UK's calling cards- call the right number to save $$

On your phone cards, you will see a few numbers. These are the usual “options”:

“Dial access” or “Freephone” --- starting from 0800

“National”-- starting from 0845

“London local access number”--starting from 0207

“Payphone” – starting from 00800

If you don’t have a landline, you got to call the payphone number from a telephone booth. From my own experience, not all public phones allow you to call this number. I did not manage to get connected a couple of times. Through my own experience, your best bet is those RED, traditional looking phone booths. You could connect without any problems from here.

If you live with a friend or have an accommodation that comes with a phone, you could try using 0207. This will give you more minutes than using the 0800 numbers. But check with them first. Most people here would buy a package when they get their land lines, as local calls here are not cheap! (Imagine, the local calls are listed in bills!) With these packages, usually they can call 0207 numbers, or local numbers without any extra charge. Some people have packages where they call for free during night time and weekends, and some could call all day.

Don’t try to use hotel phones…obvious reason—it is very ex!

If you have a GENEROUS friend, or your friend got a phone package that gives them free national calls, you can call 0845, the national number. National numbers are expensive to the phone bill, but give you’re the max number of minutes. Eg: if you use 0845 to call Singapore or Hong Kong, you get 1500 minutes using iphone. If you use 0800 number, you get only 400minutes or less. So, if you can use 0845 number for FREE, use it! Otherwise, don’t fleece your friend.

Lastly, the dial access number or free phone number. You can call this from landlines without incurring any costs to the line owner. So, use without guilt! The minutes are slightly better than payphone numbers (from experience), but worse than 0207 number. However, check before you use your hotel phone, whether they will charge you for using 0800 numbers. By right, they should not.

Related Posts in My blog:

• Getting around Cheaply in London- An insider's guide
  
• EAT WELL, EAT CHEAP in London (coming soon).
• SLEEP WELL, SLeep SAFELY and CHEAPLY in London(coming soon)
• CALLING HOME CHEAPLY from London!!