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How To Call Canada From The UK?

two person communicating between canada and uk

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In our globally connected world, efficient cross-border communication is essential. Whether for business or personal reasons, understanding the elements of international dialing, such as prefixes, country codes, and area codes, is important. When calling Canada from the UK, these components play a crucial role.

Using local mobile phones for international calls can incur high rates. Therefore, businesses should consider VoIP services as a cost-effective alternative. By leveraging internet technology, VoIP offers a hassle-free solution for communication between international locations. Adopting VoIP services to call Canada from the UK is an attractive option for businesses and individuals looking to minimize expenses without compromising call quality and reliability.


Steps To Call Canada From UK

To call Canada from the UK, users need to dial the international prefix (00), country code (1), and an 8-digit phone number. The dialing code for Canada from the UK is 001 for landlines and +1 for mobiles.

Canadian Phone Number Format

The Canadian phone number format varies for local, mobile, toll-free, and emergency phone numbers.
 

  1. Local or landline number: For landline numbers, the format is (+1) country code + area code (XXX) + local numbers (XXX XXXX). For example, the local phone number of Yellowknife is +1 (862) 234-23XX.
     
  2. Mobile phone number format: For mobile numbers, the format is the same as landline. If you are calling from outside Canada, you will have to dial (+1) country code + area code (XXX) + mobile phone number (XXX XXXX). For example, the mobile phone number for Halifax is +1 (902) 765-67XX.
     
  3. Toll-free number: Format for the toll-free number for Canada starts with country code (1) + toll-free code (XXX) + local phone number (XXX XXXX). For example: 1 800 837-64XX.
     
  4. Emergency number: For emergency services, Canada uses a three-digit number, i.e., 911. No area or country code is needed for emergency numbers.

How To Call a Canadian Telephone Number From the UK?

Dialing a Canadian telephone number from the UK differs for landline and mobile phone numbers. Suppose you’re trying to call a Canadian landline phone number, 514 3234 567. Here’s what should you do:
 

  1. International prefix “00” or “+”: Start by dialing the UK’s international prefix. Dial “00” from a landline or “+” from a mobile phone.
     
  2. Canada country code: After dialing the international prefix, enter the country code “1” to indicate you’re trying to call a Canadian phone number.
     
  3. Canada area code: Next, dial the three-digit area code for the location, in this case, “514”
     
  4. Canada landline code: At last, dial the 8-digit landline number, “3234 5XX”
     

Now, the final dialing format would be “00 +1 514 3234 5XX” if you are calling from a landline or “+1 514 3234 5XX” if you are calling from a mobile.

Tips For Calling Canadian Numbers From UK

To communicate with family and friends in Canada at an affordable cost, it is essential to understand international and country rates, IDD (International Direct Dialing) numbers, and country codes.
 

  1. Be aware of country rates: International calling rates can be more expensive than domestic ones. Check the Canadian country rates with your cell phone provider because the cost of a call depends on the destination country. Note that calling from a landline is usually cheaper than placing a call from a mobile device.
     
  2. Understand the dialing process: Dialing code for Canada from the UK differs for landlines and mobile services. You have to dial +1 for the mobile number and 001 for the landline.
     
  3. Check calling credit: Before starting a business or a personal conversation with someone in Canada, UK phone users should check whether or not they have international calling credit with their providers.
     
  4. Use alternative services: If traditional calling rates are too high, explore alternative services like VoIP, international calling cards, and callback services to communicate with global clients and friends.
     
  5. Communicate using free Internet-based apps: Experiment with free VoIP services that utilize the Internet to connect your call, like WhatsApp, Messenger, Viber, and other social media platforms. 

Best Time To Call Canada From the UK

The time difference between Canada and the UK ranges from 5 to 8 hours, depending on the specific locations within each country. To determine the best time for calling Canada from the UK, it is important to consider several factors, including the purpose of the call, the time difference between the countries, public holidays, and weekends. Analyzing the best time to call Canada from the UK is necessary for business purposes. Here are some considerations:
 

  1. Time Zone Differences: There are six different time zones in Canada. For example, when it is 12 pm in the UK, it is 7 am in Eastern time and 8 am in Atlantic time. 
     
  2. Purpose of the Call: It’s best to schedule business-related calls during regular business hours when the recipient is mostly available. Aim for late morning or early afternoon in the UK, which corresponds with morning in Canada.
     
  3. Public Holidays and Weekends: Avoid calling during public holidays and on weekends. 
     

Canada's time zone differs from its different geographical regions.
 

UK Time (GMT)

UK Time (BST)

Canada Time Zone

Canadian Time

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

EST (Eastern Time)

7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

CST (Central Time)

6:00 AM - 8:00 AM

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

MST (Mountain Time)

5:00 AM - 7:00 AM

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

PST (Pacific Time)

4:00 AM - 6:00 AM

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

AST (Atlantic Time)

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

NST (Newfoundland Time)

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

How Much Does It Cost To Call Canada From the UK?

The cost of calling from the UK to Canada can vary widely depending on the service provider and your method: landlines, mobile phones, or internet calling. Here are some options.

1. Landline and mobile providers:

EE: Calls to Canada from the UK from an EE mobile phone cost around  £4.21 per minute.

O2: Calls from O2 mobile phones cost around £1.50 per minute.

British Telecom (BT): BT landline charges 7.83 pence per minute (6.85 pence for Line Only Discount customers) along with a setup fee of 30.40 pence (26.85 pence for Line Only Discounted customers).

2. Internet-based services:

WhatsApp, Viber, and FaceTime: Free voice and video calls if both callers have the apps and a strong internet connection. Viber offers low rates for calls to landlines and mobiles.

Google Voice: Almost all Google Voice calls to Canada are free with a Google account, but some places cost 1 pence per minute.
 
Zoom or Microsoft Teams: They are primarily used for businesses but can be used for personal calls as they offer free video and audio calling.

3. VoIP services:

VoIp service providers like Calilio, Nextiva, and RingCentral, and use existing data networks and offer minimum international calling rates ranging from around £0.05 to £0.18 per minute. This is relatively lower than traditional mobile and landline services. Along with minimizing the calling rate, these VoIP providers also offer a Canadian virtual number, which can aid in establishing a regional presence in the country.

Tips To Reduce Call Costs When Ringing Canada From UK

Calling Canada from the UK can be expensive, but several tools and services can be used to reduce the costs. 
 

  1. VoIP services offer significantly lower rates for international calls as they use internet connections instead of traditional phone networks.
     
  2. Apps such as WhatsApp, Viber, and Skype allow users to make calls over Wi-Fi or data connections and help to eliminate international call charges.
     
  3. Some mobile service providers offer international calling plans for Canada that often include discounted rates and special offers, making calls more affordable. 
     
  4. To ensure you get the best deal, check the calling rates offered by your provider and compare them with other services.

Choose Calilio For Cheaper International Calling

Traditional phones charge extra for international voice calls and are generally more expensive. High infrastructure costs, geographical boundaries, technical complexities, long-distance charges, and quality of service considerations make mobile or telephone systems for international calls more expensive and difficult. In contrast, VoIP technology leverages existing internet infrastructure, offering an accessible and cost-effective solution for international communication. 

Calilio is a cloud-based service provider offering cheaper international calls. With its advanced features and different call management functionalities, such as customized call filtering, call recording, video conferencing, and auto attendance, Calilio enhances business productivity through seamless communication. Calilio offers virtual phone numbers for different countries, making communication between businesses cost-effective and trustworthy.

📖 You may also read: How to Call Denmark from the UK? 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the international phone code for Canada?

The international phone code for Canada is +1 for mobile phones and 001 for the landline number.

What is the cheapest way to call Canada from the UK?

Using different VoIP services like Calilio, Nextiva, WhatsApp, and Viber is the cheapest way to call Canada from the UK.

What is the best way to call Canada from the UK?

The best way to call Canada from the UK depends on your priorities. For call quality and reliability, traditional phone systems are preferred. VoIP services are more cost-effective if you have a strong internet connection.

How can you call Canada from the UK for free?

To call Canada for free from the UK, use VoIP apps, messaging apps, and free online services that utilize the Internet to make calls.


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