Cheap Phone Calls To New Zealand From Uk? Trust The Answer

Capped rates apply to calls lasting up to two hours. Time over two hours will be charged at the usual minute rates.

Capped rates only apply to direct dial voice calls from your private phone. Except 059 and 0161 and other special numbers.

International direct dialing calls from your landline phone are billed by the minute. This means that the call duration is rounded up to the next full minute.

Applies to standard residential plans. Terms and Conditions apply. View Terms and Conditions

Free calls to New Zealand

New Zealand international code: +64

New Zealand Supported Area Codes:

20, 22, 23, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 25, 26, 27

205, 21, 28, 29

New Zealand Supported Destination Cities: Other, Other Mobile Phones, Vodafone Mobile,

Make free calls to New Zealand with PopTox. If you want to make free calls to another country, you can learn more about how PopTox supports free internet calls. All you need is an internet connection to make free calls to New Zealand. Simply enter the phone number using the dial pad and click “Call”. You can now make free calls to New Zealand, using your browser and your internet connection. Call your family and friends today!

Speak from 2 p/min. Instant online top-up. Use any mobile or landline call anywhere

You don’t need to use the PIN when calling from the cell phone you have topped up. However, you can access your DialAbroad credit from any other cell phone or landline by dialing the access number and entering the PIN (meaning friends and family can use the same credit).

This is a standard UK landline number. So if you have free calls to landlines, this should be a free call (more info).

Enter the number to call

At the prompt, enter the New Zealand number you want to call (don’t forget the international access code 0064). Do not press the call button again.

That’s it! Call New Zealand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Visit

opening hours

Office hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Retail stores are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, opening hours vary on weekends. Supermarkets are open later, with some malls open until 9pm on Thursday or Friday evenings. Cafes and restaurants are plentiful in the big cities and open late.

public holidays

1st/2nd January – New Year’s holiday

February 6th – Waitangi Day

good friday

easter monday

April 25 – ANZAC Day

5 June – Queen’s Birthday

October 23 – Labor Day

December 25 – Christmas Day

26 December – Boxing Day

Find out more about the public holidays in New Zealand.

climate

Average low temperatures range from 8°C in mid-winter July to 27°C in January. Summer peak temperatures can reach the 30s in many inland and eastern regions. The warmest months in New Zealand are January and February, with July being the coldest.

For details on the weather in New Zealand, see the World Meteorological Organization.

currency

Oanda Currency Converter

The currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

Time zones and time differences

New Zealand is two hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time. Summer time starts at the end of September and ends at the beginning of April.

To find out the current time in Wellington, see World Clock.

area codes

The country code for New Zealand is +64.

To call New Zealand from Australia, dial: 0011 + 64 + area code + phone number.

To call Australia from New Zealand, dial: 00 + 61 + area code + phone number.

For more information (e.g. area codes) please visit the international area codes.

electricity and water

New Zealand’s electricity supply is 240 volts, 50 Hz 1, 3 phase, 2, 3, 4 wire, as in Australia, with the same plug configurations.

Links and Resources

travel and tourism

New Zealand Travel Guide

Please note: this list of sites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is indicative only. The content is for information purposes only and is not guaranteed; as such, the addressee must exercise discretion in its use. Australian anti-corruption laws apply overseas and Austrade will not provide business related services to parties who break the law and will report credible evidence of a breach. For more information, see the Foreign Bribery Information and Awareness Pack.

Get connected

Turn on your mobile phone and it should automatically select a local network. Once you’re connected, we’ll send you a welcome TXT with details on roaming tariffs. You can select a network manually from your phone’s settings menu. Look for the top-level mobile setting and within that, look for “Network selection”. Are you traveling to the USA? Here are some before you go. You must add country codes to the front of all numbers you call or send from your cell phone, including the country you are in. For example, to call a New Zealand number, replace the 0 at the beginning of the number with +64 (New Zealand country code), which means: 03 345 6789 becomes +64 3 345 6789 and 021 345 678 becomes +64 21 345 687. Sending costs 80 cents per TXT unless you’re daily roaming in a daily roaming destination. Your friends and family in New Zealand can use your number to contact you when you are abroad. Callers outside of New Zealand must continue to use the New Zealand country code – i.e. H. +64 then the number – even if they are sitting right next to you.: Incoming calls are included in daily roaming. Receiving calls to other destinations costs $1.15 per minute. If you’re on a cellular plan and don’t want to receive calls, you can use your cell phone’s Divert All feature to redirect them. Receiving TXTs is free. Learn more about In most countries you can use the shortcode to call your voicemail If you cannot use 707, you must use +64 21 700 700 instead. When you call your voicemail, you will be asked to enter your mobile number and your 4-digit PIN. If you’ve forgotten your PIN, call us free from your mobile on 777 from selected countries – or 888 if you’re a business customer – to change your PIN.

International calls via cell phone

Most mobile phones and smartphones have the “+” sign on the same key as the “0”. To call internationally from most mobile phones or smartphones, simply dial the “+” sign followed by the country code, area code and local phone number as shown above.

TIP: If you travel abroad often, save all numbers in your contacts with the “+” sign. The sign is ignored at home, but saves you the hassle of redialing abroad.

Skype, WhatsApp and other internet-based messaging and calling services have made it easier to keep in touch with friends around the world for free. However, sometimes you can’t avoid making an international call. For those times you probably want a SIM card with affordable international calling. Read Next: Travel SIM Cards – What You Need to Know When Leaving the US for International Travel

Before Brexit you could call all 28 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and more with your UK mobile plan. Suppose you want to use your phone to call abroad or from countries like Australia, India or the United States. In that case, you’ll want a plan with broader coverage or roaming options. Best plans for UK international calls

See also: Best UK Cellular Network – Choose your nearest phone provider Lyca Mobile

Lyca mobile

Lyca offers some of the widest coverage and cheapest dedicated plans for parts of the world, which is especially handy for regular business or personal calls. The network claims to be the world’s largest MVNO and works with a number of operators worldwide.

For frequent callers, the Lyca Globe plan offers 3000 minutes to 40 destinations for £10 every 30 days and unlimited calling and texting to other Lyca SIMs. These include Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the United States as countries outside of traditional EU roaming coverage. You can trade this setup to India for 1,000 minutes if needed.

Alternatively, the all-in-one 10 SIM card covers the same countries but cuts international minutes down to just 500. That deal does include unlimited UK texts and 6GB of data, though, making it handy for use in the UK. Lyca has introduced All in One Plus 15 and 20 plans which include unlimited international minutes for £15 or £20 a month.

Lyca also offers some special packages for regions like Eastern Europe and South Asia. The carrier also offers competitive pay-as-you-go plans for both landline and mobile phones.

Lebara Mobile

Lebara

Lebara Mobile is another MVNO specializing in international SIM plans for cheap international calls in the UK. Like Lyca, the network offers a range of specialized options for calling to specific countries and has the added benefit of Lebara to Lebara calls and SMS always being free. Lebara divides its global calling options into two main categories: international calling packages only and UK local plans.

All Lebara plans grant different international call minutes to 41 destinations. These include Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the US and European nations. Prices start at £5 per cycle for 1,000 UK minutes, 100 International minutes and 2GB of data. £30 a month bumps this up to unlimited international calling minutes and unlimited data.

EE – International SIMs

EE offers dedicated international SIM cards, including minutes, SMS and data, along with its extensive range of UK contract options. We prefer this option over O2’s international SIM cards as it’s a simple credit rather than a complicated top-up system with different national prices and data credits. EE’s SIMs also increase the amount of data you can use every three months by an extra 500MB, so it’s worth sticking with it.

You can travel abroad with EE’s Smart Plan or the cheaper Essential Plan for Android and iPhone. The key difference between the two is the inclusion of smart benefits like Apple Music and BritBox. You can even opt for the Full Works Plan for iPhone, which increases your perks from one to three.

EE offers two international calling options. The £10 package offers 1,000 minutes to a whopping 50 countries. The €20 package increases this to 100 countries, but you only get half as many minutes. Exceeding the allowance or calling outside the EU from the EU will apply standard EE PAYG roaming rates.

PAYG and fees compared As a fallback option, fixed rates for international calls are also charged in every network, which almost always vary depending on which country you are calling. The table below, courtesy of Ken’s Tech Tips (which has compiled tons of extremely valuable data on the subject), shows the cost per minute of calls to some of the most popular overseas destinations:

PAYG customers on certain networks must opt-in for these lower fees. EE customers must text CALL ABROAD to 150 to join the Call Abroad program. O2 customers must use the carrier’s international plan and Vodafone customers must send INTERNATIONAL to 2345 to sign up for the international add-on. Three go roam

Three

While this isn’t technically an international calling package, Three’s Advanced contract plans offer some exciting terms. These plans make it a cheap way to call home when you travel and use your data plan to make free calls to a wide range of countries via the Go Roam offer. Read more: The best phones under £500 in the UK | Under £300

Go Roam Around The World covers 71 destinations (see the full list here), allows unlimited calls and texts back to the UK and European destinations and uses your data plan of up to 19GB at no extra charge. It’s also free to receive calls, texts, photo messages, and video messages. Standard roaming charges will still apply for calling and texting numbers outside of the UK while in these destinations. Even so, calls and texts are free at home, and the key here is to use your roaming data allowance for free calls and texts abroad as well, using internet services like Skype and WhatsApp.

Some Advanced plans include 30GB Personal Hotspot for tethering and Go Binge, unlimited data to stream music and videos from select partner services. Advanced plans with Go Binge start at £14 a month for 12GB of data on a 12-month contract, making them relatively affordable.

If you want a basic calling package, Three offers Call Abroad 100 and Call Abroad Unlimited for £5 and £10 respectively. As you might have guessed, the cheaper plan offers 100 minutes to 55 countries, and the more expensive plan lets you call those 55 countries as many times as you like.

If you’re looking for the best inclusive option to travel on the big four airlines and still get a great deal here in the UK, Three’s Advanced packages offer the best value for money.

EE Unlimited plans

EE offers a similar arrangement to Three, where customers with its pricier unlimited plan get more generous roaming arrangements than just the standard European zones. EE’s Max plans only seem to be available if you grab a new phone and can’t be easily found on the website. So you need to pay close attention to each contract option to ensure the various objectives are included.

EE’s unlimited plan allows customers to use their entire data, text and calling plan to Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States. This makes it a better option than Three if you want to make calls within your travel destination at no extra cost, but the number of countries is much smaller.

Big Four passes and add-ons As a last resort when roaming, each of the big four networks in the UK also offer their customers passes and add-ons, which give access to data and lower costs and more inclusive calls abroad to complement your regular extend contract. Remember that EU roaming comes standard with any PAYG or contract option in the UK, so these packages are strictly for those looking to go further afield and use a reasonable amount of data every day.

Here’s a breakdown of each airline’s fare and what’s included in these optional extras.

EE

Travel Dates Passport O2

O2 Travel Three

Data passport Vodafone

Roaming Additional costs

EE

Travel Dates Pass £4.80 per day, USA & Canada

£6 per day, 9 other countries

£6 per day, 45 other countries (150MB only)

O2

O2 Travel £4.99 per day

Three

Data pass £5 per day

Vodafone

Roaming Another £6 per day

aid

EE

Travel Dates Pass Unlimited UK Minutes

Unlimited UK texts

Up to 500MB of data

O2

O2 travel 120 minutes

120 texts

Unlimited data

Three

Data pass Unlimited data

Vodafone

Roam Further Uses Home fare

Countries

EE

Travel Dates Passport 56

O2

O2 Travel 75

Three

Data passport 89

Vodafone

Continue hiking 104

The cost of these passes adds up very quickly, but they’re a viable way to boost your UK data plans when traveling on short trips outside of Europe. These passes are cheaper than traditional roaming data plans, but they’re only worth it if you’re using quite a bit of data and don’t have any other options. Regular travelers or those who are on the road for long periods of time want a dedicated, more affordable plan. Conclusion International calls no longer have to cost an arm and a leg. Many plans and SIMs support cheap calls to Europe and more and more parts of the world. However, you still need to know where to find the best deals and save money in the long run.

In general, it’s best to stay away from the UK’s largest carriers and even smaller MVNOs to avoid high international calling costs, and instead opt for a dedicated international-based network. Otherwise, some dedicated SIM cards from the big players offer regular international callers better value than their standard plans. Cheap roaming has its own things to consider, but Europe is now well covered by any PAYG or contract option.

Unfortunately, the marketplace is still a jumble of terms and conditions dictating which countries you can call from where. This can be especially problematic if you travel a lot. So always read the fine print of each contract option to see what your plan covers. Next up: The best Android phones to buy in the UK

Comments

Benefits of Using WiFi Calling Abroad

May 5, 2020 Comment Chloe

If you’re preparing to fly abroad, you know that international phone service options can be overwhelming and confusing. Instead of going through the hassle of buying a phone or SIM card, WiFi Calling is the easiest and most affordable choice for wayward globetrotters.

What is WiFi Calling you might be wondering? Wi-Fi calling is simply a service that uses an Internet connection to allow you to make and receive high-quality voice and video calls over a Wi-Fi network instead of your carrier’s network connection. Apple calls Wi-Fi Calling Voice over LTE or VoLTE, AT&T calls it HD Voice, and Verizon calls it either Advanced Calling or HD Voice, but it’s all essentially the same. When abroad, you can use the free Wi-Fi found in many restaurants, hotels, and most public areas, or you can buy your own Wi-Fi hotspot, which you can find at any Best Buy or Walmart in your area be able.

Also see: What is the best streaming device for me?

There are so many benefits to using Wi-Fi calling while on vacation. Of all the international communication options, Wi-Fi calling is the least hassle. Wi-Fi Calling is most likely already installed on your phone as most carriers include it, and it’s available at no extra cost. No researching different providers, no adjusting potentially expensive telephone tariffs and no stress when planning your trip!

As an added bonus, WiFi calls to US numbers are free. No need to worry about extra fees or going over your limit while sightseeing or trying to tan. The stronger your signal, the better your connection will be, but even 1Mbps, the lowest possible signal, is enough to make a call. LTE voice has much higher quality than regular quality because the technology is much more advanced. Even in areas with poor cellular coverage where you have a decent WiFi signal, WiFi calling helps save that precious battery life you need for selfies.

Now you might be wondering if apps like Skype or WhatsApp are the same and/or better than WiFi calling. Although these services are similar, WiFi calling is the best option because you don’t need to download an app or connect to a service, it’s already there right in your phone. No need to go through the hassle of creating an account and remembering your login details. You don’t have to add your contacts like with Skype, and your friends at home can answer your call without having to download the app, which can be annoying and time-consuming. Wi-Fi calling lets you do the same things as Skype, only faster, easier, and doesn’t go through a third party.

While there are potentially many ways to communicate on your overseas trip, Wi-Fi Calling is the only one that doesn’t require you to worry about buying or installing. It’s free, convenient and easy to use. Check today if your carrier is compatible and bon voyage!

Pen 2 2 shares

Anyone remember having to pay for long distance calls? Thanks to our modern mobile service and unlimited minutes, these charges are largely a thing of the past. But what about free international calls?

Perhaps you have a loved one studying or living abroad, or perhaps they are in the military. Maybe you made a friend on a trip and want to keep in touch.

Or maybe you are planning a trip and want to keep in touch with the people back home. Don’t worry – there are many ways to make free international calls and stay connected miles away!

How to make free international calls

Most free international calls use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. This allows you to call a number while using your internet service.

Here are the best ways to make free international calls, almost all of them use the internet.

1. Skype

Skype is one of the easiest ways to make free international calls. It’s been around since 2003 and used by hundreds of millions of people! Skype is now a division of Microsoft.

To use Skype you can download the mobile app for Android or iPhone, use the desktop app or simply access Skype in your browser, no installation required.

As well as using your phone or computer, you can also access Skype on your tablet, Alexa-enabled device or even your Xbox!

You probably know Skype best for video calls, but it can also be used for audio calls when you don’t want or need to show your face.

If you want to talk to a lot of people at once, set up a group call with Skype and you can talk to up to 100 people at once!

Another advantage of Skype is that you can record your call. This is great when you’re talking to loved ones and want to look back at those fond memories later, or when you need to record an important meeting with international colleagues.

Other features include screen sharing and live subtitles.

International calls between Skype users are free if you both use Skype to access the call. Otherwise, you can pay for a subscription to make calls to international cell phones and landlines.

Tariffs to China, for example, start at just 1.9¢/minute. Unlimited plans are also available. You can also send SMS text messages internationally if you pay for a plan.

Please note that as with all VoIP providers, you cannot make emergency calls with Skype.

2. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is another easy – and popular – way to make free international calls. It is used by more than 2 billion people in over 180 countries!

This company joined the Facebook umbrella in 2014, but continues to operate as a separate app. There is no mention of Facebook at all on their homepage.

It’s another VoIP provider, which means you need internet access on your device to send or receive calls.

Users can connect to WhatsApp using a web browser or a mobile device (Android, iPhone, Mac or Windows PC). The app seamlessly syncs all your chats so you can switch between devices and continue your conversations as needed.

WhatsApp started out primarily for sending and receiving texts, but you can also send photos, videos, and documents through WhatsApp, and make voice or video calls.

You can use the app to connect with other WhatsApp users, but you cannot use it to make calls to non-WhatsApp numbers.

WhatsApp also allows for group chats, where you can share messages, photos, and videos with up to 256 people at a time! Small business owners might be interested in using WhatsApp Business to communicate with customers.

Please note that WhatsApp uses your data when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, so keep an eye on your data usage each month if you don’t have unlimited data.

3. FaceTime

If you’re an Apple user, you’re probably already familiar with FaceTime. This is an app only available for iPhone and iPad devices that allows you to make audio and video calls with other iPhone/iPad users.

And yes, FaceTime allows free international calls too!

FaceTime is built into your Apple device, so you don’t even need to download a separate app. Just select FaceTime as an option when you are on the call. It works like a normal phone call – the phone rings and everything.

I like that you don’t need to set up another account to use FaceTime. It’s really seamless if you’re already using an Apple device.

This app has some nifty features that set it apart from the others on this list. SharePlay lets you watch videos and listen to music together, and share your screen to include your favorite apps in the call.

If your friends don’t have an Apple device, that’s fine—you can still invite them to a call using a web link that they can join from their browser. They can’t FaceTime you, but you can still call them.

Other features include voice isolation to block out ambient noise, portrait mode to blur the background, video effects, and more.

You can even set up a group FaceTime call with up to 32 people at once!

FaceTime works over Wi-Fi and cellular, so keep that in mind if you have limited data on your device.

4. Viber

Viber is another great option for making free international calls and texts. It is used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide to communicate.

Use Viber to make voice and video calls with other Viber users via mobile app or desktop download. The mobile app is available on Google Play Store, App Store and Huawei AppGallery.

If you install the app, other Viber users can find you with just your phone number – no need to create another username or anything.

In addition to voice and video calls, you can also send messages to individuals or groups. Stickers and GIFs enhance conversation and all chats are synced between your devices.

With Viber, you can quickly record voice and instant video messages you send, delete and edit viewed messages within a chat, and even set disappearing messages.

This is another VoIP service, which means you need internet access to make and receive calls.

Only calls between Viber users are free, but if you want to make international calls to a landline or mobile device (no app), you can use the Viber Out service to make cheap calls.

Choose from unlimited minutes to 60 countries for $5.99/month or buy minutes for specific countries on a monthly plan. The most flexible option is to purchase World Credits, which you can use anywhere at your own pace.

5TH LINE

LINE is an app that is huge in Asia but still available worldwide to make free international calls.

A mobile app is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store, or you can opt for a desktop download.

LINE allows you to make short calls (up to 5 minutes) almost anywhere in the world for free after watching a short ad. These calls can be made to cell phones or landlines and the recipient does not need to have the LINE app.

But don’t worry – you can talk longer (still free) if you both use the LINE app. Messenger features let you make voice and video calls and send texts with fun stickers, emojis, and themes.

Again, remember that you need internet access on your device to make the free calls. So keep an eye on your data usage or you’ll end up paying your carrier a big debt.

6. Messenger

Messenger is a widely used app that allows you to make free international calls and send messages anywhere in the world.

You might know this better by its former name, Facebook Messenger, but with the recent Facebook rebranding to Meta, it’s now just Messenger.

Messenger is available as a free mobile app and as a desktop download. With it, you can make audio or video calls with other Messenger users. You can also record and send video or text messages.

With this app you can also watch movies, music videos, TV shows and more with your friends and customize your reactions and conversations with fun emojis and effects.

One downside is that you need a Facebook (or Instagram, Portal, or Oculus) account to access Messenger. If you’re skeptical about having a Facebook account, I get it.

Here’s a tip: You can deactivate—not delete—your Facebook account and keep using Messenger.

Messenger easily syncs with your phone contacts and Facebook friends list, so you’ll be up and running in no time.

As with almost every other option on this list, you will need internet access to make your free calls.

7. Google Voice

Google Voice is an easy way to make free international calls…if you’re just calling Canada. If you want to call another country, you can use Google Voice, but you’ll have to pay a per-minute rate (but still cheap).

One benefit of Google Voice is that it creates a whole new phone number for you for free. You don’t have to share your current cell phone number and you can call any of your Google contacts within the US or Canada.

It’s easy to find calling rates to other countries by country. India, for example, only costs 1¢ per minute for landline calls. You only pay 2¢ per minute to call a Chinese landline or mobile device.

While Google Voice isn’t free, it’s still a good option for cheap international calls.

8. Google Duo

Google users may also be interested in making free international calls with Google Duo. All you need is that both users have a Google account!

It is a free and simple video calling app that works on Android and iPhone devices as well as tablets, computers and smart displays.

Connect with your friends and family on Google Duo for one-on-one calls, or leave a note, video, or voice message for later. You can even start a group video call with up to 32 participants!

If you’re worried about Google Duo using too much mobile data, note that Google Duo will automatically lower your connection to 1 Mbps when you can’t connect to a Wi-Fi network.

9. WeChat

You might not have heard much about WeChat if you’re in the US, but it’s huge in China. It is the world’s largest standalone mobile app with over 1 billion monthly active users.

WeChat is available as a mobile app on the App Store and Google Play, and you can also access it via a web browser. You need a WeChat account to make free calls worldwide.

Besides free video and voice calls, WeChat lets you send messages and share photos and videos like other social media apps.

WeChat’s Sticker Gallery offers a wide variety of fun stickers with designs by artists from around the world to add more fun to your chats.

10. PopTox

With PopTox you can make free international calls to any number – even landlines – without downloading a separate app or setting up an account.

It uses VoIP technology from your web browser (which you access on your computer or smartphone) to make calls. Just go to the website, enter the phone number you want to call and click the “Call” button.

So… what’s the catch? Well, PopTox is limited in the number of calls that can be made in a single day.

If you want unlimited calls, you need to sign up for one of their plans, which start as low as $10/month.

11. VoipBuster and VoipStunt

VoipBuster and VoipStunt are free programs that allow you to make free international calls to many different countries.

In order to use any of these services on your computer, you must either download their software onto your computer or access it directly from your browser (Chrome or Firefox).

If you prefer to make calls from your mobile device, you need to install the MobileVOIP app, available on the App Store, Google Play Store and Microsoft Store.

Please note that calls to selected countries (landlines only) are free, but can call other countries at a very reduced rate.

Of course, you can make in-app calls to any country for free if you’re both using the app. These are voice only calls, not video calls. Also, you cannot send text messages.

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summary

Luckily in our always-connected world, there are many ways to make free international calls. All you need is a reliable internet connection via WiFi or a data plan.

Whether you’re communicating within an app or using an app to call a cell phone or landline, it’s easy to stay in touch anywhere in the world.

Examples of base tariffs

Based on the international calling tariffs to some countries published in September 2020, the following table shows the price differences between basic tariffs, monthly tariffs and Skype, one of several options for international calling with an internet app.

International calls from landline phones

Basic Plans vs. Monthly Plans vs. Skype

Calls to: AT&T Basic Rate AT&T Worldwide Value Calling

. $0.08 $0.023 * Prices listed are for minutes in excess of the 300 minutes included in the plan.

International calls to mobile phones

Basic Plans vs. Monthly Plans vs. Skype

1000 international standard minutes from Australia to 15 selected countries.

The $40 Talk Combo top-up includes 1000 international standard minutes from Australia to 15 select destinations. These destinations are Bangladesh, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States of America.

1000 international standard minutes from Australia to 25 selected countries.

The $50 and $60 Talk Combo top-up includes 1000 international standard minutes from Australia to 25 select destinations. These destinations are Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States of America.

90 or 120 international standard minutes from Australia to select countries.

$40+ Talk Combo top-ups include either 90 or 120 international standard minutes. Here are the countries.

Argentina India Portugal Austria Indonesia Puerto Rico Bangladesh Ireland Romania Bermuda Israel Russia Brazil Italy Singapore Brunei Japan South Africa Cambodia Kuwait South Korea Canada Laos Spain Chile Malaysia Spain Canary Islands China Mexico Sweden Colombia Netherlands Taiwan Costa Rica New Zealand Thailand Dominican Republic Nigeria Turkey Finland Northern Mariana Islands United Kingdom France Norway USA Germany Pakistan Vatican City Greece Paraguay Venezuela Guam Peru Vietnam Hong Kong Philippines – Iceland Poland –

When you use one of our $40 Talk Combos you have access to 1000 minutes to the following countries:

Bangladesh Romania Canada Singapore China South Africa Germany South Korea Hong Kong Sweden Ireland UK India USA New Zealand –

When you use one of our $50 call bundles, you have access to 1000 minutes to the following countries:

With Vodafone, calling anywhere in the world doesn’t have to cost the earth. See how much you could save by adding an international extra to your plan.

These apps offer free international calling to at least one, if not many, countries. Most of them also have chat capabilities, so you can keep in touch between calls with quick messages and share photos and videos. Here are our five favorite international calling apps.

International phone calls are cheaper and easier than ever. While it used to be prohibitively expensive to call someone abroad and you often suffered from an unreliable connection, mobile apps and data plans have changed. In many cases you can make international calls free of charge.

01 of 05 Safest: WhatsApp what we like Free voice and video calls.

Group calls available.

End-to-End Encryption. What we don’t like Frequent use can lead to data overload.

Encryption only effective if both parties have the correct version of the app. WhatsApp is a messaging and voice calling app for Android and iOS that uses data, not your cellular plan. You can make voice and video calls to people around the world for free, although you’ll need to keep track of your data usage each month. The app also supports group calls. In 2016, WhatsApp added end-to-end encryption that applies to all messages and calls using the app. However, if you chat with someone who has an older version, none of your communications will be encrypted. There are also web and desktop versions of WhatsApp. You cannot use it to call emergency services like 911 in the US. Download WhatsApp

02 of 05 Best for Group Calls: Skype What We Like Free calls for Skype users.

Can send a video or voice message if the recipient misses your call. What we don’t like Risk of data overflow.

Does not use end-to-end encryption. Skype is a VoIP service that has been around since 2003 and has always been an easy way to make free national and international calls. You can use it for voice, video and group calls of up to 10 participants for free when communicating with other Skype users. There are charges if you’re contacting someone outside of Skype, but the company announces plans upfront, and unlimited monthly packages are available. Like WhatsApp and other services that use data, you can’t use Skype to contact emergency services because they can’t pinpoint your location. Besides Android and iOS, you can also make international calls from your PC or Mac computer, web browser and even Xbox. Download Skype

03 of 05 Best for video calling on iOS: Facetime What we like Free video calling over Wi-Fi.

Communication protected by end-to-end encryption. What we don’t like Android users can only join ongoing calls.

Older devices only support video calls, not voice calls. FaceTime is a free voice and video calling app for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. You can call people worldwide over WiFi or mobile data, except for a few countries. To set up an account, you need an Apple ID. On an iPhone, FaceTime automatically registers your phone number. You can register an email address on an iPad or iPod touch. To contact friends, you need the phone number or email address associated with their Apple ID. You can also switch to a FaceTime call during a regular phone call, as long as you have both accounts. If you’re using iOS 15 or later, you can also invite Android users to calls already in progress with a special join link. Download FaceTime

04 of 05 What we like Can route up to six numbers to your account.

Free Voicemail Transcription.

Can record incoming calls. What we don’t like Can only make outgoing calls from US

Free calls are only available between the US and Canada.

Calls to landlines are not free, only other Google Voice numbers. Our Google Voice Phone Service Review Google Voice is a VoIP service that is mostly free. You can forward up to six numbers to your account, but let each one ring before going to voicemail. If you enable transcription, you can receive emails or text messages with transcripts of your voicemails. In addition to Android and iOS apps, you can also use Google Voice in a desktop browser. If you are in the US, most calls to people in the US and Canada are free. Call rates to other parts of the world vary. Google lists pricing by country on the Google Voice website. Download for: iOS Android

Calls to numbers beginning with 0800 and 0808 are free from all landline and mobile networks. Yes, for free!

However, numbers such as 0844, 0845, 0870 and 0871 are more expensive to call whether you are calling from a landline or mobile. Numbers starting with 09 are usually the most expensive.

There are two ways to say no to expensive 08 numbers:

Use the alternate number that many companies offer for customers calling them from abroad. This number usually begins with +44 1 or +44 2 and is billed like a normal landline number. If that doesn’t work the first time, try dialing 141 first to hide your own location and see if you can get through.

Use the 03 number that many organizations offer instead of the costly 08 numbers. Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than calls to geographic numbers beginning with 01 or 02 and are included in your mobile or landline minute bundle, just like calls to landlines.

Look for these alternate numbers on sites like SayNoTo0870.com