How to call Saudi Arabia from USA? – Follow These Simple Steps

Imagine you need to connect with a client in Saudi Arabia urgently. You have his phone number but don’t know how to dial and the area code of that city.

Don’t worry. We can help you!

All you need is a quick look at this informative article.

At the end of this blog, you will know how to call Saudi Arabia from USA, also Saudi phone number format, the area codes of top cities, and the best time to call.

So, let’s get into it,

Understanding Saudi Arabia’s Phone Number Format

Understanding Saudi Arabia’s phone number format is important if you want to make a call in Saudi Arabia.

To make a successful call in Saudi, you need to use the correct International phone number format. Saudi Arabia follows an international dialing system similar to most countries, with a designated country code and area codes for different regions.

Saudi Arabian phone numbers follow a specific structure. Understanding this format is the first step to a successful call. A typical Saudi Arabian number looks like this

011 966 [Area Code] [Subscriber Number]

Let’s break it down:

• Dial the Exit Code: The exit code for the U.S. is 011. This tells your phone carrier that you are making an international call

• +966: This is the country code for Saudi Arabia. You’ll need to dial this prefix before any other numbers when calling from the USA.

• [Area Code]: This two-digit code designates a specific region within Saudi Arabia. We’ll explore the area codes in more detail later.

• [Subscriber Number]: This is the unique number assigned to the individual phone line you are trying to reach. It usually consists of seven to eight digits.

For example, a complete Saudi Arabian phone number might look like 011 966 11 123-4567 

Where,

• US exit code= 011

• Country code= 966

• Area code= 11

• Subscriber number= 123-4567

How to Call Saudi Arabia from the USA? Step-by-Step Guide

To make a successful call in Saudi Arabia from the USA. You need to follow some important steps.

However, there are different steps you need to follow if you are calling a landline phone or mobile phone.

To call Mobile phone number

To call Saudi Arabia from the US, follow these steps for a seamless experience:

Calling a Mobile Phone in Saudi Arabia

Step 1: Dial the Exit Code “011.”

• This code allows you to make international calls from the USA.

Step 2: Dial Saudi Arabia’s Country Code “966.”

• This directs your call to Saudi Arabia.

Step 3: Dial the Mobile Prefix.

• Saudi mobile numbers start with 5X.

Step 4: Dial the Recipient’s Local Number.

• After the mobile prefix, enter the remaining seven-digit phone number.

Example:

If calling a mobile phone in Saudi Arabia with the number 055-1234567, dial 011-966-55-1234567

Where,

• Exit code of US: 011

• Saudi Arabia country code: 966

• Saudi’s mobile prefix: 55

• Subscriber phone number: 1234567

Calling a Landline in Saudi Arabia

Step 1: Dial the Exit Code “011.”

Step 2: Dial Saudi Arabia’s Country Code “966.”

Step 3: Dial the Area Code of the City.

Step 4: Dial the Recipient’s Landline Number.

Example:

If calling a business in Jeddah with the landline number 1234567, dial 011-966-12-1234567

Where,

• Exit code of US: 011

• Saudi Arabia country code: 966

• Area code of Jeddah: 55

• Subscriber phone number: 1234567

Area Codes of Saudi Arabia

Here’s a list of the top cities with area code of Saudi Arabia:

Things to Consider While Calling Saudi Arabia

Making a successful call to Saudi Arabia from the US requires careful consideration of business hours, time differences, cultural norms, and public holidays. By bearing these in mind, the caller would be able to communicate effectively and avoid disruptions.

Here are some of the things that you should consider while calling Saudi Arabia.

Business Hours in Saudi Arabia

Most businesses in Saudi Arabia operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Arabian Standard Time (AST, UTC +3), but government offices and some private firms tend to close early.

Working hours are Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as official off-days.

While running errands in advance, it is also wise to avoid calling during the daily prayers that take place five times a day, as the operation of the respective business is usually halted during this time.

Working hours are usually shortened during Ramadan, and more employees shift their work to later in the daytime, hence making daytime calls less effective.

The time difference in Saudi Arabia

Eastern Time (New York, Washington D.C.) is 8 hours behind Saudi Arabia. If it is 3:00 p.m. in Saudi Arabia, it will be 7:00 a.m. in New York.

Therefore, Calls should be booked in the morning for those in the US or early afternoon for those in Saudi Arabia.

Central Time (Chicago, Houston) is 9 hours behind. Since the Saudi Arabia workday will cover the early morning hours in the Central Time Zone, scheduling calls should be done before noon in Saudi Arabia.

Mountain Time (Denver, Phoenix) is 10 hours behind. There is a wide time gap here, but it is best for calls to be made late at night for Saudi Arabia, which will then be early morning for Mountain Time.

Weekends and Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia

The official weekend in Saudi Arabia is on Friday and Saturday; therefore, it is necessary to arrange business calls from Sunday to Thursday.

On the other hand, there are also a few important holidays worth mentioning, such as Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha towards Hajj. During these festivals, businesses usually remain closed for several days.

Moreover, an important day to remember is Saudi National Day on September 23, when most businesses will close. To avoid trouble, always check the Saudi holiday calendar before planning an important call.

Culture of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s business culture thrives on formality, respect, and organization. A business call is usually preferred scheduled and would not be well-received if done unexpectedly. It is commonly a sign of respect to use formal greetings and titles when addressing the profession.

Although punctuality matters a lot, beginning times for a meeting may be a little late virtue of patience. Additionally, prayer times are essential to daily life. Therefore, such calls should not be scheduled within them.

The Best time to Call Saudi Arabia from the USA

Key points: 

• Early morning hours in Saudi Arabia (before 8:00 a.m.) and late evenings (after 6:00 p.m.) are generally not ideal for business calls.

• It is best to schedule calls in the early part of the Saudi workday (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) to ensure availability.

• Avoid calling on Fridays and Saturdays, as these are weekends in Saudi Arabia.

• Consider prayer times and major holidays when planning your call.

Best Practices for Dealing with Time Differences: With the differences between Saudi Arabia and the USA being quite wide, tools such as Google Calendar or Outlook can help. These applications automatically arrange the time zones to make it easy to find a time that suits all parties.

A world clock or time zone converter can also help, informing all parties that they are indeed contacting during business hours.

Challenges While Calling Saudi Arabia from the USA

Making calls to Saudi Arabia from the USA comes with a few challenges that have workability implications, connection quality, and communication. Awareness of these drawbacks could aid in making calls smooth and effective.

Here are some of the challenges that can appear while calling Saudi Arabia from the USA.

High Call Rates: International calls to Saudi Arabia can be highly expensive, and traditional phone carriers charge excess charges for these calls. Many mobile and landline providers can charge exorbitant per-minute rates for international calls.

VoIP services like WhatsApp, Skype, Google Voice, or Zoom help cut down costs since most of these services are inexpensive or even free with a good internet connection.

Different Time Zone: Saudi Arabia uses Arabian Standard Time (AST, UTC +3), and it does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Depending on where you are located in the USA, time differences can range from 8 to 11 hours.

Therefore, while it is daytime in Saudi Arabia, it is likely early morning or late evening in the USA. Always check the time in Saudi Arabia before making calls since you would not want to call too early or too late.

Connection Issue: Even though major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam have excellent mobile and internet infrastructure, calls to remote or rural areas may experience weak signals or disconnect.

Using a good Wi-Fi or data connection would there by likely improve call stability and clarity of audio.

Language Barriers: Arabic is the official language in Saudi Arabia, though many commercial and professional dealings still occur in English.

However, other barriers may present themselves, especially in dealing with local businesses or governmental offices. Simple phrases in Arabic or apps that translate, for example, Google Translate, can help ensure smoother conversations.

The Dialing Procedure: Calling any part of Saudi Arabia will involve a proper dialing format. The area code for international calling to Saudi Arabia is +966, whereas the city code is used for local calls, while for mobile calls, local numbers oftentimes drop the first zero.

Using Dialaxy to call Saudi Arabia from the USA

Dialaxy is an online phone service that helps you talk to friends, family, or business communication in Saudi Arabia. It uses the internet for calls, offering benefits that make it a good choice for talking to people in other countries.

Dialaxy is a phone service company that offers virtual phone numbers mainly for the United States and Canada. These numbers can also be used to call other countries, including Saudi Arabia.

Here’s how you can call Saudi Arabia from the USA with Dialaxy:

Step 1: Set Up Your Dialaxy Account

• Visit Dialaxy’s official website.

• If you don’t have an account, click on “Try For Free” or “Sign Up” to register.

• Provide your name, email, and phone number, then create a secure password.

• Log in to your account after registration.

Step 2: Obtain a Virtual Phone Number 

• Navigate to the “International Phone Numbers” section.

• Select a Saudi Arabian virtual number if you need a local presence in Saudi Arabia.

• Choose the desired area code and complete the purchase process.

Step 3: Add Calling Credits

• Go to the “Billing” or “Account” section.

• Purchase international calling credits suitable for your needs.

Step 4: Dial the Saudi Arabian Number

• Use Dialaxy’s platform or app to make the call.

• Enter the Saudi Arabian number in the international format:

• Start with Saudi Arabia’s country code (+966).

• Include the area code (without the leading zero).

• Then, dial the local number.

• For example, to call a number in Riyadh: +966 11 1234567.

Step 5: Initiate the Call

• Click on the call button to connect.

• Ensure you have a stable internet connection for optimal call quality.

Step 6: Monitor Usage

• After the call, you can check your remaining credits and call history in the “Account” section.

Conclusion

Calling Saudi Arabia from the USA is simple and easy if you know the phone number format and the correct dialing procedure. You just need to know the right way to write phone numbers, which includes the area code, the person’s number, and the country code.

Whether you’re calling for work or talking to family and friends in Saudi Arabia, knowing the right phone number format is all you need.

Using a good VoIP service like Dialaxy makes calling other countries like Saudi Arabia easier, cheaper, and simpler. With clear calls, worldwide numbers, low prices, and helpful call features like call recording and IVR, Dialaxy is a great option for you.

FAQs

Can I call Saudi Arabia from the USA for free?

Yes, you can call Saudi Arabia from the USA free of cost using online calling platforms such as WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram.

What is the area code of Riyadh?

The area code of Riyadh is 11.

How much does it cost to call Saudi Arabia from the USA?

Calling Saudi Arabia from the USA cost can vary depending on the region and service provider. It can range from around $0.10 to $0.80 per minute.