Call India from UK: 4 Cheapest Methods (2026)
Complete guide to calling India from UK. Compare 4 methods from free to £0.01/min. Learn dialing format, UK to India calling codes, best times to call across time zones.
To call India from the UK, dial 00 91 (or +91), then the area code without its leading 0 and the local number, e.g. 00 91 11 XXXX XXXX for Delhi. Calls are free app-to-app on WhatsApp; to reach any Indian phone number, BubblyPhone costs from $0.091/min (about 7p) from your browser.
Quick Answer: To call any Indian number without a SIM or app, use BubblyPhone from $0.091/min (about 7p). For free calls, use WhatsApp if both parties have the app installed; a Lebara SIM (~3p/min) is cheaper if you call India a lot from a UK mobile.
How to Call India from UK
Dialing Format
India's country code is +91. To call India from UK:
00 91 + area code + phone numberOr use the + format:
+91 + area code + phone numberDialing Examples
4 Best Ways to Call India from UK
1. BubblyPhone
Call Indian landlines and mobiles from the UK in your browser. Pay as you go, no contracts, no SIM change.
2. WhatsApp
Completely free voice and video calls - if both you and the person in India have WhatsApp installed. India has 500M+ WhatsApp users.
3. Lebara Mobile
UK mobile network with good India rates. Useful if you want a physical SIM with international calling included.
4. UK Carrier International Plans
EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three all offer international calling add-ons. Convenient but typically expensive.
Cost Comparison: Calling India from UK
| Service | Rate to India | 1 Hour Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BubblyPhone ⭐ | $0.091/min (~7p) | ~£4 | Any number, no SIM |
| Free | Free | When both have app | |
| Lebara | ~£0.03/min | £1.80 | SIM-based calling |
| EE/Vodafone/O2 | £1-2/min | £60-120 | Emergency only |
Major India Area Codes
Delhi (NCR)
+91 11
Mumbai
+91 22
Bangalore
+91 80
Chennai
+91 44
Kolkata
+91 33
Hyderabad
+91 40
Best Time to Call India from UK
🕐 Time Difference
India is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of UK (GMT). During British Summer Time (BST), India is 4 hours 30 minutes ahead.
Morning calls (UK)
8 AM UK = 1:30 PM India
Evening calls (UK)
6 PM UK = 11:30 PM India
Best times: Call between 6-9 AM UK (11:30 AM - 2:30 PM India) or 2-5 PM UK (7:30-10:30 PM India)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to call India from UK?▼
WhatsApp is free if both parties have the app. For phone numbers, a Lebara SIM costs about 3p/min, and BubblyPhone costs from $0.091/min (about 7p) to any Indian mobile or landline, with no SIM or contract.
Can I call India for free from UK?▼
Yes, using WhatsApp or FaceTime. However, both you and the person in India need to have the same app installed. To call Indian phone numbers directly, you'll need a paid service like BubblyPhone.
What is India's country code?▼
India's country code is +91. From UK, dial 00 91 followed by the area code and phone number, or +91 on a mobile.
How much does EE/Vodafone charge to call India?▼
UK mobile carriers typically charge £1-2 per minute to call India without an international add-on. That's roughly 15-30x more than BubblyPhone. Even with add-ons (£5-10/month), rates are still higher.
Call India from $0.091/min
Pay as you go from your browser. No contracts, no hidden fees.