How to call the Philippines from the UK

How to call the Philippines from the UK for free

The good news is that there are various ways you can call the Philippines from the UK for free. For some, it may not be practical, but for the more tech-savvy individuals there are apps, web messengers and social media platforms at your disposal to ensure you don’t spend a penny. All you need is a smartphone, tablet or laptop, and the correct apps.

WhatsApp is hugely popular for sending messages around the world, and can be equally useful when it comes to making free calls. From Manila all the way to Cebu City, just make sure that you and whoever you want to speak to have the WhatsApp app downloaded onto a smart device. You can even do a group call if you want to speak to several people at the same time.

Other online platforms include Skype and Zoom, which both became incredibly popular during Covid-19 lockdowns and act as great tools for keeping in touch with loved ones around the world.

If you have Facebook, you can also use the video call function on Facebook Messenger to have a virtual face-to-face conversation with people back home.

How to call the Philippines from a UK landline

Although this may not be the cheapest option, for many people this is still the most convenient and practical way of calling the Philippines from the UK. If you do choose this method, then you can expect to pay the standard BT international rate of  137.06p/min to the Philippines from a landline. Remember to check the exact fee at the time of your call, as it is subject to change.

Fortunately, these days you have slightly more choices when it comes to using a landline, and there are now cheaper alternatives that offer more competitive prices. For example, you can call the Philippines from only 10p per minute using Call2Call, and 8p per minute using Just Call. However, if you do choose to use companies like these, then we strongly recommend reading the full terms and conditions on each respective website before you commit.

How to call the Philippines from a UK mobile

People often think that mobile phone rates are cheaper than a landline, but this is sometimes not the case, and, in many instances, they can actually be higher. If you do use a UK mobile phone to make the call, then we suggest using some of the free services already discussed.

How much a call to the Philippines from a UK mobile costs will depend on your service provider. For example, if you are with O2, then this could set you back £3 a minute if you are on a pay monthly contract. If on a pay monthly contract with EE, then you can expect to pay £3.42 a minute. Therefore, it is wise to check the costs associated with your service provider before you start having lengthy calls to loved ones. Most providers will also offer deals, so make sure you do your homework.

How to call from the UK to the Philippines: other methods

International calling card

Buying an international calling card is an excellent idea if you regularly make phone calls to loved ones in the Philippines and want to ensure you are not getting ripped off while doing so. Whether it is the Post Office, Tesco or Travelex, there are countless suppliers of international phone cards that make your life easier and save you plenty of pennies in the process. Just make sure you always look out for any hidden costs.

Laptop or computer

A lot of people choose to make calls to the Philippines from the UK using a laptop or computer, and one of the main reasons for this is that you can get a larger image than you would on a phone. As we have already mentioned, platforms like Skype and Zoom are reliable and hugely popular around the world. Both platforms offer free services, so all you need is a decent internet connection, both in the UK and in the Philippines for your receiver.

Apps

There are countless apps that you can use on your smartphone or tablet to stay in touch with people overseas. WhatsApp, Google Voice and FaceTime (for Apple users) are probably the most recognised and popular choices, although there are other excellent alternatives. When considering what apps to use, you will want to think about things like security, cost and features.

Good apps for calls from the UK to the Philippines include Rebtel, WeChat, NobelApp and Vonage.

Philippines area codes

The final piece of the puzzle in learning how to call the Philippines from the UK, if you are choosing to call from a landline or mobile, is actually picking up the phone and dialling the number using the correct format.

Follow this process to make a call from the UK to the Philippines:

1. Enter the 00 exit code for the UK. Not only do you need to do this when calling the Philippines, but it is also necessary for any international call.

2. Dial 63, which is the country code of the Philippines.

3. Finally, enter the right area code and the rest of the telephone number. In the Philippines, there are 73 area codes in total. Below, we have listed some of the main ones, but you can check out the full area code list here.

• Antipolo 2

• Bacolod 34

• Bacoor  46

• Batangas 43

• Cagayan de Oro City 88

• Caloocan 2

• Cebu 32

• Dagupan 75

• Dasmariñas 46

• Davao 82

• Iloilo 33

• Manila 2

• Paranaque 2

• Pasig 2

• Quezon 2

• San Pablo 93

• Taguig 2

• Valenzuela 2

• Zamboanga 62

When is the best time to call the Philippines from the UK?

To make sure your loved ones are not fast asleep or at work when you make your call, it is important to know what the time difference is between the UK and the Philippines. The Philippines is eight hours ahead of the UK, but because the UK observes daylight saving time from March to October, this time difference will reduce by an hour during these months.

This communication is intended for marketing purposes only and does not constitute or provide legal, tax, investment or financial planning related advice.