How do payment and tipping work in London?
London is largely cashless, and card or phone payment is accepted almost everywhere including buses and taxis. Tipping is customary in restaurants and is often already added as a service charge.
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How it works
A bill that shows an optional service charge already contains the tip, and it can be removed on request. Cash remains legal tender and is accepted in fewer places than it once was.
Commonly mixed up with
A service charge and a tip are frequently paid twice by visitors who do not read the bill line.
How do payment and tipping work in London?
| Knowledge, London | Travel and visit |
|---|---|
| Short answer | London is largely cashless, and card or phone payment is accepted almost everywhere including buses and taxis. Tipping is customary in restaurants and is often already added as a service charge. |
| How it works | A bill that shows an optional service charge already contains the tip, and it can be removed on request. Cash remains legal tender and is accepted in fewer places than it once was. |
| Commonly mixed up with | A service charge and a tip are frequently paid twice by visitors who do not read the bill line. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Do I need cash at all?
- Rarely, though a small amount is useful for markets.
- Is tipping expected in pubs?
- Tipping at the bar is not customary.
- Do taxis take cards?
- Licensed taxis accept card payment.
- Is there a card surcharge?
- Surcharges on consumer card payments are restricted by UK rules.
- Where can I check the rules?
- GOV.UK publishes consumer payment guidance.
Sources
More in this track
- How do you get from Heathrow to central London?
- How do you get from Gatwick to central London?
- Oyster or contactless in London: what is the difference?
- How do London travel zones work?
- What is the Elizabeth line and when is it useful?
- Which areas do visitors stay in when they come to London?
- What is the weather like in London through the year?
- Can you get around London without a car?
- Which airports serve London and how do they differ?
- How accessible is London transport?
- Which day trips are reachable from London by train?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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