Navigating the complexities of international phone calls can be a daunting task, especially when trying to connect with the bustling metropolis of London. With its rich history, diverse culture, and global significance, London attracts visitors and business associates from all corners of the world. Whether you’re planning a trip, coordinating a business deal, or simply staying connected with loved ones, understanding the nuances of calling London is crucial. In this guide, we’ll delve into the intricacies of dialing London’s unique phone numbers, ensuring that your calls reach their intended destination without any hiccups.
To initiate a call to London from abroad, you’ll need to follow a specific dialing format. Firstly, dial your country’s international access code, which varies depending on your location. For instance, if you’re calling from the United States, dial 011. Next, add the United Kingdom’s country code, which is 44. Finally, enter London’s area code, which is typically 20, followed by the local phone number. As an example, if you wish to call a number in the Westminster area of London, you would dial 011 44 20 7930 4830.
Once you’ve mastered the dialing format, there are other considerations to keep in mind to ensure a successful call. Firstly, be aware of the time difference between your location and London. The United Kingdom observes Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or British Summer Time (BST) during the summer months, which can differ significantly from other time zones. Secondly, check if your phone plan includes international calling. If not, you may incur additional charges or require a calling card or VoIP service. Additionally, consider using a phone app that offers low international calling rates or Wi-Fi calling to minimize costs.
Understanding International Dialing Codes
When calling internationally, it’s essential to understand the concept of international dialing codes. These codes are universally assigned prefixes that identify the country you’re calling from and the country you’re calling to. These codes enable the global telephone network to route calls accurately and efficiently.
International dialing codes are typically a series of two or three digits. The first digit of the code usually denotes the geographical region of the country being called. For example, countries in North America begin with the code “1,” while those in Europe typically start with “3” or “4.” The subsequent digits narrow down the code to the specific country. It’s important to note that some countries have multiple dialing codes due to their size or regional divisions.
A comprehensive table of international dialing codes is available online and in telephone directories. Using the correct dialing code is crucial for ensuring a successful international call. If the incorrect code is dialed, the call may not connect or may be routed to the wrong destination. Therefore, it’s essential to double-check the dialing code before making an international call.
| Region | Typical Dialing Code |
|---|---|
| North America | 1 |
| Europe | 3 or 4 |
| South America | 5 |
| Africa | 2 |
Dialing London’s Country Code
To call a landline or mobile number in London, you will need to dial the following country code: +44.
Step 2: Dialing London’s Area Code
After dialing the country code, you will need to dial London’s area code. London is divided into several geographical areas, each with its unique area code. The most common area codes in London are:
| Area Code | Geographical Area |
|---|---|
| 020 | Central London |
| 020 8 | Outer London, including Bromley, Bexley, and Croydon |
| 020 3 | West End and City of London |
| 020 7 | Central London, including Westminster, Kensington, and Chelsea |
Once you have dialed the area code, you will need to dial the local phone number. Local phone numbers in London consist of six digits.
Adding London’s Area Code
To call a London landline from abroad, you need to add the UK’s country code (+44) followed by London’s area code (20) before the subscriber’s number. For example, to call a landline in central London with the number 12345678, you would dial +44 20 12345678.
London’s area code is also required when calling from a mobile phone abroad. Many mobile networks simplify this process by automatically adding the necessary prefixes when you dial an international number. However, it’s always a good idea to confirm with your provider to ensure that your device is set up correctly.
Here’s a table summarizing the process of adding London’s area code when calling from abroad:
| From | To | Dial |
|---|---|---|
| Outside the UK | London landline | +44 20 [subscriber’s number] |
| Outside the UK | London mobile | +44 7[subscriber’s number] |
Entering the Local Number
Once you have dialled the international dialling code and the UK country code, you will need to enter the local number of the person or business you are calling. This is the same as dialling a number within the UK, but you will need to omit the leading zero from the area code.
For example, if you are calling a landline number in London with the area code 020, you would enter 20 followed by the rest of the local number. If you are calling a mobile number, you would enter the full ten-digit number.
Here is a table summarising the different types of numbers you may need to dial when calling London:
| Type of Number | Format |
|---|---|
| Landline | 0 followed by the area code (20 for London) and the local number |
| Mobile | 0 followed by the mobile network code (7 followed by 1 digit for major networks) and the local number |
| Premium rate | 0 followed by the premium rate code (8 or 9) and the local number |
Once you have entered the local number, you can press the call button and your call will be connected.
Using a Landline or Mobile Phone
To call London from another country, you’ll need to use the international dialing code for the United Kingdom, which is +44. Once you have dialed +44, you’ll need to dial the area code for London, which is 020. After you have dialed the area code, you’ll need to dial the local phone number.
For example, to call the British Museum from the United States, you would dial: 011 + 44 + 20 + 3238 2999.
| Country | International Dialing Code |
|---|---|
| United States | 011 |
| Canada | 011 |
| Australia | 0011 |
| New Zealand | 00 |
To call London from a mobile phone, you will need to use the same dialing code as you would for a landline. However, you may need to add a prefix to the dialing code. For example, if you are calling London from a mobile phone in the United States, you would dial: +011 + 44 + 20 + 3238 2999.
Here are some additional tips for calling London:
- When dialing from a landline, you may need to dial “0” before the area code.
- When dialing from a mobile phone, you may need to dial “+” before the area code.
- You may need to dial a “1” before the area code if you are calling from a payphone.
- The time difference between London and your home country may affect the cost of your call.
- Dial the area code for London (020).
- Enter the local number of the landline.
- Press the call button.
- Dial the area code for London (020).
- If calling a mobile, enter the full mobile number.
- If calling a landline, enter the local number.
- Press the call button.
- Police: 999
- Ambulance: 999
- Fire: 999
- Coastguard: 999
- Open the Skype app or website and log in to your account.
- Click on the “Dial Pad” icon (+ sign).
- Enter the London phone number you want to call, using the following format: +44 20 1234 5678.
- Click on the “Call” button.
- Skype will connect you to the London number. You can now hold a video call or voice call, depending on your preferences.
- Open the WhatsApp app on your phone.
- Tap on the “Calls” tab.
- Tap on the “+” icon to open the dial pad.
- Enter the London phone number you want to call, using the following format: +44 20 1234 5678.
- Tap on the “Call” button.
- WhatsApp will connect you to the London number. You can now hold a voice call.
Calling from the United Kingdom
To call London from the United Kingdom, you can use local landline numbers or mobile numbers. To call a fixed line, dial the area code of London (020) followed by the local number. For mobile numbers, dial the area code of London (020) followed by the full mobile number.
Calling from a Landline
To call a landline in London from a landline, follow these steps:
Calling from a Mobile
To call a landline or mobile number in London from a mobile, follow these steps:
Calling from a Mobile (Advanced Options)
In addition to dialing the numbers manually, you can also use the following advanced options when calling from a mobile:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| +44 20 | This format includes the international code for the United Kingdom (+44) and the area code for London (020). |
| 07 (for mobile numbers) | This format is used for mobile numbers in the United Kingdom. |
Emergency Numbers
The following are the emergency numbers for London:
Calling from the United States
To call London from the United States, follow these steps:
1. Dial the exit code
The exit code for the United States is 011.
2. Dial the country code
The country code for the United Kingdom is 44.
3. Dial the area code
The area code for London is 20.
4. Dial the local number
The local number for the person or business you are calling.
5. Example
To call the British Museum in London, you would dial: 011 44 20 3141 5000.
6. Use a calling card or VoIP service
If you don’t have an international calling plan, you can use a calling card or VoIP service to make your call. Calling cards can be purchased at convenience stores and supermarkets, and VoIP services can be accessed online.
7. International phone numbers
International phone numbers are typically written in the following format:
| Country code | Area code | Local number |
|---|---|---|
| +44 | 20 | 3141 5000 |
The “+” sign indicates that the number is international. The country code is the three-digit code that identifies the country, and the area code is the three-digit code that identifies the city or region. The local number is the seven-digit code that identifies the specific phone line.
Calling from Other Countries
To call London from abroad, you’ll need to follow a specific dialing format. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Dial the Exit Code
The exit code for your country is the number you need to dial to make an international call. For example, the exit code for the United States is 011.
Step 2: Dial the Country Code
The country code for the United Kingdom is 44.
Step 3: Dial London’s Area Code
London has several area codes. The most common one is 020.
Step 4: Dial the Local Number
This is the seven-digit phone number for the person or business you’re trying to reach in London.
Combining the Numbers
Put all the numbers together in the following order:
| Country Code | Area Code | Local Number |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 020 | 1234567 |
So, to call the above number from the United States, you would dial:
“`
011 44 020 1234567
“`
Alternative Calling Options (Skype, WhatsApp)
Skype
Skype is a popular video calling and instant messaging service owned by Microsoft. To call a London landline or mobile number from Skype, follow these steps:
Subscription Cost
Skype offers both free and paid subscription options. The free plan allows you to make limited calls to landlines in certain countries, including the UK. For unlimited calls, you need to subscribe to Skype’s monthly or annual plans.
WhatsApp is a popular instant messaging and voice calling app owned by Meta. To call a London landline or mobile number from WhatsApp, follow these steps:
Subscription Cost
WhatsApp is free to use. However, you may incur data charges from your mobile network operator if you are not connected to Wi-Fi.
| Feature | Skype | |
|---|---|---|
| Video calling | Yes | No |
| Group calling | Yes | Yes |
| International calling rates | Variable (free to certain countries with limitations) | Free for selected countries, data charges apply for others |
| Subscription cost | Free (limited calls), monthly/annual plans for unlimited calls | Free |
Troubleshooting Common Calling Issues
1. Check your phone or calling service.
Make sure your phone is turned on and has a strong signal. If you’re using a calling service, ensure you have an active subscription and that your account is in good standing.
2. Dial the correct number.
Double-check that you’re dialing the right number, including the country code (+44 for the UK) and the area code (020 for London).
3. Avoid using special characters.
Stick to numbers and the plus (+) sign when dialing. Avoid using any other special characters like hyphens (-) or spaces.
4. Check for call forwarding or blocking.
Ensure that call forwarding or blocking is not enabled on your phone. This can prevent outgoing calls from being made.
5. Contact your phone carrier.
If you’re still having trouble, contact your phone carrier for assistance. They can help troubleshoot the issue and identify any potential network problems.
6. Try using a different phone.
If possible, try calling London from a different phone to rule out any issues with your device.
7. Use a VoIP service.
If you’re having difficulty making calls over the traditional phone network, consider using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service like Skype or Google Voice.
8. Check your internet connection.
If you’re using a VoIP service, ensure you have a stable internet connection to avoid call quality issues.
9. Use a calling card.
As an alternative, you can purchase a calling card and use it to make calls from a payphone or a landline.
10. Contact the number you’re trying to call.
If you’ve tried all the above troubleshooting steps and still can’t get through, reach out to the number you’re trying to call directly. They may be able to help resolve any issues with their phone line or voicemail system.
| Country Code | Area Code | Local Number |
|---|---|---|
| +44 | 020 | XXXX-XXXX |
How to Call London
If you’re calling London from outside the UK, you’ll need to dial the international access code for your country, followed by the UK country code (44) and the London area code (20). For example, to call a London landline from the United States, you would dial 011 44 20 XXX XXXX.
To call a London mobile phone from outside the UK, you would dial the international access code for your country, followed by the UK country code (44), the mobile operator’s code (7), and the mobile phone number. For example, to call a London mobile phone from the United States, you would dial 011 44 7 XXX XXX XXXX.
When calling London from within the UK, you can dial the London area code (20) followed by the landline number or mobile phone number. For example, to call a London landline from another part of the UK, you would dial 020 XXX XXXX. To call a London mobile phone from another part of the UK, you would dial 020 7 XXX XXX XXXX.
People Also Ask About How to Call London
How much does it cost to call London?
The cost of calling London will vary depending on your location and the type of phone service you are using. If you are calling from a landline, the cost will typically be higher than if you are calling from a mobile phone. You can check with your phone service provider for specific rates.
What is the time difference between London and my location?
The time difference between London and your location will vary depending on where you are calling from. You can use a time zone converter to find the time difference between London and your location.
Can I use my mobile phone to call London?
Yes, you can use your mobile phone to call London. However, you may need to check with your phone service provider to see if you have international calling enabled. You may also need to purchase a calling card or use a calling app to make international calls.
