How To Call South Africa From USA
Quick Reference Summary
To call South Africa from the United States:
011 + 27 + Area Code (without leading 0) + Local Number
Examples:
- For Johannesburg landline: 011 + 27 + 11 + XXX XXXX (7 digits)
- For South Africa mobile phone: 011 + 27 + 71 + XXX XXXX (7 digits)
When it’s 12 PM (noon) in New York (EDT), it’s 6 PM in South Africa (6 hours ahead).
How to Call a Landline in South Africa
Calling a South African landline from the United States requires following these specific steps:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial South Africa’s country code: 27
- Dial the area code (without the leading zero)
- Dial the local phone number (typically 7 digits)
For example, if you’re calling a Johannesburg number that would be written as 011 123 4567 in South Africa, you would dial 011 27 11 123 4567 from the United States.
It’s important to note that within South Africa, area codes always start with a zero (0). When calling from the United States, you must drop this leading zero.
How to Call a Mobile Phone in South Africa
Calling a South African mobile phone follows the same pattern with a slight difference:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial South Africa’s country code: 27
- Dial the mobile prefix (without the leading zero)
- Dial the rest of the mobile number (typically 7 digits)
For example, if the South African mobile number is 071 123 4567, you would dial 011 27 71 123 4567 from the US.
South African mobile numbers begin with a 0 followed by a 2-digit mobile network code (like 71, 72, 73, etc.). Remember to drop the leading zero when dialing from abroad.
Understanding South African Phone Numbers
South African phone numbers follow a specific format that’s important to understand for successful international dialing.
Landline Numbers
South African landline numbers consist of:
- An area code (typically 2-3 digits) preceded by a zero when dialed within South Africa
- A local number (7-8 digits depending on the area)
Total digits: 10 (including area code with zero) when dialed within South Africa; 9-10 digits when dialed internationally (after dropping the leading zero)
Mobile Numbers
South African mobile numbers have:
- A 2-digit mobile prefix preceded by a zero when dialed within South Africa
- A 7-digit personal number
Total digits: 10 (including mobile prefix with zero) when dialed within South Africa; 9 digits when dialed internationally (after dropping the leading zero)
Major Area Codes in South Africa
When calling South Africa from the US, remember to dial 011 + 27 + area code (without the leading 0) + local number.
| City/Region | Area Code |
|---|---|
| Johannesburg | 11 |
| Cape Town | 21 |
| Durban | 31 |
| Pretoria | 12 |
| Port Elizabeth | 41 |
| East London | 43 |
| Bloemfontein | 51 |
| Pietermaritzburg | 33 |
| Kimberley | 53 |
| Nelspruit | 13 |
| Polokwane | 15 |
| George | 44 |
| Rustenburg | 14 |
| Welkom | 57 |
| Upington | 54 |
| Krugersdorp | 11 |
| Benoni | 11 |
| Vereeniging | 16 |
Mobile Phone Networks in South Africa
You can identify which South African mobile network a number belongs to by looking at the first two digits after the initial zero:
| Network | Prefixes |
|---|---|
| Vodacom | 71, 72, 73, 74, 79 |
| MTN | 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 76, 78, 81, 83 |
| Cell C | 84, 85 |
| Telkom Mobile | 81, 82 |
| Rain | 74 |
| Virgin Mobile | 87 (uses Cell C network) |
When calling a South African mobile from the US, dial 011 27 followed by the mobile prefix (without the initial 0) and the 7-digit number.
Time Difference
South Africa follows South African Standard Time (SAST), which is UTC+2 all year round. South Africa does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The time difference between the US and South Africa depends on your location in the US and the time of year:
- Eastern Time (ET): South Africa is 6 hours ahead (summer) or 7 hours ahead (winter)
- Central Time (CT): South Africa is 7 hours ahead (summer) or 8 hours ahead (winter)
- Mountain Time (MT): South Africa is 8 hours ahead (summer) or 9 hours ahead (winter)
- Pacific Time (PT): South Africa is 9 hours ahead (summer) or 10 hours ahead (winter)
Business Hours in South Africa
If you’re calling businesses in South Africa, it’s helpful to know their typical operating hours:
- Standard Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Banking Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM; Saturday, 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM
- Retail Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM or 5:00 PM; Sunday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (major malls)
South African Phone Etiquette
When calling South Africa, be aware of these cultural norms:
- English is widely spoken in business settings, though South Africa has 11 official languages
- Opening greetings are important – always start with “Hello” and identify yourself
- South Africans often appreciate a bit of small talk before getting to business
- The formal business day typically ends around 5 PM, though many people are reachable until 6 PM
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