BubblyPhone
RatesToolsHub
iOS AppAndroid App
AI Agents
Sign InGet Started
or
RatesToolsHubiOS AppAndroid AppAI Agents
Sign In with EmailGet Started
BubblyPhone

Affordable international calling for everyone. Crystal-clear calls to 100+ countries with transparent per-minute pricing.

100+ CountriesNo Hidden FeesWebRTC Powered

Product

  • Rates Calculator
  • Getting Started
  • iOS App
  • Android App
  • Business Solutions
  • For Businesses
  • AI Agent API

Learn

  • Knowledge Hub
  • Blog
  • What is WebRTC?
  • VoIP Explained
  • Contact Us
  • Give Feedback

Support

  • Help Center
  • Getting Started
  • Making Calls
  • Call Statuses
  • Why Calls Fail
  • Call Details
  • Transcription
  • Connection Test
  • Managing Contacts
  • Mobile Apps
  • Billing & Credits
  • Refunds
  • Account Settings
  • Troubleshooting
  • Error Codes

Compare

  • vs Rebtel
  • vs Yolla
  • vs Skype
  • vs Dialpad
  • vs Google Voice
  • All Comparisons

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Cookie Policy
  • Acceptable Use
  • Extension Privacy

Reference

Country Codes
US +1India +91Turkey +90Pakistan +92Germany +49Philippines +63Mexico +52UK +44Canada +1Australia +61France +33Japan +81Brazil +55China +86Italy +39Russia +7South Africa +27Nigeria +234Egypt +20Indonesia +62Vietnam +84Thailand +66Malaysia +60
Free Tools
All ToolsCountry Code LookupBest Time to CallCall Cost CalculatorCall Duration CalculatorPhone ValidatorVirtual Number CheckerArea Code LookupDialing GuideRoaming CalculatorCurrency ConverterSMS Character CounterSpam Number CheckerHoliday CalendarEmergency NumbersMicrophone TestCarrier LookupVoIP Speed TestCall Recording LawsWhatsApp Link GeneratorNumber FormatterQR Code GeneratorDTMF Tone GeneratorMorse Code TranslatorVoice RecorderVanity Number ConverterConference Call Planner
Popular Destinations
Call IndiaCall PhilippinesCall MexicoCall PakistanIndia RatesPhilippines RatesMexico RatesPakistan Rates
Dialing Guides
How to Dial IndiaHow to Dial MexicoHow to Dial PhilippinesHow to Dial PakistanInternational CallingHow to Make Calls

Stay in the loop

New rates, features and calling tips — no spam.

More Projects by Vadim

JobXDubaiJobXRecruiterPatientNotes.aiCV-ReviewRechnungen KICareerProofSmilePreviewsGesichtsbehandlung MünchenZahnarzt OberföhringInhype.ioUAE Labour LawDentist DubaiWake MindCasino in DubaiAgents by BubblyPhone

© 2026 BubblyPhone. All rights reserved.

Built by Vadim·𝕏in
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Blog
  4. /
  5. How to Call Saudi Arabia From the US: Complete Guide (+966)
March 19, 2026•3 min read•579 words

How to Call Saudi Arabia From the US: Complete Guide (+966)

How to Call Saudi Arabia From the US: Complete Guide (+966)
Table of Contents
  • How to Dial Saudi Arabia From the US
  • Dialling Format
  • Example Calls
  • Saudi Area Codes
  • VoIP Restrictions in Saudi Arabia
  • Cost Comparison
  • Best Time to Call Saudi Arabia
  • Practical Tips
  • Summary
  • Keep Reading

How to Dial Saudi Arabia From the US

Saudi Arabia uses the country code +966. With over 100,000 American expats living in Saudi Arabia and millions of foreign workers who call home regularly, it is one of the most-called Middle Eastern countries.

Dialling Format

From a US phone: 011 + 966 + area code (without leading 0) + local number

From a mobile with + dialling: +966 + area code (without leading 0) + local number

💡
Saudi numbers start with 0 locally. Drop the leading 0 when calling from abroad. Riyadh is 011 locally, which becomes 966 11 from the US.

Example Calls

Note the potential confusion: "011" appears twice in the Riyadh example. The first 011 is the US international exit code. The second 11 is Riyadh's area code (with the leading 0 dropped). Read it as: exit code (011) + country code (966) + area code (11) + number.

Saudi Area Codes

Saudi mobile numbers start with 05 followed by a carrier-specific digit. Drop the 0 when calling from the US:

  • 050 — STC (Saudi Telecom)
  • 053 — STC
  • 054 — Mobily
  • 055 — STC
  • 056 — Mobily
  • 057 — Zain
  • 058 — Zain

VoIP Restrictions in Saudi Arabia

This is crucial to understand. Saudi Arabia has historically restricted VoIP services. Here is the current situation as of 2026:

  • WhatsApp calls: Now generally work in Saudi Arabia. They were blocked until 2017, but restrictions have been lifted.
  • FaceTime: Audio calls now work. FaceTime was previously blocked on Saudi-sold iPhones, but this restriction has been eased.
  • Skype: Works for audio calls. Video calling on Skype was restricted in the past but is now generally available.
  • Other VoIP services: Most major VoIP apps now work, but smaller or lesser-known services may still face intermittent blocking.
⚠️
Even though VoIP is now mostly allowed, call quality on VoIP services in Saudi Arabia can vary depending on the local ISP. If you experience poor quality on one app, try another.

Cost Comparison

Best Time to Call Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is on Arabia Standard Time (AST, UTC+3) year-round. Saudi Arabia does not observe daylight saving time.

  • 8 hours ahead of ET: 9 AM in New York = 5 PM in Riyadh
  • 11 hours ahead of PT: 9 AM in LA = 8 PM in Riyadh
  • Best window from ET: 8-10 AM ET = 4-6 PM in Riyadh (late afternoon)
  • Business hours: Sunday-Thursday 8 AM - 5 PM AST
💡
Saudi Arabia's work week is Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the weekend. Do not call businesses on Friday — it is the holy day.

Practical Tips

  • Weekend is Friday-Saturday. Saudi Arabia switched from Thursday-Friday to Friday-Saturday weekends in 2013. Sunday is a regular business day.
  • Ramadan changes everything. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced (typically 10 AM - 3 PM). Government offices may close even earlier. Personal calls are best after iftar (sunset meal).
  • Prayer times. Shops and some businesses close for prayer five times daily, typically for 20-30 minutes each time. If you call and nobody answers, it may be prayer time.
  • Vision 2030 modernization. Saudi Arabia is rapidly modernizing. VoIP restrictions have loosened significantly, and communication infrastructure has improved. What was true about calling Saudi in 2020 may not apply in 2026.
  • Expat community. If calling American expats in Saudi Arabia, they likely have access to good internet and modern communication tools. WhatsApp or BubblyPhone will work well.

Summary

To call Saudi Arabia from the US, dial 011 + 966 + area code (without 0) + number. BubblyPhone offers $0.01/min rates. VoIP apps now generally work in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is 8 hours ahead of ET. Remember the work week is Sunday-Thursday, and Ramadan significantly affects business hours.

Keep Reading

  • How to Call Egypt From the US: Complete Guide
  • How to Call Israel From the US: Complete Guide
  • How to Call Turkey From the US: Complete Guide
  • Best International Calling Apps 2026
Blog post illustration
call Saudi Arabia from USinternational callsSaudi Arabia country code+966

Table of Contents

How to Dial Saudi Arabia From the USDialling FormatExample CallsSaudi Area CodesVoIP Restrictions in Saudi ArabiaCost ComparisonBest Time to Call Saudi ArabiaPractical TipsSummaryKeep Reading

Related Articles

Best VoIP Service for Small Business (2026)
8 min
#comparison#voip#international calls+1

Best VoIP Service for Small Business (2026)

Compare the best VoIP service for small business in 2026. We break down Nextiva, Ooma, Google Voice, OpenPhone, and the best browser-based option for international calling.

April 24, 2026
Read more
How to Call El Salvador From the US: Complete Guide (+503)
3 min
#international calls#2026

How to Call El Salvador From the US: Complete Guide (+503)

Call El Salvador from the US for $0.05/min. Complete dialling guide with +503 country code, Salvadoran number formats, and cheapest calling options compared.

March 20, 2026
Read more
How to Call Kenya From the US: Complete Guide (+254)
3 min
#call Kenya from US#international calls#Kenya country code+1

How to Call Kenya From the US: Complete Guide (+254)

Call Kenya from the US for $0.01/min. Complete guide with +254 country code, Kenyan carriers, M-Pesa info, and cheapest calling methods compared.

March 19, 2026
Read more