How To Call London From US
Quick Reference Guide
When calling London from the United States, follow this dialing pattern:
011 (US exit code) + 44 (UK country code) + 20 (London area code) + local number
Example for London landline: 011-44-20-XXXX-XXXX Example for London mobile phone: 011-44-7XXX-XXXXXX (UK mobile numbers start with ‘7’)
Time Zone Note: When it’s noon (12 PM) in New York, it’s 5 PM in London. London is 5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time.
Complete Dialing Instructions
Understanding UK Phone Numbers
Phone numbers in the United Kingdom follow a structured format that differs from the US system. London landlines specifically begin with the area code “20” (sometimes written as “020” within the UK), followed by an 8-digit local number, typically grouped as 4 digits + 4 digits.
To call a London number from the United States, you’ll need to:
- Dial 011 – the US exit code that signals you’re making an international call
- Dial 44 – the country code for the United Kingdom
- Dial 20 – the specific area code for London
- Dial the local 8-digit number
When a Londoner gives you their landline number, they might say it as “020” followed by their local number. You should ignore the first “0” as this is only used for domestic calls within the UK.
Calling Mobile Phones in London
Mobile phone numbers in the UK are structured differently from landlines. They always start with “07” when dialed domestically within the UK, but when calling from the US:
- Dial 011 (US exit code)
- Dial 44 (UK country code)
- Dial the mobile number, omitting the initial “0” (so the “07” becomes just “7”)
- Complete the full 10-digit sequence
For example, if the UK mobile number is 07700 900123, you would dial 011-44-7700-900123 from the US.
Cost Considerations
Calling the UK from the United States through traditional carriers can be expensive, with rates typically ranging from $0.50 to $3.00 per minute depending on your service provider and plan.
Save Money with Phone Card Choice
Phone Card Choice offers a significantly more affordable solution for calling London and other UK destinations. With their international calling cards, you can make calls to the UK at a fraction of standard carrier rates.
How Phone Card Choice Works:
- Purchase a prepaid phone card from Phone Card Choice
- Receive your card details via email immediately
- Dial the local access number provided
- Enter your 10-digit PIN number
- Dial the overseas number (following the format above)
Use our phone card finder tool below to find the best rates to the UK:
Benefits for US-to-London Callers:
- Call to both UK landlines and mobile phones
- No hidden fees or connection charges
- 100% prepaid – know exactly what you’re spending
- No reactivation fees
- Credit rollover – your balance doesn’t expire
- Use from any phone – landline or mobile
Phone Card Choice allows you to call the UK from not only the United States but also from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, and the United Kingdom itself.
Special Cases and Considerations
- UK Toll-Free Numbers: These typically begin with 0800 or 0808. When calling from the US, replace the leading “0” with “44” (011-44-800-XXX-XXXX). However, be aware that calling UK toll-free numbers from the US is not free and standard international rates apply.
- London Business Extensions: When calling a business with an extension, dial the main number first, wait for the connection, then dial the extension when prompted.
- Best Time to Call: Given the time zone difference, here’s when to call London:
- Eastern Time (ET): London is 5 hours ahead
- Central Time (CT): London is 6 hours ahead
- Mountain Time (MT): London is 7 hours ahead
- Pacific Time (PT): London is 8 hours ahead
The optimal window for business calls to London is between 8 AM and noon Eastern Time, which corresponds to 1 PM to 5 PM London time.
By following this guide and utilizing Phone Card Choice’s affordable international calling services, you can easily connect with anyone in London from the United States without worrying about excessive phone bills.
