Hello...I will me carrying my Sprint Iphone to Edinburgh when I travel It will be my first time bringing my own cell phone...I am totally confused about which phone numbers to use while I am there. Ofcourse, my phone will be considered an international number as it will have my number back home. So...if I need to call someone from the Edinburgh airport who lives in Edinburgh..( local call) which numbers do I use? If I need to call back to the USA which prefixes do I use. Sorry if this has been explained before, I frankly find it confusing. Thanks!
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
Ellen, it can seem complicated. See if this helps, International Calling Tips: UK and Europe. It is Rick Steves' own guide.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Ellen, the easiest way is to program the numbers in using the "plus system." With this, instead of dialing 011 or 00, you use a + sign before the country code and number. The advantage of this is, once you've programmed in the number with the + on your cell phone, it will dial from anywhere, correctly (whether it's a domestic or international call no longer matters). So, if you put in Rick's Edmonds office as +1-425-771-8303, you only need to press "send" to make the call, wherever you are in the world. Similarly, an Edinburgh hotel's number is 0131 2262075. If you put it in your phone as +44-131-2262075, it will dial correctly from anywhere. When I first did this, I was worried about being charged for an international call when it was only domestic. But this doesn't happen; the + and country code just means it's routed correctly. Do use the chart Paul linked to, to figure out how to dial the number as an international call; then replace the 011 or 00 with a plus, program it that way in your phone, and you're set.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
177 posts
you actually do not need the + sign.
The iphone does it for you as long you have "international assist" on under settings > phone
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
177 posts
just dial it with a country code. the only numbers you do not need country codes are the country your iphone is set to. So you are from the USA which means your iphone is most likely set to the USA which means your phone will dial everything for you as long you have the area code. you don't need the + you also don't need the 1, as long you have international assist: ON.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
Ellen, whatever else you do, turn off roaming. Repeat: Turn Off Roaming. International roaming charges can be astronomical. So, turn it off lest all those apps you have running in the background generate a huge bill. Turn of the location services, too, unless and until you really need one. If you are going to be in Scotland for more the a few days, consider buying a cheap phone locally and using it. Phone shops are everywhere and it is much easier buying a phone in the UK than in the U.S. Wifi is widely available in Edinburgh but is often tied to having a card at a coffee chain, etc. Also, cell coverage around the Castle, on Vodaphone, at least, was pretty poor for me last year.