Dialing Code for Turkey: Comprehensive Guide on how to call Turkey

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SUMMARY: The dialing code for Turkey (+90) is a crucial piece of information to make international calls. The article clears up mistakes often made when dialing Turkey from abroad and provides an essential understanding of the overall international dialing code system.

Before I moved to Turkey, I didn’t ever call people internationally.

I’m sure when I went abroad before that I did but technology back then was so different than it is now.

With most people not having landlines and mainly relying on cell phones for just about everything, this is much easier than before.

For starters, we can see what we typed in and more quickly see what we did wrong if we hit a snag.

Now that I have been living in Istanbul for years and regularly call my friends and family back in the States as well as my local friends in Turkey, I have a solid grasp that I hope to pass on to you today.

So let’s take a look at making an international call to Turkey, the different parts of a phone number, and some mistakes to avoid along the way.

The System of International Dialing Codes

Telephone dialing codes, often referred to as country calling codes, are a necessary component in international telecommunication.

These numeric markers at the beginning of an international telephone number act as digital passports, identifying the destination country where each call should be routed.

All country codes are standardized and determined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations.

They all begin with a + and are followed by a two or three-digit number based on the part of the world they are located in. See the image below.

Zone 1 serves Canada, the United States, its territories, and much of the Caribbean. Throughout all of this zone, the code is +1.

Zone 2 uses a mix of 2-digit and 3-digit codes and serves Africa, Greenland, and a few other countries.

Zone 3 and 4 use a mix of 2-digit and 3-digit codes and serve Europe.

Zone 5 uses a mix of 2-digit and 3-digit codes and serves South and Central America.

Zone 6 uses a mix of 2-digit and 3-digit codes and serves Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Zone 7 uses an integrated numbering plan; two digits (7x) determine the area served: Russia or Kazakhstan.

Zone 8 uses a mix of 2-digit and 3-digit codes and serves East Asia, South Asia, and special services. 

Zone 9 uses a mix of 2-digit and 3-digit codes and serves the Middle East, West Asia, Central Asia, parts of South Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Using the right dialing code for Turkey is an essential first step to ensuring a successful international call.

Understanding the various parts of Phone Numbers to make International Calls

So when you want to call someone who lives in a different country, you need to use an international dialing code.

When you dial an international number, you leave your country’s telephone system, switch to the international system, and subsequently enter the telephone system of the country you’re calling.

Beyond the country’s code, you then have an area code followed by the local number.

Every country has their way of doing it and will differ from country to country so you must understand the phone numbers for the country you’re calling.

If you want to get in touch with someone in Turkey from any other part of the world, you have to start with its international dialing code, which is +90.

When using this code to dial a Turkish number, you need to follow this format: +90, followed by the area code and the local number.

For instance, if you were to dial a number in Ankara, you would first dial +90, next the area code for Ankara which is 312, and finally the local number. So, it would look something like this: +90 312 123 4567.

NOTE: the process can slightly differ if you’re dialing from a landline. Some telecommunications providers may require an additional exit code, international direct dialing (IDD) code. (But who uses a landline anymore?)

For example, the code is 011 from the US. If that is so, the dialing becomes 011 + 90 + area code + local number.

On mobile phones, typing in the + essentially negates the need for an exit code, however, as it indicates you’re making an international call.

The area code can also differ depending on the region in Turkey. In today’s world, however, the number is given to you all at once.

Turkey Country Code Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

When dialing into Turkey, people sometimes make errors that lead to unsuccessful calls. Let’s take a look at a couple.

Exit Codes

One common mistake is forgetting or incorrectly using the exit code when dialing from landlines.

Remember, you need to dial the specific exit code of the country you are calling from before the international dialing code, in this case, +90 for Turkey.

Every country has an exit code but 00 is the most common, used by over 200 countries. They are usually two- or three-digit codes consisting of 0s and 1s. Russia’s exit code is 810 and the exit code for the United States is 011.

Area Code in the wrong place

Another common error is incorrect sequencing of the different components of the international number.

Always ensure the sequence is: exit code + international dialing code + area code + local number. For mobile when you type + you indicate an international call and don’t need the exit code.

Neglecting the area code or dialing it after the local number can lead to misdirected calls or an unsuccessful connection.

Wrong Area Code

A misconception is that the same 3-digit area code applies throughout Turkey.

While the international dialing code for Turkey is consistently +90, the area code to be dialed after the country code varies depending on the city you are calling.

For example, the area code for Ankara is 312, 252 for Fetihye, while Istanbul, depending on the side of the city, uses 212 for the European side and 216 for the Asian side.

There are even more than these because landlines will have different area codes than mobile numbers as well as with different phone carriers.

Basically, just get the full number of someone you’re trying to call.

Time Difference

Don’t forget the time zone differences between where you are and where the recipient is.

Turkey doesn’t participate in Daylight Savings Time and so their difference with other countries changes throughout the year.

When I first moved to Turkey I would often get phone calls in the middle of the night as my parents forgot about my night being their day.

Thankfully we got it figured out and Apple added a “do not disturb” feature to the iPhone which has been a game changer for a good night’s sleep. ????

Final thoughts on how to Call Turkey from the US

We’ve delved into the intricacies of making international calls to Turkey, focusing on the all-important dialing code (+90) that allows you access to Turkey’s phones.

We started with an overview of the international dialing code system, highlighting how these codes are standardized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to ensure seamless global communication.

We explored the components of a Turkish phone number and learned that after dialing the country code, callers should include the area code and local number.

We also looked at a few common mistakes, such as forgetting the exit code or misplacing the area code, which can lead to unsuccessful connections.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler, an expat, or a business professional, understanding the nuances of international dialing codes, ensures smooth and successful communication across borders.

Now you can easily stay connected with loved ones or business associates in Turkey, bridging distances with just a few digits.

So, next time you reach for your phone to dial Turkey, remember the code: +90.

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