How To Make Overseas Phone Calls

How To Make Overseas Phone Calls

This guide will show you the simplest ways to call someone in another country. We’ll cover how to dial correctly step-by-step. You’ll learn about the different options you have. This will help you choose the best way to save money and avoid headaches. It doesn’t matter if you’re using your mobile phone or a home landline.

Let’s get you started.

Your Main Options for Calling Abroad

Let’s look at the most common ways people call overseas today. We’ll keep it simple.

Option 1: Using Internet Calling Apps

You might already use apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Skype. These let you make calls using your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).

  • How it works: The call travels over the internet, not standard phone lines.
  • Good for: Calling other people who also use the same app on their smartphone or computer. If you both have the app and good internet, the call is usually free.
  • What to watch out for:
    • Both people need the app installed.
    • Both people need a stable internet connection. Bad Wi-Fi or weak data signal means crackly sound or dropped calls. This can be quite frustrating.
    • Calling a regular phone number (landline or mobile) through these apps usually costs money (you have to buy credit in the app).
    • Doesn’t work well for calling people without smartphones or reliable internet (like maybe grandparents with only a landline).

Internet apps are great for free calls if the situation is right (app-to-app, good internet).

Option 2: Checking Your Phone Company’s Plans

Your regular phone company (the one you pay for your mobile or landline service) might offer special plans for international calls.

  • How it works: You pay extra (often monthly) for a package of minutes or lower rates to certain countries. You dial directly from your phone.
  • Good for: Convenience, if you make many calls and don’t mind potentially higher costs than other methods.
  • What to watch out for:
    • These plans can still be expensive. You must check the cost per minute and any monthly fees.
    • Plans can be confusing. Make sure you know which countries are included and what happens if you use up your minutes. Read the details carefully.
    • Calling without a plan is usually the MOST expensive way. Don’t just dial directly assuming it’s okay!

Option 3: Using International Phone Cards (Prepaid Calling)

This is often a very reliable and budget-friendly way, especially if you need to call regular phone numbers (landlines or mobiles). These aren’t usually physical cards anymore – you buy credit online.

  • How it works:
    1. You buy a certain amount of calling credit online (e.g., $10, $20).
    2. You get a local access number (a normal phone number in your country) and a PIN code via email.
    3. From your mobile or landline, you dial the access number.
    4. When prompted, you enter your PIN.
    5. Then, you dial the overseas number you want to reach.
  • Good for:
    • Controlling costs: You pay upfront. No surprise bills ever. You know exactly what you’re spending.
    • Calling ANY phone: Easily reach relatives on their home landline or friends on their mobile, even basic non-smartphones.
    • Often the cheapest rates: Especially for calling landlines overseas, phone cards tend to have very low per-minute costs. Check out the best way to make international calls for cost comparisons.
    • Clear calls: Uses regular phone lines for the connection, which is often more stable than internet calls. You don’t need internet on your end.
    • Flexibility: Use the same card from your mobile or your home phone.
  • What to watch out for:
    • You need to dial the access number and PIN first (though some services offer PINless dialing or speed dial shortcuts).

Phone cards are a fantastic choice if you want predictable low costs and the ability to reliably call any phone number abroad.

How to Dial an Overseas Number Correctly (Step-by-Step)

Getting the dialing sequence right is crucial. Here’s the simple formula:

[Exit Code] + [Country Code] + [Area Code (if needed)] + [Local Phone Number]

Let’s break that down:

  1. Your Country’s Exit Code: This tells your phone system you’re making an international call.
    • Calling from the USA or Canada? The Exit Code is 011.
    • Calling from the UK or Australia? The Exit Code is 00.
    • Calling from Japan? The Exit Code is 010.
    • Quickly search online for “[Your Country Name] exit code” if you’re unsure.
  2. The Destination Country Code: Every country has a unique number code.
    • United Kingdom (UK) is 44.
    • Mexico is 52.
    • Philippines is 63.
    • India is 91.
    • Search online for “country code for [Country Name]” to find the one you need.
  3. The Area Code (Drop the Leading Zero!): Many cities or regions have area codes. If the local number you have starts with a ‘0’, you usually drop that zero when dialing internationally.
    • Example: A London number might be 020 7123 4567. The area code is 020. You drop the 0 and just use 20.
    • Example: A mobile number in the UK might be 07 123 456789. You drop the 0 and use 7123 456789.
    • Not all numbers have area codes you need to worry about separately.
  4. The Local Phone Number: This is the main part of the number you want to call.

Example: Calling a number in Manchester, UK (0161 123 4567) from the USA:

  • Dial: 011 (US Exit Code) + 44 (UK Country Code) + 161 (Manchester Area Code, drop the 0) + 123 4567 (Local Number)
  • You dial: 011 44 161 123 4567

Example: Calling a mobile number in Mexico (55 1234 5678) from the USA: (Note: Mexican numbers often require adding a ‘1’ after a country code when calling mobiles from abroad, but this changes. It’s best to check current dialing rules for Mexico if unsure. Let’s assume for this example you don’t need the extra ‘1’).

  • Dial: 011 (US Exit Code) + 52 (Mexico Country Code) + 55 1234 5678 (Number)
  • You dial: 011 52 55 1234 5678

“Getting the dialing sequence right saves time and prevents wrong numbers. Write it down first!”

Does it Matter if I Call FROM Mobile or Landline?

Mostly, no!

  • Internet Apps: Work on smartphones/tablets/computers with internet. Not usually landlines.
  • Carrier Plans: These are tied to your specific mobile number or landline account.
  • Phone Cards: You can dial the access number from either your mobile or your landline, using the same PIN and credit. Very flexible!

Does it Matter if I Call TO Mobile or Landline?

Yes, this is important!

  • Internet Apps: Mainly designed for calling other people using the app. Calling actual landline or mobile numbers often costs extra through the app, and might not always work smoothly.
  • Carrier Plans: Usually let you call both landlines and mobiles, but check the plan details.
  • Phone Cards: Excellent for calling both mobiles AND landlines. This is a big advantage if the person you’re calling doesn’t have a smartphone or good internet.

Don’t Forget Time Zones!

It seems obvious, but calling someone in the middle of their night is never a good idea!

  • Quickly search “time in [City, Country]” before you dial.
  • Many smartphone clock apps let you add world clocks.
  • Plan calls ahead if possible. A happy hello is better than a sleepy grumble!

Benefit: Stop Worrying About High Bills

Think about the peace of mind. When you use a prepaid method like an international phone card, you know exactly how much you spent before the call. You just use the credit you bought.

No more dreading the arrival of your phone bill. That’s a helpful feeling!

Benefit: Enjoy Clearer Conversations

While free internet calls are nice, sometimes the connection is weak. This leads to “Can you hear me now?” moments or dropped calls.

Using methods that rely on traditional phone networks, like phone cards or solid carrier plans, often gives you a more stable and clear connection. Less frustration for you and the person you’re talking to.

A Simple, Reliable Option: Singapore Phone Cards

If you like the idea of prepaid calling with clear rates and no surprises, a service like Singapore Phone Cards is worth looking at. They focus on making international calling affordable and easy.

Here’s why it might be a good fit for you:

  • Totally Prepaid: Buy credit, use credit. Absolutely no hidden fees or unexpected charges.
  • Call Over 200 Countries: Wide reach across the globe.
  • Use From Mobile or Landline: Call from the phone that works best for you.
  • Call To Mobile or Landline: Connect with anyone, anywhere.
  • Credit Never Expires: Your unused balance rolls over. You never lose your money.
  • Instant Email Delivery: Get your access number and PIN right away.
  • Use From Multiple Locations: Works not just from Singapore, but also if you are in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Japan.

The process is straightforward: Dial the local access number they give you, put in your PIN, and then dial the international number using the format we discussed earlier. It’s designed to be simple and help you stay connected affordably. You can find their options on their website: https://www.singaporephonecards.com.

Ready to Connect?

Making overseas calls doesn’t need to cause financial stress or technical confusion.

  1. Know your main options: Internet Apps (Free app-to-app), Phone Company Plans (Check costs!), or Prepaid Phone Cards (Low cost, call any phone).
  2. Learn how to dial: Exit Code + Country Code + Area Code (drop 0) + Local Number.
  3. Check time zones.

By choosing the method that fits your calling habits – who you call, how often, and whether they have a landline or mobile – you can talk more and worry less. Isn’t it time for a good, long chat?

Need Cheap International Calls?

Select the country you wish to call from the drop-down below. This will find you the best international phone card with the cheapest calling rates!