Dreaming of that sun-drenched Santorini sunset or needing to urgently connect with family in Athens? Calling Greece from the United States might seem daunting with different time zones and international dialing codes to consider. But fear not! Making that connection is simpler than you think, and with a little guidance, you'll be chatting with your loved ones or conducting important business in no time.
Knowing how to properly dial internationally is crucial for both personal and professional reasons. Perhaps you have family or friends living in Greece, or maybe you're planning a trip and need to confirm reservations. Avoiding dropped calls, unexpected charges, and general frustration makes the experience much smoother. Being prepared with the correct dialing codes and methods ensures your call goes through efficiently, saving you time and money.
What do I need to know before calling Greece?
What is the correct exit code to call Greece from the US?
The correct exit code to call Greece from the United States is 011. This code is necessary to signal to the US telephone network that you are dialing a number outside of the country.
When making an international call, you must first dial the exit code for your country, followed by the country code for the country you are calling, and finally the local phone number. Therefore, to call Greece from the US, you would dial 011 (the US exit code), then 30 (the country code for Greece), and then the Greek phone number. It's important to note that the specific format of the Greek phone number may vary depending on whether you are calling a landline or a mobile phone, and whether you are calling within a specific region. Always double-check the full number including any area codes for accuracy.
For example, if you were calling a hypothetical Greek number 210-555-1234, you would dial 011-30-210-555-1234. Remember that omitting the exit code will result in a failed call, as the phone network will interpret the following digits as a local number within the United States.
What is the country code for Greece when calling from the US?
The country code for Greece is 30. You'll need to dial this code before the Greek area code and phone number when calling from the United States.
When placing an international call to Greece from the US, the general format you'll follow is: 011 + 30 + area code + local number. The "011" is the exit code for the United States, which is necessary to dial out of the country. Then comes the "30," Greece's country code, followed by the specific area code for the region in Greece you are calling, and finally the recipient's local phone number.
It's important to note that Greek area codes are typically 2 digits long. So, a complete example of calling a landline in Athens, Greece might look like this: 011 30 21 xxxxxxx, where "21" is the area code for Athens and "xxxxxxx" is the 7-digit local number. Be sure to verify the specific area code for the location you are calling to ensure your call goes through correctly. If you are calling a mobile number in Greece, it usually starts with a "69" prefix, and will usually have 10 digits after the 30 country code.
How do I dial a Greek mobile number from the United States?
To call a Greek mobile number from the United States, you need to dial the following sequence: 011 (exit code for the US) + 30 (country code for Greece) + the Greek mobile number (which typically begins with a '6' and is 10 digits long, including the initial '6'). So the complete format would be: 011 30 6XXXXXXXXX.
Calling internationally requires knowing the exit code for the country you are calling from (the US in this case) and the country code for the country you are calling (Greece). The exit code signals to your phone provider that you are making an international call. The country code directs the call to the correct country. After that, you dial the local number, omitting any leading zeros that might be used within Greece for domestic calls. It's also important to remember that international calls can be significantly more expensive than domestic calls. Check with your mobile carrier about their international rates and plans before making the call. Some carriers offer international calling packages that can significantly reduce the cost per minute. Alternatively, consider using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber, which often offer cheaper rates for international calls, provided both you and the person you are calling have a reliable internet connection.Are there cheaper alternatives to calling Greece from the US than using my cell phone plan?
Yes, there are significantly cheaper alternatives to using your cell phone plan to call Greece from the US. Your cell phone plan likely charges high per-minute rates for international calls. Utilizing VoIP services, international calling cards, or even free messaging apps can dramatically reduce your costs.
Calling Greece through your cell phone's international plan is almost always the most expensive option. These plans often have exorbitant per-minute rates, even with international add-ons. Alternatives such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services like Skype, Google Voice, WhatsApp, Viber, and others leverage the internet to make calls, drastically reducing costs. These services often offer much lower per-minute rates or even the ability to call landlines and mobile phones in Greece for free, depending on their pricing structure or if both parties use the same app. Another effective and often budget-friendly method is using international calling cards. These cards offer prepaid minutes at discounted international rates. You can purchase them online or at many retail locations. Be sure to compare rates and hidden fees before purchasing a card. Finally, consider if a simple message may do. If you and the person in Greece both have smartphones, apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram allow free text, voice, and video communication as long as you both have internet access.What is the time difference between the US and Greece when I'm calling?
The time difference between the United States and Greece varies depending on the specific time zone in the US and whether either location is observing daylight saving time (DST). Generally, Greece is 7 to 10 hours ahead of the continental US. To determine the precise difference, you need to know the exact time zone you are calling from in the US and the current time in Greece.
Greece observes Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC+2 during standard time and Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), which is UTC+3 during daylight saving time. Most of the continental United States observes either Eastern Time (ET), Central Time (CT), Mountain Time (MT), or Pacific Time (PT). Eastern Time is UTC-5 during standard time and UTC-4 during DST. Central Time is UTC-6 (standard) and UTC-5 (DST). Mountain Time is UTC-7 (standard) and UTC-6 (DST). Pacific Time is UTC-8 (standard) and UTC-7 (DST). Therefore, the difference between Greece and the US shifts depending on the time of year.
For example, during standard time, Greece (UTC+2) is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Time (UTC-5), 8 hours ahead of Central Time (UTC-6), 9 hours ahead of Mountain Time (UTC-7), and 10 hours ahead of Pacific Time (UTC-8). During daylight saving time, the difference narrows by one hour, as both Greece and most of the US "spring forward". It is always best to use an online time zone converter to get the most accurate time difference, particularly around the dates when DST begins and ends in both countries, as they don't necessarily align.
Do I need to remove the leading zero from the area code when calling a landline in Greece from the US?
Yes, you absolutely need to remove the leading zero from the area code when calling a landline in Greece from the United States. This is a crucial step for the call to be routed correctly.
When dialing internationally, the leading zero of a domestic area code is typically dropped. This is because the international dialing code already signifies that you are calling outside of your current country, and the country code you dial next specifically directs the call to Greece. Including the leading zero would confuse the system, as it's a convention used only within Greece for domestic calls. Therefore, omitting it ensures the Greek telephone network recognizes and correctly processes the incoming international call. To summarize, when dialing a Greek landline from the US, follow this format: 011 (US exit code) + 30 (Greece country code) + [Greek area code without the leading zero] + [local number]. For example, to call a landline in Athens (area code 210), you would dial 011-30-21-xxxx-xxxx. Remember, this applies to landlines. When calling a Greek mobile number, you generally do not need to worry about a leading zero, as mobile numbers typically don't have area codes in the same way as landlines.Will my US cell phone work in Greece without extra charges?
Whether your US cell phone will work in Greece without incurring extra charges depends entirely on your mobile carrier and your specific plan. In many cases, using your US cell phone in Greece *will* result in international roaming charges, which can be quite expensive. It's essential to check with your carrier before your trip to understand their international roaming policies and any available international plans or add-ons.
Many US carriers offer international plans or daily/monthly passes that allow you to use your phone in Greece for a set fee, covering calls, texts, and data. These plans are usually far more economical than paying per-minute, per-text, or per-MB rates for roaming. If your carrier doesn't offer a suitable international plan, you may be charged exorbitant rates for even basic usage. For instance, some carriers might charge several dollars per minute for phone calls, significant amounts for each text message sent or received, and high rates for data usage. Another option to avoid roaming charges is to use Wi-Fi whenever possible. Most hotels, cafes, and restaurants in Greece offer free Wi-Fi. You can use Wi-Fi for calling (via apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime), texting, and accessing the internet. Alternatively, you could purchase a local Greek SIM card upon arrival. This gives you a local phone number and allows you to use a Greek mobile network's data and calling plans, often at much lower rates than international roaming. Make sure your phone is unlocked before traveling if you plan to use a local SIM.So there you have it! Calling Greece from the US doesn't have to be a puzzle. Just follow these simple steps, and you'll be chatting with your loved ones (or booking that dream vacation!) in no time. Thanks for reading, and we hope this helped clear things up. Be sure to check back soon for more helpful guides and tips!