When making an international phone call, it is necessary
to use an exit code and country code
before the number you are calling.
The country code TO the US is 1, but if you have family
calling you FROM the U.S. to any of our destination countries, they must insert
a different country code in front of the phone number or the hotel phone number:
Germany
– 49, Czech
Republic – 420, Poland –
48, Hungary
– 36.
Below is an easy table to use including the exit code and
country code for calls in both directions.
Be sure to share it with family.
From
US to Germany – 011 + 49 + (number)
From
US to Czech Republic – 011 + 420 + (number)
From
US to Poland – 011 + 48 + (number)
From
US to Hungary – 011 + 36 + (number)
From any country to US – 00 + 1 + (number)
Our tour
director says that if a family member wishes to reach you on your cell phone, they
do not need to dial the country code though, just your cell mobile number. They
then get automatically forwarded to the roaming service and the receiver pays
the charge.
Dialing the
country code is necessary when someone from the U.S. calls a local number in
that country, e.g. the hotel room.
However, please remember that extensive use of your cell
phone overseas could result in excessively large phone bills when you return
from roaming data charges. See the blog
post on Tips
for Saving $ on International Phone Usage.
An easy way to save money on phone calls is to use the
ekit phonecard for travelers provided by EF.
You get up to 5 minutes free talk time with the card you received. If you like, you can recharge the card
before you go for more minutes and receive a $5 bonus. Please see the details on the card. I have used one before and it is easy to use
with the directions right on the card.
Another way to keep in touch would be email and Skype,
especially with the use of free wifi.
