Everything You Need To Know
For every traveler, tipping is a fraught issue. In the United States tip is considered essential, while if offered in Japan you will get dirty looks because tips are considered insulting in this country. Some places expect 15-20% for even average service, while other places are happy with 10% of the bill. What should you do when there is no bill for housekeepers, valets, concierges, and bellhops? Well, tipping in London does exist, but it is mostly very uncomplicated to navigate. Below you will read about when and how much to tip during your stay.
Nowadays, the majority of restaurants include a “service charge” on the bill, typically it is 12.5% of the total (this is normally the only tip that is expected). Depending on the service you received you can feel free to leave it off or pay some extra. In some establishments, tips are shared equally among the staff, while tips paid by credit card may go directly to the business, so you can give your waiter a cash tip if you assume that she or he deserves extra. You are generally not expected to tip if no service charge is specified, but it will be appreciated for sure if you do. The 12.5% rule is also relevant to hotel room service and bars, though it is fine to round down to 10% if they don’t do the calculating for you.
London tipping etiquette is much the same as it might be in the States when it comes to luxury Belgravia and Paddington hotels. In these hotels, you should tip bellhops £1-5 per bag, and £5 for heavier bags or for showing you around your room, you should tip again as you check out if you ask for help with your bags. Some hotels will leave an envelope in the room should you wish to tip your housekeeper, though they will not always expect a tip. The rule of thumb regarding tipping is £5-10 at the end of a week’s stay.
You should tip a concierge based on the service they provide. Obtaining hard-to-find tickets to a show or sports event should attract a tip of approximately £10. Booking a table at a famous restaurant is worth a few pounds. If you know you will be using concierge services regularly, you can tip them in a lump sum when you check out.
For hailing you a cab, hotel door staff will be happy with £1-2. If you are being shuttled to and from the hotel, a tip of £1-2 – or £4-5 per party is usual, if driving, tip your valet £1-5 when your car is brought around.
Tip expectations vary for taxi drivers depending on the kind of cab you take. London cabs come in three varieties: minicabs, black cabs, and Uber cars. Minicabs must be booked over the phone or through a minicab office on the street; they are less exclusive and typically cheaper, with tipping not mandatory but appreciated. A black cab can be hailed on the street and comes with a well-informed driver, and a fare to match. Fares are mainly paid in cash with a tip of 10%. Uber or Hailo cars are booked through an app; they are cheap, fast, and cheerful, navigating by GPS. The fare is automatically deducted from your nominated credit card at the end of your ride and drivers do not take payment themselves. If you choose to give a tip in cash, it will be well-received, although it is not expected. The amount of the tip it’s your decision.
As the tipping culture is not so firmly engrained in London as elsewhere, don’t stress too much over tipping etiquette. It is unlikely to offend somebody if you do slip up. You may find that the United Kingdom standards of service are somewhat different from those you are used to if your home country has a bigger tipping culture. Try to embrace the cultural difference as it is one of the many delights of travel.
