How to Call South Africa

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Whether it's for business or personal use, making a call to South Africa doesn't have to be complicated or cost a lot of money. If you're using a phone to call someone, type your country's exit code followed by "27," which is South Africa's code, before entering the phone number. If you want to make a call over the Internet, simply use a VoIP program on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Now, time to talk!

Quick Guide to Calling South Africa

  1. Enter your country's exit code, like 011, for the US.
  2. Dial 27, South Africa's country code.
  3. Enter the 2-digit city code, such as 21 for Cape Town or 11 for Johannesburg.
  4. Enter the South African phone number and place the call.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Calling South Africa on Your Phone

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  1. Contact your phone service provider via the number on their website to talk to a representative and figure out the cost. The rates for international phone calls vary based on your provider, your phone plan, and what country you’re calling from. [1]
    • You’ll likely have to pay a set a fee per minute. It can be as low as $0.15 and as high as over $3.

    Tip: If you make a lot of international calls, sign up for an international phone plan to receive a discount on international call rates.

  2. Find your country’s exit code, which is usually between 2 to 3 digits, by searching online or using a site like https://countrycode.org . This code lets you call out of the country you’re currently in. [2]
    • For example, the exit code for calls from the U.S. is “011” while the exit code for the U.K. is “00.”
    • In some countries, you can use “+” instead of the exit code digits. This is the international calling code.
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  3. Include this number in any phone number you’re dialing to South Africa since it’s the country code. Type in “27” immediately following the exit code you entered. [3]
    • Be aware that the South African country code does not change no matter where you’re calling from.
  4. After the country code, type the city code, which is different for each major city or area in South Africa. Check your mobile service provider’s website for a list of city codes in South Africa. [4]
    • For example, Cape Town’s city code is “21” and Johannesburg’s code is “11.”
    • You can also google the location you're trying to call along with "area code" to find the correct number. For example, if you're calling someone in Pretoria, search "Pretoria + city code."
  5. Type in the remaining digits of the phone number after the exit, country, and city codes. Verify that the number you’re dialing has 7 digits, which is the length of a phone number in South Africa.
    • Before you press call, check that the final format of your number is exit code, country code, city code, and then the phone number.
    • For example, a full number from the U.K. to somewhere in Cape Town would look like, "00-27-21-123-4567."
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Internet to Call South Africa

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  1. Before you make a call using the Internet, access a WiFi network so you aren’t using cellular data. When you’re making an international call, your service provider may charge you for call minutes, text messages, and even data usage.
    • To avoid using data, turn it off in your phone’s settings. On an iPhone, for instance, go to Settings, then choose Cellular. Switch the toggle button next to “Cellular Data” off.
    • Try a hotel, restaurant, library, or coffee shop if you’re looking for free WiFi.
  2. Research different VoIP programs before you select one to use. Think about what specific features or capabilities you want it to have, like conference calling so you can have more than one person on the line or the ability to call landlines. [5]
    • Understand that the more advanced features a VoIP program has, the more expensive it will be. If you want a free program, you’ll likely have to settle for a more basic program.
    • Some of the most common VoIP apps include Skype, Google Voice, and WhatsApp.
  3. Choose from one of the many VoIP providers, then install the software on your laptop. If you’re using a tablet or smartphone, download an app.
    • If you’re calling a landline or calling someone without the VoIP service, there will likely be a charge. To avoid paying a fee, ask the person you're calling to download the same VoIP program as you.
  4. Type in all of the digits of the phone number, including the area or city code. Check the instructions for your app or service to see if you need to add the country code or "+" at the beginning of the number, as well. Some will automatically insert that code if you select South Africa as the country you’re calling.
    • Many apps can access your phone’s address book if you’re calling someone from your contact list.

    Tip: If your call isn’t going through, first check your Internet connection to make sure it’s working properly. Then, confirm that the person you’re calling is able to accept international phone calls or calls from an internet service.

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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the Exit Code for England
    Community Answer
    When calling South Africa from England, use the exit code '00' followed by South Africa's country code ('27') - if you use this method, your number should start with 0027. You can alternatively use the + key to make +27, this will work the same way as using the exit code.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • Question
    How to call Leyland, Lancashire from Cape Town?
    Michael D Shaul
    Community Answer
    To schedule a conference call or plan a meeting at the best time for both parties, you should try between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM your time in Leyland.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    How do I call a cellphone number from Canada?
    Thabo Mashaba
    Community Answer
    To call a cellphone number from Canada, initiate the call by dialing the international access code "011," followed by the country code for the destination country. If you are calling a cellphone number in the United States, for example, dial "011," then "1" (the U.S. country code), followed by the area code and the specific cellphone number. Be sure that you include the full international format, consisting of the international access code, country code, area code, and the remaining digits of the cellphone number. Be aware of any applicable international calling rates, and you can check with your service provider for details on charges associated with the call.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/international-long-distance-calling-made-simple-tip-sheet
      2. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/south-africa/
      3. ↑ https://countrycode.org/southafrica
      4. ↑ https://countrycode.org/southafrica
      5. ↑ https://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/broadband/guides/internet-phone-voip-offers

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To call South Africa, first type in the exit code for the country you’re calling from. For example, in the US, the exit code is 011. Then, dial 27 to direct to South Africa. After that, add the 2-digit code for the city you’re calling. For instance, Cape Town’s city code is 21. Finally, type the 7-digit South African phone number. For more tips, including how to make free and cheap calls to South Africa using the internet, read on!

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