We all know the feeling — you need to call someone overseas, but suddenly what should be a simple task feels oddly complicated. Despite living in an era where we can video chat with astronauts in space, making a basic international call still trips many of us up.

Is it the plus sign first? What’s a country code again? And will this call cost me a small fortune?

Don’t worry. Breaking down the process into simple steps makes international calling much less intimidating. Whether you’re checking in with family abroad, connecting with an international client, or trying to confirm a vacation booking, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know.

Understanding the Basic Structure of International Calls

Let’s start with the foundation. All international phone numbers follow a specific format:

Country code + area/city code + local phone number

That’s it — that’s the magic formula. The country code identifies which nation you’re calling (like 1 for the US and Canada, 61 for Australia, or 44 for the UK). Think of it as the postal country code of the phone world.

The “+” symbol you often see at the beginning isn’t actually something you need to find on your keypad — it’s just a placeholder that represents your country’s exit code (the number that tells your phone system you’re making an international call). Some countries use 00, the US uses 011, and Australia uses 0011.

When saving international contacts, it’s best to use the full format with the plus sign. This way, your phone automatically substitutes the correct exit code no matter where you are. Smart, right?

Four Main Ways to Make International Calls

There are several approaches to making international calls, each with different benefits:

1. Standard Carrier Dialing

This is the most straightforward method — just dial directly through your mobile carrier. While convenient, this can also be the most expensive option unless you have an international calling plan.

2. Internet-Based Apps

Apps like WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom let you make calls over the internet, often for free or at minimal cost. The catch? Both you and your contact need to have the same app and an internet connection.

3. International Calling Cards

Services like Phone Card Point offer prepaid international calling options that can significantly reduce costs. These work by providing local access numbers that connect you to international lines at lower rates.

4. Wi-Fi Calling

Most modern smartphones support Wi-Fi calling, which can reduce or eliminate international charges when calling from a Wi-Fi network.

I’ll break down each method in more detail, so you can choose what works best for your situation.

Step-by-Step: Direct Calling Through Your Carrier

If you need to make a quick call and don’t mind potentially higher rates, here’s how to dial internationally through your carrier:

On iPhone or Android:

1. Open your phone app
2. Enter the plus sign (touch and hold the 0 key until + appears)
3. Enter the country code
4. Enter the rest of the number including the area code
5. Tap the call button

If the + method doesn’t work, you can manually enter your country’s exit code instead (0011 for Australia, 011 for the US, 00 for many European countries).

Before you call: Check with your carrier about international rates or plans. Many carriers offer international packages that can save you money if you call overseas regularly. Without a plan, per-minute rates can be surprisingly high — sometimes $2-3 per minute!

Using Internet-Based Calling Apps

If both you and your contact have smartphones and internet access, this is often the most economical option.

WhatsApp Calling Example:

1. Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi or have a good data connection
2. Open WhatsApp
3. Find your contact’s name
4. Tap the phone icon in the top right
5. Wait for them to answer

The call quality depends heavily on your internet connection. Wi-Fi typically provides better quality than cellular data, especially for video calls.

Other popular options include Facebook Messenger, Skype, Google Meet, and Zoom. All work in similar ways — you just need to make sure the person you’re calling uses the same service.

Using International Calling Cards: A Cost-Effective Solution

International calling cards offer a middle ground between expensive carrier calls and internet-based options that require both parties to have the same app.

Phone Card Point, an Australian company based in Sydney, offers prepaid international calling services that can dramatically reduce the cost of calling over 200 countries. Here’s how their system works:

1. Purchase a calling card online (they’ll email it to you)
2. Dial the local access number provided
3. Enter your 10-digit PIN (unless you’ve set up PIN-less dialling)
4. Dial the international number (country code + area code + local number)

The beauty of this approach is you can call any phone (mobile or landline) without requiring the recipient to have special apps or internet access. There are no hidden fees, and since it’s 100% prepaid, you know exactly what you’re spending.

Another advantage is flexibility — you can use their service from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, or the US to make calls worldwide. Your credit even rolls over, so you never lose what you’ve paid for.

Cost-Saving Tips for Regular International Callers

If you make international calls frequently, consider these strategies to keep costs manageable:

• Compare carrier plans: International add-ons might be worthwhile if you call the same country regularly
• Consider time zones: Off-peak calling can be cheaper with some carriers
• Use Wi-Fi when possible: Make app-based or Wi-Fi calls when you have a strong connection
• Try a hybrid approach: Use prepaid services like Phone Card Point for regular calls, and free apps when both parties can access them

Remember that pricing changes frequently, so it’s worth checking current rates before making extended calls.

Troubleshooting Common International Calling Problems

Not connecting? Here’s a quick troubleshooting checklist:

• Double-check the format: Country code + area code + number
• Remove extra zeros: Some local numbers start with 0, which you often need to remove when dialling internationally
• Verify the country code: Make sure you’re using the correct country code
• Check for dialling restrictions: Some carriers block international calls unless specifically enabled
• Try an alternative method: If direct dialling isn’t working, try an app or calling card service instead

When You’re the Traveler: Calling From Abroad

The process gets a bit more complex when you’re travelling internationally:

• Your phone might connect to local networks with different dialling rules
• Roaming charges can be extremely high without an international plan
• Local SIM cards can save money but change your phone number temporarily

If you’re travelling, international calling cards like those from Phone Card Point can be especially valuable, as they work from multiple countries and have predictable rates without surprise roaming fees.

Wrapping It Up

International calling doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. The key is understanding the basic structure (country code + area code + local number) and choosing the right method for your situation:

• Use your carrier directly for convenience (but watch those rates!)
• Try internet apps when both parties have them
• Consider calling card services like Phone Card Point for reliable, cost-effective calling to any phone
• Leverage Wi-Fi calling when available

With a little practice, international calling becomes just another routine task. The world really is just a phone call away — now you know exactly how to make that call.