South Africa Country Code (+27): Complete Guide
Complete guide to South Africa country code +27. Learn how to dial South Africa from abroad, understand Johannesburg, Cape Town area codes, mobile operators (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C), and save money.
South Africa Country Code (+27)
+27 is the country code for South Africa. From the US, dial 011 27 and drop the leading 0: Johannesburg's 011 becomes 011 27 11, and a Vodacom 082 mobile becomes 011 27 82. Cape Town's 021 becomes 011 27 21.
🇿🇦Quick Facts
📞How to Dial South Africa
Universal Format
Always drop the leading 0 when calling South Africa from abroad. 011 becomes 11, 082 becomes 82.
Remember: South African numbers start with 0 domestically. When calling from abroad, always drop this 0. Example: 082 123 4567 becomes +27 82 123 4567.
Johannesburg: Economic Hub
Area code: 011 | South Africa's largest city
🏙️Major City Area Codes
| City | Area Code | Province | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | 011 | Gauteng | +27-11-XXX-XXXX |
| Pretoria | 012 | Gauteng | +27-12-XXX-XXXX |
| Cape Town | 021 | Western Cape | +27-21-XXX-XXXX |
| Durban | 031 | KwaZulu-Natal | +27-31-XXX-XXXX |
| Port Elizabeth | 041 | Eastern Cape | +27-41-XXX-XXXX |
| Bloemfontein | 051 | Free State | +27-51-XXX-XXXX |
| East London | 043 | Eastern Cape | +27-43-XXX-XXXX |
| Polokwane | 015 | Limpopo | +27-15-XXX-XXXX |
| Nelspruit | 013 | Mpumalanga | +27-13-XXX-XXXX |
| Kimberley | 053 | Northern Cape | +27-53-XXX-XXXX |
Note: Domestically, area codes are dialed with a leading 0 (e.g., 011 for Johannesburg). Drop the 0 when calling from abroad (+27 11).
📱Mobile Carriers
South African mobile numbers are 10 digits starting with 0 domestically. Drop the 0 for international calls:
Vodacom
MTN
Cell C
Telkom Mobile
📱 Mobile Format: South African mobile numbers are 10 digits: 0XX-XXX-XXXX. International format: +27-XX-XXX-XXXX (drop the leading 0).
WhatsApp Rules South Africa
95%+ smartphone penetration
WhatsApp is essentially the default communication method in South Africa. Many businesses, from restaurants to service providers, operate primarily through WhatsApp.
💰Cost to Call South Africa
| Service | Rate per Minute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BubblyPhone | from $0.38/min | Pay as you go, no plan needed |
| AT&T | $2.50-4.00/min | Standard international |
| Verizon | $2.00-3.50/min | Without plan |
| T-Mobile | $0.25/min or higher | Varies by plan |
| Free | App-to-app, most popular |
💡 Pro Tip: Given WhatsApp's 95%+ adoption in South Africa, it's almost always the best way to contact someone. For landlines, BubblyPhone offers great rates!
🕐Time Zone
South Africa uses South Africa Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2) year-round. There is no daylight saving time, so the time difference remains constant.
- • 7-11 AM EST = 2-6 PM in South Africa (afternoon)
- • 12-2 PM EST = 7-9 PM in South Africa (evening)
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Start Calling South Africa Today
Calls to South Africa from $0.38/min. Connect with the Rainbow Nation!