calling from one country to another?

[joe]

Question please. If I am making a phone call from one country to another do I do the following: dial 00 followed by the country code, city code and phone number? What if I'm calling a number withing the same country, but a different city, do I dial the same as above except without the country code first...i.e., just the city code followed by number? And lastly, are the phone numbers in europe 7 digits like here in the USA. (not counting the country code and city code)?? I'm just a bit confused on how to make phone calls while I'm there. Especially when I'll be calling a hostel in another country, prior to leaving the country I'm currently going to be in. Any help would be appreciated. thanks!

[MuvverRussia]

Firstly, most payphones have instructions but failing that it's not hard to work it out.

Generally, to call within a city you only need the number (i.e. no city/country code). To call another city you add the area code. Then to call another country you add 00 then the country code, then the area code (omitting the first 0 of the area code), then the number. However, if you're calling from a mobile phone then you replace the first 00 with +.

An example would be a random London number:

7687 7564 (within London)
020 7687 7564 (within the UK)
00 44 20 7687 7564 (International)
+ 44 20 7687 7564 (International Mobile)

If in doubt, add all the extra numbers (they make no difference - e.g. a local call will still get through and be charged correctly even if you were to add the country code).

BTW Phone numbers can vary in length, although it makes no difference to you. For example, a London number is 8 digits excluding the area code (020). Some cities have 7 digit numbers (e.g. Birmingham) and others have 6 (e.g. Norwich) - the same applies in other EU countries.

[joe]

WONDERFUL! Thanks so much. It actually does sound simple! ;D