Planning to call loved ones, friends, or colleagues in the United Kingdom from your Verizon phone? You're in the right place! Understanding the costs involved can seem a bit complicated with various plans and options, but don't worry. This comprehensive guide will break down how much it costs to call the UK on Verizon and help you choose the most economical option for your needs.
Calling the UK on Verizon: Understanding Your Options
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of pricing, let's explore the main ways you can call the UK using your Verizon service. Each option comes with its own cost structure and benefits, so choosing the right one can save you a significant amount of money.
Step 1: Are You Just Curious, or Do You Need to Make a Call RIGHT NOW?
This is the very first question you need to ask yourself. Are you simply exploring options for future calls, or do you have an urgent need to dial a UK number immediately? Your answer will determine the most appropriate (and potentially cheapest) path forward.
If you need to call right now and haven't prepared: You'll likely be on Verizon's "Pay As You Go" rates, which are typically the most expensive. We'll cover these rates in detail.
If you have some time to plan: You have a variety of international calling plans and services that can significantly reduce your per-minute cost.
Let's proceed with exploring all the possibilities!
Step 2: Unpacking Verizon's International Calling Plans for the UK
Verizon offers several international calling plans designed to reduce the cost of calling abroad. For calls to the UK specifically, these plans can offer excellent value compared to standard pay-per-minute rates.
2.1: Global Choice – Your Dedicated UK Calling Plan
For those who frequently call the UK, Global Choice is often the most cost-effective solution.
What it is: This plan allows you to choose a specific country and receive a bundle of minutes to call that country for a fixed monthly fee. The UK is one of the countries available under this plan.
Cost: $10 per line per month.
What you get: You receive 300 minutes per month to call numbers in the United Kingdom.
After Allowance Rate: Once you exceed the 300 minutes, you get a discounted per-minute rate to the UK. For the UK, this rate is typically $0.05 per minute.
Benefit: This plan provides predictable monthly expenses and a very low per-minute rate for frequent callers to the UK.
2.2: Global Calling – Broader Coverage, Discounted Rates
If you call the UK but also other international destinations, Global Calling might be a good fit.
What it is: This plan offers unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada, plus discounted calling rates to over 220 countries, including the UK.
Cost: $5 per line per month.
What you get: For calls to the UK, the rate is typically $0.05 per minute for landlines and $0.26 per minute for mobile phones (as per some user reports, always verify current rates on Verizon's official site).
Benefit: This is a good general international calling plan that provides significantly lower rates than pay-per-minute for a wide range of countries.
2.3: Global Calling Plus – Unlimited Landline Calls, Discounted Mobile
For those who primarily call landlines in the UK and other countries, this plan could be advantageous.
What it is: Offers unlimited calls from the US to landline phones in over 60 countries (including the UK) and mobile phones in over 30 countries.
Cost: $15 per line per month.
What you get: Unlimited calls to UK landlines. Discounted rates to mobile numbers in selected countries and an additional 160+ countries starting at $0.05/minute.
Benefit: If a significant portion of your calls to the UK are to landlines, this plan provides excellent value.
Step 3: Understanding "Pay As You Go" Rates (The Default Option)
If you do not have an international calling plan added to your Verizon account, your calls to the UK will be charged at the standard "Pay As You Go" international long-distance rates. These rates are significantly higher and can lead to a surprisingly large bill.
Typical Cost to UK (Pay As You Go): While specific rates can vary and are subject to change by Verizon, expect them to be in the range of $1.79 to $1.99 per minute for calls to the UK.
When to Use This: Only use this if you make very infrequent or emergency calls and do not want to commit to a monthly plan. Be extremely mindful of your call duration.
Step 4: Traveling to the UK with Your Verizon Phone (TravelPass & International Monthly Plan)
What if you're the one traveling to the UK and want to use your Verizon phone? The costs are different as you'll be roaming internationally.
4.1: TravelPass – Daily Convenience for Travelers
TravelPass is Verizon's popular option for short trips abroad.
What it is: TravelPass allows you to use your domestic talk, text, and data allowances in over 210+ countries and destinations, including the UK, for a daily fee.
Cost for UK: $12 per line per day. You are only charged on the days you actually use your phone (make or receive a call, send a text, or use data).
What you get: Unlimited talk, unlimited text, and typically 5GB of high-speed data per 24-hour session, after which data speeds are reduced to 3G. You can call within the UK and back to the US.
Important Note: If you call a country other than the US or the one you're visiting (UK), you're charged as if you were in the US and called that country, which might revert to international calling plan rates or pay-per-minute rates.
Benefit: Provides seamless use of your phone as if you were at home, without swapping SIM cards. Ideal for shorter trips or when you need constant connectivity.
4.2: International Monthly Plan – For Longer Stays
For longer trips (generally 9 days or more), a monthly international plan might be more cost-effective than TravelPass.
What it is: A plan offering a set amount of talk, text, and data for a monthly fee while traveling internationally.
Cost: Typically $100 per line per month.
What you get: Unlimited text messaging, 250 minutes of international calling, and unlimited data (with 20 GB of high-speed data, then 3G speeds).
Benefit: Offers more minutes and data for a fixed monthly cost, making it suitable for extended stays in the UK.
Step 5: Smart Alternatives to Consider (Often Cheaper!)
While Verizon offers plans, there are often much cheaper ways to communicate internationally, especially if you have Wi-Fi access.
5.1: Wi-Fi Calling – Your Budget's Best Friend
If you have a Wi-Fi connection, Wi-Fi Calling can be a game-changer.
What it is: Many modern smartphones allow you to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi network, even if you don't have cellular service. When using Wi-Fi Calling from the US to the UK, it generally uses your domestic plan's minutes, meaning it often costs nothing extra if you have unlimited talk.
Cost: Often included with your domestic plan, no additional cost.
Benefit: Significantly reduces costs by bypassing international long-distance charges. Perfect for making calls when you have a stable Wi-Fi connection.
5.2: VoIP Apps (Voice over Internet Protocol) – The Internet's Calling Power
What it is: Apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Google Voice, Zoom, and Facetime (Apple devices) allow you to make calls over an internet connection (Wi-Fi or data).
Cost: Usually free for app-to-app calls (e.g., WhatsApp to WhatsApp). Calling traditional phone numbers via these apps usually involves purchasing credits, which are significantly cheaper than carrier international rates. For example, Skype often offers calls to UK landlines and mobiles for just a few cents per minute.
Benefit: Extremely cost-effective, especially for frequent or long conversations. Requires both parties to have the app or one party to have credits.
5.3: Local SIM Cards or eSIMs (When Traveling) – The Ultimate Savings
If you're traveling to the UK, consider this option for true local rates.
What it is: Purchase a local SIM card upon arrival in the UK, or activate an eSIM before you leave. This gives you a UK phone number and access to local data, talk, and text rates.
Cost: Highly variable, but generally much cheaper than Verizon's TravelPass or International Monthly Plan for extended stays. You can often get unlimited data and a good number of calls/texts for £10-£20 (approximately $12-$25 USD) for several weeks.
Benefit: The most cost-effective option for data, calls, and texts when traveling for more than a few days. Allows you to truly immerse yourself in local connectivity.
Consideration: Your Verizon phone needs to be unlocked to use another carrier's SIM. Many newer phones support eSIM, which makes this even easier as you don't need a physical SIM card.
Step 6: How to Check Your Current Verizon Plan and Add Services
To make an informed decision, you need to know what you currently have and how to add new services.
6.1: Using My Verizon Online or the My Verizon App
Sign In: Log in to your My Verizon account on the website or through the My Verizon app.
Check Plans & Features: Navigate to the "Plans & Services" or "Account" section. You should be able to see your current domestic plan and any active international features.
Add International Plans: Look for sections like "International Calling," "Travel," or "Add-ons." Here, you can explore and add Global Choice, Global Calling, Global Calling Plus, or TravelPass.
Follow Prompts: The system will guide you through adding the desired plan to your line.
6.2: Contacting Verizon Customer Service
Dial 611: From your Verizon phone, dial 611 to speak with customer service.
Ask for International Options: Explain your needs (calling the UK from the US, or using your phone in the UK) and ask about the best plan for your usage.
Get Specific Rates: Request specific per-minute rates for the UK if you choose the "Pay As You Go" option, just to be absolutely clear.
6.3: Texting to Add Plans
Verizon sometimes offers quick text codes to add plans:
Global Choice (UK): Text the keyword for UK (often "UK" or "United Kingdom," verify this on Verizon's site) to 4004.
Global Calling Plus: Text "PLUS" to 4004.
Global Calling: Text "GLOBAL" to 4004.
TravelPass: Text "TRAVEL" to 4004.
Always confirm the exact keywords and numbers on Verizon's official international calling pages.
Step 7: Making the Call – Dialing Instructions for the UK
Once you have your plan sorted, here's how to dial a UK number from your Verizon phone in the US:
7.1: Dialing a UK Landline or Mobile Number
Dial 011: This is the international exit code for calls from the US.
Enter 44: This is the country code for the United Kingdom.
Enter the UK Number: This will be the remaining digits of the phone number, typically starting with a '0' (which you usually drop when dialing internationally, so a number like 020 7XXX XXXX becomes 20 7XXX XXXX).
Example: To call a UK number 020 7123 4567, you would dial: 011 44 20 7123 4567
7.2: Using the Plus Sign on Smartphones
On most smartphones, you can simply hold down the '0' key until a '+' sign appears. This automatically inserts the international exit code.
Example: To call a UK number 020 7123 4567, you would dial: +44 20 7123 4567
This is generally the easiest and most recommended method.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions with quick answers to help clarify common concerns about calling the UK on Verizon:
How to check my current Verizon international calling rates to the UK?
You can check your current rates by logging into your My Verizon account online or via the My Verizon app, or by contacting Verizon Customer Service by dialing 611.
How to add an international calling plan for the UK to my Verizon account?
You can add a plan like Global Choice, Global Calling, or Global Calling Plus through the My Verizon app, the My Verizon website, or by texting the relevant keyword (e.g., "UK" for Global Choice if available, "PLUS" for Global Calling Plus, "GLOBAL" for Global Calling) to 4004.
How to use Wi-Fi Calling to call the UK on Verizon?
Ensure Wi-Fi Calling is enabled in your phone's settings. When connected to Wi-Fi, your calls to the UK will typically use your domestic plan's minutes, often at no extra charge if you have unlimited talk.
How to avoid high international calling charges to the UK on Verizon?
To avoid high charges, add an international calling plan (like Global Choice) or use VoIP apps (WhatsApp, Skype, Google Voice) when connected to Wi-Fi. If traveling to the UK, consider TravelPass or a local UK SIM/eSIM.
How to call a UK mobile number from the US on Verizon?
Dial 011 (or use the '+' symbol) followed by 44 (the UK country code), then the UK mobile number (dropping the leading '0' if present, e.g., for 07XXX XXX XXX, dial 7XXX XXX XXX).
How to activate TravelPass for my trip to the UK?
You can activate TravelPass by texting "TRAVEL" to 4004, or by adding it through the My Verizon app or website. It automatically activates when you use your phone in a TravelPass country.
How to know if my Verizon phone is compatible for use in the UK?
Most modern smartphones (from 2016 onwards) with GSM and LTE compatibility will work in the UK. Verizon's International Trip Planner on their website can also check device compatibility.
How to purchase a local SIM card or eSIM for use in the UK?
If your phone is unlocked, you can purchase a physical SIM card upon arrival at UK airports or phone stores, or buy an eSIM online before your trip from providers like Airalo or Holafly.
How to get customer support for Verizon international services?
You can reach Verizon International Support by dialing 611 from your Verizon phone in the US, or +1-908-559-4899 from abroad (toll-free from a landline in many countries).
How to monitor my international call usage to the UK on Verizon?
You can monitor your usage through the My Verizon app or by logging into your My Verizon account online, where you'll see details of your calls, texts, and data usage, including international usage.