How To Call Overseas From Singapore

How To Call Overseas From Singapore

Quick Reference Summary

To call overseas from Singapore:

00X + Country Code + Area Code + Local Number

Examples:

  • For USA landline: 001 + 1 + 212 + XXX XXXX (New York)
  • For UK mobile phone: 001 + 44 + 7XXX XXXXXX
  • For Australia landline: 001 + 61 + 2 + XXXX XXXX (Sydney)

Singapore is in UTC+8 time zone, check local time differences before calling.

How to Call Overseas from Singapore

Making international calls from Singapore is straightforward once you understand the proper dialing sequence. Follow these steps:

  1. Dial Singapore’s international access code (IDD prefix)
  2. Dial the country code of the destination
  3. Dial the area code (sometimes dropping a leading 0)
  4. Dial the local phone number

Singapore’s International Direct Dialing (IDD) Prefixes

Singapore has several international access codes depending on which telecom provider you use:

  • 001: SingTel
  • 002: M1
  • 008: StarHub
  • 018: SingTel (Budget)
  • 019: StarHub (Budget)
  • 015: M1 (Budget)

The prefix you choose affects the calling rate. Premium prefixes (001, 002, 008) typically offer better call quality but at higher rates, while budget prefixes (018, 019, 015) may have lower rates but sometimes with reduced quality.

When calling overseas from Singapore, you’ll need to know the country code of your destination. Here are common country codes:

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Handling Area Codes when Calling Internationally

Many countries use area codes for different regions. When dialing from Singapore, there are important rules to remember:

Countries where you need to drop the leading zero in the area code:

  • United Kingdom (e.g., London 020 XXXX XXXX → 001 44 20 XXXX XXXX)
  • Italy (e.g., Rome 06 XXXX XXXX → 001 39 6 XXXX XXXX)
  • Australia (e.g., Sydney 02 XXXX XXXX → 001 61 2 XXXX XXXX)
  • France (e.g., Paris 01 XX XX XX XX → 001 33 1 XX XX XX XX)
  • Germany (e.g., Berlin 030 XXXX XXXX → 001 49 30 XXXX XXXX)
  • Japan (e.g., Tokyo 03 XXXX XXXX → 001 81 3 XXXX XXXX)

Countries where area codes don’t have leading zeros:

  • United States and Canada (e.g., New York 212-XXX-XXXX → 001 1 212 XXX XXXX)
  • China (e.g., Beijing 10 XXXX XXXX → 001 86 10 XXXX XXXX)
  • South Korea (e.g., Seoul 2 XXX XXXX → 001 82 2 XXX XXXX)

Countries with no area codes:

  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong
  • Uruguay
  • Some Caribbean nations

Calling Mobile Phones Internationally

Mobile phone dialing patterns vary by country:

  • UK: Mobile numbers start with 07 when dialed locally. From Singapore, dial 001 + 44 + mobile number without leading 0 (e.g., 07XXX XXXXXX becomes 001 44 7XXX XXXXXX)
  • Australia: Mobile numbers start with 04 when dialed locally. From Singapore, dial 001 + 61 + mobile number without leading 0 (e.g., 04XX XXX XXX becomes 001 61 4XX XXX XXX)
  • Japan: Mobile numbers start with 070, 080, or 090 when dialed locally. From Singapore, dial 001 + 81 + mobile number without leading 0 (e.g., 090-XXXX-XXXX becomes 001 81 90 XXXX XXXX)
  • China: Mobile numbers are typically 11 digits starting with 1. From Singapore, dial 001 + 86 + mobile number (e.g., 001 86 139 XXXX XXXX)

Time Zone Considerations

Before placing an international call, consider the time difference to avoid calling at inconvenient hours:

  • United States (East Coast): 13 hours behind Singapore (12 hours during DST)
  • United States (West Coast): 16 hours behind Singapore (15 hours during DST)
  • United Kingdom: 8 hours behind Singapore (7 hours during BST)
  • Australia (Sydney): 2 hours ahead of Singapore (3 hours during AEDT)
  • Japan/Korea: 1 hour ahead of Singapore
  • India: 2.5 hours behind Singapore
  • Europe (most): 7 hours behind Singapore (6 hours during summer time)
  • Middle East: 4-5 hours behind Singapore

Common Issues When Calling Internationally

Troubleshooting Connection Problems

If your international call isn’t connecting:

  1. Check the number format: Ensure you’re using the correct IDD prefix, country code, and area code (without leading 0 where applicable)
  2. Test another IDD prefix: If 001 isn’t working, try 002 or 008
  3. Check carrier restrictions: Some phone plans have international call blocks
  4. Verify the number: Confirm the number is correct and active

Calling Toll-Free Numbers Internationally

International toll-free numbers (800, 888, 877, etc.) typically cannot be called from outside the country. Instead:

  • Look for international toll-free numbers (ITFS) or universal international freephone numbers (UIFN)
  • Use the regular (non-toll-free) number if available
  • Consider using internet-based alternatives like email or chat

Call Overseas For Less With Singapore Phone Cards

Making international calls from Singapore using standard phone services can be expensive. Singapore Phone Cards offers a more affordable solution for staying in touch with family, friends, or business contacts worldwide.

Our service provides high-quality international calls at competitive rates to 200+ destinations around the world.

Using our service is simple:

  1. Dial the local access number we provide
  2. Enter your 10-digit PIN number
  3. Dial the international number (country code + area code + local number)

Our international phone cards offer significant benefits:

  • Call to 200+ countries from your Singapore phone
  • Use from any landline or mobile phone
  • Call landlines or mobile phones worldwide
  • No hidden fees or connection charges
  • 100% prepaid to help you control costs
  • No reactivation fees if you don’t use your card for a while
  • Instant digital delivery via email
  • Credit rollover so you never lose what you’ve paid for

As well as Singapore, our customers can also use our phone cards in:

  • Canada
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Australia

Whether you’re calling family in India, doing business in the United States, or keeping in touch with friends in Australia, Singapore Phone Cards makes international calling simple and affordable.

Check our website at https://www.singaporephonecards.com/ for our latest rates and special promotional offers on international calls.

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