Saudi Arabia's international dialing code is +966. If you are calling from a different time zone, make sure you take into account the time difference between your country and Saudi Arabia. Plan your calls during Saudi Arabian business hours, and avoid contacting Muslims on Fridays unless asked to.
Step
Step 1. Calculate the time difference
If you are calling from a different time zone, make sure you are calling at the correct time for your colleagues in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is 4 hours later than EDT, 8 hours ahead of EST, and 7 hours later than EDT from April to October. So, if it's Monday at 08:00 in New York, then in Riyadh or Jeddah, it is Tuesday at 16:00
Step 2. Plan calls during Saudi Arabia business hours
If you're calling an office or government agency, make sure you're calling during business hours, and if you're making a private call, try calling before or after business hours.
- Saudi Arabia's working hours are Sunday - Thursday, with Friday and Saturday off.
- Some offices are open continuously from 09:00 - 17:00, while other offices are open from 09:00 - 13:00, closed from 13:00 - 16:00, then operate until 20:00. There is also an office that operates from 08:00 - 12:00, breaks at 12:00 - 15:00, and reopens at 15:00 - 17:00. Before calling, make sure you call according to the working hours of the office you are calling.
- Generally, shops open between 9:30 or 10:00, then close at 13:00 and then reopen at 16:00 - 22:00.
- Government offices in Saudi Arabia start operating from 08:00 to 14:30 or 15:00. Plan your calling time appropriately.
- Saudi Arabia is a Muslim-majority country, and Friday is a day of worship for them. Avoid calling on Fridays, unless asked to.
Step 3. Enter your country's international access code before the phone number
This code is required for you to make international calls.
- If you are calling from the United States or Canada, use the code (011).
- Look up your country's international dialing code if you don't already know it. For example, "China international dialing code" or "South Africa international dialing code".
Step 4. Enter (+966) as the country code of Saudi Arabia after the international dialing access code
Also enter the area code if you know it, followed by the phone number you wish to call.
- Landline numbers usually consist of 9 digits, including the area code. 966-(area code)-XXX-XXXX.
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Mobile numbers usually consist of 5 digits. Instead of area code, use 5. 966-5-XXXX-XXXX.
- Find the area code in the Tips section of this article, or search the internet for the area code for your destination city.
Step 5. Check the number before making a call
Make sure you have included the international dialing access code, Saudi Arabia country code, destination area code, and the number you wish to call.
- If you are in America and want to call Riyadh (with area code 11), enter 011-966-11-XXX-XXXX. Replace X with the phone number you want to call.
- If you are in America and want to call a cell phone in Saudi Arabia, enter 011-966-5-XXXX-XXXX. Replace X with the phone number you want to call.
Tips
- Mobile-only area code: 5
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Area codes of major cities in Saudi Arabia:
- Abha: 7
- Al-Bahah: 7
- Al-Quryyat: 4
- Al-Thuqbah: 3
- Arar: 4
- Buraydah: 6
- Dhahran: 3
- Dammam: 3
- Hafar al-Batin: 3
- Yield: 6
- Hofuf: 3
- Jeddah: 2
- Jizan: 7
- Jubail: 3
- Thursday Mushait: 7
- Kharj: 11
- Khobar: 3
- Mecca: 2
- Medina: 4
- Najran: 7
- Qatif: 3
- Riyadh: 11
- Sakakah: 4
- Tabok: 4
- Taif: 2
- Unaizah: 6
- Yanbu: 4
