How to call China from Italy
- From mobile
- +86 xx xxxx xxxx
- From landline
- 00 86 xx xxxx xxxx
From $1.06/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial China from Italy
How to make a call to China from Italy: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. Area codes have 2 or 3 digits, such as 21 for Shanghai. Numbers run 7 to 12 digits, so a 10-digit number is valid.
- 00Italy exit code
- 86Country code of China
- 21Shanghai
- xxxx xxxxLocal number
- From a mobile: +86 xx xxxx xxxx
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Example: +86 10 1234 5678
- Mobile
- +86 10 1234 5678
- Landline
- 00 86 10 1234 5678
Main area codes in China
The area code comes right after 86, then the local number
- Shanghai00 8621then the local number
- Chongqing00 8623then the local number
- Chengdu/Ziyang/Meishan00 8628then the local number
- Beijing00 8610then the local number
- Guangzhou00 8620then the local number
- Tianjin00 8622then the local number
- Wuhan00 8627then the local number
- XiAn/Xianyang00 8629then the local number
Before you call China
Dial a city with its area code
Type the area code right after 86, then the local number.
- Beijing00 86 10
- Nanjing00 86 25
- Weifang00 86 536
Drop the 0 of the area code
Chinese numbers are written with a leading 0 at home, and it never follows 86.
- Fails
- 00 86 021 xxxx xxxx
- Works
- 00 86 21 xxxx xxxx
Calling China cell phones
From an Italian mobile, skip 00 and let the plus sign add the exit code.
- Hold 0 until + appears
- Dial 86
- Dial the number
Calling China from Italy without an international plan
Suparelay calls China for $1.06/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in Italy charge up to $2.91/min. TIM, Vodafone, and WINDTRE include China only on one named plan each, and Suparelay needs no plan.
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan neededUp to 2× cheaper | $1.06 |
 | $2.86 + $0.21 per call |
 | No rate published |
 | $0.56 |
Want to call China?
Type the number and call from your browser, with no app and no plan
When to call China
The time now in China, and the best hours to call. The time difference changes in March and October because Italy moves its clocks and China does not.
- Time difference
- March to October: 6 hours ahead of Rome
- October to March: 7 hours ahead of Rome
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
- Time zones
- 2
Why a call to China fails
TIM adds a connection fee outside its EU group
TIM standard mobile tariffs add a 19 cent connection fee to each connected call to a country outside its EU group. The group also includes Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. TIM bills these calls in advance in blocks of 60 seconds.
TIM, Tariffe per le chiamate internazionali dall'ItaliaVodafone and WINDTRE delay international calls on subscription SIMs
Vodafone and WINDTRE switch on international calls for a subscription SIM only after bill payments. A bank account customer waits for 1 payment. A postal payment slip customer waits for 3 payments. A credit card customer has international calls at once.
Vodafone, Abilitazione chiamate internazionaliFrom any country, a call to China also fails when
- The exit code is wrong for your country
- The number does not take calls from abroad
Questions
How to call China from Italy on a cell phone or mobile?
Dial +86, then the number. It works from any mobile in Italy
Are calls to China included in Italy phone plans?
Yes, on most. Vodafone and WINDTRE include calls to China in their plans. Without one of these plans, you pay the carrier's rate per minute
How much does it cost to call China from Italy?
With no plan, carriers in Italy charge up to $2.91 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call Shanghai from Italy?
For Shanghai, dial 00 86 21, then the local number
Do I need to dial 00 to call China?
From a landline, yes: dial 00, then 86. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
How do I dial a +86 number?
Press and hold 0 until + appears, then dial 86 and the number
Can I call China on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Phone app, press and hold 0 for +, then dial 86 and the number. Your plan must allow calls to China
Why isn't my call going through to China?
The usual causes: the exit code is wrong for your country and the number does not take calls from abroad. Each one is listed above, with a link to its fix
How to call China from Italy for free?
An app calls for free only when both sides have it. A call to a landline, or to a phone without the app, costs money
How to call China from Italy on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and FaceTime call for free, but only someone with the same app. To ring a landline or a phone in China without the app, use your phone plan, a calling service, or Suparelay
How to call a China landline from Italy?
From a landline in Italy, dial 00 86, then the number
When is the best time to call China?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in China. March to October: 6 hours ahead of Rome. October to March: 7 hours ahead of Rome
How do I call China from Italy for an international call to China?
Dial 00 86, then the number. From a mobile, +86 works too