We recommend tipping a taxi driver in Scotland 10% of the fare, then rounding the total you pay up to the next pound.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Scotland?
Yes. We recommend 10% of the fare, then a round-up of the total to the next whole pound. On a short ride, rounding the fare up to the next pound can be the whole tip, even when that is less than 10%. London uses the same idea on its own page: Tipping taxi drivers in London.
This page is taxis in Scotland. It is not a restaurant or hotel guide. The country page is Tipping in the United Kingdom.
How much to tip a taxi driver in Scotland
- Take 10% of the fare. Move the decimal one place.
- Add that amount to the fare.
- Round the total up to the next whole pound. If it is already a whole pound, keep it.
On a short hop, you can skip the percentage and only round the fare up to the next pound. That is the same recommendation, used when 10% would be a few coins and the round-up already thanks the driver.
The fares below are examples for the math only. They are not Scottish tariffs.
| Example fare | 10% tip | Total before rounding | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| £6.40 | £0.64 | £7.04 | £8 |
| £11.20 | £1.12 | £12.32 | £13 |
| £19.00 | £1.90 | £20.90 | £21 |
| £36.50 | £3.65 | £40.15 | £41 |
A £6.40 fare rounded up with no percentage is £7, a tip of £0.60. That is the short-ride version. The 10% version of the same fare pays £8.
Cash
Pounds and a few coins are enough. Tell the driver the total if you are paying by card and want the tip included. If the card takes the fare only, hand the tip in cash.
Fares in Scotland are set by the local council
The City of Edinburgh Council says that, as licensing authority for taxis, it reviews and fixes the scale of fares and other charges for taxis licensed in the city. (The City of Edinburgh Council: Taxi fares in Edinburgh, checked October 24, 2026) Its fare table says a hire that ends outside the city must have its fare negotiated and agreed with the driver before the journey starts. (The City of Edinburgh Council: Taxi fare table from 25 July 2026, checked October 24, 2026) On an agreed fare, tip 10% of that fare, then round up.
When to use the 10% in Scotland
Bags and a stop you asked for are reasons to use the 10% version rather than a round-up alone. They are not a reason to switch to a higher percentage. We do not recommend a tip when the driver is rude or takes a route you did not agree to.
London's matching rule is on Tipping taxi drivers in London. The wider UK page is Tipping in the United Kingdom.