Alright, let’s talk. Your bestie is studying in Riyadh, your family’s in Jeddah, and your group chat has gone dead because nobody wants to get slapped with a wild phone bill. We feel you. Calling internationally on a regular cell plan is like ordering a tiny bag of chips for $10 – it’s a total scam.
This isn’t your grandma’s boring guide. This is the real tea on how to call Saudi Arabia from the US, packed with all the deets you need. And spoiler alert: we’re gonna show you how Talk Home Mobile is the absolute cheat code for staying connected.
Table of Contents
- The Basic Dialing Format: Crack the Code
- Saudi Arabia’ Country Code: The Main Ingredient
- Real World Examples: Let’s Make Actual Calls
- Need-to-Know Saudi Area Codes
- Time Zone Difference: Don’t Be That Person
- Calling Costs: The Real Deal (Spoiler: It’s Affordable)
- How to Call Saudi Arabia Using the Talk Home App (Your New Secret Weapon)
- Conclusion: Keep It Simple, Keep It Cheap
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I call Saudi Arabia directly?
- How much does a call to Saudi Arabia actually cost?
- Are incoming US calls free in Saudi Arabia?
The Basic Dialing Format: Crack the Code
Think of it as a secret handshake for your phone. To reach Saudi Arabia from any US cell or landline, you gotta input the digits in this exact order:
011 + 966 + Area Code + Local Number
- 011: This is the US Exit Code. It’s your phone’s way of saying, “I’m dipping out of the country, see ya!”
- 966: This is Saudi Arabia’s Country Code. It’s the GPS that routes your call to the right place.
- Area Code: This targets the specific city (like 11 for Riyadh) or mobile network (numbers starting with 5).
- Local Number: The actual digits that ring your person.
Saudi Arabia’ Country Code: The Main Ingredient
Lock this number into your brain: +966. It’s non-negotiable. You need it for every single call. No 966, no Saudi. It’s that simple.
Real World Examples: Let’s Make Actual Calls
Enough theory. Let’s dial some (fake) numbers.
Calling a Riyadh Landline:
Say the number is listed locally as (011) 123-4567.
You’d actually dial: 011 – 966 – 11 – 1234567
Pro Tip: See that first zero in (011)? Yeah, you drop it. It’s a trap.
Calling a Saudi Mobile Phone:
This is where people get confused. If you see a mobile number like 05 1234 5678, here’s what you do:
You dial: 011 – 966 – 5 – 12345678
The key? You treat the 5 as part of the code, not the number. You’re essentially dialing 966-5, then the rest.
Need-to-Know Saudi Area Codes
You don’t need to memorize them all, but here are the big ones:
- Riyadh: 11
- Jeddah / Mecca: 12
- Dammam / Khobar: 13
- Mobile Numbers: All start with 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, or 59.
Want the full list? We’ve got you covered on our Saudi Arabia Country Code page.
Also, check out these blogs:
- How to Call Guatemala from USA – A Comprehensive Guide
- How to Call Thailand from USA – A Comprehensive Guide
- How to Call South Africa from USA – A Comprehensive Guide
- How to Call Philippines from USA – A Comprehensive Guide
- How to Call Switzerland from USA – A Comprehensive Guide
Time Zone Difference: Don’t Be That Person
Nobody wants to get hit with the “do you know what time it is?!” text. Saudi Arabia is 8 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
- 12 PM noon in NYC = 8 PM in Riyadh.
- Plot Twist: When the US springs forward for Daylight Saving Time (March-November), the gap shrinks to 7 hours. Set a reminder, because accidentally waking up your Teta is a federal crime.
Calling Costs: The Real Deal (Spoiler: It’s Affordable)
Here’s the ugly truth: major carriers (yes, the big three) will charge you $1.50 to $3.00 PER MINUTE. Let that sink in. A 10-minute catch-up call could cost you a full meal.
That’s why apps like Talk Home exist. We use your internet connection (Wi-Fi or data) to route calls for pennies. We’re talking fractions of a cent per minute. It’s a no-brainer.
And a massive shoutout to our current Talk Home squad! You guys are the real MVPs, already living that smart-calling life and probably laughing at your old phone bills. We see you!
How to Call Saudi Arabia Using the Talk Home App (Your New Secret Weapon)
This is where it gets easy. Ditch the confusing codes and just… call.
- Download the App: Get it free on iOS or Android. It takes 30 seconds.
- Grab a Plan: Our plans are designed for this exact thing. Top up with a few bucks and you’re set for ages. For example, with Talk Home, calls to Saudi landlines are incredibly low, and calls to mobiles are just as affordable. (Check our website for the latest, always-low rates).
- Dial Normally: Seriously. Just open the app and type in the full number with all the codes (011 966…). The app handles the rest using data, not your carrier’s expensive network.
- Win: You get a real US number for people to call you back on, but you can call the world for cheap. You’re basically winning the calling game.
Conclusion: Keep It Simple, Keep It Cheap
So, yes, you can dial 011 + 966 + number and pray your carrier doesn’t bankrupt you. Or, you can be smart about it.
For anyone who calls Saudi Arabia more than once in a blue moon, the Talk Home Mobile app is the only way to go. It’s affordable, it’s simple, and it just works. Stop overpaying. Download Talk Home, call your people, and keep your cash for something that actually matters.
