Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
The UK uses the pound sterling (GBP, £), divided into 100 pence. Coins run from 1p to £2 and notes from £5 to £50. The UK is not in the eurozone, so euros are generally not accepted. Card payments are widespread; carry some cash for small shops and markets.
- Currency
- Pound sterling (GBP, £)
- Subunit
- 100 pence
- Note
- Euros not accepted
- Scotland and NI issue their own banknotes (accepted UK-wide)
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
Exchange money at banks or reputable bureaux de change and compare rates and fees. Airport and tourist-area desks tend to give poorer rates. Because cards are so widely accepted, many visitors need very little cash.
- Best
- Banks / reputable bureaux
- Avoid
- Airport / tourist desks
- ATMs
- Often better than exchange
- Compare the total after fees, not just the headline rate
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
The UK is highly card-friendly. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere and contactless is standard, including on buses and the Tube. Some small vendors are card-only. American Express is accepted less widely.
- Accepted
- Visa / Mastercard widely
- Contactless
- Standard, incl. transport
- Amex
- Accepted less widely
- Some venues are card-only; a card covers most needs
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
Cash machines (ATMs) are widespread. Prefer free machines at banks; some standalone machines charge a fee, which is shown on screen. If offered conversion to your home currency (DCC), decline and choose to be charged in pounds.
- Name
- Cash machine (ATM)
- Fees
- Bank ATMs usually free
- DCC
- Choose pounds, not home currency
- Check your bank's foreign withdrawal fees
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere via contactless, including buses, the Tube and trains. You can even tap your phone or card straight onto transport readers. A contactless card or phone covers nearly all payments.
- Apple/Google Pay
- Very widely usable
- Transport
- Tap phone/card directly
- Backup
- Carry a physical card too
- Watch contactless limits for very large purchases
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Tipping is modest and optional. In restaurants with table service, 10–15% is usual if a service charge is not already added — check the bill first. Tipping is not expected in pubs ordering at the bar, or for taxis (rounding up is common).
- Restaurants
- 10–15% if no service charge
- Check bill
- Service charge may be included
- Pubs/taxis
- Not expected; round up
- Never feel obliged to tip on top of a service charge
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
London is expensive; other cities and rural areas are cheaper. Prices shown usually include VAT. These figures are rough guides only and vary by place and season.
- Coffee
- About £3–4
- Pub meal
- About £12–18
- Local bus/Tube
- A few pounds per trip
- Displayed prices generally include VAT (unlike the US)
Since January 2021, tax-free shopping (VAT refunds on goods carried home) has ended in Great Britain, so there is no in-store VAT refund at the airport. A limited scheme still exists for goods bought in Northern Ireland. Some retailers offer VAT-free shipping abroad.
- Great Britain
- VAT refund ended (2021)
- Northern Ireland
- Limited scheme remains
- Alternative
- VAT-free shipping by some shops
- Do not expect an airport VAT-refund desk in Great Britain