Hi. I'll be in Iran for several days on a tour extension. While it is likely hotels or the guide(s) can help in an emergency, I seem to be coming up short about making calls from Iran to the US. According to my carrier (Verizon) there are no calls from Iran to the US "allowed" (I think that is the word they used)--something about a 5 digit incompatibility. Neither their international calling plans nor pay-as-you-go cover Iran. Several of the hotels do have WiFi and I am not too worried about staying in touch but it would be nice to know about calls. My purchased guide book has no specific info on calling from Iran and the information sent by the tour company has no additional guidance. So, any ideas about calling home from Iran? TIA
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
I think what they mean is that their mobile phone service does not allow calls from Iran. I would not expect any problems dialling the USA (or any other country) from an Iranian phone.
According to various web references, the access codes in Iran are the usual 0 for a call to a different area and 00 for an internatioinal call.
So you dial: 00 {country code} {area code} {number}
An example for the USA would be: 00 1 555 7654321
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2887 posts
Alternatively, with internet connectivity you could set up a Skype account and do it that way.
Posted by
OP
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
Thanks much. I figured I would be able to call from an Iranian phone in a pinch so that seems like the "emergency plan." My mom doesn't Skype or that would be an option.... I've tried to show her several times, but she has just mastered text!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2887 posts
Actually, Skype has a feature whereby you can establish an account with them and then have dialing capability to any number worldwide...for about 10 cents per minute. Doesn't have to be skype-to-skype. We've used it calling back to the US from Australia and Italy and it's really pretty slick...and cheap.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7063 posts
Yes, I agree with Robert. My daughter used Skype all the time to call me from Europe even though I didn't have Skype, she just used it to call my cell phone. Short calls just to keep in touch didn't cost much.
Posted by
OP
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
Sounds good, I'll look into Skype again, but being a Skype Luddite don't be surprised if I come back and ask how to set it up.