What Currency Is Used in the UK?
QUICK ANSWER
The UK uses the pound sterling (GBP), not the euro. Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, so you can travel nearly cashless. Tipping is modest at around 10 to 15 percent in restaurants, with no tip for drinks at a pub bar. Tap water is safe, and you need a Type G adapter.
The United Kingdom is easy to navigate once you know it uses pounds rather than euros and has its own tipping habits, especially in pubs. Here is what you need to know about the currency, tipping, power adapters, and tap water before you explore London and beyond.
What currency is used in the UK?
The United Kingdom uses the pound sterling (GBP), often just called the pound and shown with the symbol resembling an ornate L. Importantly, the UK is not in the eurozone, so euros are not generally accepted; you will need pounds. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, from shops and restaurants to buses and the London Underground, so you can travel largely cashless. Still, carry some pounds for small shops, markets, and rural areas. Note that Scotland and Northern Ireland issue their own banknotes, which are valid throughout the UK. Withdraw pounds from a bank ATM for a fair rate and use a no-foreign-fee card.
Do you tip in the UK?
Tipping in the UK is customary but modest compared with the United States. In restaurants with table service, a tip of around 10 to 15 percent is standard for good service, but always check the bill first, since many places add an optional service charge, in which case you need not tip again. The key custom is in pubs: you generally do not tip for drinks you order and collect at the bar, though you can offer to buy the bartender a drink. Round up for taxis, and leave a pound or two for hotel housekeeping. Tipping is appreciated for good service rather than automatic, so a genuine, modest gesture is right.
What power adapter do you need for the UK?
The UK uses the Type G plug, with three large rectangular pins, on a 230-volt supply. Travelers from the United States, continental Europe, and elsewhere will need a Type G adapter, and note it is different from the round-pin adapters used across most of Europe, so a general European adapter will not fit. Check voltage as well: at 230 volts, the UK is higher than the US 120 volts, so confirm your devices accept 230-volt input. Phone and laptop chargers are almost always dual voltage and just need the adapter, while single-voltage US appliances like hair dryers can be ruined without a converter. A universal adapter with USB ports is convenient.
Can you drink the tap water in the UK?
Yes, tap water in the UK is safe to drink. It is treated to strict standards and is clean and safe throughout the country, in cities and rural areas alike, so you can drink from the tap, refill a bottle, and use it freely. Restaurants will provide free tap water on request. Some visitors notice that water in London and the south of England is hard, meaning high in minerals, which affects taste and leaves limescale but is not a safety issue, while parts of Scotland and the north have softer water. There is no need to buy bottled water for safety; UK tap water is reliably good.
The UK uses the pound sterling, not the euro, with cards accepted almost everywhere and Scottish and Northern Irish notes valid throughout. Tipping is modest at 10 to 15 percent for table service, with no tip at a pub bar. You will need a Type G adapter and dual-voltage devices, and the tap water is safe to drink.
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