How to Dial Taiwan from the USA? Step-by-Step Guide

Before calling Taiwan from the US, you must know the essential components of an international phone number format for Taiwan. These include: the exit code, Taiwan’s country code, area code, and the subscriber number.

To call any country outside the United States, you must start with the US exit code 011. It tells the carrier that you’re placing an international outbound call.

If you’re calling from a mobile phone, you can replace the code with the + symbol.

The country code 886 connects your call to Taiwan’s national phone network. You must dial this right after the US exit code (011 or +) to direct your call to Taiwan. Without this code, your call won’t connect.

Area codes indicate the specific city or region within the country. Taiwan area codes are 1–2 digits long and are a crucial part of the landline phone numbers. However, they’re not included in the Taiwan mobile numbers. Instead, mobile numbers in Taiwan start with the mobile prefix ‘09’.

Some common Taiwan area codes include:

The subscriber number connects you to a specific person, home, or business. In Taiwan, the total digits in local numbers varies by region and can be 6 to 8 digits long.

To place a call to Taiwan from the USA, dial the US exit code, Taiwan’s country code, followed by the area code (for landline) or mobile prefix (for cell phones) and the 6–8 digit local number.

011 (or +) + 886 + Area Code/Mobile Prefix + Local Number

Though similar, the process slightly differs for landline numbers and mobile phones.

To contact a Taiwanese landline number from the US, dial the US exit code, followed by Taiwan’s country code, then the area code, and the landline number.

• Step 1: Dial the US exit code, 011.
• Step 2: Then, dial Taiwan’s country code, 886.
• Step 3: Enter the area code without the leading 0.
• Step 4: Dial the local 6 to 8-digit local landline number.

To call a Taiwanese mobile number from the US, dial the US exit code, followed by Taiwan’s country code, and the mobile number starting with ‘9’.

• Step 1: Dial the US exit code 011 or ‘+’.
• Step 2: Dial 886, the Taiwan country code.
• Step 3: Dial 9, then the remaining digits.

Note: The mobile number format in Taiwan starts with the 09 prefix, but the leading 0 is omitted when dialing from outside the country.

The best time to reach Taiwan from the US is during Taiwan’s business hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For personal calls, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Taiwan is considered the ideal time.

Before making the call, it’s important to consider the time zone differences between the countries so you avoid calling at an inconvenient time for your recipient. Remember, Taiwan is 12–16 hours ahead of the United States, depending on the various time zones in the US.

The table below breaks down the best time to call Taiwan from different US time zones:

Most US carriers charge anywhere from about $0.06 to $5 per minute for direct calls to Taiwan. However, the exact calling rates depend on your carrier plan and whether you’re dialing a mobile or landline number.

Her e’s the average calling cost for calling Taiwan from the US with some popular US telephone carriers:

Online calling apps, virtual phone numbers, and calling cards offer a cost-effective way to contact Taiwan from the USA. These services often come with lower international calling rates compared to traditional mobile carriers.

Apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and Messenger let you make free voice and video calls using Wi-Fi or mobile data. However, both parties must use the same app for the call. When the internet connection is strong, call quality is usually clear.

A virtual phone number also allows you to make calls over the internet. However, unlike most calling apps, it lets you make and receive calls from regular numbers. The caller and recipient don’t have to use the same app.

VoIP service providers usually provide these numbers at a low rate for international calling. They also come with additional features like call forwarding, voicemail, call transfer, and analytics, among others.

Calling cards are another budget-friendly option if you prefer using a regular phone. These prepaid cards come with fixed international rates and can be used from landlines or mobile phones. They usually charge on a per-minute rate, but they’re still cheap compared to traditional carriers. To use calling cards, simply dial the access number, PIN, and the phone number.

Calling Taiwan from the USA becomes easy once you know the correct dialing format. The key is to use the right codes in the right order: start with the US exit code, add Taiwan’s country code, and then enter the landline (including area code) or mobile number.

You should also be mindful of international calling costs. International calling with traditional carriers is typically expensive. Luckily, there are various alternative ways to save the cost on international calls. Among them, a virtual phone number, in particular, provides the best solution.

Calilio’s virtual phone numbers, for instance, come at an affordable price with low international calling rates, and added features and flexibility. You can make and receive calls from your computer, mobile phone, or tablet, and access extra VoIP features like call routing, voicemail, IVR, call forwarding, call recording, and more. The basic plan starts at just $15 per month, and you get one free US phone number with every subscription.