How to Call South Korea from the US? A Complete Guide

Before calling South Korea from the US, you need to understand the major components of South Korea’s international phone number format. It includes the exit code, country code, area codes, the mobile prefix, and the subscriber number.

Every international call from the USA must begin with the exit code 011. This code signals the US carrier that the call is being routed outside the country.

South Korea’s country code is 82. This code identifies South Korea as the destination country for your call. Dialing this code after the exit code routes your call to South Korea’s national telephone network.

For landline numbers, South Korea uses geographic area codes that indicate the city or region where the line is registered. These area codes are two or three digits long and are unique for each region.

Below is a breakdown of common South Korean area codes:

Mobile numbers in South Korea don’t use geographic area codes. Instead, they begin with a standard mobile prefix, 010, for all mobile phone numbers. When calling from the US or any other country, the initial ‘0’ is omitted.

The subscriber number is the unique number assigned to an individual or business. The South Korean subscriber numbers for landlines usually consist of 7 or 8 digits, while mobile numbers have 8 digits.

To call a South Korean number from the United States, dial the US exit code followed by the South Korea country code, area code (for landline numbers) or mobile prefix (for cell phone numbers), and the local subscriber number.

To call a South Korean landline from the US, dial the US exit code (011), then South Korea’s country code (82), followed by the area code and the local landline number.

• Step 1: Dial the US exit code: 011 or + (for mobile users).
• Step 2: Enter South Korea’s country code, 82.
• Step 3: Add the South Korean area code (without the leading 0).
• Step 4: Dial the subscriber’s landline number.

To call a South Korean mobile number from the US, dial the US exit code and South Korea’s country code, followed by the mobile prefix (010) and the subscriber number.

• Step 1: Dial 011 or +.
• Step 2: Enter the country code, 82.
• Step 3: Dial the mobile prefix, 10, without the leading zero.
• Step 4: Enter the remaining digits of the mobile number.

To call a South Korean toll-free number from the US, dial the US exit code, followed by South Korea’s country code, and then the remaining phone number. South Korean toll-free numbers usually begin with 080. However, for international calls, the initial “0” is not included.

• Step 1: Dial the US exit code, 011 or +.
• Step 2: Enter South Korea’s country code, 82.
• Step 3: Dial the toll-free prefix, 80.
• Step 4: Enter the remaining digits of the toll-free number.

Note: South Korean toll-free numbers are not always accessible from outside the country. Availability depends on the carrier provider, and international charges may apply.

The best time to call South Korea from the US is during South Korea’s standard business hours, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (KST). For personal calls, you may call at your recipient’s ideal time. However, it is advised to avoid late-night or early-morning calls.

Since South Korea is 14 to 17 hours ahead of the United States, it can be confusing to align your call at the right time. To make it easy for you, here’s a table showing the best time to call South Korea from different time zones in the US:

On average, calls to South Korea from the US can range between $2.49 and $4.00 per minute. The exact cost, however, depends on the service providers. Traditional phone carriers often charge high per-minute rates for international calls, especially when calling mobile numbers.

To reduce international calling costs, consider using social media apps, prepaid calling cards, or virtual phone numbers VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) providers. These alternatives are significantly more affordable than standard carrier rates.

Prepaid calling cards offer a fixed number of minutes for a set price. They’re available online or in local stores. While they offer lower rates than mobile carriers, be cautious of the validity period.

Social media apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, and Messenger allow free calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data. However, both you and the person you’re calling must be using the same app, connected via the internet during the call. These platforms are an excellent choice for personal calls.

A virtual phone number also allows you to make a call over an internet connection. Unlike social media apps, you can call regular phone numbers, including landline numbers. VoIP service providers often provide these numbers at an affordable monthly cost and per-minute rate. You can use them across multiple devices and locations, making them ideal for both personal and professional use.

Calling South Korea from the US doesn’t have to be complicated once you know the correct dialing format. Simply start with the US exit code (011), followed by South Korea’s country code (82), then enter the appropriate area code or mobile prefix and the subscriber number. With these steps, you can place international calls confidently and without errors.

However, international calls through traditional carriers can be costly. To keep expenses under control, consider affordable alternatives such as virtual phone numbers, online calling apps, or prepaid calling cards. Among these options, virtual phone numbers stand out for their flexibility, call quality, and ease of use.

Calilio offers reliable virtual phone numbers that help you reduce international calling costs while staying connected from anywhere with an internet connection. You also get useful call management features like voicemail and call forwarding, even on the basic plan starting at just $15/month, with a free US virtual number included.