How to make international calls: Dialing codes, apps, and cheap options in 2026

How do I make an international call?

To make an international call using a regular phone network, dial your country’s exit code, followed by the destination country code, area code, and local phone number.

The dialing sequence has four parts:

• An exit code — the number used to connect to another country’s telephone network. For example, it’s 011 from the US and Canada, and 00 from most of Europe.

• A country code — the number identifying the country you’re calling, such as 44 for the UK or 1 for the US.

• An area code — the regional or city code, where applicable. One thing that trips people up: numbers in countries like the UK, Germany, and Australia are written locally with a leading 0 (e.g., 020 for London). That 0 is a trunk prefix — it tells the local network you’re dialing long-distance within the country. When you dial internationally, the country code already handles the routing, so the 0 would conflict with it. Drop it — 020 becomes just 20.

• A local number — the remaining digits, unique to the person or business you’re calling.

For example, to call a London number from the US, dial 011 - 44 - 20 - 7946 0123. That’s 011 (the US exit code), 44 (the UK country code), 20 (the London area code, without the leading 0), and 7946 0123 (the local number).

On a mobile phone, you can replace the exit code with the “+” symbol — just hold down 0 to produce it. The “+” automatically substitutes the correct exit code for wherever you’re calling from, so a number saved as +44 20 7946 0123 works from any country. This makes it the best format for saving international contacts.

💡 Pro tip: If you’re traveling, an alternative is Saily’s eSIM — with mobile data, you can make calls and send messages through apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Messenger. Saily’s Global eSIM plan can also help you stay connected across multiple countries without changing SIM cards.

What are the most common exit codes and country codes?

Exit codes depend on where you’re calling from, while country codes identify the destination and remain the same regardless of your location.

These are example dialing formats, not numbers to call. On most mobile phones, you can use “+” instead of the exit code shown in the table.

For destinations not listed here, check the relevant country codes before placing your call.

How to make international calls on iPhones and Android devices

The easiest way to make international calls on iPhones and Android phones is to save contacts with the “+” prefix and full international number, then call them normally.

On an iPhone:

1. Open the “Phone” app and select “Keypad.”

2. Touch and hold “0” until “+” appears.

3. Enter the country code and phone number.

4. Tap the call button.

On Android devices:

1. Open your phone’s dialer.

2. Touch and hold “0” to enter “+.” 

3. Enter the country code and phone number.

4. Tap the call button.

Before you dial internationally, check that your carrier allows international calls on your account. Make sure you’ve entered the full international number, including the country code.

💡 Pro tip: If you’re wondering how to make free international calls on iPhone, FaceTime Audio is another option. It uses Wi-Fi or mobile data rather than cellular calling minutes and works between compatible Apple devices.

How to make international calls for free

You can make international calls — without paying per-minute calling fees — by using apps that transmit voice or video over Wi-Fi or mobile data instead of traditional telephone networks. These apps can be a cost-effective alternative to carrier calling plans, particularly for longer calls.

Popular options include:

• WhatsApp. Make voice and video calls to other WhatsApp users worldwide.

• FaceTime. Make audio or video calls between compatible Apple devices.

• Messenger. Call contacts through Facebook Messenger.

• Telegram. Make voice and video calls to other Telegram users.

• Signal. Make private voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption.

• Google Voice. Get a US phone number to make calls and send texts over the internet.

• Zoom. Hold voice and video meetings from your phone or computer with people in other countries.

The main limitation is that both participants need compatible apps and reliable internet access. Standard app-to-app calling doesn’t let you reach ordinary landlines, restaurants, or hotel reception desks, and these apps don’t replace regular SMS. Saily’s optional US phone number covers those gaps, giving you local calls and texts at your destination so you can reach hotels, businesses, or taxi services while traveling.

How to make international calls on WhatsApp

To make an international call on WhatsApp, open the contact you want to reach and tap the phone or video icon. WhatsApp uses your internet connection rather than international calling minutes.

Follow these steps:

1. Save the contact’s number in international format, including the country code.

2. Open WhatsApp and select the contact.

3. Tap the phone icon for a voice call or the camera icon for a video call.

WhatsApp calling works over Wi-Fi or mobile data, although restrictions apply in some destinations. For example, WhatsApp services are restricted in China, and voice and video calling are limited in the UAE.

Voice calls generally consume much less data than video calls, making them useful when you have a limited travel data allowance. Find out how much data WhatsApp uses to estimate what you’ll need.

How to make international calls with Google Voice

Google Voice provides eligible users with a US phone number for making international calls at published per-minute rates, usually paid through calling credit. It uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. If it doesn’t sound familiar, learn more about what a VoIP phone is.

To use Google Voice to make international calls:

1. Set up a Google Voice account if eligible.

2. Add calling credit if your account requires prepaid payment.

3. Open Google Voice and enter the full international number (either with or without an exit code).

4. Place the call and confirm that Google Voice is handling it.

To avoid additional carrier charges while traveling, open Google Voice’s calling settings and select “Prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data,” where available. Check that the call is being routed through Google Voice before proceeding.

Google Voice can be useful for calling overseas landlines and people who don’t use internet calling apps. Most calls from the US to US and Canadian numbers are free, while other international destinations have per-minute charges.

💡 Good to know: Personal Google Voice accounts are primarily available to users in the US, and setup may require verification using a US phone number.

How to make cheap international calls with your carrier

Mobile carriers generally charge per-minute rates for international calls unless your plan includes the destination or you’ve purchased an international calling add-on.

Calling another country from home is different from using your phone while traveling abroad. The first is international long-distance calling, and the second may involve roaming charges when your phone connects to a foreign network. Learn more about how international roaming works.

If you’re calling from the US, the available international calling options depend on your carrier and plan. Here’s what to look for with the major providers:

• Verizon. Pay-per-minute rates start at US$0.49/min. The Global Calling Plus add-on costs US$15 per month and includes unlimited calls to landlines in 60+ countries, while Global Choice gives you a bundle of minutes to one country of your choice for US$10 per month. Most unlimited plans already include calls to Mexico and Canada.

• AT&T. The US$15 per month International Calling add-on covers unlimited calls from the US to 85+ countries, with discounted rates to 140+ more. Most unlimited plans already include calls to Mexico and Canada.

• T-Mobile. Pay-per-minute rates can reach US$5 per minute, so frequent callers should consider Stateside International Talk for US$15 per month, which offers unlimited calls to landlines in 70+ countries and mobiles in 30+, plus discounted per-minute rates to other destinations.

Check current rates on your carrier’s website or in its app before dialing. Prepaid accounts may have different restrictions, and some require additional credit or activation before international calls will connect.

Wi-Fi calling can also help reduce costs while abroad. On eligible US carrier plans, calls made over Wi-Fi to US numbers are generally included without extra international calling charges. However, calls to non-US numbers may still incur international rates, depending on the carrier and plan.

See what Wi-Fi calling is to understand how it works and when charges may apply.

The information about features and pricing in this comparison was last verified on the providers’ official websites, specifically their English-language sites, on October 15, 2026, and is subject to change.

What is the cheapest way to call internationally while traveling?

The cheapest way to make international calls while traveling is usually through an internet calling app over Wi-Fi or affordable mobile data. This can help you avoid your mobile carrier’s standard international calling charges.

Apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Signal don’t charge per-minute international calling fees, although mobile data charges may still apply. A travel eSIM from Saily provides data connectivity without relying on your home carrier’s international data roaming.

For more options, explore our guide to staying connected while traveling.

We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but eSIM service provider prices, plans, and features can change quickly. If you spot something that seems outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] — we’d really appreciate the heads-up!