How to Call London: A Comprehensive Guide with Dialing Codes and Tips

Calling London from abroad might seem daunting at first, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you understand the dialing codes and processes involved. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you can easily connect with friends, family, or business contacts in London. We’ll cover everything from international dialing codes to time zone differences, and even offer tips on saving money on your calls.

## Understanding the Basics: Dialing Codes and Formats

Before you pick up the phone, it’s crucial to understand the dialing codes required to reach London. Here’s a breakdown:

1. **Exit Code (International Access Code):** This code tells your phone carrier that you’re making an international call. The exit code varies depending on the country you’re calling from. Here are some common exit codes:
* United States & Canada: `011`
* United Kingdom: `00`
* Australia: `0011`
* Europe: `00`
* Japan: `010`
* To find the exit code for your specific country, you can easily search online for “[Your Country] exit code”.

2. **Country Code for the United Kingdom:** The country code for the United Kingdom (including London) is `44`.

3. **Area Code for London:** London doesn’t have a single area code like some other cities. Instead, it uses a geographic area code. The most common area code for landlines in London is `020`. When dialing London, you **MUST** include this code. Note that mobile numbers in the UK do not use the `020` code. They begin with `07.

4. **Local Number:** This is the 8-digit phone number of the person or business you’re trying to reach in London. London phone numbers typically have this structure: `020 xxxx xxxx` or `07xxx xxxxxx` for mobile numbers.

## Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Dial London

Now that you understand the dialing codes, let’s put it all together with a step-by-step guide:

**Step 1: Dial Your Exit Code**

Enter the exit code for your country. For example, if you’re calling from the United States, you would dial `011`.

**Step 2: Dial the UK Country Code**

Next, enter the country code for the United Kingdom, which is `44`.

**Step 3: Dial the London Area Code**

If you are calling a London landline, dial the area code `020`. **Important:** When dialing from abroad to a UK landline, you MUST drop the leading ‘0’ from the area code. So, instead of dialing `020`, you dial `20`.

**Step 4: Dial the Local Number**

Finally, enter the 8-digit local phone number you’re trying to reach. For landlines this will start with a number 3, 7 or 8. For mobile numbers it will start with 7. For example: If the number is 020 7946 0874, and you are calling from the US, you dial 011 44 20 7946 0874

**Putting it all together**

Let’s say you’re calling a London landline from the United States, and the London phone number is `020 7946 0874`.

Here’s the complete dialing sequence:

`011 (US Exit Code) + 44 (UK Country Code) + 20 (London Area Code, omitting the leading zero) + 7946 0874 (Local Number)`

So, you would dial: `011442079460874`

If you are calling a London mobile number from the United States, and the London phone number is `07700 900123`.

Here’s the complete dialing sequence:

`011 (US Exit Code) + 44 (UK Country Code) + 7700 900123 (Mobile Number, omitting the leading zero)`

So, you would dial: `011447700900123`

## Example Scenarios

Here are a few more examples to solidify your understanding:

* **Calling a London landline from Australia:** Let’s say the London number is `020 8123 4567`. You would dial: `0011 44 20 8123 4567`
* **Calling a London mobile from Europe (e.g., Germany):** Let’s say the London mobile number is `07888 123 456`. You would dial: `00 44 7888 123 456`
* **Calling a London landline from Japan:** Let’s say the London number is `020 3456 7890`. You would dial: `010 44 20 3456 7890`

## Calling a London Mobile Number

Calling a London mobile number follows a similar process, but there are a few key differences. UK mobile numbers typically start with `07`. As with landlines, when calling from abroad, you must drop the initial zero. For instance, if the mobile number is `07700 900123`, you would dial `44 7700 900123` after the exit code.

Therefore, the full sequence from the USA would be `011 44 7700 900123`

## Time Zone Considerations

Before making your call, it’s essential to consider the time difference between your location and London. London operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during standard time and British Summer Time (BST) during daylight saving time (late March to late October). You can easily use online time zone converters to determine the current time in London and avoid calling at inconvenient hours.

* **Standard Time (GMT):** GMT is the same as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
* **Daylight Saving Time (BST):** BST is GMT+1.

Here’s a general guideline of the time difference between London and some major cities:

* **New York:** London is 5 hours ahead of New York during standard time and 4 hours ahead during daylight saving time.
* **Los Angeles:** London is 8 hours ahead of Los Angeles during standard time and 7 hours ahead during daylight saving time.
* **Sydney:** London is 11 hours behind Sydney during standard time and 9 hours behind during daylight saving time.
* **Tokyo:** London is 9 hours behind Tokyo during standard time and 8 hours behind during daylight saving time.

Always double-check the current time in London before calling, as daylight saving time transitions can vary slightly from year to year.

## Tips for Saving Money on International Calls

International calls can be expensive, but there are several ways to reduce your costs:

1. **Use VoIP Services:** Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services like Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Viber, and Google Voice allow you to make calls over the internet, often at significantly lower rates than traditional phone carriers. Many offer free calls to other users of the same service, and very competitive rates to landlines and mobile numbers.

2. **International Calling Plans:** Many mobile and landline providers offer international calling plans that provide discounted rates for calls to specific countries. Check with your provider to see if they have a plan that suits your needs.

3. **Calling Cards:** International calling cards can offer competitive rates, but be sure to compare prices and read the fine print before purchasing.

4. **Wi-Fi Calling:** If you have a smartphone, you can use Wi-Fi calling to make calls over a Wi-Fi network, which can be much cheaper than using your mobile data plan. Check with your carrier to see if your phone and plan support Wi-Fi calling.

5. **Request a Call Back:** Instead of initiating the call yourself, ask the person in London to call you. This can be a cost-effective option if their calling plan offers cheaper international rates than yours.

6. **Consider the Timing:** Call during off-peak hours when rates may be lower. Check with your phone provider for their peak and off-peak hours.

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful planning, you might encounter issues when calling London. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

* **Incorrect Dialing:** Double-check that you’ve entered all the digits correctly, including the exit code, country code, area code, and local number. Remember to omit the leading zero from the area code when calling a landline from abroad.

* **Blocked Calls:** Your phone carrier might block international calls by default. Contact your carrier to enable international calling on your account.

* **Poor Connection:** A weak signal or internet connection can result in poor call quality. Try moving to a location with a stronger signal or connecting to a more reliable Wi-Fi network.

* **Busy Signal:** If you hear a busy signal, it means the person you’re trying to reach is already on the phone or their line is experiencing technical difficulties. Try calling again later.

* **Unexpected Charges:** Review your phone bill carefully to ensure you’re being charged the correct rates for your international calls. Contact your carrier if you notice any discrepancies.

* **Invalid Number Message:** This usually indicates an issue with the number you dialed. Ensure you have the correct number, and that you have included all relevant codes and omitted the leading zero from the London area code.

## Finding London Phone Numbers

If you need to find a phone number for a business or individual in London, here are some helpful resources:

* **Online Directories:** Use online directories like the UK Phone Book, BT Phone Book, and Yelp to search for businesses and individuals in London.

* **Company Websites:** Check the company’s website for their contact information. Most businesses list their phone number on their website’s contact page.

* **Social Media:** Search for the person or business on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. They may have their phone number listed on their profile.

* **Ask a Contact:** If you know someone in London, ask them if they can provide you with the phone number you need.

## Alternative Communication Methods

In addition to phone calls, there are several other ways to communicate with people in London:

* **Email:** Email is a convenient way to send messages that don’t require an immediate response.

* **Text Messaging:** Text messaging (SMS) is a quick and easy way to send short messages. Be aware that international text messaging rates may apply.

* **Video Conferencing:** Video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams allow you to have face-to-face conversations with people in London, which can be especially useful for business meetings.

* **Social Media:** Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow you to connect with people in London and send them messages.

## Conclusion

Calling London doesn’t have to be a complicated process. By understanding the dialing codes, considering the time difference, and using cost-saving tips, you can easily connect with friends, family, or business contacts in London. Whether you’re using a traditional phone line or a VoIP service, this comprehensive guide has provided you with all the information you need to make successful and affordable calls to the vibrant city of London. Remember to always double-check the dialing sequence and consider alternative communication methods to stay connected in the most convenient and cost-effective way possible.