Saudi Arabia Country Code (+966): Complete Guide
Complete guide to Saudi Arabia country code +966. Learn how to dial Saudi Arabia from abroad, understand area codes, mobile formats, and save money on international calls.
The Saudi Arabia country code is +966 (dialed as 00966 from most countries, or 011 966 from the US and Canada). Saudi mobile numbers look like +966 5X XXX XXXX (05X XXX XXXX locally, so a number starting +9665 is a Saudi mobile) and landlines like +966 11 XXX XXXX for Riyadh: always 9 digits after 966. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calling Saudi Arabia in 2026, including area codes for Riyadh, Jeddah, and Mecca, mobile carriers, and the cheapest ways to call.
Quick Reference: Saudi Arabia +966
Country Code: +966
Exit Code: 00
Trunk Prefix: 0
Capital: Riyadh
Time Zone: AST (UTC+3)
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR)
How to Call Saudi Arabia
Dialing Format
To call Saudi Arabia from abroad, use this format:
+966 + area code + local numberOr with your country's exit code:
00 966 + area code + local numberDialing Examples
Saudi Arabia Area Codes
Saudi Arabia uses 2-digit area codes for major cities and regions. Drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad.
| City/Region | Area Code | Full Format |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh (Capital) | 11 | +966 11 XXX XXXX |
| Jeddah | 12 | +966 12 XXX XXXX |
| Mecca (Makkah) | 12 | +966 12 XXX XXXX |
| Medina | 14 | +966 14 XXX XXXX |
| Dammam | 13 | +966 13 XXX XXXX |
| Eastern Province | 13 | +966 13 XXX XXXX |
| Tabuk | 14 | +966 14 XXX XXXX |
| Qassim | 16 | +966 16 XXX XXXX |
| Abha (Asir) | 17 | +966 17 XXX XXXX |
Saudi Mobile Carriers & Prefixes
Saudi Arabian mobile numbers start with 05X (+966 5X from abroad) followed by 7 more digits. The digit after the 5 shows which network originally issued the number; subscribers can keep their number when they switch, so it is not always the current carrier:
STC (Saudi Telecom)
050, 053, 055
Largest carrier, best coverage nationwide
Mobily (Etisalat)
054, 056
Second largest, good data plans
Zain Saudi
058, 059
Third carrier, competitive pricing
Virgin Mobile Saudi
0570-0573
MVNO on STC network. Other 057 blocks belong to Lebara (0576-0578, on Mobily); 051 is Salam
Cheapest Ways to Call Saudi Arabia
The cheapest way to call Saudi Arabia is a free WhatsApp call, if the person you are calling uses WhatsApp. To ring a regular Saudi number, Google Voice charges $0.09/min to landlines and $0.13/min to mobiles but needs a Google account and a US Google Voice number. BubblyPhone costs more per minute, but works in any browser with no app, no Google account and no US number.
1. BubblyPhone
Call any Saudi landline or mobile straight from your browser on any device with internet. Billed per started minute, no connection fee, and unanswered calls are free. Rates as of October 2026:
2. WhatsApp
Free calls if both parties have WhatsApp installed. Very popular in Saudi Arabia.
Important Information
Things to Know
- Time Zone: Saudi Arabia is on Arabian Standard Time (AST), UTC+3. No daylight saving time.
- Business Hours: Sunday-Thursday are working days. Friday-Saturday is the weekend.
- Prayer Times: Since 2021, shops are allowed to stay open during the five daily prayers, but many businesses still pause for 20-30 minutes, especially at Friday midday prayer. Avoid calling offices right at prayer time.
- VoIP Restrictions: Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on internet voice and video calls (WhatsApp and similar apps) in September 2017. Calls you place with BubblyPhone reach Saudi numbers over the regular phone network, so the person you call needs no app.
- Emergency Number: 911 (unified emergency number in Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah and the Eastern Province). Elsewhere: 999 (police), 997 (ambulance), 998 (civil defense)
Best Times to Call Saudi Arabia
From USA (EST/PST)
Saudi Arabia is 8 hours ahead of EST, 11 hours ahead of PST (7 and 10 hours during US daylight saving time).
Best time: 8-11 AM EST (4-7 PM in Saudi)
From UK (GMT)
Saudi Arabia is 3 hours ahead of UK time (2 hours during British Summer Time).
Best time: 9 AM-6 PM UK (12-9 PM in Saudi)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the country code for Saudi Arabia?▼
The country code for Saudi Arabia is +966. You can also dial it as 00966 from most countries, or 011 966 from the US and Canada.
How do I call a Saudi mobile number?▼
Dial +966 followed by the 9-digit mobile number (starting with 5X). For example: +966 55 123 4567. Drop the leading 0 if the local number shows 05X.
What is the area code for Riyadh?▼
Riyadh's area code is 11. To call Riyadh from abroad: +966 11 XXX XXXX
What is the area code for Jeddah?▼
Jeddah's area code is 12. To call Jeddah from abroad: +966 12 XXX XXXX
Is WhatsApp calling available in Saudi Arabia?▼
Yes, WhatsApp voice and video calls work in Saudi Arabia as of 2026. The ban on VoIP calling was lifted in 2017.
Call Saudi Arabia for Less
Rates from $0.33/min (as of October 2026). No contracts, no connection fee.