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Calling Madagascar from the US
How to Call Madagascar from the US?
To call Madagascar from the United States, dial the US exit code 011, Madagascar’s country code 261, operator code and area code (for landline) or mobile prefix (for cell phone numbers), and local subscriber number.
Madagascar phone numbers are 7 digits long in the national format. The first digits indicate the area for landlines or the mobile prefix for mobile numbers.
To call Madagascar from the US, dial:
Landline Number: 011 + 261 + operator code + area code + local number
Mobile Number: 011 + 261 + mobile prefix + subscriber number
Calling a Madagascar from the US
Calling a Madagascar Landline Number from the US
Follow these steps to call a Madagascar landline number from the United States:
Dial the US exit code
Enter 011, the US international exit code.
Dial Madagascar’s country code
Enter 261, the country code for Madagascar.
Enter the operator code and area code
Dial the fixed-line operator code (usually ‘20’) and the area code for the city or region you are calling.
Dial the local number
Enter the remaining local landline number.
Dialing Codes Involved While Calling Madagascar from the US
To successfully call Madagascar from the United States, it's essential to understand the dialing codes involved in the process. These include the US exit code, Madagascar's country code, operator code, area code, mobile prefix and the local phone number.
1. US Exit Code
The US exit code is 011. This code tells your carrier that the call is going outside the US and needs to connect through the international calling network.
However, if you are calling from a mobile phone, you can replace 011 with the + sign. So, 011 261 and +261 work the same way when calling Madagascar from the US.
2. Madagascar Country Code
Madagascar’s country code is 261. The code routes any international call to Madagascar’s telephone network. This code is required for all calls to Madagascar, whether you are calling a landline, mobile number, or service number.
3. Madagascar Operator and Area Codes
Madagascar landline numbers use the regional area code. In the international format, landline area codes are used with an operator code, ‘20’. For example, Antananarivo's regional code is 22. But when called internationally, it is commonly written as 20 22.
Here are some popular Madagascar area codes:
Area/City | Regional Area Code | International Code |
| Antananarivo | 22 | 20 22 |
| Toamasina | 53 | 20 53 |
| Ambatondrazaka | 54 | 20 54 |
| Moramanga | 56 | 20 56 |
| Mahajanga | 62 | 20 62 |
| Antsohihy | 67 | 20 67 |
| Farafangana | 73 | 20 73 |
| Fianarantsoa | 75 | 20 75 |
| Antsiranana | 82 | 20 82 |
| Nosy Be | 86 | 20 86 |
| Sambava | 88 | 20 88 |
| Fort Dauphin | 92 | 20 92 |
| Toliary | 94 | 20 94 |
| Morondava | 95 | 20 95 |
4. Madagascar Mobile Prefixes
Madagascar mobile numbers do not use geographic area codes. Instead, they use mobile operator prefixes such as 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, or 39. These prefixes identify the mobile network and come before the subscriber number in the international dialing format.
5. Local Subscriber Number
The local subscriber number is part of a Madagascar phone number assigned to a specific person, home, office, or business. Madagascar phone numbers are generally 7 digits long in the national format.
Alternative Methods to Call Madagascar from the US
Besides direct carrier dialing, you can call Madagascar from the US through social media apps, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, calling cards, or Wi-Fi calling. These methods are helpful when you want to reduce international call costs, avoid weak mobile coverage, or connect with someone using the internet.
Social Media Apps
Social media apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime, Telegram, and Viber allow voice and video calls to Madagascar using the internet. They work best for personal conversations when both people have the same app installed.
Since the call runs through Wi-Fi or mobile data, you do not need to pay standard international calling rates. However, these apps usually cannot call regular Madagascar landline or mobile numbers directly, so they may not be suitable for business calls or official communication.
VoIP Services
VoIP services let you call Madagascar phone numbers over the internet using a virtual phone number. They provide more useful options than social media apps, as you can also call regular landlines or mobile numbers.
VoIP calls are often cheaper than regular carrier calls. Moreover, these services also include additional tools to help businesses manage calls with features like call forwarding, voicemail, call recording, call routing, and call analytics from one platform.
Calling Cards
A calling card is a prepaid phone service that lets you make long-distance or international calls at lower rates than regular mobile or landline plans. It can be useful for one-time or occasional calls, especially when you do not want to use a mobile app or internet-based service.
However, the actual cost can depend on connection fees, per-minute rates, maintenance charges, and expiry dates, so it is important to check the terms before using one.
Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi calling is a modern smartphone feature that enables you to place calls through a Wi-Fi network instead of using a cellular signal. It is helpful when your mobile coverage is weak, but your internet connection is stable. You can usually call from your phone’s regular dialer without installing another app.
However, calls to Madagascar may still be billed as international calls by your carrier, so check your plan before relying on Wi-Fi calling for international calls.
What’s the Best Time to Call Madagascar from the US?
The best time to call Madagascar from the US is during Madagascar’s business hours, usually between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM in Madagascar. For US callers, this usually means calling late at night or very early in the morning.
Madagascar follows a single time zone, East Africa Time, while the US follows multiple time zones. So, there’s a 7 to 11-hour time difference between the countries.
Also, Madagascar does not observe daylight saving time, but the US does, so the time differences further shift by one hour during certain months of the year.
US Time Zone | Best Time to Call in Madagascar | Time Difference from the US | Best Time to Call from the US |
| Eastern Time | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Madagascar is usually 7–8 hours ahead | 1:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
| Central Time | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Madagascar is usually 8–9 hours ahead | 12:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
| Mountain Time | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Madagascar is usually 9–10 hours ahead | 11:00 PM – 8:00 AM |
| Pacific Time | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Madagascar is usually 10–11 hours ahead | 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM |
Things to Consider Before Calling Madagascar from the US
Use the Correct International Format
When calling Madagascar from the US, make sure the number includes the US exit code, Madagascar’s country code, and the correct local number format.
Review International Calling Charges
Calls from the US to Madagascar can be expensive through traditional carriers, especially without an international calling plan. Before dialing, check your provider’s per-minute rate or consider a VoIP service for lower-cost calling.
Check Call Quality and Connection Stability
If you are using VoIP for calling, your calls to Madagascar may face delays, dropped audio, or poor voice clarity if the mobile network or internet connection is weak. So, use a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection for clear call quality.
How Much Does It Cost to Call Madagascar from the US?
Calling Madagascar from the US through traditional carriers costs around $2.5 to $5.00 per minute. Depending on your carrier, plan, and whether you are calling a landline or mobile number, the cost varies. Traditional carriers often charge higher rates for Madagascar, especially without an international calling plan.
For example, T-Mobile lists Madagascar at $5.00/min without an international add-on plan, while AT&T lists Madagascar at $2.23/min.
VoIP services Calilio offer a lower-cost option for international calls. Use the pricing tool below to check the latest rates for calling Madagascar from the US with Calilio.
Use the pricing tool below to check the current call rates with Calilio:
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These rates are for reference purposes only and don't represent a binding agreement between the customer and Calilio. Price may vary according to number operator.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe for US citizens to call Madagascar?
Yes, it is generally safe for US citizens to call Madagascar if they are dialing a trusted person, business, or verified number. However, callers should avoid returning missed calls from unknown international numbers, as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) warns that scammers may trick people into calling back an unknown number and pay high international charges.
Are Madagascar toll-free numbers free to call from the US?
What does 20 mean in a Madagascar landline number?
Can I call Madagascar from the US for free?
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