Do You Give English Tour Guides Tips?

Tipping tour guides in the UK is a common practice, especially for free walking tours. A tip of around £5 per person is acceptable, while if you have been on a paid tour and enjoyed it, consider tipping around 10-15% of the tour cost or around £2 per person. If you’ve had a good time and enjoyed the tour, it’s customary to give your guide a small tip for a job well done.

A tip of £2 to £4 per person per day is considered appropriate, but you can tip more if the tour exceeded expectations. No need to tip more than 10. If you’re on a bus tour, you’ll usually find the driver has a cup where you can leave a tip at the end of the tour. On rare occasions, your tour guide may walk up the bus asking for tips.

Tips are equally welcome whether you’re taking a private, multi-day, or guided tour. Prices in the UK generally include tips, and no further tip is generally expected. Tour guides and drivers are paid a certain amount to do their job, and no further tip is generally expected. If you’d like to tip the tour guide, it will always be appreciated but never expected. You may choose to use the 10 rule of thumb or offer £10/$10.

Basic tipping etiquette says that you should tip your tour guide, but there are exceptions if your specific tour experience includes gratuities or other services. The best rule in all situations is to tip according to the quality and degree of services rendered. Most tour guides do not expect tips, but they do appreciate them. If a guide is working through a booking service, they are likely making minimum wage and tips are not expected.

Is tipping expected in the UK?

The UK’s tipping culture is unique compared to other countries, with no legal obligation to tip. However, the debate on tipping is ongoing, particularly in the hospitality industry. A recent study found that over a third of restaurants forecast growth compared to 2022, but also less revenue. Small businesses need to adapt and make changes to encourage more customers to book tables. With the cost of living crisis and the shift away from cash payments, tips can sometimes be forgotten, unless the card machine offers an option.

To understand the culture of tipping in the UK and what restaurants can do to attract more customers, 2, 000 Brits were asked their opinions on tipping, splitting the bill, and what they consider a “tippable” service in the hospitality industry.

Is it rude not to tip the UK?

Tiping is not expected or essential in London, but it is generally advised to leave 10-15% of the bill, especially when dining at full-service restaurants. It is important to check the receipt properly, as some venues may automatically add a standard service charge of 12. 5% to the bill. In pubs, bars, or less formal dining venues, tipping is not expected but is recommended. If there is no option to add gratuity to a card payment, there is usually a tip jar for spare change.

In Madrid, Spain, tipping is not expected, but is becoming more common due to the changing culture of hospitality staff. It is recommended to tip if the service is excellent or the team is especially nice to the customer. Service charges are rarely included on the bill, so it is good practice to give between 5-10% of the overall bill for most sit-down restaurants. Tipping is not necessary for bars and casual tapas places, but it is always nice to round up.

Is it customary to tip tour guides in London?

London Tours By Foot offers guided walking tours at a standard price of £5. 00 to £10. 00 per person. The cost is £5. 00 per person, or £1–£2 per person for larger groups. While gratuities for guided tours are not obligatory, they are certainly appreciated. Additionally, they conduct “free tours,” for which remuneration is based on a pay-what-you-like system, with the general public determining the tour’s value. In such instances, the tour guide is not remunerated by the company.

Is it rude not to tip a tour guide?

Tipping is a common practice in various countries, including Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, Middle East, North America, and Oceania. It is generally recommended to tip a private guide $10-15 per day and a driver $5-10 per day. For large group tours, half of the daily tip should be given. Tipping cultures vary across countries, so it is essential to understand what is expected when tipping. Tour guides provide cultural insight, expertise, and an immersive experience, making it important to tip them fairly. Understanding tipping cultures across the world can help travelers feel more comfortable and confident in their decision-making process.

Do Americans tip in the UK?

In the UK, tipping is not customary in pubs, but it is a common gesture to show appreciation for the service provided. Barkeeps often pocket the change as a tip, and some pubs have table service, similar to bus staff. If your change is brought on a silver tray, it is a subtle request for a tip.

Tipping in hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs is a kind gesture, and tips are not expected but greatly appreciated. The most commonly tipped employees are porters and chambermaids, with the customary tip being £1 or £2 per bag. For chambermaids, a daily tip of £1 or £2 is more than adequate.

Hotel concierge staff can be helpful for first-time travelers, providing information on directions, restaurant suggestions, and reservations. Tip them a few pounds for their helpful service. Some hotels and upscale restaurants have restroom attendants, and tip them with small change. Hotel staff who bring room service to your room are at your discretion.

Beware of included service charges in hotels, as many now add them when checking out. If you do not understand your bill, ask for clarification.

How much do you tip a 3 hour tour guide?

ExperienceFirst recommends tipping $5-10 per guest for U. S.-based bus tours, covering both the guide and driver. The guide splits the tip with the driver, so giving it directly to the guide is best. In Europe, tipping the bus driver is customary. Around 5-10 of the tour price is a good rule of thumb. This rate matches the amount you’d tip for a traditional 90-minute walking tour. Although bus tours are longer, they are usually fuller, so this smaller tip amount is adequate. Tiping more is appreciated and a great way to show your guide they did an outstanding job. Private tours are similar, but it’s a nice gesture to thank your guide for their time and efforts.

Is it rude to not tip in London?

Tiping is not expected or essential in London, but it is generally advised to leave 10-15% of the bill, especially when dining at full-service restaurants. It is important to check the receipt properly, as some venues may automatically add a standard service charge of 12. 5% to the bill. In pubs, bars, or less formal dining venues, tipping is not expected but is recommended. If there is no option to add gratuity to a card payment, there is usually a tip jar for spare change.

In Madrid, Spain, tipping is not expected, but is becoming more common due to the changing culture of hospitality staff. It is recommended to tip if the service is excellent or the team is especially nice to the customer. Service charges are rarely included on the bill, so it is good practice to give between 5-10% of the overall bill for most sit-down restaurants. Tipping is not necessary for bars and casual tapas places, but it is always nice to round up.

How much to tip a private tour guide in Europe?

It is not customary to leave gratuities in Iceland, Denmark, Norway, or Sweden, in contrast to the majority of other European countries. It is customary for restaurants to include service charges on the bill, and hotel employees and taxi drivers do not typically expect gratuities. Nevertheless, a gratuity of approximately 10% may be deemed appropriate for specialized guides or private or full-day tours. It is customary to provide gratuities in cash, with the final amount rounded up or left as change.

Is it customary to tip tour guides in Europe?

In Spain, tipping is generally accepted, with upmarket restaurants often including service charges. If there is no service charge, tipping is generally 10 percent. For taxis, rounding up is acceptable, and hotels should offer one to two euros per bag for bellhop and two euros per night for housekeeping. For concierges, tipping is five to 10 euros. For tour guides on large group tours, tipping is two to three euros. For smaller group tours, tipping is five euros, and for private tours, tipping is 15 euros per person.

In Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, gratuities are not expected, and most restaurants include service in the bill. Hotel employees and taxi drivers do not expect tips, but for special guides or private tours, a tip of around 10 percent is recommended.

Why is there no tipping in Europe?

Restaurant tips in Europe are more modest than in America, as servers are paid a living wage and tips are considered a small bonus to reward great service or for simplicity in rounding the total bill. In many countries, 5 percent is adequate and 10 percent is considered a nice tip. Locals often leave coins on the table, round up, or don’t tip at all. It is advisable to avoid tipping 15 or 20 percent in Europe, as it is unnecessary and culturally ignorant. Tipping is only an issue at tables with table service, and tipping etiquette and procedure vary slightly between countries.

How much do you tip a tour guide in the UK?

During a UK holiday, it is customary to leave a small tip to tour guides, bus or coach drivers, and salons or spas. A tip of 10-15% of the tour cost or a couple of pounds per person is appropriate. For bus or coach tours, a tip jar is usually located near the door, with a reasonable tip of £2-3 per person per day. Many tours and curated experiences now offer cashless tipping via an app or QR code, making it easier to tip tour guides. At salons or spas, leaving a tip at the end of an appointment is common practice, with many salons now offering QR tipping to direct the tip to the stylist.