Cheapest Way to Call Iran from the UK
Every option compared honestly — WhatsApp, Rebtel, VoIP apps and eSIMs. The right answer depends on your situation, so we cover all of them.
Calling Iran from Your UK Mobile
Your standard mobile network will charge 50p–£1.50 per minute for international calls to Iran. Here are the two options that actually make sense.
Rebtel
The key advantage over WhatsApp: the person you're calling doesn't need a smartphone, internet connection, or any app. Rebtel routes your call over the internet on your end but delivers it as a normal phone call at the Iran end. Rates from around 1–3p per minute.
WhatsApp (Free — with a caveat)
Completely free if the person you're calling has WhatsApp and a reliable internet connection. That caveat matters — if they have unreliable WiFi or data, call quality suffers. Best for regular calls to people you know are online.
Used Skype to call Iran?
Microsoft shut Skype down in May 2025. The best direct replacement for calling Iran landlines and mobiles is Rebtel — same principle, no account needed. For free app-to-app calls, WhatsApp is the natural replacement.
Travelling to Iran? Avoid Roaming Charges
If you're visiting Iran, your UK SIM will cost you significantly more than you expect. EE charges up to £8.45 per day for data outside Europe — which adds up to over £59 on a week's trip just for mobile internet. An eSIM costs a fraction of that and activates before you board.
Airalo
Best for most travellers. Buy a data plan before you leave, scan a QR code, and you have local data rates the moment you land in Iran. No physical SIM swap, no queues at the airport. Plans start from around £3.
Holafly
Better for longer stays or heavy data users. Unlimited data plans mean you never worry about running out — useful if you're making lots of WhatsApp video calls home, using Google Maps constantly, or working remotely during your trip.
Use code ADM for 5% off any plan, or 10% off your first 12 months
Get an Iran eSIM on Holafly →ℹ️ eSIMs are data-only — calls and texts still go through apps like WhatsApp. Your UK number stays active on your phone's physical SIM alongside the eSIM.
Calling Iran from a UK Home Phone
You can still make cheap calls to Iran from a landline — you just need to use Rebtel. Rebtel gives you a personal UK number to ring; your call goes via the internet on Rebtel's side but arrives as a completely normal phone call at the Iran end. No internet needed in your home, and nothing needed at their end either.
Rebtel — from your landline
Sign up at Rebtel, get a dedicated UK number for Iran, then dial that number from your home phone whenever you want to call. The person you're calling receives a normal phone call — no app, no internet, no smartphone needed at their end.
📋 BT Digital Voice switch-over (January 2027)
BT is migrating copper landlines to Digital Voice (internet-based) by January 2027. Rebtel works with Digital Voice landlines just as it does with copper — no changes needed on your end.
All Options at a Glance
Not sure which suits you? Here is a quick summary — use the cards at the top of the page to jump straight to the right section.
| Method | Typical Cost | Needs Internet | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Free | Both ends | Best if both online |
|
|
~1–3p/min | UK end only | Mobile & landline |
|
Standard UK Mobile
EE / O2 / Vodafone — international direct dial
|
50p–£1.50/min | No | Avoid — very expensive |
💡 The most important caveat on WhatsApp: it is genuinely free — but only works if the person you are calling also has a good internet connection. For calling elderly relatives or anyone without reliable WiFi or data, you need a paid option.
How to Dial Iran from the UK
📞 Dialling format
Dial 0098 + area code + local number for landlines, dropping the leading zero. Tehran: 0098 21 + 8-digit number. Mobiles start with 09 — dial 0098 9 + remaining digits.
🕐 Time difference explained
Iran Standard Time is UTC+3:30 in winter and UTC+4:30 during Iranian daylight saving (March–September). This can create unusual time differences with the UK.
