How to Call Saudi Arabia

If you need to call someone in Saudi Arabia, it might seem complicated if you're not used to making international calls. Once you know the steps, though, it's actually very easy. First, dial the exit code for the country you're calling from, followed by 966, which is the country code for Saudi Arabia. Then, dial the area code, followed by the phone number. Just remember to check what time it is before you call!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

From a Phone

  1. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 1
    1
    Enter your country's exit code. In order to make an international call, you must first dial the exit code for your country. This code, also known as a dial-out code or international access code, lets the carrier know that you will be calling another country. In the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean, for instance, the exit code is 011, while in Mexico, the code is 00.[1]
  2. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 2
    2
    Dial 966 to connect to Saudi Arabia. After you dial the exit code for your country, you must then dial the prefix for the country you’re calling. Saudi Arabia's country code is 966.[2]
    • For example, if you’re in the U.S. and you want to call Saudi Arabia, you would dial 011 966.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 3
    3
    Add the city code, omitting the leading 0 if there is one. Once you’ve dialed the country code, you have to enter the city code, which may also be called an area code or a zone code. If the person gave you a 9-digit phone number, the city code is the first 2 numbers, so you don’t need to do anything special to find it. Otherwise, you’ll need to know the city you’re calling in order to find the city code.[3]
    • If you know the city you’re calling, you can find the city code by visiting this website, then scrolling down to click on “Saudi Arabia City Codes:” https://countrycode.org/saudiarabia.
    • For instance, if you’re in the U.S. and the person you're calling is in Riyadh, you would dial 011 966 11.

    Tip: If you're calling a mobile number, dial 5 instead of the city code, followed by an 8-digit number.

  4. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 4
    4
    Finish with the 7-digit phone number of the party you're calling. After you’ve entered in all of the prefix information, you can dial the phone number you’re trying to call. This will either be a 7-digit number if you’re calling a landline, or an 8-digit number if you’re dialing a mobile number.[4]
    • For the call from the U.S. to Riyadh, this number would be 011 966 11 xxx-xxxx.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Over the Internet

  1. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 5
    1
    Use a VoIP service to call using your computer. VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, works much the same way as a telephone, but it uses an internet connection instead of a phone line or cell service. To use a VoIP, you'll have to download the program offered by the service you choose, and the other party may need to install the same program. You'll also need a microphone and a speaker or headset, and some VoIP services require you to use a special phone that plugs into your computer.[5]
    • The main advantage of VoIP is that you can make calls for free or for a low monthly fee. However, the call quality may not be as high as calling from a traditional phone. Also, there may be an additional charge if you use the service to call a cell phone or land line.
    • Popular VoIP services include Vonage, Google Voice, and Skype.
  2. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 6
    2
    Download a digital calling app to make free calls from your phone. There are a number of different apps that you can use to make international calls from your tablet or phone. Ask your family, friends, and social media contacts to recommend their favorite, and play around with a few to find the features you like the most. These apps are generally free, although you may incur charges from data use if you don't have an unlimited plan or wi-fi.[6]
    • If the other person needs to use the same app, make sure they know which one to install!
    • Internet calling services were banned at one time in Saudi Arabia, but that ban was lifted in late 2017. However, you should keep in mind that phone calls made over the internet in Saudi Arabia may still be recorded and monitored, and some apps may not work properly.[7]
    • Some popular calling apps include WhatsApp, Viber, and FaceTime.

    Tip: Calls made over the internet consume a lot of bandwidth. To make sure you have the connection you need, make sure you're connected to a stable wi-fi connection before you place your call.

  3. 3
    Use email or instant messaging for a quick and easy way to get in touch. Depending on where you live, it can sometimes be hard to get in touch with someone in Saudi Arabia, due to the differences in time zones and their Sunday-Thursday work week. If you're having trouble finding the time to meet up for a phone call, try sending them a message or an e-mail instead. That way, they'll be able to respond at their leisure.
    4. Advertisement
Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 7
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Following Cultural Guidelines

  1. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 8
    1
    Keep the time zone in mind. Saudi Arabia goes by Arabia Standard Time, or +0300 UTC/GMT. Depending on where you live, this could mean a drastic difference in the time of day. Before you place a call, calculate what time it will be there; otherwise, you might accidentally call and wake someone up in the middle of the night![8]
    • AST is 8 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and 7 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), which lasts from April to October.[9]
    • For example if it's 11:00 a.m. EST in New York, it will be 7:00 p.m. the same day in Saudi Arabia.
  2. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 9
    2
    Observe the Saudi work week. In Saudi Arabia, the work week goes from Sunday through Thursday, as opposed to the Monday-Friday week used in much of the Western world. This is because many businesses are closed each week on Friday to observe the Muslim day of prayer.[10]
    • Avoid calling someone in Saudi Arabia on a Friday for either business or personal reasons. Of course, it's fine if the person specifically asks you to call.

    Tip: If you'll be calling Saudi Arabia often, you may be able to save money on your phone bill by purchasing an international calling card.

  3. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 10
    3
    Call a business back in the evening if you don't reach someone at mid-day. Many businesses open in the morning, then close for a 3-hour break at about 12:00 p.m. local time. They then re-open from 3:00 p.m. until about 6:00 p.m., or later in some cases. If you call between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. AST and don’t reach your party, they may be available in the afternoon.
    • If you're making a personal call, try calling between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. AST, or after 6:00 p.m.
  4. Image titled Call Saudi Arabia Step 11
    4
    Call before 2:30-3:00 PM local time if you're calling a government office. In Saudi Arabia, many government offices close at either 2:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. during the week. To place a call to one of these offices, it's best to call early in the day.[11]
    • Typically, government offices open around 8:00 a.m. AST.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A
Did you know you can get answers researched by wikiHow Staff? Unlock staff-researched answers by supporting wikiHow

  • Question
    How can I call Saudi Arabia for free?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.

    Your best option is to use a free video or voice calling app that you can use on your phone or computer, such as Skype, WhatsApp, or FaceTime. While many of these apps have a history of being banned on and off over the years in Saudi Arabia, users can get around the ban by using a VPN (virtual private network). You’ll need to confirm with the person you’re communicating with that they have the app and are able to use it.
  • Question
    How do I call Saudi Arabia from Australia?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.

    Dial 0011 + 699 + the area code and phone number for the person you are trying to reach.
  • Question
    Can I use WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.

    WhatsApp’s calling function has been intermittently banned in Saudi Arabia, but you may be able to use other features of the app (such as text chat). You can also frequently get around internet calling bans by installing a VPN (virtual private network), which conceals your geographic location.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • To avoid any surprises on your phone bill, be sure to call your service provider to ask about your international calling plan if you're calling from a land line or cell phone.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Call Hungary From the United States
How to
Call Hungary From the United States
Call China
How to
Call China
Make International Calls from the USA
How to
Make International Calls from the USA
Call Australia
How to
Call Australia
Call the UK from the United States
How to
Call the UK from the United States
Call Canada from the UK
How to
Call Canada from the UK
Call London
How to
Call London
Call Scotland
How to
Call Scotland
Dial International
How to
Dial International
Call New Zealand from Australia
How to
Call New Zealand from Australia
Call Canada from Mexico2 Simple Ways to Make a Call from Mexico to Canada
Dial to Mexico
How to
Dial to Mexico
Call the United Arab Emirates
How to
Call the United Arab Emirates
Call Mexico from the United States
How to
Call Mexico from the United States
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/codes.html
  2. ↑ https://www.area-codes.org.uk/international/saudi-arabia.php
  3. ↑ https://countrycode.org/saudiarabia
  4. ↑ https://www.area-codes.org.uk/international/saudi-arabia.php
  5. ↑ https://techterms.com/definition/voip
  6. ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-apps-voip-sip-calls-wi-fi-calling-internet-calling-87396/
  7. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41332743
  8. ↑ https://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_SA.aspx
  9. ↑ http://www.export.gov/saudiarabia/embassyconsulatescheduleholidays/index.asp
  1. ↑ https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-saudi-week-idUKBRE95M08620130623
  2. ↑ https://sa.nepalembassy.gov.np/office-hours/

About This Article

Amy Bobinger
Co-authored by:
Amy Bobinger
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Amy Bobinger has been a writer and editor at wikiHow since 2017. She especially enjoys writing articles that help people overcome interpersonal hurdles but frequently covers a variety of subjects, including health and wellness, spirituality, gardening, and more. Amy graduated with a B.A. in English Lit from Mississippi College in 2011 and now lives in her hometown with her husband and two young sons. This article has been viewed 135,158 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 19
Updated: February 5, 2023
Views: 135,158
Categories: Making International Calls
Article SummaryX

To call Saudi Arabia from a regular or mobile phone, start by dialing your country's 3-digit exit code, which can be found easily online if you don't already know it. Next, dial Saudi Arabia's country prefix, which is 966. Then, dial 5 followed by the 8-digit cell phone number if you're calling a mobile phone. If you're calling a land line, enter the 2-digit city code followed by the 7-digit phone number. For tips on using a VoIP service or app to place your call, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement