Really stupid question... I'm going to be heading over to Europe in a few weeks and will be using my iPhone with my US carrier's SIM card in it. When calling a European number while I'm roaming over there, do have to dial the same access codes and prefixes that I would have to to call that number from the US or just the local number? I realize that its going to be expensive, but this is going to be for very sporadic use over a series of countries and I'm not interested in purchasing local SIM cards.
Posted by
California 🦋
5293 posts
Marcus,
Since your phone will have the US carrier’s SIM card, you’ll dial the same as if you were calling from the U.S.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
If you are using your US carrier, your phone remains a "bubble" of the US wherever you are. So, you dial numbers just as if you were still in the US.
To dial a US number, enter area code and number (you can, if you wish, enter +1, then area code and number).
To dial a European number, enter +, then the country code, then the area code (if applicable), then the local number. For most countries, you drop the initial 0 of the area code or the local number, but in Italy, you keep the initial 0 of the number.
Posted by
Santa Cruz, CA
38 posts
Hi Marcus, I believe that when dial a European number from a US phone you need to use the country code. Roaming is expensive. I have Verizon and paid $10 per day to use my phone in the UK, Italy and France. This included data, text and talk. The plan charged only when I used it and was good for 24 hours even if I went from Italy to France in that time. Check with your carrier for international questions, they are very knowledgeable. I’ve never purchased local SIM cards, just easier for metro use my own phone. Happy travels.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Whether it's expensive or not to make calls depends on your carrier and their international roaming plan. Sprint and T-Mobile both have generous roaming plans and charge only 20 cents/minute for calls anywhere.
If you have another carrier who charges more than that, you always have the option of using Skype or Google Hangouts to make calls - only a few cents per minute, but you need to buy credit in blocks of $10. Hangouts in addition lets you call US phone numbers for free, even landlines.
Posted by
Southeastern USA
996 posts
Definitely check and see if your cell phone provider has an overseas plan. We use Verizon's $10/day plan when we're in Europe. (Note - not every country is covered on every provider's overseas plan.)
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32345 posts
Marcus,
This chart may provide some answers for you - https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/call-uk-europe .