How To Call Greece From US
Quick Reference Summary
To call Greece from the United States:
011 + 30 + Area Code + Local Number
Examples:
- For Athens landline: 011 + 30 + 21 + XXXXXXXX (8 digits)
- For Greek mobile phone: 011 + 30 + 69X + XXXXXXX (7 digits)
When it’s 12 PM (noon) in New York (EST), it’s 7 PM in Greece (7 hours ahead).
How to Call a Landline in Greece
Calling a Greek landline from the United States requires following these specific steps:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Greece’s country code: 30
- Dial the area code (2-digit code for landlines)
- Dial the local phone number (typically 8 digits)
For example, if you’re calling an Athens number that would be written as 21 1234 5678 in Greece, you would dial 011 30 21 1234 5678 from the United States.
Unlike some other countries, Greek phone numbers don’t include a leading zero that needs to be dropped when dialing internationally. The format remains consistent whether dialed domestically or internationally (apart from adding the country code).
How to Call a Mobile Phone in Greece
Calling a Greek mobile phone follows the same pattern as landlines but uses different area codes:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Greece’s country code: 30
- Dial the mobile prefix (starting with 69)
- Dial the rest of the mobile number (typically 7 digits after the 69X prefix)
For example, if the Greek mobile number is 697 123 4567, you would dial 011 30 697 123 4567 from the US.
All Greek mobile numbers begin with 69, followed by another digit that indicates the mobile service provider. The total length of a Greek mobile number is 10 digits (including the 69X prefix).
Understanding Greek Phone Numbers
Greek phone numbers follow a consistent format that makes them relatively straightforward to dial compared to some other European countries.
Landline Numbers
Greek landline numbers consist of:
- A 2-digit area code (starting with 2)
- An 8-digit local number
Total digits: 10 (including area code)
Mobile Numbers
Greek mobile numbers have:
- A 3-digit mobile prefix (starting with 69)
- A 7-digit personal number
Total digits: 10 (including mobile prefix)
Area Codes for Major Greek Cities and Regions
When calling Greece, you need to include the area code as part of your call. Here’s a comprehensive list of major Greek cities and their corresponding area codes:
| City/Region | Area Code |
|---|---|
| Athens & Attica | 21 |
| Thessaloniki | 23 |
| Patras | 26 |
| Heraklion (Crete) | 28 |
| Rhodes | 22 |
| Larissa | 24 |
| Volos | 24 |
| Ioannina | 26 |
| Chania | 28 |
| Corfu | 26 |
| Kalamata | 27 |
| Kavala | 25 |
| Alexandroupoli | 25 |
| Chalkida | 22 |
| Serres | 23 |
| Mytilene (Lesvos) | 22 |
| Kos | 22 |
| Santorini | 22 |
| Zakynthos | 26 |
| Mykonos | 22 |
Regional Area Codes
Northern Greece
Thessaloniki (23), Kavala (25), Alexandroupoli (25), Serres (23), Drama (25), Xanthi (25), Komotini (25), Veria (23), Katerini (23), Kilkis (23), Polygyros (23), Edessa (23), Florina (23), Kastoria (24), Kozani (24), Grevena (24)
Central Greece
Athens (21), Chalkida (22), Lamia (22), Amfissa (22), Karpenisi (22), Livadia (22), Larissa (24), Volos (24), Karditsa (24), Trikala (24)
Western Greece
Patras (26), Agrinio (26), Messolonghi (26), Ioannina (26), Preveza (26), Arta (26), Igoumenitsa (26), Lefkada (26)
Peloponnese
Kalamata (27), Tripoli (27), Sparta (27), Pyrgos (26), Aigio (26), Nafplio (27), Corinth (27), Argos (27)
Aegean Islands
Rhodes (22), Kos (22), Santorini (22), Mykonos (22), Mytilene/Lesvos (22), Chios (22), Samos (22), Syros (22), Naxos (22), Paros (22), Andros (22), Tinos (22)
Ionian Islands
Corfu (26), Zakynthos (26), Kefalonia (26), Lefkada (26)
Crete
Heraklion (28), Chania (28), Rethymno (28), Agios Nikolaos (28), Ierapetra (28), Sitia (28)
Mobile Phone Networks
Greek mobile numbers always start with 69, followed by a specific digit that indicates the mobile network provider:
| Network | Prefixes |
|---|---|
| Cosmote | 697, 698, 699 |
| Vodafone | 694, 695, 696 |
| Wind | 690, 691, 692, 693 |
When calling a Greek mobile from the US, dial the full number including the 69 prefix after the country code: 011 30 69X XXXXXXX.
Time Difference
Greece follows Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 in summer (when Daylight Saving Time is in effect).
The time difference between the US and Greece depends on your location in the US and the time of year:
- Eastern Time (ET): Greece is 7 hours ahead (winter) or 6 hours ahead (summer)
- Central Time (CT): Greece is 8 hours ahead (winter) or 7 hours ahead (summer)
- Mountain Time (MT): Greece is 9 hours ahead (winter) or 8 hours ahead (summer)
- Pacific Time (PT): Greece is 10 hours ahead (winter) or 9 hours ahead (summer)
Greece changes to Daylight Saving Time on the last Sunday in March and back to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October.
Special Numbers to Know
Service Numbers
- 800: Toll-free numbers (cannot typically be called from the US)
- 801: Local-rate numbers (cannot typically be called from the US)
- 5xx: Premium rate services (cannot be called from abroad)
Emergency Numbers
- 112: European Emergency Number (equivalent to 911 in the US)
- 100: Police
- 166: Ambulance
- 199: Fire Department
These emergency numbers cannot be dialed with the international format from outside Greece.
Calling Business Extensions
When calling a Greek business with extensions:
- Dial the full international number as usual
- Wait for the automated system or receptionist to answer
- Request your party or enter the extension when prompted
Many businesses in Greece, especially those dealing with international clients, have staff who speak English. In tourist areas, English is widely understood.
Best Time to Call
Considering the significant time difference, finding the right time to call Greece from the US requires some planning:
- US East Coast to Greece:
- Best time: 8 AM – 12 PM EST (3 PM – 7 PM in Greece)
- Business hours in Greece: 9 AM – 5 PM (2 AM – 10 AM EST)
- US West Coast to Greece:
- Best time: 9 AM – 12 PM PST (7 PM – 10 PM in Greece)
- Business hours in Greece: 9 AM – 5 PM (11 PM – 7 AM PST)
Remember that many Greek businesses and shops have a midday break (around 2 PM – 5 PM) and may reopen in the evening until 8 PM or later, especially in summer.
Call Greece For Less With Phone Card Choice
Calling Greece from the United States can be expensive with regular phone services, but using an international calling card offers a cost-effective alternative for staying connected with family, friends, or business associates in Greece.
Our customers who regularly call Greece appreciate the crystal-clear connections and economical rates, whether they’re calling Athens landlines or mobile phones on the Greek islands.
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- Dial the local access number provided with your card
- Enter your 10-digit PIN number
- Dial Greece (30 + area code + local number)
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