Europe Travel Guides

Communication

Telephone overview

To call England from abroad, dial your country's international access code, then 44 (the UK's country code), then the area code (missing out the initial 0).

England's famous red phone boxes can still be seen in city streets and especially in conservation areas, although soulless glass cubicles are more common these days. Either way, public phones accept coins, and usually credit cards. Minimum charge is GBP 0.20 .

Codes or numbers starting with 0500 or 0800 are free; 0845 is local-call rate; 087 is national-call rate; 089 or 09 is premium rate. Codes for mobile phones usually start with 07 and are, obviously, more expensive than calling a land line.

For the operator call 100, and to make reverse-charge (collect) calls dial 155 for the international operator.

Telephone adaptors

The United Kingdom uses the tiny United Kingdom phone jack, which has a clip-in branch that protrudes at a right angle from its square plastic receptacle base.

Mobile phones overview

GSM Coverage is comprehensive across the six main providers in England, though this system is not compatible with the North American GSM 1900 or the totally different system in Japan (though many North Americans have GSM 1900/900 phones that do work in England - check with your provider). Feverish competition means users have a wealth of choices in the UK though charges are relatively high compared to other European countries. You can also rent a phone from various companies from around GBP 20.00 per week, depending on the hire period. In this case, however, you can't use your existing number.

• Buy Lonely Planet England Guidebook
• Discuss England on the message boards
• Book a flight to England