International Calling Rates
Dial any Guinea-Bissau number directly from your browser or phone — no downloads, no hidden fees. Transparent per-minute pricing to mobiles and landlines across the country.
Guinea-Bissau
Country code +245
$2.00
Landline
$2.30
Mobile
~60%
vs retail*
Average call quality
*Illustrative savings vs 2.5× directory rate — not a carrier quote.
Simple steps
Drag the slider to match your Guinea-Bissau call volume. See what you're spending versus what you could be spending with Sayfone.
Drag slider to adjust
220
min / month
~$98.00/min
~$74.00/min
~$44.00/min
~$10.00/min
$2.000/min
Annual saving vs. AT&T
Based on 220 min/month
GETTING STARTED
No app installations, no calling cards, no complicated setup. Start calling Guinea-Bissau landlines and mobiles right from your browser or phone in under a minute.
Instant access
Visit Sayfone from any web browser on your phone, tablet, or computer. No downloads or app installations needed.
Dialer
+00 000 000 00
Type or paste the full number starting with +245, followed by the 9-digit local number. Select mobile or landline if prompted.
HD audio from your browser
Your call connects over a high-quality voice network. You'll see real-time call duration and cost — no surprises when you hang up.
UNDERSTANDING COSTS
International calls to Guinea-Bissau carry higher per-minute rates than many other countries. This isn't arbitrary — it's rooted in the country's limited telecom infrastructure, geographic isolation, and the economics of West African interconnection.
Guinea-Bissau's state-owned fixed-line operator, Guine Telecom, effectively ceased operations in 2014. The country has virtually no functioning landline infrastructure, so international calls terminate almost exclusively on mobile networks, which charge higher interconnect fees.
The entire mobile market is served by just Orange and MTN. With only two carriers, there is limited competitive pressure to lower international termination rates. The regulator ARN does not yet support mobile number portability, further reducing pricing competition.
Guinea-Bissau's international connectivity relies primarily on microwave links and a transport link to the Sonatel network in Senegal. The country only connected to its first submarine cable, ACE, in 2023. This limited backhaul capacity keeps international transit costs elevated.
Guinea-Bissau ranks 169th out of 193 countries in the ITU regulatory index. Weak regulatory frameworks mean fewer mechanisms to regulate termination rates or promote interconnection pricing reforms that would benefit international callers.
Sources
Supports claims about limited fixed-line infrastructure and low teledensity
Supports claims about ITU regulatory ranking and network limitations
Supports internet resilience score and ISP choice rating
CALLING OPTIONS COMPARED
Reaching Guinea-Bissau from abroad has traditionally been expensive and limited. Here's how the most common options compare for international callers trying to connect with family and contacts in Bissau and beyond.
Traditional Carrier (e.g. AT&T, Vodafone)
Major carriers charge steep international rates to Guinea-Bissau. Per-minute costs can be among the highest on their international rate cards, often with connection fees on top.
International Calling Cards
Prepaid calling cards still circulate in diaspora communities. Rates can be lower than carrier rates but hidden fees and connection charges often inflate the real cost significantly.
WhatsApp / Internet-Based Calls
WhatsApp calling works when both parties have a stable data connection, but Guinea-Bissau's internet penetration is low (around 32%) and data costs are extremely high — roughly 21% of average monthly income for just 1 GB. Many contacts may not have reliable data access.
Browser-Based Calling (Sayfone)
Call any Guinea-Bissau number directly from your browser with transparent per-minute pricing. No app required on your end, and the call terminates on the recipient's regular phone — they don't need internet access.
Bar lengths reflect relative cost tiers for each option — not survey percentages.
BEYOND INTERNET CALLS
Internet-based calling apps are convenient when both parties have reliable connectivity. In Guinea-Bissau, the reality on the ground creates serious challenges for app-based calls that make traditional phone connections far more dependable.
When you call through Sayfone, your call terminates on the recipient's regular phone number — mobile or landline. They don't need internet, a smartphone, or even electricity beyond a charged phone. You just need a browser.
The problem
Only about 32% of Guinea-Bissau's population uses the internet. Many people you want to reach — especially older family members or contacts outside Bissau — simply don't have regular internet access.
Mobile data in Guinea-Bissau costs approximately $4.20 per GB — about 21% of average monthly income. Most people cannot afford to keep a data connection active for voice-over-IP calls, which consume significant bandwidth.
Smartphone penetration in Guinea-Bissau was estimated at only around 10%, with about half of mobile users still on basic 2G handsets. WhatsApp and Messenger require a smartphone — many recipients simply don't have a compatible device.
Guinea-Bissau has one of the lowest electrification rates in Africa. Frequent power outages mean phones lose charge and data connections drop, making sustained VoIP conversations unpredictable.
Sources
Internet penetration, data affordability, and smartphone adoption statistics
Data cost affordability and network reliability context
TIPS & ETIQUETTE
Make the most of your calls to Guinea-Bissau with these practical tips on timing, time zones, and cultural etiquette that help your conversations go smoothly.
Guinea-Bissau Time Zone
GMT (UTC+0)
No daylight saving time
US East Coast Difference
Guinea-Bissau is 5 hours ahead of EST / 4 hours ahead of EDT
UK Difference
Same time as GMT / 1 hour behind BST
Expect Network Delays
Guinea-Bissau's mobile network can have brief connection delays. If a call doesn't connect on the first try, wait 30 seconds and try again — this is normal given the infrastructure.
Confirm the Right Number Format
Guinea-Bissau numbers are 9 digits after the +245 country code. Make sure you have the complete number including the 2-digit operator/area prefix and 7-digit subscriber number.
Portuguese is the Official Language
Portuguese is the official language of Guinea-Bissau, while Guinea-Bissau Creole (Kriol) is the most widely spoken. If you're calling businesses or officials, Portuguese is the expected language.
Power Outages Affect Reachability
Frequent electricity shortages mean phone batteries may be dead. Try calling during daylight hours when phones are more likely to be charged, or arrange call times in advance via text.
Greetings Matter
Always begin a phone call with a warm greeting before getting to business. In Guinea-Bissau culture, asking about someone's health and family before discussing the purpose of your call is considered respectful and expected.
Patience is Essential
Business conversations may move at a slower pace than you expect. Decision-making often involves consulting multiple people, so don't expect immediate answers on the first call.
Scheduling is Flexible
Fixed appointment times are less rigid in Guinea-Bissau business culture. If you've agreed to call at a specific time, allow a flexible window of 15–30 minutes and be patient if your contact is slightly delayed.
POPULAR DESTINATIONS
Whether you're connecting with family in Bissau, relatives in Bafatá, or business contacts in Gabú, here's a quick reference for the most commonly called cities in Guinea-Bissau.
Bissau
Bissau is the capital and largest city, home to the country's main port, government offices, and the vast majority of international businesses. Most international calls to Guinea-Bissau terminate in Bissau.
Best time to call: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM GMT (evenings for personal calls)
Photo brief: Bissau Guinea-Bissau city waterfront Pexels
Bafatá
Bafatá is the second-largest city, located in the interior about 82 km from Bissau. It serves as an important market town and regional administrative centre with strong cultural heritage.
Best time to call: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM GMT
Photo brief: Bafata Guinea-Bissau market town Unsplash
Gabú
Gabú is the main city in the eastern part of the country, close to the border with Guinea-Conakry and Senegal. It's an important trading centre with a large weekly market that draws people from across the region.
Best time to call: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM GMT
Photo brief: Gabu Guinea-Bissau market Africa Unsplash
Cacheu
Cacheu is one of the oldest colonial settlements in West Africa, located along the Cacheu River in the north. It holds significant historical importance and is a regional administrative centre.
Best time to call: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM GMT
Photo brief: Cacheu river Guinea-Bissau historic town Pexels
Bubaque
Bubaque is the largest town in the Bijagós archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Calling Bubaque can be challenging due to limited network coverage on the islands, but both Orange and MTN provide service.
Best time to call: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM GMT (when network conditions tend to be better)
Photo brief: Bijagos Islands Guinea-Bissau tropical archipelago Unsplash
DIALING GUIDE
Guinea-Bissau uses the country code +245 with 9-digit local numbers. There is no trunk prefix — you dial the same number format whether calling domestically or internationally (just prepend +245 for international calls).
+245 XX XXXXXXX
+245 XX XXXXXXX
| City / region | Code |
|---|---|
| Bissau | 44 |
| Bafatá | 41 |
| Gabú | 42 |
| Cacheu | 43 |
| Canchungo | 51 |
| Mansôa | 52 |
Sources
Country code, trunk prefix, and 9-digit numbering format
COMMON QUESTIONS
Get answers to the most common questions about calling Guinea-Bissau — from rates and dialing formats to network reliability and the best times to call.
Still have questions? Our support team can help with any calling issues.
Contact SupportEXPLORE MORE DESTINATIONS
Looking for rates to other countries? Browse our most popular international calling destinations and find transparent per-minute pricing for wherever you need to call.
Ready to Call?
Skip the expensive carrier charges and unreliable app calls. Dial any Guinea-Bissau number in seconds with clear rates and no hidden fees.
The modern Skype alternative. No downloads, no contracts, just crystal-clear calls from any device, anywhere.