How to Call Ireland from the US with Verizon: A Comprehensive Guide
Ever found yourself needing to connect with someone in the beautiful Emerald Isle from the bustling United States? Whether it's a family member, a business contact, or a friend, making international calls can sometimes feel like navigating a complex maze of codes and rates. But fear not! If you're a Verizon customer, this detailed guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring your calls to Ireland go through smoothly and without a hitch.
Let's Get Started! Are You Ready to Connect?
Before we dive into the technicalities, let's take a moment. Do you have the Irish phone number handy? Is it a landline or a mobile number? Knowing this will be helpful as we proceed. Also, consider the time difference! Ireland operates on Irish Standard Time (GMT+1), which means they are several hours ahead of most of the US. A quick time zone check will help you avoid calling at an inconvenient hour. No one wants to wake up to an unexpected phone call at 3 AM!
Now that you're prepared, let's break down the process into easy-to-follow steps.
Step 1: Understanding the International Dialing Essentials
To make an international call from the US, you need to use a specific sequence of numbers that tells your phone network you're calling outside the country. Think of it as a set of digital "keys" that unlock the international lines.
Sub-heading: The US Exit Code
The first key you need is the US exit code. This code signals to your phone carrier that you're about to dial an international number.
For calls from the US, the exit code is always 011.
Sub-heading: The Country Code for Ireland
Next, you need to specify which country you're calling. Each country has a unique code.
The country code for Ireland is 353.
Step 2: Differentiating Between Landline and Mobile Numbers in Ireland
This is a crucial distinction, as the next part of the dialing sequence depends on whether you're calling a landline or a mobile phone in Ireland.
Sub-heading: Calling an Irish Landline
If you're calling a landline in Ireland, you'll need to include the area code of the specific city or region. It's important to note that when dialing from outside Ireland, you should omit the leading '0' from the Irish area code.
Here are some common Irish area codes:
1 for Dublin
21 for Cork
41 for Drogheda
51 for Waterford
61 for Limerick
91 for Galway
For a comprehensive list, you might need to check a reliable source like Wikipedia or the Irish communications regulator (ComReg).
Sub-heading: Calling an Irish Mobile Number
Irish mobile numbers typically start with 08, followed by 8 digits. Similar to landlines, when dialing from the US, you will omit the leading '0' from the '08' prefix. So, an Irish mobile number that appears as 08X XXX XXXX will be dialed as 8X XXX XXXX after the country code.
Step 3: Assembling the Full Dialing Sequence
Now, let's put all the pieces together!
Sub-heading: For an Irish Landline
The full dialing format for an Irish landline from the US using Verizon is:
011 + 353 + [Irish Area Code (without the leading '0')] + [Local Landline Number]
Example for Dublin: If the Dublin landline number is 01 123 4567, you would dial: 011 353 1 123 4567
Example for Cork: If the Cork landline number is 021 987 6543, you would dial: 011 353 21 987 6543
Sub-heading: For an Irish Mobile Number
The full dialing format for an Irish mobile number from the US using Verizon is:
011 + 353 + [Irish Mobile Number (without the leading '0')]
Example for an Irish mobile: If the mobile number is 087 123 4567, you would dial: 011 353 87 123 4567
Step 4: Checking Your Verizon International Calling Plan & Rates
This is a very important step to avoid unexpected charges on your bill. Verizon offers various international calling options, and the cost per minute can vary significantly.
Sub-heading: Standard Pay-Per-Minute Rates
If you don't have an international calling plan, Verizon's standard pay-per-minute rate for calls to Ireland from the US can be around $1.99 per minute. This can add up quickly, especially for lengthy conversations!
Sub-heading: Verizon International Calling Plans
Verizon offers several plans that can drastically reduce the cost of calling Ireland:
Global Choice: This plan allows you to choose a specific country and get a set number of minutes for a monthly fee. For Ireland, you can get 300 minutes per month for $10 per line, with a discounted per-minute rate after the allowance (often $0.05/min). This is generally the most cost-effective option for frequent calls to a single country.
Global Calling Plus: This plan offers unlimited international calls from the US to landline phones in 60+ countries and mobile phones in 30+ countries for $15 per month per line. Ireland is typically included in this plan for landlines and sometimes for mobiles as well. It also offers discounted rates to an additional 160+ countries.
Pay Per Minute International: If you only call internationally occasionally, you can pay per minute. Rates start from $0.49/min, but for Ireland, it's typically higher as mentioned above.
How to check and add a plan:
My Verizon App or Website: The easiest way to manage your plan is through the My Verizon app or by logging into your account on the Verizon website. Navigate to "Plans" or "International Calling" to see available options and add them to your line.
Texting Verizon: You can also text specific keywords to 4004 to add plans. For Global Choice, text the name of your selected country keyword (e.g., "Ireland" if that's the keyword). For Global Calling Plus, text "Plus".
Contact Verizon Customer Service: If you're unsure which plan is best for you or need assistance, don't hesitate to call Verizon customer service. They can help you understand the rates and activate the most suitable plan for your needs.
Remember, adding an international calling plan will often replace any existing international calling plan on your line.
Step 5: Dialing the Number and Troubleshooting
Once you have your number formatted correctly and your international calling plan sorted, it's time to make the call!
Sub-heading: Making the Call
Simply dial the complete international number sequence on your Verizon phone. Listen for the ringing tone, and hopefully, you'll hear the familiar voice of your contact in Ireland!
Sub-heading: Common Troubleshooting Tips
Double-check the numbers: A single incorrect digit can prevent your call from connecting. Go back and verify the US exit code, Ireland country code, area code/mobile prefix, and the local number.
Omit the leading '0': This is a frequent mistake when dialing Irish landlines and mobile numbers from abroad. Always remember to drop the '0' that typically precedes the area code or mobile network code in Ireland.
Verify your international calling plan: If your call isn't going through or you're getting a message about international restrictions, confirm that your Verizon plan includes international calling to Ireland.
Check time zones: As mentioned earlier, make sure you're calling at a reasonable time for the recipient in Ireland.
Contact Verizon Support: If you've followed all the steps and are still experiencing issues, contact Verizon's customer support. They can help diagnose any network-side problems or account-specific limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to find Ireland's country code?
The country code for Ireland is +353.
How to dial an Irish landline from the US?
To dial an Irish landline from the US, you need to dial 011 (US exit code) + 353 (Ireland country code) + the Irish area code (without the leading '0') + the local landline number. For example, for Dublin (area code 01), you'd dial 011 353 1 XXX XXXX.
How to dial an Irish mobile number from the US?
To dial an Irish mobile number from the US, you need to dial 011 (US exit code) + 353 (Ireland country code) + the Irish mobile number (without the leading '0' from the '08' prefix). For example, if the mobile number is 087 123 4567, you'd dial 011 353 87 123 4567.
How to check Verizon's international calling rates to Ireland?
You can check Verizon's international calling rates to Ireland by logging into your My Verizon account online or through the My Verizon app, or by contacting Verizon customer service directly.
How to add an international calling plan to my Verizon account?
You can add an international calling plan through the My Verizon app, the Verizon website, or by texting specific keywords (like "Ireland" for Global Choice or "Plus" for Global Calling Plus) to 4004.
How to avoid high international calling charges with Verizon?
To avoid high charges, consider adding an international calling plan like Global Choice or Global Calling Plus, which offer significantly discounted rates or bundled minutes for a monthly fee.
How to know the time difference between the US and Ireland?
Ireland operates on Irish Standard Time (GMT+1). You can use an online time zone converter to accurately determine the current time in Ireland relative to your location in the US.
How to dial emergency services in Ireland from the US?
You cannot directly dial Irish emergency services (like 112 or 999) from the US. These numbers are for use within Ireland. If you have an emergency involving someone in Ireland, you would need to call their local contacts or relevant authorities there.
How to call Northern Ireland from the US with Verizon?
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. To call Northern Ireland from the US, you would use the UK country code (+44) and the specific area code for the Northern Irish location (e.g., 28 for Belfast) without the leading '0'. The format is 011 44 [area code without leading 0] [local number].
How to troubleshoot if my call to Ireland isn't connecting?
Double-check all dialed numbers, ensure you've omitted the leading '0' for Irish area codes/mobile prefixes, verify your Verizon international calling plan, consider the time difference, and if issues persist, contact Verizon customer support.
