How to Call Saudi Arabia from the US? A Complete Guide

Before calling Saudi Arabia from the US, you must follow the correct international dialing format. This includes the exit code of the country you’re calling from, the destination country’s code, then the local area code or mobile prefix, and finally the subscriber’s phone number.

1. IAC or Exit Code: When making a call from the US to Saudi Arabia, you must first dial the International Access Code (IAC) or exit code. In the US, the IAC is 011. If you’re calling from a mobile phone, you can replace “011” with the “+” symbol, which is a quicker and more convenient alternative.
2. Country Code: After dialing the exit code, you need to enter Saudi Arabia’s country code, which is 966. This code identifies Saudi Arabia on the global telephone network and connects your call to the country.

3. Area Code: If you’re calling a landline in Saudi Arabia, you must include the area code. Each city or region has its own 2–3-digit area code.
   
   Within Saudi Arabia, callers dial a trunk code (0) before the area code, but when calling internationally, you must remove the trunk code and dial only the area code.
   
   Here are some popular area codes in Saudi Arabia alongside their corresponding cities/regions:

   Region	Area Code
   Abha/Najran/Jezan	17
   Dammam/Khobar/Dahran	13
   Hail/Qasim	16
   Madenah/Arar/Tabuk/Yanbu	14
   Makkah/Jeddah	12
   Riyadh/Kharj	11

4. Mobile Prefix: If you’re calling a mobile number in Saudi Arabia, you must use the mobile prefix instead of the area code. These prefixes always start with the digit five and are usually two to four digits long, and vary depending on the mobile provider.
   
   Like landline numbers, Saudi mobile numbers include a trunk code (0) when dialed within the country. However, when calling from the US, you must remove the leading zero and dial only the mobile prefix and the subscriber number.

   Telecom Operator	Mobile Prefix
   Saudi Telecom Company (STC)	50/53/55/57
   Mobily	54/56
   Zain	58/59
   Virgin Mobile, Lebara, Red Bull Mobile	57X

5. Subscriber Number: This is the unique number assigned to the individual or business you’re trying to reach. It usually contains 7 digits.

To call Saudi Arabia from the USA, dial the USA’s exit code (011 or +), then Saudi Arabia’s country code (966), followed by the recipient's number.

To make an international call to a Saudi Arabian landline number from the United States, dial the US exit code, followed by Saudi Arabia’s country code, the area code, and the landline number.

• Step 1: Enter the US exit code (011).
• Step 2: Enter Saudi Arabia’s country code (966).
• Step 3: Dial the area code for the city or region you’re calling.
• Step 4: Enter the subscriber’s landline number.

To make a call to a Saudi Arabian mobile number from the US, dial the US exit code, followed by Saudi Arabia's country code, mobile prefix and subscriber cell phone number.

• Step 1: Dial the US International Access Code (011).
• Step 2: Enter Saudi Arabia’s country code (966).
• Step 3: Dial the mobile prefix.
• Step 4: Add the subscriber’s mobile number.

To dial a Saudi Arabian toll-free number from the US, start with the US exit code, then add Saudi Arabia’s country code, followed by the toll-free prefix and the subscriber’s number.

• Step 1: Dial the US exit code, 011.
• Step 2: Enter Saudi Arabia’s country code (966).
• Step 3: Dial the toll-free prefix.
• Step 4: Add the subscriber number.

Note: Most Saudi Arabian toll-free numbers can’t be reached from abroad, and even if they do connect, international calling charges will apply.

On average, calling Saudi Arabia from the United States costs between $0.30 and $0.58 per minute, depending on your carrier, the number type (landline or mobile), and your international calling plan. Traditional phone networks often charge higher rates, so frequent callers may find that these costs add up quickly.

Below are the average calling rates charged by major US mobile carriers for calls to Saudi Arabia:

To save on international calling costs when calling from the US to Saudi Arabia, you can use virtual phone numbers, messaging apps, or calling cards. These options let you connect to Saudi Arabia at local or internet-based rates instead of paying high carrier fees.

A virtual number works over the internet instead of traditional phone lines, allowing you to make and receive calls at low international rates. You can easily get one online from a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service provider like Calilio, RingCentral, and Nextiva and use it through your smartphone, computer, or desk phone.

Apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and Telegram let you call Saudi Arabia for free over Wi-Fi or mobile data. As long as both you and the recipient have the app installed and have an internet connection, you can make unlimited audio and video calls at no cost.

Calling cards are prepaid cards that offer discounted rates for calls to specific countries, including Saudi Arabia. You can purchase them online or at retail stores, then dial a local access number to connect your call.

The best time to call Saudi Arabia from the US is between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM Saudi Standard Time (SAST), which corresponds to the country's official business hours. For personal calls, you can call during a convenient time for your recipient, considering the time difference.

Saudi Arabia follows Arabia Standard Time (AST, UTC+3) and does not observe daylight saving time. On the other hand, the US spans several time zones, from Eastern Time (ET) to Hawaii-Aleutian Time (HST). Depending on where you are in the US, the time difference can range from 8 to 13 hours.

Here is a table showing the time zone differences between the US and Saudi Arabia, alongside the best time to call based on standard business hours.

Calling Saudi Arabia from the US is straightforward once you know the correct dialing procedure. By using the proper exit code, country code, and area codes or mobile prefix, you can easily connect with anyone in Saudi Arabia.

Before calling, always check the time difference to ensure you’re reaching your contact during appropriate hours.