your gratitude in a meaningful way.
• Recommendations and referrals: If you were impressed with your tour guide’s services, consider recommending them to friends, family, or fellow travelers who may be visiting Scotland in the future. Word-of-mouth can be a powerful tool, and your personal recommendation can help the guide gain more clients and business opportunities.
• Show genuine appreciation: A simple thank you note or a verbal expression of gratitude can go a long way in showing your appreciation. Take a moment to personally thank your tour guide at the end of the tour. Let them know how much you enjoyed the experience and their contribution to making your visit to Scotland memorable.
• Be an engaged participant: Show your appreciation by actively participating in the tour. Ask questions, show interest in the guide’s explanations, and interact with fellow tour members. This engagement not only makes the tour more enjoyable for everyone but also demonstrates your appreciation for the guide’s efforts.

Remember, while tipping is a common practice, it is not the only option to show appreciation. Find a method that aligns with your personal preferences and makes you feel comfortable in expressing your gratitude for a memorable tour experience.

Cultural norms and expectations

When it comes to tipping tour guides in Scotland, it’s important to understand the cultural norms and expectations surrounding gratuities. Unlike some other countries, tipping is not deeply ingrained in Scottish culture, and service charges are often included in the total bill. However, there are still some general expectations to consider:

Restaurants and cafes: In restaurants and cafes, it is common to round up the bill or leave a small tip if you received good service. Leaving 10% of the total bill as a tip is considered generous, but it is not mandatory. If a service charge is already included, tipping is not necessary unless you want to show extra appreciation.

Tour guides and transportation services: In the case of tour guides and transportation services, tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. As mentioned earlier, a tip of around 10-15% of the total cost of the tour is generally considered a reasonable amount to express appreciation for their services. However, it’s important to consider the factors discussed earlier, such as the level of service and overall satisfaction, when deciding on the tipping amount.

Hotel staff and other service providers: When it comes to hotel staff, such as bellmen or concierge, a small tip of a few pounds per service is appreciated but not mandatory. Other service providers, such as taxi drivers or luggage porters, may also appreciate a small tip as a token of gratitude.

It’s worth noting that while tipping is not mandatory in Scotland, it is considered a generous gesture when you have received exceptional service. However, it’s important to gauge the situation and use your discretion. If the service falls short of expectations, you may choose not to tip or leave a smaller amount.

Furthermore, it’s always recommended to check your bill carefully to ensure that a service charge is not already included. If a service charge is included, you may still choose to leave an additional tip to show extra appreciation for outstanding service.

Understanding the cultural norms and expectations regarding tipping in Scotland will help you navigate these situations with confidence and respect for local customs.

Personal preferences and budgets

When it comes to tipping tour guides in Scotland, it’s important to consider your own personal preferences and budget. While there are general guidelines for tipping, ultimately, the decision on how much to tip should align with your comfort level and financial circumstances.

If you had an exceptional tour experience and feel that the guide went above and beyond, you may choose to tip more generously. On the other hand, if your budget is tight or you did not feel that the service warranted a large tip, it is perfectly acceptable to tip a smaller amount or not at all.

It’s crucial to remember that tipping is a voluntary act of appreciation, and you should never feel obligated to tip if you do not feel it is warranted. Your tour guide may appreciate other forms of gratitude, such as a positive review or recommendations to others.

Additionally, consider the overall cost of your trip and the expenses you have already incurred. If you have allotted a significant portion of your budget for the tour itself, you may want to adjust your tip amount accordingly. The most important thing is to be considerate of your own financial situation and not put yourself in a difficult position by tipping beyond your means.

Ultimately, the decision on how much to tip should be based on a combination of your personal satisfaction, the level of service you received, and your own financial circumstances. It’s important to feel comfortable with the amount you choose to tip, knowing that it reflects your appreciation for the tour guide’s efforts.

Remember, tipping is a personal choice, and as long as you are respectful and grateful for the service provided, you can feel confident in the decision you make.

When it comes to tipping tour guides in Scotland, there are several factors to consider, including service quality, group size, duration of the tour, extra services provided, and the overall tour price. While there is no fixed rule for tipping, a common guideline is to tip around 10-15% of the total tour cost as a way to show appreciation.

However, tipping is ultimately discretionary, and it’s important to consider your own personal preferences and budget. If you prefer not to give a monetary tip, there are alternative options such as writing a positive review, recommending the tour guide to others, showing genuine appreciation, or being an engaged participant during the tour.

Understanding the cultural norms and expectations surrounding tipping in Scotland is essential. While not mandatory, tipping is appreciated for exceptional service. It is important to gauge the situation, use your discretion, and check if a service charge is already included in the bill.

Lastly, remember to consider your own personal preferences and financial circumstances when deciding on the tipping amount. Tipping should reflect your satisfaction with the tour experience and should not put you in a difficult financial position.

In the end, whether you choose to tip or not, the most important thing is to express your gratitude and appreciation for the tour guide’s efforts in making your visit to Scotland memorable. Enjoy your time exploring the stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture that this beautiful country has to offer!

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How Much Should You Tip in Scotland?

Scotland can be a strange place for tourists, especially for first-time travellers coming here from overseas. Not only are there differences in food ( haggis anyone?), but there are accents that are nigh-on incomprehensible, a fondness for wearing kilts , and customs like the annual Burns Night that will make no sense to anyone who doesn’t live here.

While having an understanding of those customs isn’t at all necessary for visitors, the practice of giving gratuities (AKA tipping) is something that’s practically universal and is as relevant in Scotland as it is in any other country – with a few exceptions.

In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs of tipping in Scotland, when you should or shouldn’t give a little extra, and where it’s customary to do so.

The Basics of Tipping in Scotland

When it comes to giving a tip in Scotland, there are no hard-and-fast rules. A tip is basically your way of saying thank you to any staff you’ve encountered who have gone the extra mile to make you feel more comfortable, whether that’s a waiter handing out your evening meal or a tour guide who has shown you the highlights of a city.

Here in the UK, all workers are given a minimum wage that by law has to be above a certain amount, known as the ‘living wage’, so workers don’t have to rely on tips as much as they do in other countries.

One thing to keep in mind is that in Scotland, unlike many other nations, particularly t he U.S., declining to leave a tip is perfectly acceptable in almost all circumstances, and you won’t face angry locals waving pitchforks if you do so for any reason.

The general etiquette, though, is to give a little extra – usually 5 to 10% of the bill – if you’ve enjoyed the service you’ve received. If the person looking after you has gone the extra mile and you’re happy to say thank you with a little extra cash, feel free to double that amount.

As a general rule of thumb, leave these tip amounts depending on how you feel you’ve been treated as a customer:

• Poor service: no tip
• Average service: 5%
• Good service: 10-15%
• Exceptional service: 20-30%

Use the calculator below to work out how much you should add to your bill.

Tipping in Restaurants and Bars

This is the main place where you’ll give tips as a tourist, though there are a few exceptions where you’d never give the staff a gratuity.

As a general rule of thumb, if you eat in a restaurant whether it’s a big chain or a small independent diner, you will usually leave a tip as long as the service is decent. That means if the staff are polite and attentive you can feel free to add a little extra to the bill, but do not feel obligated to do so if you’re in any way dissatisfied with the service.

As mentioned above, you won’t raise any eyebrows if you don’t leave a tip in Scotland and no one will make any mention of it if you choose not to.

Bear in mind that it’s customary not to leave a tip for staff in any fast food restaurant. Instead, you’d normally just give a smile and say thank you before taking your food. Likewise, if you visit a pub, you would not normally give the bar staff a tip if you only bought one drink. It’s not uncommon to say ‘get one for yourself’ when it comes to buying a final round if you’ve enjoyed several drinks, though.

Of course, the staff won’t actually get themselves a drink while they’re working, so don’t wait for them to start supping a pint as soon as you’ve handed over your money!

Tipping Percentages and Guidelines

With regards to how much to tip in a restaurant, from personal experience, I suggest 10% of the entire cost of the meal rounded up to the nearest pound. That being said, there are limits to the maximum amount you’d normally give, which tends to be around £10. So if you’re part of a big group and the bill comes to £190, round it up to £200 instead of £210.

It’s all personal preference though and as I said at the start, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to tipping in Scotland.

How to Give a Tip in a Restaurant

There was an annoying policy in some restaurants a couple of years ago where a mandatory service charge was automatically added to the bill whether you felt the service was good or not. Thankfully, that practice has now pretty much died out due to a backlash from consumers as many restaurant owners were pocketing the extra money and not handing it back to staff.

That being said, you might still find yourself handed a payment terminal after your meal which has an extra 5-10% automatically added as a service charge. These card machines usually have the option to cancel the extra charge though, so you can only pay for the cost of the meal if you don’t want to leave a tip.

If you receive a bill that has had a service charge added and you are not happy with the service you’ve received, ask the staff to remove it or ask to speak to the manager to remove it.

Special Cases (Large Parties, Private Events, Etc.)

If you find yourself at a social gathering such as a wedding where there’s food and alcohol on offer, you are not expected to give the staff a tip whether they’re serving tables or serving behind the bar. Likewise, at formal events such as business conventions where there’s food and drink available, you wouldn’t normally give tips to the waiters and waitresses, and in fact, it might be considered strange to do so.

Tipping Hotel Staff in Scotland

Other than eating out, the other situation where tourists might feel like handing over a tip is at their accommodation, but again, only in certain situations.

If you’re staying in an Airbnb or a Bed and Breakfast you will not be expected to leave a tip of any kind but it’s customary to leave a nice memo in the guest book or an online review site like Trip Advisor. On the other hand, if you’re staying in a hotel, especially in a city centre, you will most likely leave a tip for staff at some point during your stay.

Note that this does not apply to budget hotel chains like Travelodge or Premier Inn. No matter what the level of service is in those hotels, tips are rarely given to staff whether in the restaurant or for housekeeping.

Gratuities for Housekeeping

If you’re staying in a large premium hotel you might like to leave a little money for the housekeeping staff if they’ve done a particularly good job during your stay. If you’ve stayed in a hotel for a few nights and you have spare change you can leave it on a counter once you’ve moved out of the room. Anything from a couple of pounds is an acceptable amount.

Tipping Concierge and Front Desk Staff

Tips are normally only given to staff in high-end hotels in Scotland. Front desk staff and the concierge in these hotels are not normally given tips, however, the bag boy (sometimes called the bellhop) is usually given a couple of pounds as a thank you whenever they carry luggage from the lobby to the room and vice versa.

The only other person you might give a tip to is the doorman if they’ve performed a service such as booking you a taxi.

As a general rule of thumb for mid and high-end hotels in Scotland, a suitable amount to tip would be:

• Hotel porters – £1 – £2 per bag.
• Housekeeping – £2 – £5 per day.
• Valets – £5 per car collection.
• Concierge – £10 at the end of the stay.

Tipping Drivers in Scotland

When using taxi services in Scotland it’s customary to leave a tip, but not as an additional payment. What most people do instead, is round the final bill up and ask the taxi driver to keep the change, so if the bill was £18 you might give them £20 as a cash note.

If it’s a long journey then feel free to add an extra 10%, but (this is my personal preference) I usually add a wee bit more if the destination is hard to find. For short journeys, if the taxi driver is using a card reader (most do nowadays) then simply ask them to round the final number up to the nearest pound.

Public Transport

When using public transport in Scotland whether bus, train, or tram, you are not expected to offer members of staff a monetary tip.

If you do want to show your appreciation, just say thank you at the time and perhaps send a quick email to the transport company if you really want to go the extra mile. I’ve done this myself when a conductor helped me with heavy bags at my local train station and I got a reply saying it was passed onto him the same day. It cost nothing except for a minute or two of my time and I’m sure it was appreciated.

Tipping for Other Services

There are very few other circumstances where you’d give a tip for services received in Scotland but you may have your own customs from your home country and are wondering if they apply here. I’ll cover the most obvious ones in this section.

Tour Guides and Entertainers

In some cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow you’ll often find free tours offered by independent guides. These guides rely solely on the income from the tips they’re given so it’s customary to give them £5 to £10 to say thank you when the tour is over.

You’ll also find free street shows in Scotland’s cities (especially in Edinburgh) that rely on tips from the people watching the show, usually £5 to £10. Unlike the tours mentioned above, if you watch a street show and don’t enjoy it then feel free to walk away without handing over any money.

The same goes for buskers and bagpipers, feel free to leave a donation if you enjoy the music they’re playing, but it’s completely optional.

Grocery and Food Delivery Tips

Visitors staying in self-catering accommodation might arrange to have food delivered from a supermarket rather than do the shopping themselves. You would not normally give any tips to the driver for this service, nor would you give tips to any member of staff if you shop in a grocery store.

If you’re having food delivered from a takeaway then payment is made in advance online or by phone and you would not give them a tip, but feel free to give some spare change to the delivery driver if they’re early.

Tipping for Home Services (Plumbers, Electricians, Etc.)

On the very rare instance when a tourist might need to call out a tradesperson, it’s not usual to give them a tip even if they’ve been called outside of normal working hours. Emergency call-out service costs will be added to the bill – which will undoubtedly be exorbitant – so don’t feel guilty about not giving them any extra cash when they leave.

Gratuities for Medical Professionals

If you’re unfortunate enough to incur an injury while visiting the UK you’ll be able to use our excellent National Health Service. In this scenario, it is not customary to offer any tip to nurses or doctors (they’ll refuse it even if you do).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i tip in restaurants in scotland.

Yes, tipping in restaurants in Scotland is customary and appreciated, though not mandatory. The standard practice is to tip around 10% of the bill if you are satisfied with the service.

However, it’s essential to check if a service charge is already included in the bill. If so, you don’t need to tip additionally but you can leave a small extra amount for exceptional service.

In casual eateries or pubs tipping is less common but you can still leave a small tip if you feel the service was outstanding.

Is it rude not to tip in Scotland?

In Scotland, tipping is not as expected as it is in some other countries like the United States. However, it is still considered a nice gesture to tip for good service.

It is not necessarily rude not to tip, but if you receive exceptional service then leaving a tip would be appreciated. In restaurants, a tip of 10% of the bill is standard while for other services like taxis or hotels, a smaller amount is acceptable.

Remember, tipping is ultimately a personal choice and should be based on your satisfaction with the service provided.

Do I tip in hotels in Scotland?

In Scotland, tipping at hotels is appreciated but not mandatory. It’s customary to tip bellhops or porters around £1-£2 per bag, depending on the service and the weight of your luggage.

Housekeeping staff can be tipped £1-£2 per day, left in the room or handed directly to them.

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Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

Do You Tip in Scotland? Understanding Gratuities in the Land of the Scots

Tipping in Scotland follows a more relaxed approach compared to many other countries. This guide explains when and how to tip and helps you with gratuities in Scotland.

In Scotland, tipping is customary but not obligatory. A tip of around 10% in restaurants is standard if the service was satisfactory and a service charge is not included. It's also common to round up the fare for taxi drivers and leave a small gratuity for hotel staff.

Tipping Customs

• Tipping in Scottish restaurants and pubs is voluntary but appreciated, typically at around 10%.
• For hotel staff and taxi services, a modest tip is a token of thanks for good service.
• Always handle tipping transactions with politeness and consider local customs in Scotland.

On this page:

Understanding tipping in scotland, restaurants and pubs, hotels and accommodation, taxis and tours, handling payment and gratuity, international travelers' tipping guide, other services.

Tipping in Scotland varies by service and setting, with customs that might differ from other places you've visited. Your awareness of local tipping etiquette shows respect for cultural practices and ensures you navigate social situations with ease.

Cultural Context of Tipping

In Scotland, tipping is seen as a voluntary but appreciated gesture. Unlike the United States, where tipping is nearly mandatory, Scottish tipping customs are more relaxed. It's your way of saying thank you for good service, rather than an obligation. Tipping isn't expected everywhere, but it's common in restaurants, hotels, and certain other service areas.

Tipping Etiquette Across Services

Restaurants : It's customary to tip 10-15% at sit-down restaurants if you're happy with the service. You can leave cash or indicate the amount when paying by card. The good practice is to leave a tip slightly higher for your waiter than you would for a bartender.

Hotels : You're not required to tip at hotels, but for good service, consider leaving a small amount such as £5 for housekeeping per day . For porters, £1-2 per bag is a thoughtful gesture.

When you're visiting Scotland, being aware of these tipping practices can enhance your travel experience, as you'll show appreciation where locals deem it appropriate. Whether you're dining out or staying at a hotel, a little gratuity goes a long way.

When dining out or enjoying a drink in Scotland, understanding the tipping customs can enhance your experience. Whether it’s appreciating the service at a restaurant or acknowledging a bartender’s good work, tipping is a valued part of the culture.

Tipping in Restaurants

You're expected to leave a tip in restaurants if you receive good service. The typical amount is around 10% of your total bill. In places offering exceptional service, a £10 tip is considered generous. Remember, tipping is a way to say thank you to your waiter for a wonderful meal and is not mandatory.

Pub Tipping Customs

If you're enjoying a pub meal with table service, it's thoughtful to leave a tip. Usually, 10% is appropriate, showing gratitude for attentive service. Unlike restaurants, if you order at the bar, tipping the bartender is not an expectation. You may occasionally see a tip jar, and dropping in some spare change is a nice gesture if you feel so inclined.

Service Charges and Tips

Some establishments include a service charge on the bill, particularly for large groups. In these cases, you're not obliged to tip extra. However, if a service charge is not added, considering the standard tip percentages is a kind act for good food and service. Always check your bill to see if a service charge has been included before deciding on the tip amount.

When you stay at a hotel or accommodation in Scotland, it's important to know the tipping etiquette specific to those who make your stay comfortable.

Hotel Staff Tipping Guide

Porter: Whenever a porter assists with your luggage, a tip of £1-£2 per bag is considered polite. This is a way to show gratitude for their direct help with your belongings.

Housekeeping: Housekeeping staff are often behind the scenes ensuring your room is clean and tidy. A tip of £2-£5 per day left in the room is a thoughtful recognition of their service.

Concierge: If the concierge provides an exceptional service, such as booking tours or securing hard-to-get reservations, a tip is appropriate. The amount can vary based on the difficulty of the request, but £5 is a good starting point.

B&B and Small Hotel Tips

Maids: Similar to larger hotels, offering a tip to maids at B&Bs or small hotels is a kind gesture. An amount within the range of £2-£5 per day is recommended, adjusted based on the length of your stay and quality of service.

Staff Tip: Smaller establishments sometimes have a communal tip jar at the reception or in the dining area. Contributing to this collection is a way to thank all the staff members who contributed to your experience.

When you're touring around cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, or venturing to the picturesque Isle of Skye, understanding the tipping customs for taxi drivers and tour guides can enhance your travel experience.

Tipping Taxi Drivers

In Scotland, it's common to show your appreciation to taxi drivers by tipping. If they have provided good service, helped with luggage, or shared local insights, consider tipping around 10% of the fare. Alternatively, simply round up to the nearest pound. In busy city centers like Edinburgh or Glasgow, taking a cab and tipping can save you the hassle of navigating the crowded streets.

Tour Guide Tipping

When on tours, whether in the historic heart of cities or the scenic trails of Skye, it's customary to tip your tour guide if you've had an enriching experience. For a job well done, tipping roughly 10-15% of the tour cost is a nice gesture. Guides often rely on tips as a significant part of their income, so if they've made your tour memorable, feel free to show your thanks with a tip.

In Scotland, understanding the nuances of tipping can enhance your dining experience, ensuring you handle payment and gratuity appropriately.

Cash vs Card Tips

When you finish your meal and are ready to pay, you'll often have the choice to tip with cash or card . Scottish establishments that accept tips usually have a tip jar at the counter for cash tips. If you're carrying coins or a quid —slang for pound sterling—it's simple to drop your chosen amount into the jar. For card payments, you may be prompted to add a tip on the card machine before finalizing the transaction. While cash tips go directly to staff and are appreciated for their immediacy, card tips are also welcome and are distributed fairly among the employees.

How Much to Tip

Deciding how much to tip can depend on several factors, including the quality of service and your personal satisfaction. A common practice is to leave around 10% of the bill as a gratuity for good service—as this is seen as a generous gesture on top of the regular wage the staff receives. If you've received exceptional service, or if you're feeling particularly generous, upwards of 15-20% can be considered appropriate. Remember, tipping in Scotland is discretionary and by no means mandatory, but it's a kind way to appreciate good service and contributes to the staff's additional income . Always calculate tips using the local currency, the British pound , ensuring you’re providing a suitable amount relative to your bill.

When traveling to Scotland, it's important to understand how tipping conventions might differ from those in your home country. Here's a straightforward guide to help you navigate the tipping culture.

Comparing Tipping in Scotland vs USA

In the USA, tipping is often expected and seen as a significant part of the service sector's wage system. However, when you dine at restaurants in Scotland , the tipping culture is more relaxed. While it's appreciated, it's not obligatory to tip, and a standard 10-15% is considered generous if the service was satisfactory. For tipping taxi drivers in Scotland , rounding up the fare is a common practice rather than a fixed percentage.

Tipping in Scotland for European Visitors

If you’re visiting Scotland from Europe, you might find the tipping etiquette somewhat familiar. In many European countries, tipping isn't as deeply ingrained in the culture as it is in the United States. In Scotland, like much of Europe, service charges are often included in the bill at hotels and restaurants , but an additional 5-10% tip for exceptional service is welcomed. There's no need for concern if you choose not to tip; you'll still be regarded warmly.

When visiting spas or salons in Scotland, or dining at family-owned cafes, it's worth knowing the expectations around tipping to ensure you're showing your appreciation appropriately.

Spa and Salon Tipping

In Scotland, if you're pleased with the service you've received at a spa or salon, it's a kind gesture to leave a tip. Whether you're indulging in a massage or getting a new haircut, tipping around 10% is a way to say thank you for a job well done. At places like Wise spas , not only can you unwind and treat yourself, but showing gratitude with a tip marks you as a considerate customer.

Family-Owned Businesses and Tipping

Family-owned cafes are a staple for enjoying a casual breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here, tipping isn't mandatory, but if you've received good service, adding a few pounds to your bill is a thoughtful way to support the business. It's not uncommon to simply round up to the nearest pound for convenience at these establishments. It helps to remember that when dining at quaint family-run spots, your tips can significantly impact their day-to-day operations.

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Navigating scotland restaurant tipping customs.

When dining out in Scotland, understanding the local customs around tipping is essential. Should you tip? If so, how much is customary? This guide covers tipping …

Tipping in Scotland – no big deal and pretty straightforward

Some visitors get anxious about the conventions of tipping in Scotland but it’s pretty simple. Think taxis, restaurant bills and keep 10% in mind as a gratuity – but in this piece we also suggest situations where you don’t need to tip. Also, find out here what the word ‘tip’ actually means.

Certainly, tipping in Scotland is quite a concern for many visitors, especially those from across the Atlantic.

The first point to bear in mind is that, overall, there is less of a tipping or gratuity culture in Scotland than in, say, the USA.

After conversations with clients anxious to get it right, here are some observations and advice.

When to tip in Scotland

Broadly speaking, there are just a few defined areas where tipping in Scotland is the norm.

First of all, taxis.  It is usual to tip around 10%, or at the very least round up the fare to a whole number of £s.

It’s so widespread that it must be some kind of long established assumption that the displayed fare is only a starting point for further reward.

Odd, when you think about it. There also has been research done by psychologists that suggests people do not want to be disapproved of in certain social contexts, even by people whom they will never see again – such as that taxi driver who takes you to the airport for the homeward flight!

The 10% tipping ‘rule’

In restaurants, the 10% rule also applies. It is not that common to see a service charge applied to the bill at source in Scotland.

However, it is quite usual to see an option to add a gratuity if paying electronically by card (which to my mind always raises the issue of where that sort of tip is going. Just saying.)

Some places have a notice explaining that tips are distributed equally amongst all staff.

Naturally, these comments apply to restaurants (and even smaller cafes) where waiting staff are serving you at table.

Pubs, cafes, hairdressers

A pub meal may also merit a tip for attentive and friendly serving staff. Sometimes at smaller cafes you find a little dish by the till by way of an opportunity to tip, if you must. At self-service cafes etc staff are not expecting a gratuity.

Johanna says that ladies’ hairdressing is another tipping in Scotland area. On the other hand again, Johanna tells me she gets a head massage. What?

A gent’s haircut can be another matter. I never tip the lady who cuts my hair, though we have a close, no, intimate relationship. (Let me explain. My wife cuts my hair, having learnt how to do it during ‘lockdown’.)

Before that, I didn’t go to one of these poncy wash-your-hair-first places. It was more of a hair-cutting conveyor belt for us no-nonsense chaps. I got a tremendous haircut and a good chat, so I did tip. (And I gave the business a link, should any of you chaps require a good haircut while in Cullen, Moray.)

Porters, hotel staff, coach drivers/guides

Tipping in Scotland is fairly usual for hotel porters and concierges, depending on the level of service.

In the picture here, that’s a doorman (posing with a guest) at the very nice (formerly) G & V Royal Mile Hotel (formerly the Hotel Missoni) in Edinburgh. Oh, wait, it’s now the Radisson Collection Hotel. (Gosh, I can’t keep up…)

The doorman might well deserve a tip, especially having to wear a kilt like that. I must say she looks as though she is about to put her hand into his sporran to check his gratuities. The hussy.

Anyway, coach drivers/guides of private touring parties are often tipped, but there is a merit element here as well.

Right-oh, as the general message is, don’t be anxious about tipping in Scotland, you should be reassured, so, go ahead…book the flights(!) (Especially as this company has the reputation for nailing the best prices…)

When you don’t need to tip in Scotland

There is no expectation of tipping in Scotland of, for example, serving staff in pubs, when only drinks are being ordered at the bar.

(At least, there is no expectation of a gratuity, though that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.) Serving staff in shops are generally not tipped.

And sometimes – with the Scots at any rate – there is just a hint of pride that makes them slightly ambivalent about some of the situations where you might be tempted to tip.

What do I mean? Well, just the other day (or in October of 2016 if I don’t change the copy) I was on a  Megabus  that had stopped at  Perth , en route from  Glasgow to Aberdeen . (Or was it  Inverness , come to think of it?)

From my seat I looked out to see the bus driver assisting an elderly couple retrieve their luggage from the, uhmm, hold, boot or trunk or wherever luggage goes on Scottish buses.

The driver hauled out their cases, and the old man fumbled in his wallet and produced some coins. These were waved away with a smile.  No tip was accepted.

So, well done the Megabus driver for being helpful and courteous. (I was kinda proud to be Scottish at that moment.)

So, don’t get anxious about tipping while in Scotland – it’s not a difficult code.

Nevertheless, my daughter, who worked as a waitress in her last year at school, is to this day an assiduous tipper wherever possible – she appreciated that for some serving staff in restaurants especially, these gratuities can make a difference to a weekly wage.

OK, that’s all about tipping as it will affect you today as a traveller in Scotland. The rest is background.

Pour yourself a coffee and read on below (after the Edinburgh hotels map) to discover various possibilities as to what the word ‘tip’ really means…

What does the word ‘tip’ really mean?

At first, it seems straightforward, possibly from Low German tippen – a light blow; or Scandinavian tippa, meaning to tap and hence the sound of a coin against a table (or against a glass to attract a waiter’s attention).

But then things start to get murky. What about the possibility that tipping first started in 17th-century London, England, in its new-fangled coffee houses?

It is said it became the custom for the proprietor to place a large urn in a prominent place, labelled ‘To Insure Promptness’ – ie an upfront TIP to ensure good service.

The problem is that the acronym given with this explanation is sometimes said to be ‘To Improve Performance’, with the whole thing beginning to sound like a modern ‘folk etymology’.

Especially as there are other examples of short words explained (probably wrongly) by way of an acronym. Most famous perhaps is ‘posh’.

There are other explanations as well, including thieves’ slang, Romany or even that it is related to ‘stipend’ from the Latin, or has a connection to tipple, as in drink.

A very short history of tipping in Scotland and England

Certainly, by the 18th century, tipping in Scotland and England was well established. In Boswell’s monumental ‘The Life of Samuel Johnson LLD’ (1791) he recounts the young Dr Johnson first coming to London, England, long before he became a famous lexicographer and man of letters.

Johnson himself narrates how he lived at first near The Strand and used to dine with other newly-arrived acquaintances nearby at ‘The Pine-Apple’.

“ It used to cost the rest a shilling for they drank wine; but I had a cut of meat for sixpence, and bread for a penny, and gave the waiter a penny; so that I was quite as well served, nay, better than the rest, for they gave the waiter nothing .” Clearly, Johnson saw a direct correlation between reward and service.

Tipping ‘the servants’

Then again, centuries back in the houses of ‘high society’ in both Scotland and England, it became the custom for guests at grand houses to give a sum of money to the host’s servants at the end of their stay.

This was called ‘vails’ – etymologically linked to ‘avail’. (I admit I cannot ever recall encountering this word until I researched tipping in Scotland.)

‘Vails’ soon became expected by footmen, valets, butlers and other staff. An altruistic gesture thus became a social norm.

So much so, apparently, that by 1757, the whole business of tipping in Scotland in these circumstances was under discussion by the Edinburgh Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Science, Manufactures and Agriculture (one of the societies that flourished in the Scottish Age of Enlightenment).

They proposed an essay topic: ‘What is the proper method to abolish the practice of giving vails?’

Now, I absolutely do not subscribe to the Aberdonian ‘grippy’ or mean stereotype, which I think came about by the coincident rhyming of ‘mean’ with ‘Aberdeen’ in a music hall song.

However, it is recorded that at the end of 1759 the ‘freeholders and commissioners’ of the land tax for the County of Aberdeen decided to do all they could to end the practice of rewarding servants in this way.

Within a month the Edinburgh-based Company of Scots Hunters (who they?) had followed suit, according to the  Scots Magazine  account of the time.

So, the Scots attempted to stamp out one form of tipping before the end of the 18th century. Amusingly, according to “The Domestic Servant in Eighteenth-Century England” (J Jean Hecht, 1955), south of the Scottish Border,  ‘prejudice caused many to oppose a reform that the Scots had been the first to introduce ’.

So, we did our best but things just didn’t work out….

Finally, it is thought that because of the prevalence of tipping throughout Europe before the end of the 19th century, it was introduced to the USA by wealthy travellers who wished to tip as a means of showing they were experienced voyagers who knew European ways.

Up to that point, in the USA, a sense of equality and a perception of waiters or domestics as valued employees meant that tipping was not a social norm.

Finally, if you want to compare Scottish tipping customs with the norm in other parts of the world, then this piece from the BBC website on  how the world tips  is fascinating.

Or you could explore the  cities in Scotland . That link will help you decide which ones are worth your time.

‘Coughs apologetically, looks down and shuffles feet awkwardly’…If you think we deserve a tip for providing you with about a couple of hundred pages of entertainment and information, then please feel free…Tell you what, we’ll even answer your travel questions about Scotland.

Buy the best bits of must-see-scotland.com advert-free!

Like the tell-it-like-it-is-approach? The most helpful and entertaining pages on this website are now available as ebooks covering many aspects of travel in Scotland.  

Get them right here in my ebookstore for £1.99 each and look out for future titles!

Download and enjoy each ebook for the price of a (cheap) coffee from CostBucks. 

Read them off-line. (Well, you know what the signal can be like in the Highlands…)

Scotland – Know Before You Go

Midges, weather, tipping, driving, best time to visit and more…essential background for your trip to Scotland. Fully illustrated in colour but easy to read on your smartphone or e-reader.

Scotland – Where to see…

All the favourites in Scotland: Highland cows, puffins, dolphins and more  – plus top ten lists – best beaches, views, walks – positively a treasury of information to make your trip a success…

Tipping in Scotland: Where & How Much

We’ve all had that awkward moment in a restaurant abroad when the bill arrives. How much extra should I leave as a tip? Will they think I’m cheap if I don’t leave double the value of the bill? Does my server depend on my tip for their livelihood?

After planning out destinations and activities, the next thing many travellers want to know is: do you tip in Scotland?

The answer is yes; Scotland’s tipping culture is pretty similar to that of the rest of the UK. BUT, tips are not expected in as many places as they are in the US.

With that said, there are a few places where it’s almost expected that you should tip (but you’ll still be welcome back even if you don’t!). Let’s run through where and how much to tip in Scotland.

Who to Tip in Scotland

It’s fairly common to tip in restaurants or cafés if you’ve had (good) table service, with many people also tipping for average or even slightly less-than-average service.

But with that said, more and more eateries are adding a service charge to the bill . Perhaps it’s due to the lack of change we all seem to have on us these days.

So, don’t forget to check the bill for an added service charge (which will usually be around 10-15% ) before putting some extra coins down when paying at restaurants in Scotland.

In terms of tipping in restaurants, it’s more expected in the city centre and other tourist-heavy areas than it is outside of town. A good pub meal at a city centre bar is normally accompanied by friendly service and, as such, demands a tip.

While not expected as much as in eateries, it’s also fairly commonplace to leave a tip for your taxi driver . The 10% you’d give in a restaurant might be a bit excessive in this case. Instead, most people will simply r ound up to the nearest pound , or leave an extra £1-2 on top of the fare.

Tipping tour guides : yay or nay? If you take a tour, you’re probably already going to be quite a bit out of pocket, especially in Edinburgh. However, if you feel the tour guide was especially knowledgeable and made your experience a lot more fun, a 10% tip will be most welcome. If there was no fee for the tour (lucky you!), it’s standard to give a small donation at the end.

Do You Tip in Hotels in Scotland?

Hotels are another place you might consider leaving a tip—the housekeeping team will always appreciate a few coins or a £5 note on the nightstand . And before you even get to your room, consider giving up to £2 per bag that the porter carried up for you.

While I’m talking about tipping in hotels, you might also want to leave around £10 for the receptionist and car valet if you used their services. So, when planning a trip to Scotland, set aside a little bit of your budget for tipping hotel staff (or just stay at an AirBnb or a campsite!).

Where to Tip: A Quick Checklist

• Restaurants with table service
• Cafés with attentive staff
• City center eateries and tourist hotspots
• Tour guides who enhance your experience
• Hotels for housekeeping and special services
• Porters who carry your bags
• Taxi drivers

Who NOT to Tip in Scotland

It’s not common to tip the bartender after a pint in Scotland, although you’re more than welcome to if you feel like it! Like your taxi driver who’ll be taking you home after a night on the town, you might want to tell the bar staff to round up the bill to the nearest pound. Or, you can ‘buy them a drink’ (but this isn’t something I’d recommend for taxi drivers, unless you don’t want their next customer to get home in one piece!).

You’ll also stand out as a clear tourist if you try to tip a shop server . Don’t do this, you’ll probably confuse them!

Where Not to Tip: Avoid Awkward Moments

• Bartenders after a drink
• Shop servers
• Cases where service charge is already added
• Any other situations where tipping isn’t customary (hairdressers, baristas at coffee shops without table service, mechanics)

How Much Should I Tip?

As a general rule, tip around 10-15% of the total amount of your bill . It’s not expected that you tip as much as in some other countries—tipping 20-25% will come across as somewhat extravagant (although it’s likely to be appreciated!).

It’s always nice to tip a bit more if you’re part of a large group (and you can each give just a few pounds) or if you’ve made a lot of mess or had some difficult requests . And of course, following the rule of tipping for good service means you would reward out–of-this-world service even more so.

Another thing worth bearing in mind is the minimum wage, especially compared to the ever-increasing cost of living in Scotland. In Scotland, the minimum wage is related to a person’s age until they turn 23.

For workers under 18, the minimum wage (as of 1 April 2023) is just £5.28 . That’s probably the same cost as your pint at an Edinburgh pub. Those 23 and over are entitled to £10.42 per hour, but that’s still not enough for a main course in most restaurants.

And, it’s pretty common practice for employers to pay hospitality staff at the minimum wage.

So, while these workers don’t necessarily rely on tips as much as their US counterparts, they’re still among the lowest-paid workers in the country, and some of the hardest working to boot! For these reasons, you’ll likely want to consider leaving at least a few pounds for the waiting team at the end of your meal.

A Last Word…

There you have it—a quick guide to tipping in Scotland. In most sit-down restaurants, it’s considered polite to leave around 10% of the bill total. For most other situations, rounding the bill up or telling the staff to keep the change will suffice.

If in doubt, do what the locals are doing!

What is the tip percentage in Scotland?

As you’ve seen throughout this article, there’s not a set amount to tip. However, as a rough guide, 10-15% is sufficient in many cases. Otherwise, leaving a few extra pounds or telling the server to keep the change is ideal.

How much do you tip for a tour in Scotland?

It really depends on how much the tour cost and how you’re paying. The standard is around 10-15% . If you’re paying in cash , consider rounding up the total and asking the tour guide to keep the change.

Is 10% too low of a tip?

No, 10% is a perfectly reasonable amount to tip your wait staff in Scotland, although you might like to increase it to 15% for outstanding service. If the service charge is already included in the total, it’s commonly either 10% or 15%.

Is it rude not to tip in Scotland?

While not necessarily rude, there are times and places when tipping will be more expected than others. If service was exceptional, definitely consider leaving a tip. However, we won’t think you’re an ungrateful tourist if you don’t leave a large tip at every opportunity—it’s not expected here as much as it is in the US, for example.

Should you tip in Glasgow?

Yes, you should leave tips at restaurants and in taxis in Glasgow much like you would elsewhere in Scotland. In fact, it’s more common to tip in tourist areas than more remote communities. So, based on that, it’s a good idea to tip in Glasgow.

Do I tip in cash or include it in the bill?

In Scotland, you can leave tips in cash whether you’re paying the bill with cash or card. You won’t generally get a printed bill to write the tip amount on as you would in the US. You just leave your chosen amount with the payment.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say your bill comes to £63.54 and you want to round it up to £70, a £6.46 tip. But you’re paying in cash and you only have £20 notes, so you leave £80. In this case, you would just tell your server to round it up to £70, and they’ll bring you £10 change.

Can I use my card to tip in Scotland?

Owner and author at Scotland in a Week, born and bred in Scotland. Emily has travelled extensively across the country and is eager to share her knowledge with everyone planning a trip to this magical country.

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tipping in Scotland

Tipping isn’t particularly expected in Scotland like in Canada or the US. This is generally because staff in the UK receive at least minimum wage, regardless of whether they receive tips or not. As such there isn't the same pressure to leave a tip for most services in Scotland.

That being said, it does depend on the service. This guide will tell you everything you need to know.

tipping in hotels in Scotland

in Scotland Tip £2-£5 at Hotels

As a general rule, tips aren't usually expected in Scotland at a hotel. However, if the service is above standard, giving a small tip to workers would be considered polite. For example, usually people leave a tip for the chambermaid if their work is exceptional, but this doesn’t mean it’s a requirement. However, as with anywhere in the world, it's polite to give a small tip to the porter who carries your bags to your room.

tipping customs for restaurants in Scotland

At a restaurant Tip 10% in Scotland

Tipping is uncommon in casual restaurants where food is brought to your table and you pay for your order at the counter, but there is no harm in leaving a pound or two for the waiter. Conversely, in restaurants where the waiter/waitress brings the food to your table and the bill, it would be polite to tip around 10%. However, this of course does vary from place to place.

For instance, in fine dining restaurants, usually waiter/waitresses expect a higher tip, around 15%. While it isn’t compulsory, not leaving a tip may be considered rude unless of course you had a problem with the service. In some restaurants, a 10% service charge is added to the bill. In this case, it isn’t exactly necessary to tip the waiter/waitress.

tip etiquette at barman in Scotland

In Scotland Tip 10% for food

Bartenders serving drinks in bars and pubs in Scotland don’t expect to be tipped by customers. If you order food you might consider tipping for good service, but there isn't the same expectation as in the USA or Canada. That being said, tips are always appreciated. It's up to you really, if you feel like you've received good service, by all means tip!

should you tip your taxi driver

When taking a taxi Round up the fare

Similar to any other service in Scotland, it isn’t a requirement or necessity to leave a tip. Nevertheless, it is expected to round up to the nearest pound on taxi journeys that are metered. This makes it more convenient for both the drivers and passengers. However, if you are hiring a taxi for a ride to the airport, then to make sure to tip the driver if he helps with your luggage.

should you tip your hairdresser

in Scotland Tip 10 - 15% at a hairdresser

When you talk about going to a hairdresser in Scotland, gratuity isn’t exactly obligatory. However, the hairdresser might expect you to give him/her something for a little extra effort put in or if you are very satisfied with the service. For example, if you get a nice haircut and are extremely satisfied with your new look, then you should tip the hair dresser 10% of the bill. Conversely, if you aren’t happy with the services provide, you can always choose not to leave a tip.

should you tip tour guides in Scotland

Tip tour guides Tip £5-£10 in Scotland

Tour guides are perhaps the only industry in Scotland where individuals actually expect a tip. But the amount you are supposed to tip usually depends on the type of tour you are taking. For instance, if you are taking a small walking tour, it would be nice to leave a tip of around £5. Conversely, if you are taking a tour around the entire city of Scotland or ask your tour guide to show you or visit extra places, you may want to tip them 10% of the bill.

• Tipping Guide
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“Do You Tip in Scotland? Haggis, Kilts, and Generous Gratuities – All You Need to Know!”

Do You Tip in Scotland? Haggis, Kilts, and Generous Gratuities – All You Need to Know!

Introduction

Discover the tipping culture in Scotland! In this blog post, we will provide comprehensive information about tipping practices in Scotland. From restaurants and cafes to hotels and transportation services, we will explore the customary practices and guidelines for tipping in different scenarios. So, if you’re planning a trip to Scotland or simply curious about Scottish tipping customs, keep reading!

Overview of Tipping Culture in Scotland

In Scottish society, tipping is generally perceived as a token of appreciation for good service rather than an obligation. Unlike some other countries where tipping is expected or even mandatory, tipping in Scotland is more discretionary. However, it is still appreciated by those working in the service industry.

Tipping Etiquette in Restaurants and Cafés

When dining at restaurants or cafes in Scotland, it is customary to leave a gratuity for waitstaff. Unlike countries where gratuity may be automatically included in the bill, Scottish establishments usually do not include a service charge. As such, it is recommended to leave a tip separately.

The general guideline for tipping waitstaff is around 10-15% of the total bill. However, this can vary depending on factors such as quality of service and personal discretion. If you receive exceptional service or have had an enjoyable dining experience, consider leaving a more generous tip.

Tipping Hotel Staff

When staying at hotels in Scotland, there are certain situations where it is appropriate to tip hotel staff . For example, housekeeping services are often tipped by leaving a small amount each day during your stay. The typical amount can range from £1-£5 per day.

Additionally, if the concierge goes above and beyond to assist you with reservations or recommendations during your stay, it is customary to express gratitude with a tip of around £5-£10.

Tipping Taxi Drivers and Transportation Services

Tipping taxi drivers and other transportation service providers in Scotland is not mandatory, but it is considered good etiquette to do so. As a general guideline, rounding up the fare to the nearest pound is appreciated. For example, if your fare is £8.50, rounding up to £9 would be customary.

If your driver provides exceptional service or goes out of their way to make your journey more pleasant, you may choose to leave a slightly higher tip. However, tipping more than 10% of the fare is not common practice.

Tipping Tour Guides

When participating in tours led by tour guides in Scotland, tipping is generally seen as a way to show appreciation for their knowledge and efforts. While it may not be expected in all situations, if you feel that your guide has provided an exceptional experience or went above and beyond their duties, consider leaving a tip.

The amount to tip tour guides can vary depending on factors such as the duration of the tour and quality of service. As a starting point, around £5-£10 per person for a half-day tour and £10-£20 per person for a full-day tour can be considered appropriate.

Other Service Providers

Apart from restaurants, hotels, taxis, and tours, there are other service providers in Scotland who may expect tips. Hairdressers, spa therapists, and similar professionals typically appreciate gratuities ranging from 10-15% of the total bill.

However, it’s important to note that some establishments may already include a service charge or have their own policies regarding tipping. It’s always best to check with the establishment or ask before assuming whether gratuity is expected.

Final Tips and Recommendations

To summarize key points from each section:

1. In restaurants and cafes: It’s customary to leave around 10-15% of the total bill separately. 2. Hotel staff: Tip housekeeping staff with £1-£5 per day and concierge staff with £5-£10 for exceptional service. 3. Taxi drivers and transportation services: Round up the fare to the nearest pound. 4. Tour guides: Consider tipping around £5-£10 per person for half-day tours and £10-£20 per person for full-day tours. 5. Other service providers: Tipping hairdressers , spa therapists, etc., is generally appreciated at 10-15% of the bill.

Additionally, remember that tipping in Scotland is discretionary, so it’s ultimately up to your personal discretion and satisfaction with the service provided.

When visiting Scotland, it’s always a good idea to carry some small change or cash with you for tipping purposes as not all establishments may accept credit cards or have options for adding gratuity to payments.

By following these guidelines and showing appreciation through tipping when appropriate, you can navigate the Scottish tipping culture with ease while enjoying your time in this beautiful country!

Remember that this outline serves as a general guide. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and include accurate information in the actual blog post.

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Tipping for Private Tour Guides in Scotland

What is the customary tip percentage for private tour guides? Should the tip be in cash? Thank you.

I have friends who run a private tour company. They set their own tour prices and do not expect guests to tip on top of that. I guess it could be a little different for drivers working for someone else. Tipping comes up quite a lot on this forum, for example in this thread from 2022

It seems Americans are those most concerned about tipping, in general most Brits probably wouldn't tip a tour guide, or if they did it might just be a couple of pounds. However, a guide would likely be happy to receive a tip, while not necessary expecting one. Cash would certainly be the norm. A guide is unlikely to have their own card machine.

In September 2023, we took 3 small-group tours with Rabbies from Edinburgh. Our fellow tourists were from the US, England, Canada, Germany, and even a couple from Glasgow. Someone on this forum told me that they had tipped their Rabbies guides 10GBP in cash per day for the two of them. I noticed that every couple or group on the tours tipped the guides.

If your guide has a website, I would see if it mentions tipping.

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines .

How Much Should You Tip on a Guided Tour? All Your Gratuity Questions Answered

Everything you need to know about tipping on a guided tour..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

When you book a guided tour , it may seem like you’re covering most of your vacation costs before you even depart. Most tours include accommodations, trip leaders, local guides, transportation during the trip, admission fees, and many meals all in the upfront cost. But the addd cost of tour leader tips and other customary gratuities can sneak up on you unless you’ve factored them in at the beginning.

Inspired by my own frustration about the vague information available about how much to tip on guided tours, I’ve compared tipping guidelines and recommendations from a dozen different tour companies to create this tipping guide for tours. You can use it to get a sense of tour operator tipping norms and then plan accordingly.

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Which Gratuities Are Covered in Most Tours?

Many tour companies build tips for support staff into the tour price. That could include hotel staff, waiters, and sometimes (but not always) bus drivers. If your guided tour has a dedicated motor coach driver for the entire trip, for example, you may be expected to tip the driver in addition to your guides.

And almost none of the tour operators I spoke with include the priciest of all tips—tour leader gratuities—into the cost of a tour. The exception is Road Scholar , which includes group leader gratuities in the up-front tour cost. 

Which Gratuities Are Not Covered in Most Tours?

Beyond the above-mentioned exceptions, most tour companies do not include tips for guides and hotel housekeeping. Often, these people rely on tips as a vital part of their income, so it’s important to set your own budget accordingly to make sure you’re tipping at an appropriate level for their service.

• Tour Leader/Director: I’ll go into more detail below about tipping tour leaders, but in terms of the biggest gratuity expense to budget for on a tour, this is it, since the customary amount may well be in the hundreds of dollars.
• Local Tour Guides: Some tour companies will include local tour guides into the gratuities covered in the cost of the tour, while others say you should tip local tour guides individually. If you’re expected to tip local guides on your own, the daily amount usually falls somewhere in the $2 to $10 range. Local tour guides tend to be used for day tours, so you’ll want to tip them at the end of the day, as you may not see them again.
• Hotel Housekeeping: In-room tips for the cleaning staff aren’t generally paid by tour companies. TourScoop’s sister site FamilyVacationist has an explainer about hotel housekeeping tipping etiquette , but generally speaking the customary range is $3 to $10 per day depending on the hotel class. 
• Independent Meals: Learn tipping customs for your destinations before you go, since you’ll likely have some meals on your own and will want to be able to tip or not tip as the culture dictates. 

Why You Should Always Tip Your Tour Leaders

Ask a tour company why you should tip your tour leader and you’ll likely get some version of, “Well, it’s the customary way to thank them for all their hard work” or “It’s how you show appreciation and gratitude.” 

Intrepid Travel goes a bit deeper on its explanation, noting that “tipping is still a big part of leaders’ overall income” and that tipping locals for their guiding services is actually a powerful way to inject cash into the local economy. Since tip money doesn’t pass through a third party, the money “either go[es] straight to the leader, or get[s] divided up among your porters and local guides.”

A great tour leader turns a good experience into a great one, and it’s natural to want to make sure they feel appreciated, even if you have some resistance to the structures that require guests to heavily subsidize these hard-working wonders.

How Much to Tip Your Tour Leaders

The less helpful but most accurate answer to the question of how much to tip your tour leader is that information about tipping is generally found in the final documents you receive before your trip, so be sure to read those pages carefully when you get them (usually somewhere between a month and two weeks before the start of a tour). To give you a ballpark estimate, though, the daily per person tip for a tour leader tip should be somewhere in the range of $7 to $12, with $10 per person per day being the most widely recommended amount. 

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That amount can add up quickly, especially if you have more than one tour leader and/or are traveling with a family group . For instance, Adventures by Disney (which is refreshingly up-front about its tipping recommendations) pencils out gratuities for a 10-day tour with a family of four at $720 to $880, since its family travel adventures always include two tour leaders. That can be sticker-shock territory, which is why I suspect so many tour companies are so cagey about how much to tip tour leaders. 

How and When to Tip on a Guided Tour

Some companies—including Trafalgar , Globus , and Collette —may give you the option to pre-pay tour leader tips with your credit card at the time of booking. On the one hand, that’s great, since it means you don’t need to carry around cash to give at the very end of the trip. On the other hand, it pokes holes in the industry-wide story that the tip is tied to the service you’ve received.

Most tour companies still recommend tipping your tour leader at the end of the tour. Plan to tip in either the local currency or U.S. dollars if it’s a widely accepted currency in the destination country. Some tour leaders also accept Venmo or PayPal.

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Tipping in Scotland: From Pubs to Pipers – Tips for Every Occasion

As you embark on a journey to Scotland, it’s important to understand the local customs, including tipping practices. Tipping is not only a way to show appreciation for good service but also an opportunity to respect and immerse yourself in the cultural traditions of the country. Scotland, known for its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality, offers a unique tipping culture worth exploring.

Tipping Culture in Scotland

In Scotland, tipping is viewed as a voluntary gesture of appreciation rather than an obligatory act. The emphasis is placed on the quality of service provided. Scottish people value genuine hospitality and excellent service, and tipping is a way to acknowledge and reward such experiences. The voluntary nature of tipping allows you to express gratitude genuinely.

The Scottish perspective on gratuity is influenced by historical and cultural factors. Scotland’s history of hospitality, where guests were traditionally treated with the utmost care, has shaped the current tipping practices. There is a sense of pride in providing excellent service without expecting excessive tips. This balanced approach reflects the Scottish ethos and their commitment to ensuring visitors have a memorable experience.

Restaurants and Cafés

When dining in restaurants, leaving a tip is a standard practice in Scotland. The customary tipping approach includes either a percentage-based tip or rounding up the bill to the nearest pound. A gratuity of around 10-15% of the total bill is generally considered appropriate, but the exact amount is subjective and can be adjusted based on the level of service received and your satisfaction. Take into account factors such as the attentiveness of the staff, quality of food, and overall dining experience when determining the tip amount.

In cafés and coffee shops, tipping is more optional. While it’s not expected, leaving loose change or rounding up to the nearest pound as a token of appreciation is a kind gesture. For instance, if your coffee costs £2.50 (approximately $3.50), rounding it up to £3 (approximately $4) shows your gratitude for the service provided.

Bars and Pubs

Tipping customs in bars and pubs in Scotland can vary depending on the level of service received. If you receive table service from a bartender in a bar, it is customary to leave a tip of around 10% of the total bill. However, if you order drinks directly from the bar counter, tipping is not expected. In such cases, paying for your drinks without leaving an additional gratuity is considered sufficient.

In traditional pubs, tipping is not as prevalent as in bars or restaurants. However, if you receive exceptional service or wish to show your appreciation, leaving a small tip is always welcome. A gratuity of around 5-10% of the total bill is considered appropriate, but feel free to adjust the amount based on your experience and satisfaction.

Hotels and Accommodations

Tipping hotel staff in Scotland is a common practice to acknowledge their service and express gratitude. When it comes to the housekeeping staff, leaving a tip is customary. A gratuity of around £1-2 (approximately $1.50-$2.50) per night of your stay is considered appropriate. If the hotel provides additional services such as concierge assistance or porter service, it’s customary to consider leaving a small gratuity as well.

In bed and breakfast establishments, tipping customs may vary. Some guests choose to leave a small tip for the hosts or the hosts’ family as a gesture of appreciation for their hospitality. The amount is discretionary and can be adjusted based on the quality of service provided and your satisfaction with your stay.

Transportation Services

When it comes to tipping taxi drivers in Scotland, a common practice is to round up the fare to the nearest pound. For example, if your fare is £9.60 (approximately $13), rounding it up to £10 (approximately $13.50) is a simple and appreciated way to show your appreciation for the service provided. However, if the driver goes above and beyond, such as assisting with luggage or providing exceptional service, you may consider leaving a slightly larger tip.

For other transportation services such as guided tours or private drivers, tipping customs can vary. It’s advisable to check if a service charge is already included in the cost or if tipping is expected. If tipping is appropriate, a gratuity of around 10-15% of the total cost is generally considered suitable. However, adjust the amount based on the quality of the service and your satisfaction.

Other Service Providers

When participating in guided tours or group activities led by tour guides or excursion leaders, tipping is customary in Scotland. Considerations for tipping include the duration of the tour, the guide’s knowledge and engagement, and the overall experience. A gratuity of around 10-15% of the tour cost is generally considered appropriate to acknowledge their efforts and expertise.

In salons and spas, tipping hairdressers and beauticians is a common practice. A gratuity of around 10-15% of the total cost is customary to show your appreciation for their services.

In conclusion, understanding and respecting the tipping customs in Scotland not only enhance your travel experience but also allow you to show appreciation for the excellent service you receive. By embracing the voluntary and quality-focused nature of tipping, you can navigate the gratuity culture in restaurants, bars, hotels, transportation services, and other establishments with confidence. Remember to adjust the tip amount based on your satisfaction and the level of service provided. By embracing these customs, you’ll not only ensure a positive interaction but also contribute to the warm and welcoming atmosphere that Scotland is known for.

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Yes,especially if he is friendly and helpful.

Just not as much as you would give at home !

What to give definitely depends on the service you receive. You can make it slightly less awkward by buying a "Thank you" card (or bringing one from home) and writing a wee message of thanks and putting the tip in that.

Assuming we have a great time, can you venture a suggestion about what tip amount for the driver (he is also the guide) would be appropriate for this four-day private tour: £10 a day, £20 a day, more?

£20 for the duration, tops.

£20 for the entire four-day trip?

Yes. It's only a way of saying thanks for whatever you've done for us.

I’d agree £20 would be plenty. Presumably the driver is being paid for the job?

We don’t have a US style tipping culture here in the UK

Exactly. The driver will be getting a decent wage if they are an employee. This is just like saying 'thanks, here's a few quid to have a drink'.

I agree with the above suggestions - £5 per day, £20 for the trip. Tips here are just a little extra, a kind of a "buy yourself a bottle of what you fancy", a gift - not a part of income that he'll be relying on.

You can always tip more if they do something really over and above. And less if they're grumpy and terrible.

Thanks to everyone for the helpful advice, all the best!

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• Tipping in Scotland. Do we need to do it, and what should we know?

Feb 22, 2023 Scotland , England , Food & Drink , Golf , Whisky

One question that often arises for travellers to Scotland is whether tipping is expected or necessary. The simple answer is YES – if you feel you have received excellent customer service.

Although certain establishments will add a gratuity to the bill, this is discretionary, and you are free to increase or reduce the amount as you see fit.

• Restaurants and Bars

When dining out in Scotland, tipping is generally expected in restaurants and bars. The standard practice is to leave a gratuity of around 10-15% of the total bill.

In hotels, it is customary to leave a small gratuity for staff that you feel have provided outstanding service.

• Taxis and Transportation

When taking a taxi or other form of transportation in Scotland, it’s common to round up the fare to the nearest pound. If you’re using a ride-sharing service like  Uber , you can add a tip through the app after your journey is complete.

• Tour Guides

If you’re taking a guided tour in Scotland, it’s customary to leave a gratuity for the guide. The amount of the tip can vary depending on the length and quality of the tour, but a good rule of thumb is to leave around 10% of the total cost of the tour.

• Hairdressers and Beauty Salons

Tipping in hairdressers and beauty salons is a common practice in Scotland. It’s customary to leave a gratuity of around 10-15% of the total cost of the service.

• Other Services

For other services, such as dry cleaning or valet parking, tipping is appreciated. A small gratuity of a few pounds is a reasonable amount to leave.

• What about contactless payments while travelling in Scotland?

Contactless payments are commonplace in Scotland, especially since the pandemic.

While it’s worth checking with your bank or card provider before your travels – you should be able to make contactless payments up to a value of £100.

Providing a tip when you have received good service will always be appreciated.

• Scottish and English Bank Notes

While Scottish notes are legal tender throughout the UK, some businesses in England may be reluctant to accept them.

• Online reviews

In a digital age, online reviews are also appreciated by service providers – especially when you have received excellent service.

Leaving a great review doesn’t just help the service provider – it also helps other travellers to see where the best experiences are to be had!

Looking to plan your trip to Scotland, England, Ireland or France? Turas specialises in crafting unique travel itineraries to help you make the most of your vacation.  Send us a message and we would be delighted to tailor a proposal for you.

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A Guide to Tipping for Travelers

Andersen Ross Photography Inc / Getty Images

Tipping correctly can save you time, embarrassment, and money. While traveling, many people will offer their services to help make life easier, but it can sometimes be hard to tell who's just doing their job and who expects a tip.

Tipping is payment for a service rendered, but tipping can also be an act of gratitude for someone who goes beyond the call of duty, like a concierge securing front-row seats to the hottest show in town. Choosing not to tip will send a clear message that you have been dissatisfied with the service you've received.

These tipping guidelines are for the United States only. Expectations (and tipping amounts) can vary quite a bit from country to country. Check the travel guide for the particular country you will be visiting for the proper tipping etiquette.

Hotels and Resorts

Occasionally, you might stay at a hotel or resort with a no-tipping policy. In this case, you might find that you are already paying for service by way of a resort fee or service charge added your final bill.

• When valeting your car, tip $1 to $2 to the attendant when he retrieves your car. You can also tip when dropping your car off, but this is optional.
• You don't need to tip the doorman when he opens the door for you, but if he hails you a cab, you should tip $1 to $2.
• Tip bellhops and luggage porters $1 to $2 for every bag they bring up to your room. At a luxury hotel, you might tip more, as much as $5 per bag.
• For housekeeping, leave a daily tip of $1 to $5 per day, depending on the type of hotel and the size of the mess you've made.
• If you order room service, you'll find most hotels already include a service charge on the bill. If there's no service charge, tip 15 percent.
• The hotel concierge exists to help guests, so it's not necessary to tip if they give you directions or make a restaurant recommendation. However, if the service has been especially valuable, such as getting reservations to a restaurant that claims to be totally booked, tipping $5 to $20 is reasonable.
• Be sure to check out our guide for tipping in Las Vegas as well.

In general, more and more cruise lines are moving away from traditional tipping and adding service charges, which will be split evenly among the crew. It varies from line to line, so make sure to ask about their tipping policy before you book your next cruise.

• If the cruise line automatically adds the service charge to your account, you may be able to adjust it lower or higher as you deem necessary. The recommended amount is $10 to $20 per passenger for every day of your cruise.
• Baggage handlers work for the port and not the cruise ship, so you should tip $1 to $2 per bag or $4 to $5 per party.
• Like at a hotel, you can leave $1 to $5 per day for housekeeping in your cabin.
• You will most likely have different servers every day, but if there is someone that stands out (like a bartender who remembers your drink order), feel free to hand them a small token of appreciation.
• Upon any delivery to your cabin, like room service or a special request, you should tip $1 to $3 per visit depending on how much you order.
• Tipping the head waiter isn't necessary, but you can give $5 to $10 if they accommodate a special request or go above and beyond.
• Onshore excursions, you should tip your guides based on the level of personalization from $2 to $10.
• For children's club counselors, tipping is not necessary.
• It's the ship captain's job to command the ship and, occasionally, socialize with guests. Tipping is not necessary and would most likely be refused.

Restaurants and Bars

Whether you're enjoying a night out on the town or just popping down to the hotel lounge for a nightcap, standard tipping practices still apply when you're traveling.

• Tip your server 15 percent to 20 percent of the bill based on the pre-tax total of the bill or more if you enjoyed the service. If a service charge has already been included, feel free to leave without tipping.
• Bartenders should be tipped $1 per drink served, even if they're just pouring beer or wine.
• Tip the sommelier 10 percent of your wine costs, even if it's a less expensive vintage.
• If there is a bathroom attendant, who doesn't just hand out towels but also keeps the bathroom clean, drop a few coins in the tip jar or tip $1 per visit.
• When collecting your things at the coat check, tip $1 per item checked.

Transportation

Depending on how you choose to get around when you travel, you might be expected to tip.

• It's customary to tip cab drivers 15 percent to 20 percent of the fare.
• If you use a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft, you're not obligated to tip the driver, but it's considerate to give $1 to $2 for a short trip or more for a long-haul ride.
• If you arrange an airport shuttle transfer, tip $1 for every bag handled.
• Tip limousine drivers 15 percent to 20 percent, unless a service charge is included.

How much you tip a tour guide varies depending on the tour's length, size, and overall quality. In most countries, tipping your guide at the end of a tour is standard practice and will be rarely turned down.

• For a tour that only lasts a few hours, tip your guide 10 percent to 20 percent the cost of the tour. How much you tip also depends on the size of your tour, so you should tip more for a more personalized experience.
• For a multi-day tour, you should tip your guide $5 to $10 per day on the last day.
• If there was a driver in addition to a guide, tip them $1 to $5 per day.
• For free tours, which are offered in many large cities , you should tip between $5 to $10, depending on the quality of the tour.

Spas and Salons

If you purchase an individualized service at a spa or salon, you'll be expected to leave a tip. Some spas might already include a service charge, so make sure to ask about this at the front desk when you go to pay.

• For a spa treatment like a massage or a facial, tip 15 percent to 20 percent if no service fee has been included. If you're getting the treatment at a discount, your tip should be based on the original price.
• There's no need to tip if you're visiting a spa with common facilities like saunas or hot springs without purchasing an extra treatment.
• Medical spas might have more complicated treatments, like botox injections. Usually, tipping is not allowed for these kinds of services.
• Hairstylists and manicurists should be tipped at 15 percent to 20 percent.
• If someone else washes your hair, you can give them a $1 to $5.

Golf Courses

If you decide to go for a round of golf on vacation, you might run into these tipping scenarios.

• On a golf course, the bag boy takes your clubs when you arrive and sets them up in a golf cart for you. He will also wipe them down before you leave, so tip $1 to $2 on arrival and $2 to $5 as you leave.
• If you arrive without a tee time and the starter fits you in, you can tip them $1 to $5.
• Caddies should be tipped 50 percent of the caddie fee, adjusted higher or lower for your satisfaction with their service.
• A forecaddie works for a group of golfers and should be tipped $20 to $25 per player.

A Guide to Tipping in New York City

A Guide to Tipping Hotel Employees

A Guide to Tipping in Germany

A Guide to Tipping in Portugal

A Guide to Tipping in India

How Much You Should Tip in Amsterdam

A Guide to Tipping in Chicago

A Guide to Tipping in Mexico

A Guide to Tipping in France

A Guide to Tipping in the United Kingdom

A Guide to Tipping in Ireland

A Guide to Tipping in Nepal

A Guide to Tipping in Peru

A Guide to Tipping in Asia

Guide to Tipping in Las Vegas

A Guide to Tipping in Canada

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Your Essential Guide to Tipping in the UK | Get Familiar With the Etiquette Before You Go

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Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

Brits have a bit of a reputation when it comes to tipping. We’re seen as bad tippers by other countries — we don’t like to tip, we might even be mean. But the truth is, we’re just not accustomed to tipping very often as there are no real “rules” on tipping here. If it’s your first visit to the UK, tipping can seem like a minefield. When do you tip? Who do you tip? How much do you tip? There’s nothing more awkward than not understanding the etiquette of the country you’re staying in. 

When friends of mine came from overseas, I received some frantic texts from them in a restaurant, asking me if the waitress would be offended if they gave the tip directly to her. My friend wondered if it would be perceived badly and that it might seem as if she was suggesting the waitress was poor. As I explained to my friend at the time, tipping in the UK is a pretty casual affair, and you’re unlikely to offend anyone no matter what you do. There isn’t really a tipping “culture” here in the UK and it’s done more on a “how you feel about the service” basis. 

In the UK, it’s generally not customary to tip at fast-food restaurants, pubs, or bars where you order at the counter. Additionally, tipping is typically not expected in situations where a service charge is already included in the bill, such as in many hotels and upscale dining establishments.

That said, it is confusing for anyone visiting, so to help you get to grips with the when, the who, and the how much, here’s a guide to tipping etiquette in four of the most common tipping situations while you’re in the UK .

Your Essential Guide To Tipping Etiquette In The UK

Tipping is very common after you’ve finished a meal in a restaurant here in the UK . When you receive your bill at the end of the evening, take a little look at it. If there is a service charge on the end of the bill, that’s your tip included and there’s no need to give anything more. 

Of course, if you feel you received incredible service and you want to leave more, you can. Note, that this isn’t standard practice here in the UK. Some restaurants include a tip on the bill and some don’t. Most don’t because diners don’t like it. British people tend to object to being told how much they should leave as a tip or if they should leave anything at all. 

If there is a service charge included and you aren’t happy with the service you received, you can ask for it to be removed, and plenty of locals do just do that. If there’s no service charge on the bill, you can leave a tip, but there really isn’t any obligation to do this at all. Most diners, if they are happy with the service, leave a small tip on the table as they leave. This should be around 10 percent of your bill, but again, it’s up to you how much you leave. 

As I told my friend who was panicking over what to do at the end of their meal, you wouldn’t normally give it to the waitress, but you’d leave it on the table as you depart. In most restaurants, the amount you leave won’t go directly to that particular waitress anyway, as all waiting staff are required to turn over their tips to be divided equally. This is a whole other debate. Many people think this is unfair, while others think it’s completely fair.

If you’re buying food from a takeaway, there is sometimes a tips jar on the counter, and again whether you leave a tip or not is entirely at your own discretion. I don’t think I’ve ever left a tip at a takeaway or seen anyone else do so. If you’re drinking and eating in a bar, you aren’t expected to tip the barman at all. If you really want to you can tell him to “keep the change” when you pay with a note that’s above the price of your bill, or you can say “and one for yourself” when you order your drink, which implies you are buying them a drink in appreciation. This is a bit of a throwback as barmen these days won’t be drinking while they’re working, but it is a nice way of saying thank you for the service. You certainly wouldn’t tip the barman every time he pours you a drink. It’s worth noting here that in most bars in the UK, you pay as you go rather than opening a tab. You can ask to open a tab and then pay the bill at the end and leave a tip if you like, but most people pay the barman each time they order a drink, and tipping at a bar is almost unheard of in the UK.

With the rise of app-based taxi services like Uber, it’s much easier to tip your driver if you’re happy with the service. You simply do it through the app, and this is very common in the UK. If you’re happy with your driver you can leave a tip and a good review on the app, and cab drivers are as happy with a 5-star review as they are with the tip. 

But if you’re getting a black cab or other private taxi hire , it’s a bit more awkward. If the bill is pre-calculated, it’s difficult to tip and most people wouldn’t hand a tip to the driver in this case. If you’re paying cash a nice way to do it is to round up the fare to the nearest pound or simply say “keep the change” if you’re giving them a note. Again, you’re not at all expected to tip the taxi driver, it is an entirely personal choice, and your driver won’t be offended if you don’t tip.

You can also rent a car in England .

Tipping hotel workers is probably the most confusing and complicated of all areas of tipping in the UK. As with everything else, you don’t have to tip at all and no one expects you to. The hotel worker who gets tipped most commonly is the bellboy or bellhop. This is the person who helps bring your luggage to your room, and it’s perfectly normal to hand them a couple of pounds for doing this. 

Housekeepers don’t usually receive tips, but some people like to leave them little gifts in the room when they’ve checked out. You can also leave a few pounds in the room when you’ve gone, as a nice surprise for your housekeeper. It all depends on how high-end your hotel is, but if you do have a doorman you can hand him 2 to 5 pounds as you leave if you like. 

Again, this is in no way expected, and most British people wouldn’t do this. It isn’t normal to tip when you order room service or to tip at the hotel bar or restaurant, especially if everything is going on your hotel bill.

Tour Guides

If you’re on a bus tour, you’ll usually find the driver has a cup or something like that where you can leave a tip at the end of the tour. On rare occasions, your tour guide will walk up the bus asking for tips for the driver, but this is unusual. If you’re on a walking tour, it’s not common to tip your guide. I think this mostly comes down to that British awkwardness. We don’t really like to hand over money in this way, directly to a service worker, and we’d rather leave it in a jar, or even better, leave it somewhere to be found when we’ve gone! If you don’t have any such British awkwardness you can, of course, tip when and as you like, and your tour guide will be very appreciative.

Other Places You Might Tip

One of the most common service workers to receive tips is your hairstylist at the salon. It’s a strange anomaly, but we seem to be perfectly comfortable with this one. Hairstylists are regularly tipped at 10 percent of the bill, and this also extends to other salon workers sometimes, — and even retail workers now and then.

This all comes down to our desire to give a little extra when we’re very happy with the service we received and nothing at all when we’re not! Because of this, no one expects you to tip and if you do, they’ll see it as an appreciation of the service you gave them. But if don’t tip they won’t assume they did badly, as most UK customers don’t tip at all. Although waiting staff really do appreciate the tips to put a little extra on their wages, they don’t rely on tips to make enough money, and if you say a genuine “thank you” and tell them how great it was and that you’ll be back, that’s actually just as meaningful to them as a tip. Repeat business is very important in the UK and building customer loyalty comes above tipping for most businesses.

So, by all means, tip if you feel the service was great and don’t if you don’t want to. No one will be offended no matter what you do. There’s no right or wrong way.

Can I Pay in U.S. Dollars, or Should I Use Pounds?

U.S. dollars are not accepted in the United Kingdom because the currency of the UK is the pound sterling. Ensure you have the correct currency ready or be prepared to exchange your dollars for pounds when you arrive.

In American culture, we can put everything on credit and debit cards. However, it is always advisable to keep a little cash on hand. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and in many locations throughout the country.

Always Take Your Receipt 

When paying for services in cash remember to take your receipt. This is important because if you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it. Also, if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.

When you tip with a credit card, you write the amount you wish to tip on your receipt, then sign the receipt to confirm the total amount to be charged to your card.

How Much to Tip in London, United Kingdom?

The general rule of the tipping culture is to leave between 10 or 15 percent of the total bill, particularly when dining at a full-service restaurant. If an establishment has a separate area with table service, then tipping is kind of expected.

How Much to Tip a Cab Driver in the United Kingdom?

Cab drivers are often tipped, usually by rounding up the amount by a few pounds.  Most people tip a cab driver a pound or two. If using a card, it’s a general rule and good practice to tip in cash.

Are Tips in the United Kingdom Calculated Into Wages?

No, in the UK servers must be paid the national minimum wage, and restaurant owners are not allowed to calculate tips into that figure. If there is no service charge on the total bill, then the server will be appreciative of any additional tip.

Is There a Need to Tip if I Have Paid a Service Charge?

There’s no need to tip if you have paid a service charge. If the meal and service were miserable you could ask for the service charge to be removed. Restaurants usually have a 10 or 12.5 percent service charge.

Is Tipping Culture the Same Everywhere in the United Kingdom?

At pubs, bars, and less formal dining venues, tipping is not expected in the same way. Typically, you’ll find a tip jar you can put any spare change into. You might also see a tip jar on the counter when getting takeaway.

Travel writer, author, and playwright, Samantha loves historic buildings, quirky hotels, woodland walks and literary trails, specializing in food and drink, luxury travel, retreats, spas, and anything arts based. Samantha is based in Yorkshire, the UK, where she lives with her artist partner. Learn more on her website .

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