Whether you’re looking to speak to colleagues, friends, family, or that witty Turkish tour guide you lost touch with, calling Turkey isn’t quite as simple as calling your fellow inhabitants of the US. But don’t worry — it’s not too complicated when you know the right steps.
And lucky for you, we’ve put together an article with everything you need to know for an international call to Turkey. This includes an easy reference for calling Turkey from the US, a list of area codes you might find handy, a trick for factoring in time differences, and a breakdown of the costs. Plus, everyone’s favorite part: how you can lower your calling expenses.
Calling abroad can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Calling Turkey from the United States is easy when you follow these simple steps. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to connect with friends, family, clients, and colleagues in Turkey.
Overview of Calling Turkey from the US
To call Turkey from the US, you’ll need to dial:
- The US exit code
- The country code for Turkey
- The area code (if required)
- The local phone number in Turkey
Let’s break it down step-by-step
Step 1: Dial the US Exit Code
When calling internationally from the US you’ll first need to dial the exit code. This signals that you’re making an international call.
For landlines, dial 011. If you’re calling from a mobile phone, you can instead dial the plus sign (+).
So for calls to Turkey from the US. you’d dial
- 011
-
This exit code tells your phone carrier that you need an international line.
Step 2: Input Turkey’s Country Code
Next, you’ll enter Turkey’s country code. Turkey’s country code is 90.
The country code alerts your carrier that you want to connect to Turkey.
After inputting the exit code and country code, your call should look like:
- 011 90
- +90
Step 3: Dial the Area Code (If Required)
The next step is including the area code for the region of Turkey you want to call.
Area codes are required for landlines in Turkey but optional for mobile numbers.
Here are some common area codes for Turkish cities:
- Istanbul: 212
- Ankara: 312
- Izmir: 232
- Antalya: 242
- Bursa: 224
With the area code added, your call would look something like:
- 011 90 212
- +90 212
Step 4: Input the Local Number
The last step is dialing the local phone number. Local numbers in Turkey are 7 digits long.
Here’s an example of calling a number in Istanbul from the US:
- 011 90 212 555 1234
- +90 212 555 1234
And that’s it! With these four steps, you can successfully call Turkey from the United States.
When to Call Turkey from the US
Turkey is 7-11 hours ahead of the major US time zones. This significant time difference means you’ll need to keep time zones in mind when calling Turkey.
Here are the time differences between Turkey and major US time zones:
- Eastern (EST): Turkey is 7 hours ahead
- Central (CST): Turkey is 8 hours ahead
- Mountain (MST): Turkey is 9 hours ahead
- Pacific (PST): Turkey is 10 hours ahead
- Alaska (AKST): Turkey is 11 hours ahead
- Hawaii (HST): Turkey is 13 hours ahead
As you can see, when it’s morning in the US, it’s evening in Turkey. And if it’s nighttime in the US, it’s the next day in Turkey!
To avoid calling at odd hours, look up the time in Turkey and try to call during their normal business hours. The best times to call are typically between 9 am – 5 pm local Turkey time.
How Much Does It Cost to Call Turkey?
Calling Turkey from a landline in the US costs around 1.5-15 cents per minute on average. Calling from a mobile phone usually costs 25-50 cents per minute.
However, to save money on international calls to Turkey, consider using an online calling service or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Online calling can lower the per minute cost significantly. Some VoIP services charge as little as 1 cent per minute for calls to landlines in Turkey.
Tips for Calling Turkey
Follow these tips for smooth calls to Turkey:
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Try online calling or VoIP services – Tools like Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber offer cheap international calling.
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Get a local virtual phone number – A Turkish virtual number makes it easy for people to call you from Turkey at low rates.
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Consider international calling plans – Some US carriers offer monthly international calling packages.
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Schedule calls during Turkish business hours – Avoid early morning or late night calls.
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Know the time difference – Double check time zones to pick the best times for calls.
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Be prepared to communicate in Turkish – Not everyone will speak fluent English. Learn key phrases.
How to Call Turkey on WhatsApp
WhatsApp offers free international calls over WiFi! Here’s how to call Turkey using WhatsApp in a few quick steps:
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Download WhatsApp and register using your phone number
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Verify your number via text message
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Open your contacts and add the phone number of your contact in Turkey
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Start a new chat with their number
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Tap the phone icon at the top right to call
As long as both you and your recipient have WhatsApp installed, you can enjoy free international WhatsApp calls to Turkey!
How to Save Money on Calls to Turkey
Calling Turkey from your regular phone line can get expensive. But you have options for saving money! Here are some of the most effective ways to reduce the cost of calls to Turkey:
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Use a VoIP service – As mentioned, VoIP services let you make voice calls online. This can lower your per minute calling rates substantially. Popular choices include Skype, Google Voice, Vonage, and more.
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Get a calling app – Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime Audio, and Viber offer free international calls over data/WiFi.
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Buy a calling card – International calling cards for Turkey offer discounted per minute rates. You dial a local access number and then enter your pin.
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Try callback services – Callback services like SayHi give you local Turkish numbers to call. The person can then return your call at low local rates.
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Use a VPN – A VPN (Virtual Private Network) lets you access apps and websites as if you were in Turkey, avoiding international tolls.
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Consider a monthly international calling plan – Some US carriers like T-Mobile offer unlimited calling to Turkey for a monthly fee.
With a little savvy, you can save big on calls to Turkey from the United States. Do your research and pick the cost-cutting solution that fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Calling Turkey
How do I dial a cell phone number in Turkey?
To call a cell phone in Turkey:
Dial 011 or +
Dial 90 for Turkey’s country code
Enter the cell number (no area code needed)
What if I need to call a toll-free number in Turkey?
Most Turkish toll-free numbers start with 0850. To call a toll-free number in Turkey:
Dial 011 or +
Dial 90 for Turkey
Dial the 10-digit toll free number
How can I look up phone numbers in Turkey?
You can search phone directories like TurkeyYellowPages.com to look up phone numbers by name. The Turkish telephone directory is called Telefon Rehberi.
How much does it cost to text Turkey from the US?
Texting Turkey costs around 5 to 50 cents per message on average. To save money, use apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger for free international texts over WiFi.
Can I use calling cards to call Turkey?
Yes, international calling cards for Turkey can save you money compared to standard long distance rates. Shop around for a calling card with low per minute rates and no connection fees.
Call Turkey Seamlessly from the United States
Calling Turkey is simple when you follow the step-by-step process. Dial the exit code, enter the country code, input the area code if required, and finish with the local number. Remember the time difference and call during Turkish business hours when possible.
Use cost-saving services like VoIP, calling apps, callback services, and calling cards to avoid expensive international charges. With the right preparation and tools, you can enjoy affordable, quality calls to Turkey from the United States.
How to call Turkey from the US in 4 easy steps
Here’s how to call Turkey from the USA in four simple steps:
How to factor in the time difference when calling Turkey from the US
Due to varying time zones in the United States, it can be a hassle to calculate your recipient’s local time to ensure you’re calling at an appropriate hour. The good news is that all areas in Turkey observe the same time zone: Turkey Time (TRT). Depending on where you live in the US, here are the time differences you can expect.
- Eastern Standard Time (EST): Calling from the east coast? Turkey is 7 hours ahead of you (think 7 PM to your noon).
- Central Standard Time (CST): With an 8-hour difference, nobody will want your input on a project after office hours.
- Mountain Standard Time (MST): Your noon lunchtime hour is the equivalent of 9 PM in Turkey.
- Pacific Standard Time (PST): Most people in Turkey are preparing for a good night’s sleep during your 12 o’clock lunch break (10 PM).
- Alaska Standard Time (AKST): Here’s where things start getting tricky: 12 PM in AKST is 11 PM TRT – 11 hours behind Turkey.
- Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST): Turkey is a solid 13 hours ahead of Hawaii, making 12 PM Monday in Hawaii their 1 AM Tuesday.
Keep in mind Turkey doesn’t observe Daylight savings time (DST). To get a real-time snapshot of what time it is across the United States and Turkey, a tool like Savvy Time is very useful.