pscaltreto

Could someone PLEASE explain to me exactly how you dial numbers inside London and from London to the U.S. I thought I saw this mentioned on a previous thread but could not find what I needed when I searched. I have read about this somewhere (cannot remember where but neglected to print out the info. For some reason I'm definitely not getting it!!! Also, I was planning on purchasing a phone card from my local post office to use while in London to call home. I remember somewhere reading that it was less expensive to use a phone card from a public phone rather than from the hotel. Could someone please explain the dialing process for me...I really feel like a dope about this. Thanks again.

Arnie

Buy the phone card in London. They are sold in all the convenience stores. Ask for an international calling card to call the states. Buy as large a denomination as the amount of calling you plan to do.Use the card in payphones. First you dail the local access # that is printed on the back of the card, it is toll free. You will then hear a recorded voice asking for your pin. This # is concealed under a silver strip that you scrap off revealing the pin. Enter the pin #. You will then hear how much money in pounds is left on the card. You will then be asked to enter the # you are calling, international code first then area code and #. The international codes are listed by most of the pay phones. I think the code for the US is 001. After you enter these numbers you will hear how many minutes you have available on the card then your number should go through and you will hear ringing until your party answers. If there is no answer or a busy signal, you are not charged for the call.You'll pay about 35-40 cents/min. which is much better than calling from your room or using your US phone company calling card. Have fun.

pscaltreto

Thank you Arnie!!! Your explanation is crystal clear. At last it makes sense...thank you, thank you, thank you! Why is it better to purchase the card in London? Would it be less expensive than in the U.S. or is the explanation on the card bought in London just more convenient and easier to remember what the procedure is. I'm planning on printing out your response to keep with me while there. Thanks again.

andrew

For dialing the US from London Arnie is right is saying you need to put 001 before the US telephone number. For dialing other London numbers inside London just dial the number you see published in telephone directories e.g 020 7111 1111 (you don't actually need to dial the 020 bit at the start but it will still work if you do)

pscaltreto

Andrew, thank you for your response. I think it's finally getting through to me.